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hi hywel
24 and 29 are closely related thematics
25 is straightforward if you happen to know the slightly unlikely word! it's a type of rock, a bit like slate

Hi chrise
Does the rock begin with G?

OK got it

All done

Thanks chrise

H

All finished, except 20 ac. Any hints? I have A, A, S, N as the crossers. Really tough today, but fun.

A famous Joy. A naturalist in fact

Thank you! Got it now

Afternoon all,
Finished but not satisfied as there's a few I can't parse if anyone can shed some light - 13a, 23a and 29a.
I got 11a first so with that and 21a and 17d I was able to quickly work out the theme. So then it was a case of thinking what words could be in the ten and looking for them, which may not be the best way of doing it but how my brain works! COD is possibly 5d as I like the simplicity yet preciseness of the wordplay and surface. Also enjoyed 27a.
As is often the case with such a heavily themed puzzles I found some it feels a bit contrived, like 17d, which I'd never heard of but quickly found with a search of the relevant terms. Overall enjoyed it though, thanks Puck!

13 put TON on the end
23 anagram
29 reverse 1st 4 letters, then French dept

23a: anagram of three letters for 10 + three letters in 17a.
29a: four letters for run backwards+ a French department/district+s.