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This is definitely a big step up in quality with some beautifully crafted clues.

Difficulty-wise I'd say it sits somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

If you do get stuck there are a couple of hiddens in the acrosses and a long anagram in the downs, although I couldn't find it in any of the online search engines.

The only clues I'm still puzzled over are 18d, where I can't see a definition and 1a where I'm mystified as to the wordplay and in particular the reference to Amsterdam? Also, in 7d, "natter" seems to be doing double duty both as a definition and as part of the wordplay.

COD - So many great ones to choose from this week with the delightfully simple 1d and the excellent 21d. But I've chosen the very Paulinesque 26a - "Having gone backwards, Spanish car's finally gone forward - fixed! (4,6)

Please feel free to leave a comment letting us know how you got on and, if you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask for a hint.

Thanks to Everyman for a most entertaining puzzle.

Stay safe:-)

Hi Brendan

1a Amsterdam is an example of what the answer may read
18d Not sure with this one but I think "to crank" and the answer can both mean "to turn".

Cheers Simon

Okay, thanks Simon.

Thanks to Everyman.
FOI 1d, LOI 26. COD 26 over 20 and 17. 9 was nicely put together, but a write-in based on the clue's first two words.
I initially found the puzzle easy and somewhat lackluster, but then stalled out with 20 and the SE quadrant. Some of the difficulties were the result of a typo in the otherwise straightforward 19d, but I truly struggled with 18, 20, 21 and 26, revising my opinion of the puzzle upward.
Agreed, shades of Paul in 26, though I'm not sure my current parsing is airtight.

I've just got 26a, it made me laugh out load!

Well done, Brendan. After a steady run, came to an abrupt halt in the SE corner with 4 clues blank - two of which you liked which only added to the pressure. PDM;s suddenly came to light and all promptly done. At least I wasn't "impaled" like yesterday !
FOI 6a. LOI 22d COD... I'll go with 11d. All good fun.

Hi Simon, hi Geeker,

26a - Is a great clue. First 4 letters are the Pauline "having gone backwards" then 4 letter "Spanish car" and the last two letters are "finally gone forward".

Thanks Alzy,

I think most people are going to enjoy this week's puzzle, there is a lot to like:-)

Aha, thanks Brendan! I hadn't properly parsed the last 2 letters of 26.

With 18D, Crank is the def. Think person and pick one of the two spellings. 10a requires a British accent (as opposed to U.S.)