Cryptic crossword No 1,309

Well, that’s the most accessible sirdakka puzzle I’ve tackled, but no less fun for it! Liked 8a, 16a, 27a, 5d and 17d. Mission accomplished ✅

Well done, sirdakka - this is superb! Somehow you have managed to dial the difficulty right back without losing the invention and the witty surfaces. Favourites: 8a, 9a, 20a, 27a, 1d, 4d, 14d (ha!) and 22d. Spoilers….

Great puzzle! Thank you… loads of lovely clues and smiles. Excellent throughout but thought 8a and 27a (LOI) outstanding. Other faves were 14d 5d 15d and 12a. Agreed on the difficulty: generally gentle but some satisfying clues needing a bit of thought. Nice one

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This was very enjoyable, sirdakka! Great clues and fun surfaces throught and more besides! Thank you

Thanks sirdakka - that was an enjoyable puzzle with a good range of difficulty in the clues, many of which were rather cleverly constructed. I particular enjoyed 10a, 21a, 1d, 13d, 15d & 25d among others. No quibbles. Much appreciated!

So this is what sirdakka-lite looks like? A very enjoyable breeze with some lovely surfaces and, yes, gently constructed. Very well done for maintaining your style. Favourites of many likeable clues are 9a, 14a, 20a, 21a, 29a, 1d, 5d, 14d, 15d and 17d. Thanks. PM

Thanks sirdakka, great stuff. I agree this was relatively gentle - for a sirdakka anyway, lots of nicely 'quiptic' clues without compromising on surfaces, though still plenty of enjoyable head-scratching with a few of them! Could probably tick pretty much all the clues but some faves include 8a, 10a, 18a, 21a, 27a (COTD?), 1d, 13d, 17d & 22d. Spoilers ...

My goodness, Sirdakka, you've played a blinder here! Super, super silky surfaces, wit to cobble dogs with and tight clueing. I struggle to find favourites but suffice it to say the PDM is 21a was so loud I thought I'd won the jackpot. More like this please!

Excellent stuff, sirdakka. Much to enjoy here, including 8a, 21a, 4d, 5d, but top prize for the lols to 14d.

Thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle sirdakka -- have to say usually yours are beyond me. I enjoyed the impressive density of &lit (or extended def) clues, and got plenty of chuckles. Enjoyed 14a, 8a, 21a, 4d, 13d, 5d and of course 14d

Excellent stuff, thanks sirdakka. Loads of great clues and nice variety across the puzzle. Particular favourites were 8a, 9a, 16a, 27a, 5d and 26d.

Lovely stuff SD - as others have said, mission very much accomplished! Favourites included 8and a, 9a, 10a, 1d, 3d, 5d, 6d, 14d.

What everyone else has said. Demonstration of how to make a puzzle easy and great fun. All the surfaces were perfect. Too many super clues to pick out really, but I did particularly like 10A, 2D and 22D.