Cryptic crossword No 1,701

Hello Salix. Just wanted to say I really liked this one after following along with the live solve of it on the Cryptic Sunday stream today. My top three favourites were 1D, 17D and 18D. Great grid/theme and lovely work all round, thanks.

Did I like it? Hmmm, yes and no...

Thanks for the puzzle! It was fun to go 1D hunting at the end: somehow I failed to notice till then. That was also myfavourite clue! Some notes in the reply should that be useful.

Thanks Salix, much fun especially when the penny dropped! Podium: 13a, 14a and 1d