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What joy!! Delighted to see it's a fiendish-looking Araucaria - just to make my Christmas complete!

Totally agree with you Wendy. It is one of those things that say 'Now it's Christmas!'

By some distance the highlight of the crosswording year! I wonder if John Graham grasps just how much delight he brings to so many people with his holiday compilations. Long may he continue and I hope he has a wonderful Christmas.

After a marathon session I'm finished in every sense,but can anyone hint at explanations for the following,which I'm pretty sure I have correctly,without giving the solution away (which I would prefer not to as well): 18a (I only see "measure"),26d
(I only see "agreement").
By the way,the Wikipedia list (24 pp long) does not include all the 15 that belong together!
Nevertheless fascinating!

For 18a, 'measure' is the definition. If the second half of the clue read 'of Clay, also Skim', you might see how the wordplay works more easily...

I've just discovered 2 more in the group:you're right,Barista!
And of course 26d is another one,making at least 18 in all,right? Happy now! Have a nice weekend!

Enjoying this, but have come to a halt.
53 A. Submerged piece of chain (11)
l???????t??
28 A. Sparky stuff to hoist (10)
f?????i?c?
Any help/advice would be appreciated. I'm tending to think that these two are part of the themed list, but haven't come up with anything.

Yes they are. For 28A think old firearm and replace the lock with a lifting device. For 53A if a chain is submerged what would it's constituent parts be in!

Mike-Leek, thanks - have got both of them now.

undefined answers and spooner do not draw me to a crossword and this looks remarkably blank with a range of unconnected answers but with nothing to get me going any help grateully received.