Cryptic crossword No 21

Some very nice stuff here, particularly the puns in 1, 19 and 13. Very nice surfaces in both 16s, 26, 18 and 21.

Some very clever clues, favourites being 14A (lovely misdirection), 24A, 26A (another lovely misdirection), 2D, 5D (worthy of Paul in the Guardian),16D (neat surface), 17D, 20D. I didn't like 19D at first but then realised how clever it actually was.

Nice crossword and well-worked theme, thanks. Surfaces all good. Liked 4 down, and 19a is fun.

Just tackled this one. Well, it was a real toughie, and I'm still missing a couple of parsings: 1a (is it just meant to be an esoteric reading of 'navel'?). Also 25d I'm totally baffled. 19d: I suppose it works (I note the "?"), but shouldn't it have a 'proper' definition? But I'll give a plus to 1d, 4d, and 5d - the last for pure smut :-) - although I think it should be "lift" not "lifts". Well done and thanks for the challenge!

PS have also made a start on your debut "A-Z" puzzle in 1across - congrats! I'm waiting for Hamish to put in the one I sent him - "some time this year".... I'm about half way through yours - also seems tough though perhaps not quite as tough as this one. But I can't cheat - which makes it harder! Will persevere...

5dn, dearie me!! :-D

Really enjoyed that, thank you - 28 is my favourite.