Last one. 12a Agreed to return after hike, as in the past (5) C - S - Y This has been on here before and the answer was given as CASEY, but with no explanation. Can't find any definition of CASEY, except for name. I see the YES returned bit, but the rest? Thanks.
1d is Prickly shrub not to be a flower in Northern Britain (6) Answer NEBECK, the penultimate letter giving me the 'C'. I think it's pretty strong. Thanks.
indeed it does. strange though that the other spelling of nebeck is nebbUk. but i know this doesn't match the cryptic part! - think a setter error is possible here??
Yes, but I think it is NEBBUK as you say. N UK is Northern Britain and EBB is the flower bit. A bit tenuous, but it fits. Let's see if there's any other comments.
I'm only stuck in the top left corner if someone could help please:
5a Mean English judge volunteers to enforce dress code - I have ?????J
7d Brussels secretary with compromising details upset old aristocrat - I have ????T?I?
Thanks for any help