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Thanks, Brendan. I don't do those IQ puzzles (and very few barred puzzles in general, they're somewhat beyond me), but read the related entry on 225.
I've tackled a number of Serpent's cryptics in the Independent, find them challenging but fun. He often includes Ninas or hidden references.

Embarrassing admission: I've previously been stumped (more than once, iirc 😳) by clues extremely similar to 28. Oh well.

We've all been there, Geeker. For a while, I did wonder if you'd inadvertently used the American spelling of 15d messing up the crossers in 28a.

PS - Curious that clue is next to 18d.

Brendan, after many past blunders, I made sure to use the UK spelling of 15 😉 . In my bewilderment over 28, I briefly suspected Paul of pulling a fast one with US spelling, but rejected the notion.
Yes, the proximity of 15 and 18 is funny! But 18 was second one in, so I didn't think much about it while solving.

Not sure about this one. Only a third of the way through but I'm not particularly well-versed in the theme.

Without giving too much away are some of the themed answers not especially well-known ones or is that just my ignorance of the subject matter? Or just the ones I happen to have. Not fully parsing 11a either.

Funnily enough I did use what I now realise is an American spelling of 15d which did mess up 28a for a while. Thought this was tough but the theme helped once I realised it was slightly more expansive than I first thought. Enjoyed 11a and 7d when those pennies dropped.

Hi Rocky,

I think many are well-known but some trips to Google may well be required.

11a - 5 letter "delegate" around both 2-2 "vale" Latin (courtesy of Geeker) + N(orth) - definition is "in a completely different direction".

Rocky, 11a parses as 2-2 and 1 inside a 5 letter word for delegate

Hi Jono,

I thought 7d was excellent and was going to make it my COD but then I remembered my previous 3 or 4 COD's have all been Spoonerisms! What's going on? 😜

Ah right. Got that. Thanks Brendan.

Since my first post I've added a few more familiar words to the grid. But yes, to those coming after me, be prepared to Google a few.