I polished it off quickly due mainly to luck as I had an inspired period on the first pass which left all the middle three rows across solutions in place as well as all the top half down clues. (For some reason I saw GRAND INQUISITOR almost instantly.) Definitely not my usual experience with Picaroon.

Only hold up was the SE corner.

As a Northern lad I personally never notice the usage/abusage of less and fewer. I don’t particularly worry about abusage if the correct usage doesn’t actually lead to a clearer statement or avoids misunderstandings!

As regards mathematical distinctions between things countable and uncountable I seem to remember that these are a little more complicated than those of less and fewer. A cursory glance at Measure Theory will soon bring about those “I think my head is about to explode” moments. However I’m not sure Mathematics has a “reason” for making these distinctions

Thanks to PeterO and Picaroon

I entered ASHE because it had to be (from the definition) but couldn’t parse it and LAIKA because it had to be from the wordplay but didn’t undertand the definition. Excellent crossword all round – excellent analysis from Sil van den Hoek @33. I can’t add anything to that, so I won’t try. Others seem to have an agenda simply to denigrate the Guardian crossword because it’s not to their taste.

Just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed the airings of pet hates today. I’ve agreed with them all. Kathryn’s Dad @25 made me laugh out loud. I’d find you not guilty if you ever did – justifiable homicide in my opinion!

At a first glance we couldn’t make much of it (for about 6 minutes), but after the NW unfolded itself, it wasn’t the hardest of crosswords. Still tricky in places and certainly not a write-in.

Why do I like this setter’s crosswords so much?

Picaroon’s clueing is very precise, there is hardly any padding. Not even ‘trying’ in 16ac as it is part of the definition. Only at ‘Metamorphoses’ I thought mwah – it is a plural. But then you might say change ‘Ovid was’ and change it again …..

What I also like is the fact that Picaroon doesn’t use indicators more than once. And often very well chosen like in ‘losing bet’ or ‘wanting one’.

On top of such quality clueing there is a real bonus in the form of splendid surfaces, something I appreciate.
Sometimes leading to semi-& Lits, sometimes showing us combinations of words that we had to lift & separate like ‘pop art’ in 22d or the fabulous ‘it goes without saying’. Or the combination ‘in trouble again’ (in 5d).

One or two chestnuts (‘bloomers’ or ‘spot on’) couldn’t spoil our party.

Perhaps, I am living on another planet but I had expected Rowland to be very positive today and that’s no cynism. But alas.

We both (my PinC and I) found this a delightful crossword from a setter – and I have said that before – with a style that is right up my street.

Thanks PeterO for the blog.

I’ve left my response until later, not to bore old hands – but I know you pursue threads for a day or two.

Yes, it’s a while ago [but I know you're a relative newcomer] and others are fed up hearing about it but you must have done some research to find it and it explains occasional references to Eileen’s reactions to ‘homophones’ and my continued promise not to mention this particular type again. I still treasure my fifteen minutes.

I don’t belong here, said old Tessa out loud
Easy, love, there’s the safe way home
Thankful for her fine fair discount, Tess co-operates

Still alone in o-hell-o
See the deadly nightshade grow

English ribs of beef cut down to 47p lb
Peek Frean’s family assorted from 17 1/2 to 12
Fairy liquid giant – slashed from 20p to 17 1/2
Table jellies at 4p each
Anchor butter down to 11p for a 1/2
Birds eye dairy cream sponge on offer this week

It’s scrambled eggs

I shop at Aldi: no signs or special 10-items-or-fewer queues just German quality and efficiency at Tesco-value prices. As I always think when the neighbours look down their noses at me pulling my four massive Aldi bags out of the car (for less than £50): “you carry on getting your Tesco Club points: I’ll keep saving +£30 a week”.