Azed 2157

[hankir]

Can someone provide URL to print the Azed 2157?

The Guardian crossword page still shows Azed 2156.
You can search for 2157 and it shows that it is available, but clicking it does
not show the grid.

Thanks.

[greyfox]

I get the same issue myself hankir. I guess they'll sort it eventually so we'll just have to wait for this week's Azed fix.

[Farrwest]

What a nuisance! I look forward to my Sunday tussle!

[jockie]

I went out to buy the paper. 2157 is headed "Competition, Carte Blanche" but there is a normal numbered and barred 13x11 grid with normal clues and no clue asterisked (as usual for a comp.). I wonder if the elves at 90 York Way have printed the clues and grid for 2158 a week early?

[Nodger]

How odd. My newspaper copy (bought in Ireland) has a blank (ie no bars) 12 X 12 grid. There are no numbers, and one asterisked clue. It'a toughie, but that's no consolation if you haven't got it at all.

[jockie]

It would be a kindness, and give nothing away, if the clues from the Irish version could be posted here. The competition will probably be aborted, but there's still the puzzle to solve.

[Nodger]

It’s symmetrical if you turn it upside down, but not if given a quarter turn.

All the clues are in order.

ACROSS

Chance acquaintance embraces this writer, a tonic
Left inside nearest to fire
Special school for geeky swot
NZ- style picnic, no good in endless shower
One in skiing venue botched test – in appropriate gear
Protein creating a fellow’s bodily firmness
Plunge into lake, e.g. Windermere? _____, getting tangled wit grim reed
Fancy! Prisoner’s fed with such bivalves
Possibly impenetrable lock securing one wrongfully
Less than half tobacco crumbled with eg naan – it flavours snuff
Openings of minute measure in human body yielding sweat
How Texans address others in reverse of liberal song (apostrophe)
A glacis fashioned in limestone
A divine, I translated Latin including nothing extra
Shake second of dice in board game
Gathering in essence led by bishop
TV feature presenting antithesis of Con Government
Rank of former cavalry officer and others in old-fashioned clothing

DOWN

Wherein you might see pharaoh’s head, height swathed inperfume?
Antidepressant I lug around outside
Pet you can get from Tesco’s
* Sensational
Senior yeoman bringing up some longhorn oxen
Nanny he treated with a pill: a protein constituent
Unit of weight with origins in Korea and the Indies
I’m flagging around end of marathon, in one piece but antiquated
Striving exists in what represents Japan?
Type notes about Europe
Prudent, skirting small island of crude rock
Endless hell? Girl coming round to give young parents a break
Muscle put into excursion in a way that should attract punters
What’s ground for Abos? Not one will include made-up road
Baronet holds urn up, revealing votes cast
Bar (of a kind) that converts club into pub
Barley producing great gallons
I’m husky – hate initially having to leave singers

[roslyn251254]

Can anyone supply us with a grid please? (Or is it just a blank 12 x 12 ?)

[Nodger]

Blank 12 by 12. Symmetrical if turned upside down, but not if given a quarter turn. Asterisked clue is Sensational.

[roslyn251254]

Thanks nodger!

[jockie]

And thanks from me too!

[Farrwest]

Thank you nodger. You've made my day!
Can you tell me the significance of the '* Sensational'. Thanks

[Nodger]

Farrwest - it's not cryptic - people sending the puzzle in have to also compile a cryptic clue for it

[Farrwest]

Thank you again nodger. I think I'm being a bit slow here! Does that mean the answer is 'sensational'

[Nodger]

No - the answer is a synonym of 'Sensational'

[Farrwest]

Thanks. I normally do send it in but not this time. Too hard and too late!