Spectator 2061 Saturday April 28th 2012

[mintyman99]

http://www.spectator....7806943/crossword.pdf

[bibblebub]

thanks

[barryjbutler]

Thanks as usual Mintyman!

[kayakamina]

What a contrast to last weeks tour de force.

Thanks for the link again MM

[JMR27]

many thanks mm

[slaney]

Thanks mintyman.

[maurice]

Many thanx from me 2, mintyman!

[whatsthat]

Thanks as always mm.

[roslyn251254]

Usual thanks mm. Now what to do with the rest of the day!?

[maurice]

Is the ambiguity in 8d? Are we meant to enter the first of the two alternatives in alphabetical order, or how do others interpret Doc's explanation?

[kayakamina]

Yes it is 8d.

I take it that it is O rather than U

[maurice]

Thanks for the confirmation, kkm -- a bit weak, though, don't you think? Could have allowed both!

[mad max]

as always many thanks for link

[novalis]

Many thanks for the link.

[Crackabilly]

Have all clued lights and 14a and 40a, which appear related to "Fine Food".
Thanks to post above I have 8d - but how is this related to the theme?
Also, for some of the unclued lights, e.g. 38a RA?D?L?, there are multiple possibilites none of which, in my mind, clearly relate to the theme.
Obviously, I'm not seeing something - any pointers appreicated.

[roslyn251254]

Your 40a splits up into 3, 8d is one of the 3 middle bits. 38a is another "middle bit". Do you have a Bradfords crossword solvers dictionary? it's in there.
3 of the unclued lights are anagrams of the first part of 40a. 3 others are similar to the last part of 40a

[roslyn251254]

40a splits into 3 parts, 8d is one of the 3 unclued lights that go with the middle bit. 38a is another . 3 other unclued lights are anagrams of the 1st part of 40a. the remaining 3 are similar to the last part of 40a

[roslyn251254]

Sorry for the repeat - the 1st attempt didn't seem to work!

[roslyn251254]

14a belongs to "part 3"

[Crackabilly]

Yes, I am beginning to see it now.
I'll pursue this line, and post again if I get stuck.
Thanks roslyn251254!

[Crackabilly]

Finished now.
Thanks again rosyln251254!