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
Reposted by Chris Drew
In my forthcoming book on the men and women of the FO in WWII, I tell the story of the UN Charter negotiations. Here is a 🧵on how the Board of Peace compares. A question to start. Which Charter reads more like the prospectus for a posh golf club? A clue is in the adoption ceremony for each 1/11
January 25, 2026 at 5:31 PM
In my forthcoming book on the men and women of the FO in WWII, I tell the story of the UN Charter negotiations. Here is a 🧵on how the Board of Peace compares. A question to start. Which Charter reads more like the prospectus for a posh golf club? A clue is in the adoption ceremony for each 1/11
Reposted by Chris Drew
“Geographically inaccurate penguin memes sir. Thousands of ‘em.”
January 25, 2026 at 1:39 PM
“Geographically inaccurate penguin memes sir. Thousands of ‘em.”
"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."
⚽️🦵🏼Aujourd'hui cela fait 31 ans qu'Éric Cantona assena un coup de pied à Matthew Simmon, un fan de Crystal Palace qui l'avait insulté.
Il s'avérera ensuite que Simmon était proche du parti d'extrême droite National Front, transformant le geste de Cantona en iconographie antifasciste.
Il s'avérera ensuite que Simmon était proche du parti d'extrême droite National Front, transformant le geste de Cantona en iconographie antifasciste.
January 25, 2026 at 5:11 PM
"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."
Reposted by Chris Drew
⚽️🦵🏼Aujourd'hui cela fait 31 ans qu'Éric Cantona assena un coup de pied à Matthew Simmon, un fan de Crystal Palace qui l'avait insulté.
Il s'avérera ensuite que Simmon était proche du parti d'extrême droite National Front, transformant le geste de Cantona en iconographie antifasciste.
Il s'avérera ensuite que Simmon était proche du parti d'extrême droite National Front, transformant le geste de Cantona en iconographie antifasciste.
January 25, 2026 at 4:23 PM
⚽️🦵🏼Aujourd'hui cela fait 31 ans qu'Éric Cantona assena un coup de pied à Matthew Simmon, un fan de Crystal Palace qui l'avait insulté.
Il s'avérera ensuite que Simmon était proche du parti d'extrême droite National Front, transformant le geste de Cantona en iconographie antifasciste.
Il s'avérera ensuite que Simmon était proche du parti d'extrême droite National Front, transformant le geste de Cantona en iconographie antifasciste.
Reposted by Chris Drew
Demain #AuPoste à 18h00 : Bisexualité, à la marge de la marge. Avec Stéphanie Ouillon & Camille Teste www.auposte.fr/convocation/...
#AuPoste média 100% Live et libre ! Adonnez-vous !
#AuPoste média 100% Live et libre ! Adonnez-vous !
Bisexualité, à la marge de la marge. Avec Stéphanie Ouillon & Camille Teste
Curieuses, indécises, immatures, traîtresses à la cause… Bien que nombreuses (en France, 10% des moins de 30 ans revendiquent cette identité), les
www.auposte.fr
January 25, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Demain #AuPoste à 18h00 : Bisexualité, à la marge de la marge. Avec Stéphanie Ouillon & Camille Teste www.auposte.fr/convocation/...
#AuPoste média 100% Live et libre ! Adonnez-vous !
#AuPoste média 100% Live et libre ! Adonnez-vous !
Reposted by Chris Drew
Is There For Honest Poverty
YouTube video by Old Blind Dogs - Topic
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Chris Drew
Connections
Puzzle #959
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Puzzle #959
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
January 25, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Connections
Puzzle #959
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Puzzle #959
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Wordle 1 681 4/6
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
January 25, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Wordle 1 681 4/6
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Minute Cryptic - 25 January, 2026
"Eva and Ruth - runners up to Miss World" (5)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (53 863 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Eva and Ruth - runners up to Miss World" (5)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (53 863 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
January 25, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Minute Cryptic - 25 January, 2026
"Eva and Ruth - runners up to Miss World" (5)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (53 863 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Eva and Ruth - runners up to Miss World" (5)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (53 863 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Reposted by Chris Drew
Reposted by Chris Drew
That capital fellow Playfair is back in the @economist.com day, featuring:
15D. Inexpert leader in love with another country’s territory (9)
20A. United Kingdom getting behind new university for 15D’s capital (4)
www.economist.com/interactive/...
15D. Inexpert leader in love with another country’s territory (9)
20A. United Kingdom getting behind new university for 15D’s capital (4)
www.economist.com/interactive/...
Weekend crossword
A weekend crossword based on the week’s news
www.economist.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:51 PM
That capital fellow Playfair is back in the @economist.com day, featuring:
15D. Inexpert leader in love with another country’s territory (9)
20A. United Kingdom getting behind new university for 15D’s capital (4)
www.economist.com/interactive/...
15D. Inexpert leader in love with another country’s territory (9)
20A. United Kingdom getting behind new university for 15D’s capital (4)
www.economist.com/interactive/...
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...