Listener Crossword 4307 - Spiral Of Salami And Walnuts By Wan

[starwalker]

What a delight, on another theme about which I was previously ignorant. Would have been much tougher without the generosity of the setter. Particularly liked 33 down. Thanks Wan.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed, a lucky find led us to this very clever and very engaging theme which was totally new to me. I loved the way some of the clues were put together. Indeed, thanks to Wn for his salami and walnuts!

[Cagey]

I have a full grid and highlighting, but fail to see how it all fits together.
I think am missing something.

[jim360]

I was expecting the numerical this week. Close enough I guess. Thanks Wan. Some fine clues and clever wordplay I thought.

[Cagey]

Ah. Had reason it all ties together explained. Very good. A nice puzzle. And I agree that the clues were really good.

[trux]

Even though I twigged the theme very early on (without knowing exactly where it was heading), I thought this was a great puzzle with perhaps the best set of clues so far in 2014 with several entries of which previously I'd never even dreamt could be real words. Many, many thanks to Wan for a truly enjoyable solve.

[BobHWW]

Many thanks to Wan for an excellent puzzle with some very good clues. Thank heavens we weren't asked to draw the spiral! Should be a (true) numeric next week Jim.

[midazolam]

Indeed. A very good puzzle, excellent clues, enjoyable PDM that all tied together, and a clever grid construction fitting all the letters especially with 90deg symmetry. Oh and not forgetting a new cluing device. The editors wanted well executed puzzles and this is one, not like grids with just three words to find. Come on setters more like this.

[Scorpius]

I thought I was home and dry when I discovered the discoverer, but I'm obviously on the wrong track since relating his discovery to a set of elements results in a maximum of 30, not 39 elements, so more grid staring for me.

[aldanna]

Oh dear. Full grid, and no idea where to spiral. However, as next week is a numerical I can give that to Himself and perhaps resume grid-staring then. Enjoyed it so far, thanks Wan!

[lyrabelacqua]

A corker. Full grid and lots of staring before the penny finally dropped about what the rubric was on about. Extremely elegant stuff.

Scorpius, are you sure you have the right discoverer?

[s_pugh]

Unbelievable! Like Aldanna had a full grid and stared for hours. Then I spotted the vital clue. Surely a prime contender for POTY (and I know there have been a few). How 360 symmetry was achieved while getting the thematic elements to trace a meaningful path defies belief. Bravo Wan!

[emcee]

Very good clues throughout. Enjoyed the thematic aspect of the clues too. Just can't get myself together to do the last bit at the moment, especially after discovering I'd made a boob in Ozzie's puzzle 3 weeks ago [as expected]

[jim360]

I'd expect Ozzie's puzzle to have hit quite a few people chasing the stats this year. This is another one that's a bit fiddly I expect.

[emcee]

I agree, Jim.

Row 4 caused me the grief - I didn't spot "ARI". Damn it!

[Scorpius]

Hyrabelacqua, no, I'm not sure I have the right discoverer. I'm not sure of anything in this puzzle apart from my answers to the clues. Obviously I cannot say how I found the discoverer on this forum without invoking wrath, but I will say that I have a name that begins with S (first name) and an unusual last name, who is associated with the first word of the title. His interest would also give a rationale for the discards in the thematic clues. If all that's wrong then I've swallowed for a massive red herring.

[perseverer]

Scorpius - would not disagree with what you have said.

[Scorpius]

Thanks, perseverer, for that confirmation, if that's what you intended. My previous message has an errant 'for' in the last sentence, resulting from my change from 'fallen for' to 'swallowed'.

Shortly after posting my last message I noticed something interesting about the number specified in the preamble and the size of the grid. I hope I'm on the right track, but I have yet to test out my theory. Mind you, I dread to think what I may find: the title sound distinctly obscene.

[Scorpius]

The first four 'elements' were enough to confirm my theory. I don't think any more grid staring would have got me anywhere.

A really outstanding puzzle for all the reasons given in comments above. I think I shall have to take particular care with my submitted solution.

[TheBear69]

The theme was new to me as well, even though I knew about the discoverer in a more general context.

Another excellent Listener...picking the POTY will be very difficult for those of you who get to vote.

[Staurologist]

What a gourmet treat :>)

I knew the salami-walnuts discoverer from the gambling connection (surprisingly uncredited in the BRB), but hadn't previously explored the spiral. Mind you, it wasn't until I wrote down the expected 39 elements that I realized how to find them in the grid. I agree with s_pugh -- a prime candidate for POTY.