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Good fun. FOI 1a. A few hiccups but generally pretty straightforward. COD 23a.
Over to Brendan for sensible analysis.

Once again, a rhyming pair !

Maybe I'm still reeling from the NE corner of yesterday's Guardian Prize, but I found this quite a bit more difficult than usual - not that I'm complaining.

Overall the puzzle had a worldly feel to it - 1a indeed!

FOI was 1a followed by the witty 1d - "In France Everyman" - I love it 😂

I didn't help myself by putting in 16d from the definition without properly parsing and so inevitably put in the wrong answer.

19d I was puzzled by the definition "book" but I've looked in Chambers and ....it is correct - what is they say? Every day's a school day:-)

COD There were some excellent clues today but I have to choose 23a which is as good a clue as I've ever seen. I was a tad concerned about the use of "feigned" but Chambers confirms it.

Thanks to Everyman for a great crossword.

Please feel free to leave a comment or ask for a hint.

Stay safe:-)

Perhaps I shouldn't sound so bovine, but how does pet get into 5d?

Oh,I've just got it!

LOL "bovine" - nice one Lucertola:-)

This is the third Everyman I've tried (the last 3). Fun, but a little easier than the previous 2 IMO. FOI 1a, LOI 8 (unfamiliar expression). I also had trouble parsing 4, had to go to the dictionary. Enjoyed clues 7, 11, 23, 25 and 26, though nothing was mind-twistingly difficult (a relief after Tyrus in the Indy).

Apologies, typo - it was 5 that I also had trouble parsing.

Afternoon all. No one seems to be having too much trouble with this which is good. My concern is 1d. With just “water” as the definition, the answer does not feel quite right. “Add water” would be fine but water on its own seems to be missing something.

Hi Mystogre,

I know what you mean, but if you read it as a verb in the imperative then it seems ok.