Listener 4107 - European Revolutions by Spud

[daagg]

A lovely ending! The "19 letters" is quite funny.

[midazolam]

Yes fun stuff daagg (although I am at an advantage having seen it before)

[daagg]

Is it yours?? I couldn't work out what the across instruction was until I had solved the scrambled clue letters. It is very well constructed.

[midazolam]

no daagg, not one of mine! Although a fair amount (including several entries) has changed since I saw it last. A fine debut

[Zabadak]

Another one to make me feel really stupid just in time for Cheltenham. I'll let you know when I've figured out what to do with the instruction, the unaffected item and the unscrambled object. It ain't funny (yet)!

[silversolver]

I am at the same point as Zabadak - I have a completed grid, an instruction, the unaffected thematic element (duly located in the grid) and the puzzle to be solved. I think I have a fair idea what is going on but as yet have not located all the thematic elements or how they are amended by the instruction. Hopefully the light will eventually dawn. I never mastered solving the original version of the puzzle either...

[Zabadak]

Hi Silversolver: The other annoying thing is that I could resolve the original, but I'm not sure that helps here (much). I have a good idea of what I'm going to end up with, but only a general idea of how to get there. Judging from the other comments so far, I suspect I'm overcomplicating things

[AHearer]

Another weekend for some exotic requests at the office supplies store! Fun, though.

[silversolver]

Yes, AHearer - I was just thinking that I need to pop out and buy a new set of highlighter pens

[pushmi-pullyu]

I've got the grid filled, the instruction and the unaffected element, but I'm not confident about all the correct letters from the scrambled clues, so still a long way from a solution.

[AndrewG-S]

Very enoyable so far, I have a full grid, all the instructions and two of the thematic elements. It is reminding me of hours of fun(?) working out the original.

[aldana]

Yes, a (nearly) full grid, a meaningless instruction, an identified "element" (also fairly meaningless) and no idea what to do next. Mind you, I was at this stage this time last week and I think I finished it correctly in the end. I look forward without too much hope to being suitably amused by the "19 letters".

[silversolver]

The penny has now dropped - an enjoyable and amusing endgame.

[daagg]

It wasn't the letters themselves which I found amusing, more the business of counting them. I wonder how much tolerance will be given for "appropriate highlighting", as Chambers gives quite a degree of variation for some of the items.

[starwalker]

Have got to the stage where five of the elements have shown themselves (after a little persuasion). Am now seeking the very final endgame.
I think it's safe to say that the man from St Albans is quite tolerant when it comes to highlighting.
An excellent debut and no mistake.

[AndrewG-S]

All done, great puzzle thanks Spud. I shall be buying shares in a stationary company first thing Monday

[AHearer]

Most companies don't move around much.

[x_word_fan]

All done - a most enjoyable puzzle. But why are the 19 letters funny? I can only see one obvious word when they are jumbled.

[AHearer]

I can't resist reporting this conversation:
AH: Have you got a set of crayons I could borrow?
Son: Is this about the Listener crossword?
AH: How did you know?
Son: Whenever you ask me anything weird it's to do with the Listener crossword.

[AndrewG-S]

AH, I have similar experiences, wrote to JG with a solution a few weeks ago and on the letter that came back my daughter wrote sad crossword person. Sorry about my stationery typo, never was much good at spelling, probably why I struggle with misprints. Wish I could keep my pencils neatly arranged too.

[Ruthrobin]

Started very late and only just understood where this is going (at least, I know what puzzle I am solving). Sadly, I never mastered the original but I am already thinking 'What a brilliant idea for a Listener crossword!"