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This is a very entertaining puzzle by my much more illustrious namesake.

It did take me a while to get going, which is often the way, but once I did, most of the answers fell into place.... most, that is! There are a few foreign words, names or expressions and, even though the wordplay is fair, I do foresee some furrowed brows!

I still haven't fully parsed 9a, and in 8d, even though the answer is clear, I'm, as yet, still unsure of what "discernible in this puzzle (with a single exception)" refers to. I'll keep at and hope for a PDM.

There was quite a lot of competition for my COD, 21 and 24a are both excellent, but it must go to 7d for a great clue with a lovely surface reading.

Thanks to Brendan for a most enjoyable crossword:-)

I see 9a, that just leaves the parsing for 8d.

Also, does anyone pronounces/in audition the 2nd word in 16d like the instrument?

Hi Brendan,
I thought the puzzle was fun, but it was a surprisingly quick solve (unlike last week's debacle :) ). I have a strong idea about the parsing of 9d, but am not yet certain; also too afraid of spoilers to give any hints. Agree on pronunciation issue with 16d. Most of the wordplay seems relatively straightforward. My COD is 11, LOI surprisingly 23.

Hi Geeker,

11 a is a very good clue, another one with a smooth surface.

23d was also my LOI also - it is a tricky clue and I won't be surprised if it causes quite a bit of head scratching:-)

Remember 9a went to retrieve the golden ‘bark’ or skin.

Sorry, typo - I'm 90% certain I have the long down clue 8d (not 9d as above) parsed.

Looking over the crossword again, I haven't fully parsed 3d - I can see the "attempt" but can't really get the rest to mean "routines".

3d: letters 3 to 6 means routines when looked up.

Hi Mathi,

I had assumed those 4 letters were an abbreviation and, because I couldn't find it anywhere, was going round in circles. Never occurred to me that the word itself could mean "routines" - rookie error🥵 :-(

.....that said, I've just checked again and the Free Online Dictionary has it but Chambers doesn't!