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Some delightful clues here but eminently solvable. 1a and 26 my favourites.

Very enjoyable. Jack's a good' un isn't he?

2d held me up the most, until the parsing finally clicked. But surelise (as a neighbour used to mean 'surely', in a rural Wiltshire drawl), might one be just as likely to find said worker on their hands and knees in a kitchen or even a basement?

Hi Deliquium,

2d - I initially had the same thought but now think the 2d makes things "level" to a "high" satandard, hence the ? - maybe 🤔

That’s interesting, I immediately thought of roof work as being the high level element (by example, hence the ?).

I’m with you, jono (and Deliquium) on this (but hadn’t thought of the love-level possibility). I think def by example is right (though I have to say nice try, Bren! 😉)

I'm sure you're right guys, I was overthinking it.... again!

Had a two and a half hour flight to focus the mind. I thought a cracking prize from Jack. Plenty of misdirection and some smart clues.

26a COD for me.

I did also want to add I have never heard of 16a which is why it was my LOI.

Jack (aka Jason Crampton) just posted on X…

“Today's will be my last Guardian puzzle for the foreseeable future as I'm thrilled to be taking on the role of Times Crossword Editor from 2 December.”

Congratulations on the new role, Jason!

Congratulations indeed, but I will miss him, having got to know and enjoy his style only relatively recently.