Listener 4287: Primed To Begin By Spud

[AHearer]

A pretty easy solve, with clear advice coming from the extra letters. My preference is for a more formal style of invitation, but there I'm just old-fashioned. Not much else to say, really. Thank you, Spud.

[BobHWW]

Yes I agree entirely. I'd like to say more but it could easily give the game away.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, strictly out of order to give the game away but I like these that have a series of tasks and pdms. to work out. Not too difficult but very enjoyable, thanks, Spud.

[olichant]

I absolutely echo the above - a fun puzzle all round.

[emcee]

Humorous endgame but I'm old-fashioned too, AHearer!

Nice puzzle, Spud.

[lyrabelacqua]

A nice gentle workout after last week's epic effort, though I felt that the final advice was a little inelegant. My preference is for a symmetrical approach.

[perseverer]

Very much more staightforward than last week, but some clever clues. I'm afraid I'm in the old-fashioned camp too, in more than one sense.

[jim360]

Nothing too daunting -- from a crossword perspective, at least, although I'm not too bothered by the freedom of choice. Thanks Spud.

[s_pugh]

After last week arguably a case of from the sublime to the ridiculous, but then I too am something of a traditionalist. At least it gives me my weekend back! Thanks Spud, an entertaining puzzle with the rare help of clear and precise instructions.

[doctormatt]

Yes a nice and very clever construction, with some neat touches, and challenging but not too difficult, after last week's (still unfinished) mountain.

[aldanna]

Yes, I agree with the general consensus, not hard, quite fun and much easier than the one I failed on last week. This week I had the final pdm while doing the ironing, as recommended a couple of weeks ago.

[IainGrace]

Believe we have completed this, but is the business about guests a bit pointless/silly?

[jim360]

I suppose it's a way of making sure that you have seen all relevant highlight-able options.

[Scorpius]

I've made my choice, but since symmetry is not required there are actually more than the specified number of items to choose from, still involving 30-33 cells.

[Kite1]

Of course so simple!! thanks

[Ruthrobin]

Scorpius - 'comprising five sections'

[borealis]

Having made the earliest possible choice, I found it tempting to highlight the relevant location; I wonder if Spud had this in a draft and rejected it as in the wrong direction?

[Scorpius]

Ruthrobin, "comprising five sections had not escaped" my notice, but 'section' is open to some interpretation. If a group of connected cells is a section then I think there are 9 possible items. However, that doesn't make the endgame ambiguous beyond the flexibility permitted by the rubric, since 5 of those options are excluded by the second part of the hidden advice.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, Scorpius, I can see what you are referring to.

[IainGrace]

The debate about giving away information on AB possibly continues. The references to old fashioned/traditional gave us a step for a hint. We are probably in the camp that likes to engage with AB before necessarily having solved the entire puzzle, albeit we won't engage until we have made significant inroads - as distinct from visiting the site only when the puzzle is a fait accompli.

[Cagey]

Another good puzzle. Did not find it as easy as some others suggest, due to stumbling over a few clues, but still pleased to have finished.
In the recent spirit of giving things away: Obviously, like many others, the name I wrote beneath the grid was my own.
[pause before weak punchline...]
Followed by my address and phone number before enveloping and sending away.