Guardian 26095

[mrcroft]

16ac Waistline finally slim and dark......... (5) -B-N- Some of the answers are names of palaces but not this one I think. This effort by Philistine was simply way below normal standard of a Guardian Prize !

[grasscarp]

ebony

[dannyk13]

16a.Ebony (waistlin)e + bony

[RogerBear]

Two people have said this. What's so awful about it? Once you get the version with the special instructions, that is.

[Svejk]

Are you philistine,roger? ;)

[RogerBear]

No, I'm not Philistine! While this puzzle is perhaps needlessly complex, it has quite a few excellent clues, and even when you know the theme it still packs some surprises. I am just interested in your criteria here -- genuinely so.

[vakayu]

ebony?

[Mamyalynne]

I have a feeling a few started this blind, with no special instructions and that did lead to confusion.

[RogerBear]

Mamalynne, I guess you are right. I started blind myself, on my iPad in distant Baltimore, and made no progress (though I was also very tired). When I returned next day, there was the standfirst, and I begun to get a few answers. Even so, the puzzle was never easy, and I had to come here to find the long vertical down the middle. Roger.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, it was a challenge but also satisfying to complete - sorry for extra traffic mrcroft.