Times 23862

[Mampara]

29across Most gay men will avoid clubs near the West End---8 letters- *a*p*e**
Any help, with an explanation would be great. Tks

[midazolam]

campiest = most gay

[Mampara]

Thank you mizadolam

I can see that the definition of campiest is most gay but if you could explain the rest of the wordplay to a relative newcomer to cryptics I would appreciate it.

What is the 'avoiding clubs near' mean to the solution?
I assume the 'T' is WesT end?

Thank you for any guidance you can offer.

[swannbaker]

The answer is happiest .

[Mampara]

Thank you swannbaker for your answer.

I am even more confused i'm afraid, and wonder if you would kindly explain your answer step by step to the clue as I'm having a very dim start to the day.

Sorry for that and thank you in advance.

[sarumite]

Mampara, I wasn't able to come up with the answer provided by swannbaker, but think it's as follows:

Happiest = most gay.

men = chappies (avoid clubs i.e. C) = happies

plus T ... Wes(t) end = happiest

[jwbr]

(c)happies _ t

[Mampara]

Many thanks sarumite.

I see your name frequently on here helping others less capable. You must be the cryptic star of the site. You must have been doing them for years to be so good?

Thanks to everyone else for their patience

[sarumite]

Hi Mampara .. regret my capabilities are not a patch on many of the cryptic wizards on this site, but I'm more than willing to improve with the assistance of such experts as kayakamina etc!