Cryptic crossword No 2,504

What a lovely set up!

A fun challenge! Faves include 19a, 23a,25a and 8d, 17d, 18d, 23d, 24d

18a, 25a & 20d form my podium, sucker that I am for natural language in clues. I kinda guessed what linked the undefined entries once I'd identified one, but they were still nicely done, and 26a/29a was just the icing on the birthday cake. In fact, the only thing I didn't like about the puzzle was the implication that you're actually a year younger than I am; or, put it another way, it was slightly awkward to grapple with the idea that I'm older than Methusaleh! Thanks for the good fun!

Wait, how can you be 14d when you’re so blimming young? 😆 Lovely puzzle and weaving together of themes therein. Happy You-Know-What! 🎂

Thanks for the nice comments, everybody. @ Fez, I hadn't realised this was the 30th Chameleon/Methuselah puzzle uploaded here, but that's a nice coincidence. I'm pleased people enjoyed it. I was just glad to have a chance to share the coincidence connecting 11a to 3d et al, which I only clocked after I started using 14d for Indy puzzles.

Bit late to this but it was an enjoyable romp and a nicely entwined theme. Happy birthday young man. PM