Ev 1171

[saladdodger]

Almost a full grid but some clashes that I don't know how to resolve yet as I haven't worked out "the poem" yet. Help please!

[DocHH]

Hello saladdodger,
I stumbled on both verses by looking up in ODQ the word spelled by the additional letters of the wordplay in 5 of the last 6 down clues, viz 22d to 30d! One of those last 6 down clues yields an answer that needs to be modified in accordance to the first line of the initial verse!
Just relaxing after a pleasant dinner and the odd glass of Australian Red!

[saladdodger]

yes - i've got the last 2 words of the down letters and have found the said verse - will now have a rethink (so there are 2 verses to be found?)

[DocHH]

Yes, indeed there are 2 verses involved. You have probably found the one where the additional letters spell out the second line! The first line of that verse then tells you why the grid is better without those letters, and also the number of the clue that does not have an additional letter.

Now look at the content of grid entries where there are clashes, and compare the content of those clashes to a verse attributed to the author of the one that contains the words spelled out by the additional letters. In my edition of ODQ only one directly answers the "Title Question", namely "Who am I?"

[saladdodger]

Thanks Doc - almost sorted now but still don't get 4d?

[maurice]

I'm in exactly the same boat!
Why does it say there are 6 letters when it's 7 (at least I have a suitable answer with 2,1,4)) ? PLUS I can't find a synonym for "section" which, when removed from the first two words, produces my phrase which is synonymous with the last two in the clue!

[EV_Solver]

I'm sure that the intention is just to enter the three word answer normally. S = Section, btw.

[maurice]

.............and thanx again on this channel, too!

[maurice]

In addition (!), can anyone parse 14a completely? I only "see" the 1st 2 letters --- rest supposed to be anagram of synonym wd in clue or what?

[slaney]

14a decorated in gold trim either side of edge.
Gold=OR
Trim =N(e)AT - e as extra letter.
Either side of edge=E

[slaney]

Very enjoyable and clever crossword, so thanks to Ifor.

[maurice]

Thanks, Slaney ---I'd come to that conclusion, too, but it seems a bit feeble, removing & adding the same letter. Nevertheless I agree, a very entertaining puzzle.

[devadolly]

Good evening All, please can someone give me a shove in the direction of the poem, without boring for England, it really has been the most appalling 2 weeks and I am shell shocked, the brain cells are not even functioning in remotely the right order but I would love to lose myself in a xword. Sadly Mr I (a very close relation of Mr O I suspect) and his complex preamble have reduced me to a pulp......................please take pity not even the Hendricks is hitting the spot!

[djawhufc]

The Algonquin- love and freckles

There you go Devadolly

[devadolly]

Thank you for the hint dja... will have another look.

[allanwalls]

A really clever and challenging puzzle. Also a good chuckle.
One problem I can't resolve. The answer to 2ac needs to lose a letter from wordplay (L) but is also an answer that needs correction as described in the first line of the first verse. This appears to violate the stated rule that the modification is only made to "normal clues". What am I missing?
Thanks ifor. Brilliant as always.

[allanwalls]

Please disregard my last post. Just found my error!