Listener 4199 Scattered by Kea

[Ruthrobin]

What a pleasure to see a Kea puzzle but what a tough solve. No, not really opening the Friday club as I still have to produce my final grid and there is some demanding word play to sort out but many thanks to Kea for an astonishingly challenging puzzle!

[silversolver]

I echo all of the above - a tough challenge, a marvel of construction and I really enjoyed the surface reading of the clues and the way the extra letters were hidden. Many thanks Kea!

[jim360]

OK still to finish this, barely started in fact, but have an entry and hopefully I'll chip away at this over the next few days. From the sounds of things it's going to be worth the effort!!

[AndrewG-S]

Utterly astonishing. One of best ever. Thanks kea, I am in awe.

[fyellin]

One of the most amazing constructions in a long time. Even when I guessed what the final PDM had to be, I refused to believe that it was possible. The first words that came out of my mouth were "HOLY S**T".

Does Kea blog about his puzzles after the fact?

[IainGrace]

Made a start on this and solved about half the clues, partly by identifying the more obvious extra letters. Intrigued by what seems to be emerging from the run of these letters, and very much looking forward to (we hope) reaching the denouement, based on comments thus far.

[IainGrace]

.....and, Jim360, congrats on your TV fame. Trust Mr Paxman didn't chastise you too much for slow answers.

[Walterloo]

Late start to this. Have 16 letter description (obtained by a method of genius on Kea's part) an almost full grid but 8 clashes so far so lots to figure out still. Encouraged by positive comments to continue.

[vetuste_ennemi]

You possibly made the same as I did, then, Walterloo.

[Walterloo]

That could be true vetuste, but I saw my errors and then it all came falling into my lap with the realisation that Kea's genius in obtaining the description was nothing, now that I've figured it all out, compared to his construction and what he did to achieve it. I thought Bandmaster's skill in Duet For One wouldn't be beaten for awhile but Kea comes along two weeks later and does just that. I'm off to the countryside now and I may be found by local dog walkers in a deliriously confused state in a field somewhere muttering 'How the hell did he do that?'

[upsetter]

does anyone have any hints?

[aldanna]

So near but... I have the sixteen letters but I have two recalcitrant clues (1ac and 1dn) I cannot solve. Tomorrow I am off to the Lakes so time is running out for me. Carry the BRB up Skiddaw? Maybe not. However, I am looking forward to seeing Jim360 on U/C when I return. Well done!

[tilbee]

Wow - absolutely amazing construction ! Some tough clueing leading to an incredible end-game. A real tour de force (as opposed to Tour de France, for which I am sure we are all awaiting the expected successful outcome this afternoon). Thanks to Kea.

[Ruthrobin]

Jim360 great - we'll be watching and hoping your team comes out on top.

[jim360]

Thanks all for the well-wishes regarding U/C!! This crossword is nearing its end, I hope, but been a hard slog and still got the maddening 22a and a couple more clues in the top half of the puzzle to solve. I have a slight problem with one clue because it leads either to having two clashes in the same clue (surely not?) or a 17th letter in the description. Which isn't encouraging. Still, plus side is that I am that close in the first place. And it really is looking worth the effort with a wonderful way to hide the message.

[tilbee]

jim360 - my advice is, if the preamble does not exclude a possibility (as it often does) then necessary to allow for it. May I add my best wishes for UC, though sure it was already filmed some time ago.

[teuchter2]

I've been chipping away at this one slowly over the weekend and now just have 11a to do, which, if I've got everything else right, must have two clashes in it. I've got the 16 letter description OK and think I know what I need to do next. I quite enjoy ones like this, where the penny drops little by little, and I'm sure I will agree on it's brilliance if/when I get finished!

[Arcticpenguin]

I had a problem once with a pesky kea attacking my windscreen wipers on the way to Milford Sound in New Zealand. Nothing like as troublesome as this puzzle though. Got there in the end - what a work of art !!! A prize-winner maybe ?

[jim360]

Finished. 10d the last clue to get. 22a, I had the right island but wrong spelling initially. The seven changes, I managed to get them all by applying the rules of the preamble, but not initially with the guide of the description. That I only just got until now. Erm... wow. Just wow.

[BlackHugh]

I too am utterly astounded by the puzzle (although I think that Kea must have had some collaboration).I am in the position of having all the grid apart from 10d but can see what I must write. I did read somewhere that the only appropriate way to drink great burgundies was on ones knees with head bowed in respect. Not sure I'd have been able to solve it in exactly that position but it was due that honour.

upsetter: if you want to confer my e-mail is [email protected]
also if anyone wants help on 10d

[BlackHugh]

sorry - I meant if anyone wants to help me on 10d