Cryptic crossword No 956

Thanks. I haven't seen that meaning for 28a and I don't get the last bit of 16d though. I liked 5a and 21a. Sailors are useful in crosswords!

I had a smile on my face for most of that Umpire, nicely set! Lots of fun defs, wordplay and solutions and a satisfying level of difficulty for me so there was lots to enjoy - I particularly liked 1a (neat), 5a (very neat, def threw me for ages!), 11a (very smooth, nice surface construction), 17a (very neat, nicely buried def), 19a (neat), 21a (likewise), 22a (lol), 28a (lovely construction), 29a (lol), 3d (cute), 4d (very smooth), 6d (likewise), 7d (neat), 8d (likewise), 18d (very neat)...

Thanks Umpire, top stuff! 5a probably COTD, but great throughout, further special mentions for 1a, 11a, 19a, 22a, 25a, 28a, 29a, 4d, 5d, 14d & 18d. Spoilers ...

Nice one, Umpire. I enjoyed your surfaces as well as the tight construction - with the one exception already highlighted by Fez and sirdakka. Favourites include 5a, 11a, 17a, 19a, 25a, 1d, 4d (lol), 8d, 13d, 18d and 23d. One of your best imho. Spoiler in Reply. Thanks. PM

Such fun! So many great clues in here. My faves: 17a, 28a, 16d (for obvious reasons). 3d so cute! 15a - still grr lol. Can't wait for the next one!