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Did not seem to have as much difficulty as some others, despite having been out of the UK and never having been an afficionado of the main theme items.

Hi Buzzybee,

That's one of the things about cryptic crosswords, so much can depend on whether or not one is on the setter's wavelength - needless to say I was on a whole different frequency this week 😜

All in all not too tricky with the SE corner holding out the longest. Paul said that he had plagiarised a friend’s theme here, but I can’t recall seeing it before, maybe somebody will know what he’s referring to. I counted 7 types of 16 (in clues and grid).

well i finished it, but i can't say i enjoyed - or most of the thematics either, for that matter!
i've never heard of 21d, and can;t parse it either, though google cpnfirms my answer.
favourite 13a

Chrise, look up the last five letters, reversed

thanks quisling. that never would have occurred to me!

I really got going once 2/3 went in, which revealed 16a.
Favourite was 19a, which I got on first pass, but it took ages or the penny to drop for “perfectly” in 5a
Still can’t see how the first word of 19a parses, if I have it right - does it have a Queen connection?

bigjack
sic transit gloria mundi!
ex PM

I didn’t find this too bad - though I am a fan of a 16 and all it’s cousins. I cannot imagine the sadness of a life without having sampled a scampi and lemon 21 chrise!! My LOI and COD was 19 (infernal indeed). I got the tormenter aspect and had a nice 24 moment without additional help. I was obvs on Paul’s wavelength - though no Paulines today that I could discern.

Found this pretty straightforward
A few made me smile (eg. 2,3 & 21)
26 was a new word on me.
FOI 16
lOI 4
COD 11