Cryptic crossword No 2,283

Many congratulations on the landmark Baldur. Lots to like in here. A fair amount of boundary testing as per, some bits more successful than others I think. I almost managed to complete it without cheating but was ultimately undone in the SW corner (more in reply). Favourites: 11a, 16a, 18a, 23a, 26a, 7d (COTD) and 22d. Spoilers …

Thanks for the solve and reply Coot. Pleased with your list of likes overall as, bar one omission (see pic for clue), they coincide with my own! And thanks for your generous support throughout the 50 dubious puzzles. All I can say is that where I used to get a load of quibbles (q.v. for responses) back in the day even with a test solver, I now get the same number or fewer without. Progress indeed!

Congratulations on the milestone! Quite a tough puzzle and I did have to resort to a few tactical reveals but also some marvellously clever clues. I particularly liked 4a, 13a (though see reply for an observation), 20a, 24a, 26a, 7d, 13d and 15d. Some minor additional comments in the reply. Thanks!

Thanks Baldur & congratulations on #50. As usual there were excellent clues, 1a, 11a, 24a, 26a, 3d, 5d, 7d (COTD), and 15d. As usual I revealed a bunch, 4a, 9a, 6d, 10d, 13d, and 17d. More in reply.

Hi Baldur and congratulations on making it to 50. Very much a typical Baldur puzzle - lots of interesting ideas and, as Coot says, a bit of testing the boundaries. I had particular ticks for 11a, 20a (I like 'logging in'), 26a, 3d, 7d, 13d and 15d. Thanks. PM

Congrats on the milestone Baldur, impressively consistent and this was a fun one indeed. Some stuff that went a bit over my head and while I appreciated the creativity after the fact, I was bested in a few spots. Lots to like though, particularly 11a (nice), 16a (neat), 20a (very neat), 26a (cute), 5d (neat), 7d (very smooth), and 22d (great fun) - here's to another 50!

Late to the party but how could I not celebrate your heroic half century? Maverick sport as ever. Broad grins for 20a, 26a, 2d (any clue that includes Dorset will always get my vote), 7d, 13d and 15d (I’m all for that “into” myself!). 9a’s “level of service” was cheeky but it made me smile. Very you, that. Spoilers …