Cryptic crossword No 1,689

Nice one :-)

Hi again Meles. Got round to it! Thanks for another nice puzzle with a fun device in the surfaces with the self-referential elements. Faves inc 1a, 11a, 21a, 25a, 5d (nice bit of self-deprecation there), 8d and 23d. Spoilers in Reply. Thanks. PM

I had fun with this, and liked the way the indicators fitted into their surfaces. 23D is a real cracker, brilliantly smooth and clever. 4d left me wondering if I've missed something significant, but if I have it's deep in my mind. I thought the multiple less than half checked entries added a degree of difficulty not equal to the fair and straightforward clueing, especially those where the themed definitions made things trickier still.

Thanks Meles, good stuff. Faves include 10a, 11a, 27a, 11d & 23d ... plus all the crosswordy stuff, of course ... <intone> I like this crossword ... 🙂 Thanks again!

I like this crossword too, Meles! Very cleverly done. Lots of nice clues but the theme’s the real star.