Chris Drew

Wordle 1 705 4/6

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Minute Cryptic - 18 February, 2026
"He's into splattering paint - quite the scene-maker!" (8)
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🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (29 030 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

As Martin says, nicknames for different classes

Class 50s = Hoovers (the sound they make)
I *think* 60s = sheds (after my time in the UK)
You also have class 20s = choppers. Class 25s were rats, because they got everywhere (now mostly scrapped).

MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine Find out about the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, including who should have it, when it's given and possible side effects.

Quick reminder to us GenXers or older -

"If you were born before 1970 and haven't had #measles, mumps or rubella (german measles) or vaccines...you can ask your GP for MMR vaccine."

We didn't all catch this stuff when we were littlies, so we're not all protected!

www.nhs.uk/vaccinations...

FACE Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? ARMS Can they raise both arms and keep them there? SPEECH Is their speech slurred? TIME To call 999 If you see any single one of these signs 999

Sharing this - the symptoms of stroke. Someone important to me didn't recognise loss of speech as a sign, to their cost, upsettingly so.
Know the signs: F. A. S. T.
Dropped side of the FACE
Inability to raise both ARMS
SPEECH slurred or impossible
Act FAST, call an ambulance
#Stroke #StrokeAwareness

I keep saying this, but please get vaccinated. And check *everyone*

*Cough*

As the local here say

"Le Couesnon, dans sa folie, a mis le Mont en Normandie!"

Reference !

We're alright!!!

Just gave a talk to a group of sixth formers from a state school in Shropshire. Many questions asked, along the lines of: will the UK rejoin? How can I work for the EU? etc. These young people had their future stolen from them by Brexit, and they want that future back. 💪

You did your job. And you did it properly.

But it's a good policy not to hold those grudges.

Chitting nicely 😊 this year Sarpo Axona (maincrop, blight resistant), Sagitta (2nd early) and Home Guard (1st early). You don't have to chit - makes no difference to growth rates except for new #potatoes, & even then not much. But it's useful for keeping tubers healthy till sowing time #gardening 🌱

@kimwillsher.bsky.social

End of Penelopegate I see.

Connections
Puzzle #982
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Wordle 1 704 4/6

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Minute Cryptic - 17 February, 2026
"Package returned in Wednesday’s post" (4)
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🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (31 420 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

landscape, person on a bike cycling down a country lane, a building in the distance

Goodnight

Donegal, Ireland
Joseph McKenzie, 1969

Very, very best wishes.

Happy birthday !

Latest MRN Forecasts Point to Higher Than Expected Inflation for the Second Half of 2026 - NIESR In this month’s update, we are trying something slightly new.  We are taking the “simple” MRN (based on the CPI data alone), and adding one variable to it: the updated Divisia Price Dual (DPD). In add...

⚡️OUT NOW ⚡️ Latest MRN forecasts point to higher than expected #inflation for the second half of 2026 📈

Ahead of the latest official figures out on Wednesday, read here Huw Dixon's latest #blog 👇👇👇

@cu-cardiffbusiness.bsky.social
niesr.ac.uk/blog/latest-...

Awful stuff, Annie.

Yoicks, indeed

One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.

Connections
Puzzle #981
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Minute Cryptic - 16 February, 2026
"No more texting inside by primary classmates… & teachers" (7)
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🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (42 288 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

Wordle 1 703 3/6

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My book about Britain ends with a memory.
Of the first time I ever worked at Broadcasting House as a guest commentator, what that meant to me, and what the BBC means for 🇬🇧’s place in the world.
The idea that the World Service could end is awful, and frankly embarrassing for the British Government.

Probably one of the greatest scenes in cinema history

youtu.be/cOeFhSzoTuc?...

Thanks