Cryptic crossword No 1,177

Thanks Mondegreen I enjoyed this quiptic. Favourites 8A, 24A, 4D, 10D and 26D. Generally good cryptic grammar, and some nice concise clues without filler. SPOILERS in reply...

Nice one, Mondegreen. I agree with Blah, your clues are generally sound and straightforward. A few minor quibbles in reply. My favourites are generally ones with less complex wordplay and surfaces that read naturally to create a more convincing mental image - eg 23a, 29a, 31a, 34a, 5d.

When commenting above, I hadn’t spotted that 4 words don’t actually have to be solved at all. Anyway I though I ought to actually do the puzzle. I found it easy in places, but tough in others, that’s normal for me. I had some problems with GK. Total unknowns – 8a, 13a (in that sense), 23a, 32a, the Indian dish in 3d, the dragon in 30d. I won’t be on Mastermind any time ever. Hope you don’t mind me saying but I think Blah and Widdersbel have slightly let you off the hook (spoilers follow)