Cryptic crossword No 2,097

Nice puzzle 21 across and 26 across my favourites

Hi Buddy. My apologies for taking so long to get around to this but I was tied up doing one of my own this week. I am delighted to see this one earned you a well-deserved promotion from RC and hope we'll get to see a few more from you now? Nice, tight, accurate cluing and smooth surfaces pretty much throughout. Faves here include 9a, 12a, 14a, 24a, 27a, 1d, 2d, 7d, 8d, 17d and 23d. Thanks. PM