Cryptic crossword No 1,253

Hi All, publishing my third crossword, first in about a year as I am now on summer holiday and have a little more time. I hope you enjoy and please do provide any feedback!

Hi Fred, this is a very sound crossword, the first of yours I think I've done. Favourites included 11a, 26a, 27a, 14d, and 26d. A few quibbles/spoilers below...

Thanks for the fun puzzle Fred. If you like you can watch/listen to me solving this at twitch.tv/contocrosswords - if you do, I hope it's fun/useful!

Thanks Fred, a very enjoyable puzzle with lots of invention and fun surfaces! My favourites were 11a, 18a, 31a, 6d, 13d and 23d. Spoilers...

Apologies for taking a while to do this, Fred. There was a sudden burst of puzzles - just at the time I was finishing one of my own so with a bit less time for solving. This was gentle and solid which is a good mix - esp if this is the only your third. I don't think mine were reading as smoothly as this three puzzles in. Favourites include: 9a, 11a (chestnutty but nicely done), 12a, 25a, 1d, 3d, 4d (a tea-splutterer!) and 23d. Plenty of advice from others so none from me. Thanks. PM