1: Exegesis of clue an idiot misunderstood (11)

8: They make pies in Pier 1 while catching some Z's (9)

9: Initially, teaching language using few words (5)

10: Freeze one mug filled with tea, essentially (3,2)

11: Healthy, but lacking first beer (3)

12: Road without a pole (4)

13: Drunk band I conducted (5)

15: Admittedly lying about times tabulated (7)

16: Shape up at invading Congo Free State (7)

19: Lease bad tripod (5)

20: Control escape (3)

21: Thumb Drum? (3)

22: Denim -- a genuine clothing icon (5)

23: Notable piece of animation by English bishop (5)

25: Heard about ark's leader taking census; just worthless (2-7)

26: Everyone in Italy's mad - so it's said - for ice cream (5-6)

2: Frost over mid-January during epic exploit (3,2)

3: Get sick chasing a grand lady's maid (7)

4: Paper boy? (5)

5: Capture ten heading north (3)

6: They're hard to reconcile, Turkey Day displays featuring beef (9)

7: Ned Lunig, thrown inside, openly seen to be crapulous (13)

8: Logical oil Polish chap applied (13)

12: Clear initial rubbish in drain (3)

14: In the wee hours, come together sideways (9)

17: Trap with hands? (3)

18: Rousing Pat with mini drum set (7)

21: Rule for finding direction between-times? (5)

22: Acquire something enclosed by muslin curtain (5)

24: Animal hiding in abattoir (3)