Cryptic crossword No 1,404

Some really fun, clever stuff here Dyno, making for an all-round enjoyable solve. I particularly appreciated 9a (made me laugh!), 10a (clever misdirection), 14a (nice &lit), 2d (tight), 7d (clever), 15d (clever), 24d (great surface) but many others of a similarly high standard. There were a few where I solved, but couldn't fully parse the wordplay or get the synonym - this is where the annotated solutions being turned on is really helpful for giving appropriate feedback. Thanks for this one...

Hi Dyno, I really enjoyed this and found it beautifully satisfying to solve: I managed to complete most of the NE quadrant including the long middle crosser and then completed the SW, returning to fill in 7d and complete the first half of the puzzle. Then I completed the SE quadrant. To me, that signifies excellent cluing! The NW I found trickier as I lacked GK for 9a and the correct WP just took a while longer to fall in others. Lots of ticks but top favourites: combo of 10a & 8d 19a 22d + 23d!

Thanks Dyno, good stuff. My favourites were 11a, 16a, 21a, 24a, 1d, 8d, 14d, 15d, and, err... 23d (!)

Dyno, I've been slowly working my way through a backlog - apologising as I go for my tardiness. This was very elegant with some delightful touches in both surfaces and constructions. Best of yours I can remember doing. Faves include 10a, 14a, 19a, 22a, 24a, 2d, 4d, 7d (COTD), 14d, 18d and 23d. Thanks. PM