EV 846 Three Fours

[DocHH]

Just struggling with 24d, any hints would be appreciated. Thanks. I am assuming the title is also thematic, but cant see anything appropriate.

[4winds]

Couldy ou please tellus the clue and no. of letters?

[copelander]

Serenes....Serene is another spelling of serein

[DocHH]

Thank you Copelander, I had that down as a thematic, which as you can imagine caused all sorts of quandries! I didn't check Chambers close enough, but shouldn't the clue read "clears"? So my missing thematic is probably 33ac.

[copelander]

Yep ,33a is a thematic.

[DocHH]

Sloppy work today, having deduced what the middle letter of 33ac was, I just crossed that clue off as solved!
Nice to have official recognition of extended entry date! I had initially suspected it was just a hiatus due to the festive season.

[copelander]

Yes, people power seems to have prevailed. Not too difficult this week, once the theme became clear.

[novalis]

Just having a break from it ( one clue - thematic - left to do which I shall work on ---- or scream for help if I can't get it!! )
Hope all EVers are fit and well.

[devadolly]

Hello everyone. Hope all are well.

Only managed to grab the paper this afternoon and am finding my brain is somewhat like the Curate's egg - good in parts! Some of the clues seem very easy, as do some of the 'eleven' and the others are by-passing me rather like a very stiff breeze.

You have solved my head-scratching re 24d thank you copelander, I had the normal definition but couldn't see how it fitted and my Chambers didn't help - Thank you.

Am having difficulty working out the thematic title and how to adapt the '11' so some hints please.

Regards

[ulysses100]

Look at the centre of the grid (including the blank word) and make out a three word phrase. From the eleven answers act on this phrase, but most of them are just a string of letters (but in the same order as found in the word).

[devadolly]

Thank you Ulysses100, I know what is needed and will do that - eventually - it just happens (law of Sod I imagine) that it is the centre of my grid that is very naked!! The perimeter is well clothed.

Regards

[ulysses100]

Devadolly:
16d ends with four letters given in the clue preceded by abbr. of a country
19d is a partial anagram
23d starts with an abbreviation of a form of radiation
26d the clue tells you the first two letters (the answer is a Javanese tree and its poison)
29d starts with abbr. for Orient followed by synonym for man followed by physical education

I hope that this gives you plenty to go on.

[copelander]

Hi Devadolly, It really will become clear once you fill in more in the middle. I didn't ever work out if the title is thematic.

[DocHH]

Devadolly, how bardly is that central entry badly populated? Me trying to be obscure encore une fois!

[devadolly]

ulysses 100, thank you for your hints, most helpful for 16d, don't think I was on the right road there. Did manage the 29d & 23d with the help of the purring cat late last night and have just beaten myself around the head about 26d!!!! Am still very confused about the movement of letters etc but will ponder afresh later this afternoon - work willing.

DocHH - ----------------! I think I need some Brain additive!

Thanks everyone

[crofter]

I have found this link to avery enjoyable EV.

I have finished but I am left with two question marks:

I can find only 10 "adjusted" clues. Surely 28a is not to be counted as the 11th one?

I cannot see the relevance of the title "Three Fours"!

Neither of these is needed to complete the grid, but I was curious.

[novalis]

I'm clearly missing something obvious but am still struggling with 45a. Any hints or pointers would be welcome please. I think I can deduce what my missing letter is but would like to confirm it. Agree with Crofter re 28a.

[crofter]

novalis, Re 48a, start with a full anagram of "My mare's health" and remove a 6-lettered word/name!

[crofter]

Sorry novalis, you asked about 45a!

Looking at this again, I suspect that this might be my missing 11th adjusted clue!

[DocHH]

Hello Novalis and Crofter
You are correct in assuming that 45a is thematic and is Crofters missing thematic, and Novalis, you are able to deduce that unchecked letter.
The actual answer is 9 letters, and as well as being a state of wedlock is a card game. Sorry for not responding sooner, but have been working.

[crofter]

Thanks DocHH. The penny finally dropped!

Now there's just the title to fathom!