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I'm still going on this one. All your comments are helping. Hope someone buys me a Chambers dictionary for my birthday.

I'm still missing the L and the F.

I think the F is in 28a, often, merging with 29d fides. But then we need the altenatives: oaten and aides? But why?
And I have cottus (fish) for 13, but don't understand the boats bit.
Anyway, have spent far too long on this and going to bed now!!!

Thanks Nikki. I'm with you on bottom right. Still not got top left sorted. Agree, it's time for bed. Goodnight all and god bless.

Can anybody explain the wordplay in 22a? "Low starting point - it makes bar give attention." B-se. Solution must be "base". Why?

Low starting point - it makes bar give attention

B as E...applied to bar=ear/attention, AZED throughs this type in occasionally.

Martin, I assume 'mark' (give attention) is removed from anagram of 'makes bar'. But I still don't understand my problem with 28 and 29.

Ah, 29: I'd inside rising sea. But in 28, where does the N come from? Joust (just) as Knight in chess? (a bit tenuous!!!).

just after=on
had a meal=ate

Ah, eureka! 'On' can be 'just after'. Whew! Please excuse me having a conversation with myself!