Chris Drew
@mesnilman.bsky.social
Ex UK gov economist incl 2 years in Euro Parl econ & monetary cttee. Normandy. Level 1 umpire. Semi-veggie. UTV
EN & FR (DE after beer). Views personal etc. Glamorgan CCC fan.Welsh. And French
Born at 325ppm
EN & FR (DE after beer). Views personal etc. Glamorgan CCC fan.Welsh. And French
Born at 325ppm
Pinned
Chris Drew
@mesnilman.bsky.social
· Oct 17
Public Service Announcement
I'm insta-blocking well above 50% of the people who start following me at the moment.
If you are a crypto-, a religious- or just a plain weirdo, you go straight into the blocked pile.
I'm insta-blocking well above 50% of the people who start following me at the moment.
If you are a crypto-, a religious- or just a plain weirdo, you go straight into the blocked pile.
Reposted by Chris Drew
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Holmes Chapel u3a, Cheshire, Thurs Feb 12th. 10am Holmes Chapel Methodist Church. (Book due Feb 26th, available to preorder from bookshops and websites). holmeschapelu3a.org.uk/index.php?pa...
January 12, 2026 at 2:46 PM
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Holmes Chapel u3a, Cheshire, Thurs Feb 12th. 10am Holmes Chapel Methodist Church. (Book due Feb 26th, available to preorder from bookshops and websites). holmeschapelu3a.org.uk/index.php?pa...
With thanks to @unchcrosswords.com for the tip, I've started doing these.
I had to explain to the lady in my local bookshop here in France how cryptic crosswords work.
And she then solved this morning's Minute Cryptic (her English is excellent).
I had to explain to the lady in my local bookshop here in France how cryptic crosswords work.
And she then solved this morning's Minute Cryptic (her English is excellent).
January 24, 2026 at 12:09 PM
With thanks to @unchcrosswords.com for the tip, I've started doing these.
I had to explain to the lady in my local bookshop here in France how cryptic crosswords work.
And she then solved this morning's Minute Cryptic (her English is excellent).
I had to explain to the lady in my local bookshop here in France how cryptic crosswords work.
And she then solved this morning's Minute Cryptic (her English is excellent).
Reposted by Chris Drew
I set today’s Prize crossword in the Guardian . It may require some lateral thinking:
Sea creature caught by Scotsman (4)
Pierce Brosnan’s heartbeat (5)
Saint-Saëns a bit lively (9)
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...
Sea creature caught by Scotsman (4)
Pierce Brosnan’s heartbeat (5)
Saint-Saëns a bit lively (9)
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...
Prize crossword No 29,912
Prize crossword No 29,912
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:01 AM
I set today’s Prize crossword in the Guardian . It may require some lateral thinking:
Sea creature caught by Scotsman (4)
Pierce Brosnan’s heartbeat (5)
Saint-Saëns a bit lively (9)
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...
Sea creature caught by Scotsman (4)
Pierce Brosnan’s heartbeat (5)
Saint-Saëns a bit lively (9)
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...
Reposted by Chris Drew
🍽️ Le Céleste, Ploc, Ardent… Nos dix formules déjeuner préférées à Paris
➡️ bit.ly/4pQgj19
➡️ bit.ly/4pQgj19
January 24, 2026 at 9:32 AM
🍽️ Le Céleste, Ploc, Ardent… Nos dix formules déjeuner préférées à Paris
➡️ bit.ly/4pQgj19
➡️ bit.ly/4pQgj19
Reposted by Chris Drew
An observation test for your inner 8-year-old.
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.
From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon
(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.
From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon
(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
January 24, 2026 at 8:17 AM
An observation test for your inner 8-year-old.
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.
From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon
(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.
From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon
(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
HAMNET - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters This Thanksgiving
YouTube video by Focus Features
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Wordle 1 680 4/6
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
January 24, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Wordle 1 680 4/6
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Minute Cryptic - 24 January, 2026
"Primate couples with priority in boarding Noah's boat?" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (25 615 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Primate couples with priority in boarding Noah's boat?" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (25 615 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
January 24, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Minute Cryptic - 24 January, 2026
"Primate couples with priority in boarding Noah's boat?" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (25 615 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Primate couples with priority in boarding Noah's boat?" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (25 615 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
This - in my opinion - is a belter of a clue for 'improving beginners' for cryptic crossword fans.
Definitely needed a little thought...
Definitely needed a little thought...
Minute Cryptic - 23 January, 2026
"_ < 20?" (10)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (33 848 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"_ < 20?" (10)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (33 848 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
January 23, 2026 at 6:13 AM
This - in my opinion - is a belter of a clue for 'improving beginners' for cryptic crossword fans.
Definitely needed a little thought...
Definitely needed a little thought...
Minute Cryptic - 23 January, 2026
"_ < 20?" (10)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (33 848 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"_ < 20?" (10)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (33 848 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
January 23, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Minute Cryptic - 23 January, 2026
"_ < 20?" (10)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (33 848 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"_ < 20?" (10)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (33 848 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Wordle 1 679 5/6
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟨
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟨
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
January 23, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Wordle 1 679 5/6
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟨
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟨
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Reposted by Chris Drew
Tapping the sign. Again.
Time to put your hands up, UK, and say you got it wrong. Big time. Fess up. Don't quibble about opt outs, or look for cherries. It's a cold world outside of a tent. Ask nicely to come back inside. At least a little bit.
January 4, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Tapping the sign. Again.
Reposted by Chris Drew
We are just 24 followers away from reaching 4,000 followers! 🤩 Please like and share this post with your pro-Europe friends 🏴🇪🇺💙
January 22, 2026 at 10:55 AM
We are just 24 followers away from reaching 4,000 followers! 🤩 Please like and share this post with your pro-Europe friends 🏴🇪🇺💙
Connections
Puzzle #956
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Puzzle #956
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
January 22, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Connections
Puzzle #956
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Puzzle #956
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Reposted by Chris Drew
are they not monsters?
January 22, 2026 at 12:08 AM
are they not monsters?
Wordle 1 678 4/6
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
January 22, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Wordle 1 678 4/6
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Reposted by Chris Drew
Europe can be incredibly effective when its strong, firm and united
🇪🇺💪🏾
🇪🇺💪🏾
January 21, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Europe can be incredibly effective when its strong, firm and united
🇪🇺💪🏾
🇪🇺💪🏾
Reposted by Chris Drew
Trump fans endorsing sexual violence analogies - not surprising but always disturbing
Look at this nasty stuff. Misogyny and violence never far from the surface of the Trump imaginary. (2/2)
January 21, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Trump fans endorsing sexual violence analogies - not surprising but always disturbing
Reposted by Chris Drew
It’s here!
unch unch unch unch ARGH unch unch unch
Order your copy from unchcrosswords.com IF YOU DARE
unch unch unch unch ARGH unch unch unch
Order your copy from unchcrosswords.com IF YOU DARE
January 21, 2026 at 12:28 PM
It’s here!
unch unch unch unch ARGH unch unch unch
Order your copy from unchcrosswords.com IF YOU DARE
unch unch unch unch ARGH unch unch unch
Order your copy from unchcrosswords.com IF YOU DARE
@aftertaf.mont-gargan.fr Just reading about a 16 century fort right at the top of the Côte Sainte Catherine. Knew nothing about it. As you go up, & swing around the corniche, on your left before Bonsecours is first of all the Abbaye Sainte Catherine, then the 'old' fort. Both show up on LIDAR.
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM
@aftertaf.mont-gargan.fr Just reading about a 16 century fort right at the top of the Côte Sainte Catherine. Knew nothing about it. As you go up, & swing around the corniche, on your left before Bonsecours is first of all the Abbaye Sainte Catherine, then the 'old' fort. Both show up on LIDAR.
Minute Cryptic - 21 January, 2026
"Box for dead pet of Schrödinger contains almost half-skeleton" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (34 738 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Box for dead pet of Schrödinger contains almost half-skeleton" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (34 738 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
January 21, 2026 at 5:46 AM
Minute Cryptic - 21 January, 2026
"Box for dead pet of Schrödinger contains almost half-skeleton" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (34 738 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Box for dead pet of Schrödinger contains almost half-skeleton" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (34 738 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - Islands In the Stream
YouTube video by OLD TAPES
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Chris Drew
OK so if you bought a copy of Issue 2 it will be in the post by end of day tomorrow.
UK copies should start arriving by the end of the week.
Orders are still open on the website - buy now while stocks last!
unchcrosswords.com
#CrypticCrosswords
UK copies should start arriving by the end of the week.
Orders are still open on the website - buy now while stocks last!
unchcrosswords.com
#CrypticCrosswords
Unch Crossword Magazine
Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine
unchcrosswords.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:36 PM
OK so if you bought a copy of Issue 2 it will be in the post by end of day tomorrow.
UK copies should start arriving by the end of the week.
Orders are still open on the website - buy now while stocks last!
unchcrosswords.com
#CrypticCrosswords
UK copies should start arriving by the end of the week.
Orders are still open on the website - buy now while stocks last!
unchcrosswords.com
#CrypticCrosswords
Wordle 1 675 X/6
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
Oh, well...
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
Oh, well...
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Wordle 1 675 X/6
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
Oh, well...
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
Oh, well...