Listener 4209 City Crossing Tour by Merlin

[AndrewG-S]

Grid fill was not too bad and I have the location name and the famous puzzle. Am in the middle of finding the various thematic elements, not sure whether I will press on tonight or have a break until tomorrow. Anyway fun so far so thanks Merlin. Have a sneaky suspicion that I will not be the first poster but have missed the thread. No doubt will be redirected!

[Ruthrobin]

Think you are AndrewG-S. We are in the same position. Fine, challenging set of clues. We spotted the theme at the outset but will probably complete tomorrow.

[jockie]

Like RR I spotted the gimmick before solving any clues, but this didn't detract from the pleasure in filling the grid - perhaps the title was too generous? But I'm now facing the problem of not knowing whether I have located all the items. Are there perhaps fewer than in the original puzzle? It would have been useful to have been told - after all, who is to say that a rum collection of 3 or 4 letters isn't an arcane example in some far-off spot?

[jim360]

The exact nature of the problem just hit me - I was puzzling over the apparently random nature of the corrections to the down clues, but in a nice pdm I've got the place and the name, so I know what to do. Back when I was younger this was one of my favourite problems, who knows why, but there you go. I'm again short of some key equipment so will have to get round to finishing this later.

In other news, I'm pretty sure I made a stupid error in the highlighting of 4206 that'll cost me a precious correct. Shame, that.

[crosswhit99]

There are the same number of 'items' as in the original puzzle jockie, but Merlin has hidden an extra object in the grid which allows a positive resolution.

[starwalker]

Another one who spotted the theme before starting the solve. A full grid and several objects, but I'm wondering if I have them all, as the final continuous path seems very arbitrary and unconvincing. More though needed, but a fun puzzle nevertheless. Thanks Merlin.

[Zabadak]

The trouble with wordsearches is that you can come up with the odd word or two which the setter (probably) didn't intend. To solve this, I've had to discard at least one element, and only the absence of OCD in my soul prevents me from looking for more. I've found it helps (a lot) to understand and fulfil the first instruction, though if I were in full grump mode, I might suggest there are alternative responses which might make you feel "I've done that". Good crossword solve, interesting theme which my brain gets confused about, reasonably satisfying, if tentative, solution.

[Mysterons]

This was a nice twist on a classic puzzle but I am mystified by suggestions here that in this case there might be 'unintended' thematic objects. The number is fixed not only by a knowledge of the original puzzle but also the ingenious method that Merlin has used to identify the middle component of the across instruction - this in turn makes the extra object harder to spot at first. The final path is far from arbitrary starwalker - it's the only one that avoids self-crossing.

[IainGrace]

Early days but looks interesting and we haven't clocked the theme yet. A number of relatively easy clues, making for a fairly speedy grid fill, it seems. We hit the buffers, as it were, with 4207 - couldn't work out the final steps, at least not in time to post.

[AndrewG-S]

All fell into place quickly this morning and thought the final construction was impressive, although helped a lot by a non symettric grid which is quite unusual. I can't recall the last one

[Mesnilpat]

I have completed the grid and have the instruction provided by the across clues. I am not certain that I have the theme and the corrections for the down clues seem pretty random. I hope for the same pdm as jim360.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed AndrewG-S. This was an appropriate use of a non-symmetric grid and an amusing finish.

[starwalker]

Mysterons- my path was arbitray and unconvincing because I felt that I was missing something - and I was. Now that that has been cleared up, I shall hand this to Mrs S was completion. (She likes to get involved at times).

[pushmi-pullyu]

Filled the grid and identified the puzzle, but away from home now till tomorrow night so am putting it aside. Anyone else delighted by 28ac?

[Mesnilpat]

I've now found the theme and looking for the objects. Pushmi-pullyu, I thought 28ac was delightful too!

[fallster]

I really liked this one - thanks Merlin! Even though the theme was clear to me from the preamble alone, it was delightful to see how it was carried out, and there was just the right amount of toughness in the endgame.

[contendo]

Greatly impressed by all those who got the theme before starting the crossword. It makes me wonder why I bother. I've got most of the way there but am struggling to get the single continuous path.

[tilbee]

Like others identified the theme before finishing the preamble, which certainly helped to a quick grid fill. Thematic elements identified (at least the number in the original puzzle) so now to scratching my head as to how to achieve the impossible.

[trux]

Z Cup for me, I'm afraid as theme was made too obvious by title and first sentence of preamble, gridfill was fairly unchallenging, and endgame to my mind not satisfactory even if it does raise a smile which is more than I can muster at present when distracted by the European "golfers" some of whom look like they play off 18.... Bah, humbug! Anyhow, I still thank Merlin for the amusement and admire his nifty construction and some clever surface readings (for me, the stand-out was 18a, but that maybe explains my mood!).

[jabone]

Hmm - the only way I can achieve the impossible is by avoiding the bill and I'm sure that can't be right.

[tilbee]

OK required twist found, and believe I have a solution that meets all the prerequisites of the preamble, though have based this on a somewhat liberal interpretation of the lack of constraints around the continuous line. Based on the posts from Mysterons and starwalker though, sure there is a final PDM awaiting. Will leave for now and come back to this later.