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I should add that some of the clues are brilliant. I think 29-51 may be the best of the type (common in Azeds) that I've seen.

I am happy that I have a correct solution but I don't understand the penultimate sentence of the preamble about four thematic synonyms. Linking the 1st-2nd groups and the 2nd-3rd groups gives two synonyms of each other but that doesn't work with the others, as far as I can see.

Also, the spelling of 52-39 differs from that given in Chambers.

Yeah, I'm thinking it just "is what it is". Doesn't really look like the picture of it that'd come up in a search, but it's too blatant not to be.

29-51 was wonderful, I'm (very) slowly getting better at spotting the clue type but it's a good "aha" moment even when you know exactly what the answer has to be.

Thanks to those who helped me cross the line, it's been another very fun week's toil on this one.

Regarding the idea about ciphers and the lot, I'm easy either way. I tend (obviously speaking personally) to come in towards the end with some help to get over the line or spot a theme that I may not be quite old enough to have jump out at me, but then I'd also be quite happy to end up in direct contact with some of you so as not to clog the thread up with requests etc.

Decisions like this remain firmly above my pay grade :^)

Granama and Wigwam, combining the names of two of the groups gives a description of the pattern.
I'm impressed that a setter could devise a puzzle like this, even with computers.

granama1 - doesn't the image suggest the 2nd of the 4 'synonyms' given by the final ordering (using the common word as a suffix)?

Well, I’ve got a full grid and the messages, but cannot decipher what I am supposed to highlight. Any hints would be welcome.
The only clue I cannot parse is 42-51. I have the answer which is the first word, but can’t figure out why. Also, the synonyms elude me, though I doubt they are needed.

I suppose, even if just a concatenation of categories 2+3 to be simpler.

I'm happy at least, thanks again all!

xij, see post #24 re 42-51

drxx, yes I can see the marine life and possibly an astral and digital interpretation but not really sure about four synonyms. Still haven't worked out the parsing of 62-59. Worked out what it must be and confirmed it as the 5th of a theme.

On to this weeks Azed tomorrow I think.

62-59, For parsing, read the word you have in reverse.