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11a is a partial reversal. Definition is the last word (perhaps a little loose). Thematic is first three letters.
25a parses as 4,2. Definition is first three words. Thematic is first four.
Hope this helps, chrise.

Oh and the thematic is the first four letters in both 18 and 23.
13 is a typical Picaresque bit of intricacy. It parses as 4,2 inserted in 2, then 1 at the end.

The 10 in 18 and 23 is the first four letters in both cases. I had to look up to confirm.
13 parses as 2,6 all inside 2,1

Sorry, jono, re 13 that’s what I meant to say. I blame the hangover for scrambling my brain.

Thanks both. Got 11 and 25 now. (I agree that 11 defintion is a bit loose). I haven't seen the first 4 letters of 18 as a 10 (I would use another word), but it's in Chambers.

Still haven't untangled 13! I'll keep looking.

Ah! I was misunderstanding what you meant by the 2,1 - the 2,6 is inside the 2 of the 2,1

I would always make a distinction between "sports" and the 2 letter part! Sports were fun, whereas....

Ha, I’d agree with you on the distinction, chrise, though I never found sports fun either. The only thing I was vaguely good at was cross country running, and that was only really because it was the only sport in which the better you were at it the sooner it was over.

This is a very tough one, re 23a I’ve got D A & L as three of the six letters, could anyone confirm that these letters are right. 17d was a new word for me

Hi birder
Yes, you have the right letters for 23a. It parses as 1 inserted in 3, then 2. The first four letters are thematic and, I think, somewhat archaic.