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...sorry, the 'up' is the reversal indicator and the 'e' comes first (both then upped).

To be pedantic, drxx at #19, xylophones can't really be included!

May I have a clue for 22d and/or 29 please, anyone? TIA

To say that I have detested this from the outset would be a huge understatement. Firstly, I hate having to cold solve every clue. Secondly, the preamble should be a post-amble as I does not help in hinting at what is going on. Thirdly, with only 5 clues to solve (1,12,13 & 17 across and 30d) I cannot see what goes in the row and column outside of the crossword. I have an answer for 1a that sums up my feelings, but I am sure that that is wrong. I also have an answer for 12a, but if so, the definition is flawed. I also have an answers for 13a & 17a, but cannot see why. I haven't a scooby on 30d, Could someone please let me know how many words in total occupy the row and column to the outside. I also only have 7 of the 10 needing 2 letters removed, but hopefully the missing 3 are in the 5 clues I have yet to solve.

Yes, you're right dsc - I used it because it appears in the Chambers def for that word but, ''like a...'', not the thing itself.

29a 'windows' is the def - then two letter abbrev around 4 letters for 'speed trials' in the banal sense.
22 The usual 2 letter 'cheers'/thanks around a poisonous liquid.

...sorry, for 29 the 2 letters are inside a 5 letter word for 'speed trials'.

1a 'finally' last letter of.... + alt spelling of 'me' then change a word for the last letter.
12 I think the def is fine. It's the single letter for 'and' following 5 letters for 'serious'.

13 First word suggests it's an American word for 'quite' (4 letters) + a 'boring mollusc' minus its final letter.
17 (After the first letter) Change a word to give the 2 letter exclamation for 'look at that!' then take the 'a' out of 4 letters for 'unerring'/spot-on.

30 to 'utter indecency' is the def - a word for ''apparel's'' is cycled.

I hope you get the extras you need from these hints but if not I'll try to think of a hint for the exterior grid word count.

I'm with gitto. I'm finding it beyond tedious.

Thanks drxx, I now only need 30d. I have the down column but the top row is baffling me. The letters I have, not necessarily in the right order, and excluding that from 30d, ignoring repetitions, are AINHECOS.