Enigmatic Variations - N0 1600 - Count By Proximal

[Matakari]

Good morning, an original approach here as far as reinstatement of letters are concerned. Juggling with letters is not my bag of tea, but I’m keen to learn the technique. Some assistance with the following would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

( A letter must be reinstated in each of 43 clues. The same letter that has been reinstated must replace one of the letters in the answer before entry. In clue order, the original letters which have been replaced spell out what should replace two entries. Word COUNT refers to answers; all entries are real words or phrases at every stage. Chambers Dictionary ( 2016 ) is recommended. )


30a Avid daughter of bodyguard one digs ( 5 ) : ???O?
42a Pug starts to ingest elastic and rubber ( 5 ): ????L?
1d Diving off short elevated platform having consumed French wine ( 7 ) : ?HA?A??
3d Perhaps like governess having primates ( 4 ) : ?LI?
29d Extreme nonsense about editor led to hatred ( 6 ): ???H?T
33d Frenchman with ails of particular type ( 5 ) : ??T?E

[Neveracrossword]

I'm not JJ, but...
That clue needs an anagram indicator and you have, apparently inadvertently, found it - Spongy. As the grid contains real words, there's only one letter in your original answer that can be swapped for an S.

[JJ109]

Further to NAC's answer
43a "Unit" has to be the anagram indicator to give Core Times, but as stated Unit is NOT an indicator, so you must obviously add a letter "F" to make "unfit" which then IS an anagram indicator. Therefore you must change one letter in core times to an F. Only changing one letter gives another real word.

21d You have spotted that the clue requires the initial letters to give ZINE which is the original answer. However "eery" then is nonsense. To make sense you must add a V to make EVERY then take the initial letters. Therefore one letter of ZINE must be replaced by a V. Has to be VINE.

24a You have spotted that steno is hidden in the clue, but the only word that could be an indicator is"hols" but to be an indicator, you must add a D to make "holds" then the words before it "hold" the answer. THerefore, you must change one letter of steno to a D= STEND

[JJ109]

If it is any consolation Matakari, I have found this one of the most difficult EVs for a while as I did not understand the preamble properly and input many wrong answers, which was a nightmare to correct. Once I understood, I have gradually got all the correct answers apart from one and have been able to parse all but 2 more. I shall persevere and finish this before I ask for help parsing.

What I will say is that this is a brilliant puzzle, and the satisfaction you get when you finally solve a clue that you have been struggling with is definitely worth carrying on. Don't give up on it.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, JJ, that all sounded really helpful and I do hope Matakari will keep going. As you said, even the satisfaction of solving the clues is worthwhile!

[Matakari]

Thanks, JJ109, for that very perceptive and in-depth lesson for this one.
I appreciate it and now fully grasp what I have to do here. I'll persevere and as NACW says, even if I do not get out all the reinstated letters, I would be happy just solving the clues. My gratitude !

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, you couldn't have finer teachers than PM and JJ when it comes to grappling with the add a letter to the clue, change a letter in the answer elements. Even if you don't fare too well with this puzzle, your education will have come in huge leaps and bounds - and you'll be better equipped for the future. And as JJ also said, this was a very tough puzzle - the word 'gentle' could never be applied here! Maybe tomorrow's Spectator will be more Matakari- friendly...

[Matakari]

Many thanks, NACW! I'm looking out for another Spectator to boost my morale. Hope it's a great Doc!

[Neveracrossword]

Sorry, Matakari, no 'great Doc' for you this morning!

[JJ109]

It isn't Doc -but it is fairly easy! I got the theme of the "unclueds" after answering just 4 clues!

Good luck Matakari!

[Neveracrossword]

JJ, I found the theme far easier to spot than solving some of the clues! Still, I got there in the end. Matakari, it's well within your grasp.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, if you're looking in again... the Private Eye puzzle might satisfy your wish for something 'gentle'.

[Matakari]

Good evening, NACW and JJ109, though I miss the typical anagram treat from Doc, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed Fieldfare this time. He was quite thought-provoking in places, but once I got the theme, it was plain sailing. I also liked the touch of the “further member” that is to be highlighted. But is the title meant to be a red herring? At first, I thought I had to enter the field of athletics and this kept me back somewhat until the penny dropped for the Unclueds.
I have not yet got a copy of the Private Eye, but as soon as it appears I’ll be having a go, NACW.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari - and I'm thrilled that I can say 'I told you so!' There were some tricky clues, but those just needed a bit of effort
The title seemed fine to me, I found it overly-revealing!

[JJ109]

The title is an anagram of the theme!

[Matakari]

Oh, yes, you needed to be very perspicacious to see the anagram
in the title. Fortunately, I discovered the unclueds without realising
that aspect of it.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, I'm not sure about being 'very perspicacious' - many of the Spectator titles are very revealing!