Cryptic crossword No 506

Spoilers in Reply explain Special Instruction

Thanks, PM - I soldiered on as per instructions! I did need Captain PM to reveal two or three marching orders en route but that’s not too unusual for me. Found the left side much more difficult than the right. Very nicely themed - I spotted most but not all - and some lovely clueing. Favourites: 10A 26D (nice PDM), 15A, 2D, 7D and 21D.

Difficult but enjoyable. Especially liked 10a26d, 2d, 5d, 6d and 24d. Mini-quibble in reply.

PostMark, that’s very polished and subtle, well done. Although I was defeated in several places and had to be carried home, I often enjoyed the sensation of seeing the solution to a clue that initially looked baffling. A particular feature was the quality of some of the shorter solutions: 1d, 3d and 31a are pocket battleships. On the quizzical side, I wonder if “priest” really earns its money in 27a? Would the clue work as well without it? Am I missing something? Anyway, very good indeed!

Probably more than the usual relevant lights one gets in a themed puzzle so great work on the construction, and on a tough but sound puzzle. Not many concessions to the solver (or this one anyway), but lots of excellent wordplay. 1d was brilliant but took me ages. Maybe 'begs' instead of 'argues' would have been easier, but 'setter's guideline' was ace and completely fooled me. I thought it was something to do with the metal lead and typesetting. You win! More in reply...

Very nice, thanks PostMark. A good mix of wordplay and surfaces and a lightly worn theme. Of a strong set of clues I'll pick out 9a, 18a, 1d, 2d and 3d as favourites.

Thanks PM, like others here I found this difficult but rewarding. Favourites included 1d, 2d, 18a and 28d.

Thanks PostMark, that was definitely a long march and with a few rest stops. Tricky in places, so needed a bit of help. Interesting about the emergent theme, some readily apparent as I worked through, others less so. Particularly appreciated 10a, 26a, 30a, 2d, 3d, 24d & 28d. One minor query (spoiler) in reply.

Nice one, PM. I struggled to get on your wavelength here but it all fell into place nicely in the end. Liked the theme too. Favourites for me were 10a 26d, 20a, 31a, 3d, 6d, 14d. Slight quibble in reply…

Woof, that got my brain juices flowing and no mistake! Had to use help in a few places and learnt some things which I always appreciate. I particularly liked 10a/26d, 13a, 15a for a lovely surface, 18a made me smile - a most charming clue, 26a, 31a, 1d was a treat in many ways, 2d very neat, 4d was new to me (despite having watching MP ages ago) but clued well, 5d lovely surface, 8d, 21d, 23d lovely surface and a fun clue, 24d neat, and 29d - always like your cycling clues :)

Though I struggled to get onto your wavelength at times, there were some particularly lovely clues in this. Favourites were 2d 10a26d 19d and 29d. Cheers for a fun and challenging puzzle

Thanks for recommending a couple Postmark I chose this one with a theme in the background and glad I did Very nice treatment