Releases 2.27 and 2.26.1

[Maciej W. Rozycki]

Hi Tristan,

> I'd like to create the 2.27 branch soon, and also to build the 2.26.1 release.
> If you have any pending patch you'd like to have in one of these releases, please speak quickly!

 I have a couple MIPS bug fixes/clean-ups and one feature outstanding I 
have been working on over the last month or so.  I just need to complete 
test suite coverage.  This is 2.27 stuff only.  ETA mid next week.

  Maciej