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
The immense satisfaction of finishing a Friday grid.
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
Cryptic crossword No 29,929
Cryptic crossword No 29,929
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:34 AM
The immense satisfaction of finishing a Friday grid.
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
The immense satisfaction of finishing a Friday grid.
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
Cryptic crossword No 29,929
Cryptic crossword No 29,929
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:34 AM
The immense satisfaction of finishing a Friday grid.
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
This won't mean much to a lot of you, but if you know, you know.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
Chapeau
February 13, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Chapeau
It would appear that today is International Radio Day
There is only one way to celebrate that properly
youtu.be/azdwsXLmrHE?...
There is only one way to celebrate that properly
youtu.be/azdwsXLmrHE?...
Queen - Radio Ga Ga (Official Video)
YouTube video by Queen Official
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 7:52 AM
It would appear that today is International Radio Day
There is only one way to celebrate that properly
youtu.be/azdwsXLmrHE?...
There is only one way to celebrate that properly
youtu.be/azdwsXLmrHE?...
Good morning, everyone and welcome once again to POETS Day.
February 13, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Good morning, everyone and welcome once again to POETS Day.
Reposted by Chris Drew
I think the people of this country have had enough of tax-exile billionaires.
February 12, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I think the people of this country have had enough of tax-exile billionaires.
Minute Cryptic - 13 February, 2026
"Support astrophysicist after being stripped of award and key qualifications" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (34 148 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Support astrophysicist after being stripped of award and key qualifications" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (34 148 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
February 13, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Minute Cryptic - 13 February, 2026
"Support astrophysicist after being stripped of award and key qualifications" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (34 148 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Support astrophysicist after being stripped of award and key qualifications" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (34 148 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Wordle 1 700 4/6
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
February 13, 2026 at 5:25 AM
Wordle 1 700 4/6
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
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⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜
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Reposted by Chris Drew
Does anyone know of a place to rent in Amsterdam for my friend and world-leading countertenor Iestyn Davies for two months? No dates yet at this point. youtu.be/fCSQd8Nx4mI?...
Alison Balsom | Sound The Trumpet | Eternal Source of Light Divine
YouTube video by Alison Balsom
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Does anyone know of a place to rent in Amsterdam for my friend and world-leading countertenor Iestyn Davies for two months? No dates yet at this point. youtu.be/fCSQd8Nx4mI?...
French. The master bakers for starters (4)
February 12, 2026 at 6:13 PM
French. The master bakers for starters (4)
February 12, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Chris Drew
These are the real luxuries in life.
February 12, 2026 at 7:08 AM
These are the real luxuries in life.
Reposted by Chris Drew
Not in my opinion. I agree with Alberich: www.alberich-crosswords.com/even-more-ar...
Cheating? - Alberich Crosswords
Cheating?
www.alberich-crosswords.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Not in my opinion. I agree with Alberich: www.alberich-crosswords.com/even-more-ar...
Take care, everyone, if you've been caught up in these storms and incessant rain
February 12, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Take care, everyone, if you've been caught up in these storms and incessant rain
Reposted by Chris Drew
I'm sorry, but it's because he is *so* polite that when he came to France, he would say "s'il te plaît" to everyone, writing it as stp. Any chemistry, oil selling, train spotting at St Pancras, Stone Temple Pilots fandom or sticky toffee pudding reviews are entirely coincidental.
February 11, 2026 at 8:21 PM
I'm sorry, but it's because he is *so* polite that when he came to France, he would say "s'il te plaît" to everyone, writing it as stp. Any chemistry, oil selling, train spotting at St Pancras, Stone Temple Pilots fandom or sticky toffee pudding reviews are entirely coincidental.
Minute Cryptic - 12 February, 2026
""Never coming back!" Dining experience ends with cold dish?" (7)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (36 808 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
""Never coming back!" Dining experience ends with cold dish?" (7)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (36 808 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
February 12, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Minute Cryptic - 12 February, 2026
""Never coming back!" Dining experience ends with cold dish?" (7)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (36 808 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
""Never coming back!" Dining experience ends with cold dish?" (7)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (36 808 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Connections
Puzzle #977
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
Puzzle #977
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
February 12, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Connections
Puzzle #977
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
Puzzle #977
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
Wordle 1 699 3/6
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟩
⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟩
⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
February 12, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Wordle 1 699 3/6
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟩
⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟩
⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Reposted by Chris Drew
Chuffed to be featured in Canterbury Cathedral's weekly pew sheet for the Twelfth Night/Candlemas story-quest.
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/media/3xpnsu...
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/media/3xpnsu...
February 11, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Chuffed to be featured in Canterbury Cathedral's weekly pew sheet for the Twelfth Night/Candlemas story-quest.
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/media/3xpnsu...
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/media/3xpnsu...
Reposted by Chris Drew
This applies to young people too, if ANYTHING changes with your bowel health, ask your GP for this simple test 👇
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing bowel cancer, but a very helpful home test is also available — the FIT test is normally done as part of screening after age 50, but you can ask your GP for it if you have any changes in your bowel movements
www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-...
www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-...
Bowel cancer screening | Bowel Cancer UK
Learn about the different screening programmes currently in use across the UK and what tests are available.
www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 8:48 PM
This applies to young people too, if ANYTHING changes with your bowel health, ask your GP for this simple test 👇
Reposted by Chris Drew
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
February 11, 2026 at 5:15 PM
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
Anyone know where I can get some nice Bird's Eye Maple for less than three ha'pence a foot?
youtu.be/zflGtguyAR4?...
youtu.be/zflGtguyAR4?...
Stanley Holloway 'Three Ha'Pence A Foot' 1932 78 rpm
YouTube video by OldiesAL
youtu.be
February 11, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Anyone know where I can get some nice Bird's Eye Maple for less than three ha'pence a foot?
youtu.be/zflGtguyAR4?...
youtu.be/zflGtguyAR4?...
Reposted by Chris Drew
Gordon Brown: Police need to interview Andrew
We owe it to survivors of abuse to help bring the guilty to justice
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
We owe it to survivors of abuse to help bring the guilty to justice
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Gordon Brown: Police need to interview Andrew
We owe it to survivors of abuse to help bring the guilty to justice
www.newstatesman.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Gordon Brown: Police need to interview Andrew
We owe it to survivors of abuse to help bring the guilty to justice
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
We owe it to survivors of abuse to help bring the guilty to justice
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Es regnet Katzen und Hunde...
February 11, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Es regnet Katzen und Hunde...
Reposted by Chris Drew
The spreadsheet on this clay tablet, which is almost 4,000 years old, is organised into columns for furrowed area, grain produced, land not sown, and the field’s name.
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
February 11, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The spreadsheet on this clay tablet, which is almost 4,000 years old, is organised into columns for furrowed area, grain produced, land not sown, and the field’s name.
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving