Spectator 2561 Ports

[Tilly2]

I need a bit of help with these please.

21d reckoning, recording?

8d. Hypocritical chap, one wrongly holding a gentleman up. (9) ??A???A??

Thank you.

[greyfox]

21d Recycling - it's the theme hint.

8d Pharisaic - anagram of chap holding ' a sir' in reverse.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Greyfox.

[greyfox]

You're very welcome.

[Tilly2]

Could someone please give me an example of how the unclued lights work.

Eg 31a CL?N??Y
20a. ??CYCLI

[Neveracrossword]

Tilly2, just spell out the word featured in 21 D, starting from a different point. . 20A is Ngcycli. Does that help?

[Neveracrossword]

Did that help or hinder, I wonder - tilly2, 2tilly.illy2t, lly2ti, ly2til, y2till.

[Tilly2]

Well, I put in cycling, so it helped. Thank you.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Tilly2. I found the final step a bit unrewarding - I think I prefer six (properly) different unclued entries!

[Tilly2]

I haven't done all the clued lights yet but at least you have helped me with knowing how to get to an, apparently, underwhelming finish. :-)

[Neveracrossword]

Oh, sorry if I have spoiled it for you, Tilly2! As 21 D was given yesterday, with its mention of the 'theme hint' and as you had all but one of the letters needed in your 31 and 20,I thought you were nearer to the solution than you were.

[Tilly2]

I typed this earlier but didn't send it!

Ah! They're all the same word! Good heavens.

You didn't spoil it for me NAC. Thank you for putting me out of my misery. :-)
I find the Spectator crosswords to be very compelling and keep slogging away at them. It keeps me out of mischief.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Tilly2. I'm relieved - I know how much you've been enjoying the Spectator puzzles, I wouldn't want to spoil that. They do vary - I take to some setters, take against others (and other ABers have the exact opposite!).