Cryptic crossword No 1,554

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thanks PM - fine surfaces and some typically creative but fair wordplay. Biggest ticks went to 17a, 19a, 25a, 13d, and 22d, but I could have picked plenty of others.

Lovely puzzle PM. Took a while but well worth the time spent. Liked 15a, 17a,23a, 1d, 4d, 13d the most

Thanks PostMark. Maybe it's a "wavelength" thing but this seemed quite gentle. I found it full of great clues including 6a (eight words to clue four letters --- loved it), 15a, 19a (nice surface), 20a, 2d, 3d, and 18d.

Brilliant crossword. Not too difficult but every clue beautifully crafted with fine surfaces and lots of variety. Genuinely can't pick out favourites. They were all good. But OK then 6a is special!

Very nice, thanks PM - top stuff throughout but my podium is 16a, 3d & 18d.

I had a wee struggle with this one, but enjoyed it all. Especially good surfaces, all smooth with a wit of their own

Great stuff, PM, thanks. A trademark puzzle - succinct, inventive wordplay and smooth surfaces - but I agree at the less tricky end of your range. I managed almost all of it before resorting to a couple of uses of crossword solver and finally revealing 6a. Favourites: 15a, 17a, 19a, 25a, 3d (podium), 11d (podium), 18d (COTD) and 19d.

Thank PostMark for a very fine puzzle. As with some other commenters I found this towards the gentler end of your spectrum but with enough chewiness to be satisfying at the end. LOI was 6a with the dastardly "South American" holding me up. Other favourites were 1a, 15a, 25a, 26a, 3d, 4d (super) and 19d.

Late to this but thoroughly enjoyed it. As many have commented on difficulty I will say that I found it about on a par with your usual! Which means a nice level of challenge 😁 Super surfaces as ever. My podium would be 6a, 3d and 11d. Minor observations on the things that held me up in the reply! Thanks.

Having successfully run over my phone on Friday (yes - an extreme way to get an upgrade!), I have been hors de combat and am sneaking a quick look at work. Super puzzle, PM. Loved the horny goat in 11d and felt for poor, miserable Candy in 13d and the unnamed local in 15a. As per, super surfaces and clever clueing with 1d providing a lovely PDM. Thanks.

Disgracefully late to comment, having solved a while ago - this is an excellent puzzle as we've come to expect, full of lovely surfaces and succinctly precise constructions. Particular favourites include 10a (delightful), 15a (very neat), 16a (neat), 17a (likewise), 20a (very clean), 24a (satisfying), 25a (very neat), 26a (cute), 1d (neat), 3d (very neat), 7d (cute), 11d (fun), 14d (likewise) and 18d (very neat)