CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Take back new miracle (7) 5. I leave plain blueprint (4) 10. Chopper’s cut (3) 11. Clan member’s mixed-up brainstem (9) 12. Indian class, east from group of actors (5) 13. Mother turns Cain into crazy person (6) 15. Priest’s speech taken to heart by wiser monks (6) 17. Channel of water said to be direct (6) 18. Great, wonderful birthday’s start (6) 20. Complete and talk (5) 23. Overlooks plant’s foliage when not at home (6,3) 24. Mineral-rich rock on edge of shore (3) 25. Young lion from a Caribbean country (4) 26. Thirty accept first sip, when in need of a drink (7)

DOWN

2. Large vessels found in sewers (5) 3. It’s used to cut envelopes to reveal first line of a missive! (6-6) 4. Elmo, idiot, holds up particular saying (5) 6. Young sheep and Ms Nicodemou dance (7) 7. Some pattern in every number (4) 8. Heard car case involves dead body (7) 9. Nutter upbeat about healthy spread (6,6) 14. Stare about five as goes without food (7) 16. Rue barb, we hear – it’s nonsense talk! (7) 19. Both to hold ring in kiosk (5) 21. Tutor prepared fish (5) 22. Endlessly block an alliance (4)