Cryptic crossword No 1,267

Hi Claw, welcome to MyC - this is a really accomplished debut puzzle. Lots of excellent surfaces and cryptic flair that bode well for future puzzles. Favourites include 5a, 13a, 21a, 2d, 8d, and 19d. Wondering if you have annotated solutions available? There are a couple of clues I'm struggling to parse which would be good to check. Thanks, tpg.

Welcome Claw and thanks for a great puzzle! This is the point where you assure us that this isn't your first attempt at setting a cryptic crossword. It's far too good for that. A few new words for me so I failed in a couple of places, and like tpg there are a few I can't parse so will look forward to the annotations. My pick of an excellent bunch is: 5a (equal COTD), 10a, 12a, 21a, 2d (equal COTD), 3d and 20d. (I might add others when I've understood them all!). Spoilers...

Nice one, Claw, much to like here - faves were 5a and 6d.

Fabulous puzzle, thanks. Favourites: 11a (great trick!) 4d (especially how you clued the first word) and 6d (made me smile). I had a few tiny eyebrow raises but I see Coot has covered them all. Nice work! 👍

What a super debut, Claw. I am sorry to be so late in tackling it but I have been somewhat consumed by a project of my own. But I am glad I delved back far enough to find this one. Very accomplished for a first puzzle and, like Coot, I suspect you have done others before this. Lots of creative devices and some fun surfaces - and a very daring Spoonerism. Plenty to like and there is every chance you won't see this so podium is 11a, 9d and 15d. Thanks. PM

Thanks Claw, late getting round to commenting but a super debut with much to enjoy. I did have a few quibbles but I think they've been picked over already so just a few faves to list - 1a, 5a, 14a, 9d & 15d. Thanks again!