Times 25543

Solving time: 1:10:31

I really needed a quick and easy one today as I'm off on holiday in the morning and I've got to be up extremely early to catch my flight. I found this really quite tough, so it wasn't what I wanted at all. Some good clues though, and on any other day I'd probably have savoured the challenge. Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a blogger!

Anyway, I'm now going to go and get what little sleep I can. Good night!

cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removals like this

Across
1	THUMBS UP = (BUS)* in THUMP
6	FR + Offends + ZEN
9	AGREE TO DIFFER = (GO + FREE TRADE IF)*
10	ET(C)HER
11	IMAGINED = I'M AGED about IN
13	ANTONYMOUS = (TO + NYM) in (AN + O + US)
15	ACTS - dd
16	ABLE - dd - The famous palindrone supposedly attributed to Napoleon was 'Able was I 'ere I saw Elba'. Of course, he never said it. I doubt it works as well in French.
18	SPIDER CRAB = SPIDER (rest in snooker) + R in CAB
21	PHOSGENE = P + (GONE SHE)*
22	CR(E)ATE
23	MA + LAD + MINISTER
25	GA(LAX)Y
26	NEAT + NESS
Down
2	HEAR + ThEN
3	MARCHIONESS = (RC + HI + ONE) in MASS
4	S(P)EER
5	PRO + XI + MO - that's MO (second) and XI (eleven) swapped round
6	FRICASSEE = FRICS (Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) about A + SEE (seat for the bishop)
7	O + FF
8	EARNEST - dd
12	ISAAC NEWTON = I + ACNE in (TOWN AS)*
14	YESTERDAY = (DEAREST)* in Y/Y
17	BO(HEMI)A
19	IBERIAN = BERIA (Soviet Chief of Police under Stalin) in IN - Although Iberia still exists today as the peninsula containing Spain & Portugal, the Iberian people existed a long time ago.
20	ANT(ARE)S
22	CHIN + A
24	bLuE jAy