Cryptic crossword No 3,498

Hi Gennaro, lovely crossword, all went in with very little 1d until the 8d where things came a little unstuck - perhaps an extra head would have helped to crack it sooner! Anyway lots to like as usual with favourites including 13a, 2d & 14d. Cheers

Thanks Gennaro. As with Kempley it all went in smoothly except for 12a ,my last one in which I guessed from the crossers. I failed to parse it as the I didn't associate the fodder with 'centres of energy'.

8d is amazing

Thanks Gennaro for another very satisfying puzzle. I went straight for the key clue and the first three down clues which were enough for the nina that might have helped Kempley! It almost felt like cheating as the rest of the solve was made notably easier. But when the fare is so good I don’t mind that. My favourites included 10a, 12a, 13a, 20a, 25a, 1d, 2d, 8d, 19d. Cheers!

Nice puzzle Gennaro, just the one here solving! I found it a fairly smooth solve although 10a a NHO for me but got it with the crossers, and 24a also NHO - my top pics 18a, 22a, 1d, 8d, many thanks

Lots of fun. Fortunately I guessed the surrounding maxim once I got to 13A, which helped the rest go in! 10A NHO, but faves 7A, 2D, 5D. Spoiler in reply :)

Very nice Gennaro, thanks. Fairly plain sailing until the NE, where I hadn’t heard of 10a (although generously clued) and couldn’t parse 12a (although the solution was clear). Favourites, 7a, 8a, 13a, 20a and 8d.

Another cracker but I did struggle a bit - all on me I'm sure. Luckily, Nina arrived early enough to offer welcome assistance. Especially liked 7a,20a (very clever) and 24a, 2d,14d,15d (lovely surface indeed). NHO 9a but very gettable from neat wordplay

Late to the party but wanted to return the favour. A good mix of clues for my skill level, some needed the right amount of head scratching but no eyebrow raising. Particularly enjoyed 13a (of course!), 20a, 23a, 2d, 16d & 21d. Like some others, the NE corner was a challenge, but got there in the end. Heading North for next 3 months so may be a bit more regular here. Your puzzles are well appreciated here and rightly so!

Thank you. Very enjoyable solve on a train from Birmingham to Edinburgh. Last one in at Oxenholme ! Very elegantly constructed with central clue and maxim. Particularly liked smoothness of surfaces. 23ac my favourite.

Deleted

Came to this late, but very much enjoyed it. Thanks Gennaro