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This week's Everyman has a different kind of feel to it compared to those of recent weeks - and for the better. I found the surface reading of the clues appeared a lot more cohesive and .... well, er ...smooth:-)

FOI was 1a followed by 6a.

In addition to the improved surfaces, I also thought it was a bit harder than usual. I didn't help myself by initially picking the wrong song at 17a and am still a bit puzzled by 18d.

If you do get stuck there are two long anagrams in the acrosses and two in the downs.

COD - Lots of clever and witty clues to pick from but I've gone for the almost surreal 3d - Batty aunt's idea: covering lake with cream (6,6)

Thanks to Everyman another enjoyable puzzle.

As always, please feel free to leave your thoughts on this week's puzzle and, if you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask for a hint - or help someone else if you can.

Stay safe:-)

Thanks to Everyman. I think I spotted a rhyming pair.
FOI 1a, LOI 3, which really held me up. I liked 1a as COD over 1d, 18d, 16, 8 and 7.
I also found this tougher than recent Everymans. A number of quite easy clues, but several difficult spots. Got off to a fast start, then stalled and struggled to finish.

Hi Geeker,

I liked 1a and considered it as a COD but was a bit disappointed by the smoothness of the surface, specifically the lack of a joining word between "swans" and "tercel" - a good clue nevertheless.

I think I spent as long on the SW corner as the rest of the puzzle combined.

Pretty much the same story for me. All was going fine until a sudden screeching halt. Have answers for everything but I'm really only guessing at 11 and 23. Help !!
Key word in 18 is spur.

Hi Alzy,

11d - Is an anagam - I was a bit surprised that the answer means "generosity" but Chambers says it does!

23a - Is a sort of &Lit whereby the wordplay is derived from the whole clue and definition is what might be shouted if a 23a .... (on a fairway perhaps?)

PDM on 11d (26 failed in my usually reliable research)

Thanks, Brendan. I understand your solution to 11d, but am still underwhelmed with the clue - unlike 20a which I shall designate as my COD. I'll guess I'll mull over everything this evening (my time zone.)

Oops, I meant unhappy with 23a not 11d. I guess it's later than I thought.

I’m with you Alzy 23a is a car crash of a clue. I only got it because of Brendan’s insight, for which thank you, and as ever I am mightily impressed. Seriously, how do you do so well so quickly week after week?

For me, 24a is the pièce de résistance of this week’s Everyman- just lovely!

The rhyming pair was helpful, and pleasing as ever.
Thought I would never complete the SW corner - found them all very tricky as others have said they did.

It’s Mothers’ Day here is the old US of A. Looking forward to breakfast in bed!

Hi FemmeNoire,

Thanks for that and Happy Mother's Day - enjoy your breakfast in bed:-)

As per usual I completely missed the rhyming pair! 😢