Cryptic crossword No 1,747

Thanks Natrix, good to see you back. I enjoyed 14a, 2d, 4d, 26d among others, but I found this puzzle rather less approachable than your previous ones. Not helped by a few nhos in the bottom half, and with some of the cluing being a bit tricksy I found myself struggling. Some quite straightforward, but others a hard stretch for this solver. I did get there with only a couple of letter reveals, but it was a slog. Might just be me, so take it with a pinch. Some specific comments in reply: spoilers

Thanks Natrix. Had to go back to 1d with crossers, having missed the def. Interesting device throughout the puzzle and also an intriguing pair in 27d and 28d. Thanks. PM

Hi Natrix, a fun puzzle with clever use of the key clue, I thought! I have some minor eyebrow wiggles about certain liberties taken 😁 but will elaborate on these in the reply. The split pair clues, which I normally don't get on with, worked well here simply for being on the same row. Also liked 12a, 6d and 16d. ->