Enigmatic Variations N0 1607 By Gaston

[Matakari]

Good morning, an EV without extra letters and an end game that should prove interesting for me. Some clues are eluding me for which I would appreciate your help. Thanks in advance!

24a Both parents carrying dead lotus ( 5 ) : ??C??
34a Old queen’s knocked back drug ( 5 ) : ??R??

3d Almost bond with married, upset brother ( 4 ) : ???P
8d Holiday injury felt awful inside ( 8 ) : ??R?E?R?
18d Borders surrounding a new fabric ( 7 ) : ?R???L??
21d God exists in quiet national ( 7 ) : S???E??
22d Dirty raised edges associated with Switzerland ( 6 ): ???R??

[Neveracrossword]

19 News, latest. It has bridge partnerships., relatonships, making up the word.

PS The perimeter won't take much 'unravelling' - we were generously given the letters for much of it.

[Neveracrossword]

26 Enlit, shed light on (old, obsolete) Eng Lit, English literature, school subject, dropping the G, German.

[Matakari]

Many thanks, NACW, I'm enjoying discovering the characters of the perimeter.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, glad you're finishing this one off nicely!

[Matakari]

Thanks, NACW, I really enjoyed this last part and am glad I did not throw in the sponge.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the last bit - that makes up for the earlier struggles!

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, if you're looking in again this morning... I hope you enjoy  Doc's Spectator puzzle. This could be the 'smoother' ride you wanted!

[Matakari]

Good morning, NACW, I have not yet got the full Spectator puzzle for this week, but have got all the answers to what I have...promises to be a smooth ride, indeed!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari - 'smooth ride' was not the phrase I had in mind! I'm never very keen on Doc's Brewer's puzzles, but at least he doesn't churn those out too often nowadays. 

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, fifteensquared now has the blog for EV 1606. If you read it, you will see why I was keen for you to do it, and very disappointed when you gave up on it!