It's the Seasonal Reposting Competition! Repost this over the weekend, and on Sunday one lucky person will win a signed copy of one of my books. For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 fiendish @theguardian.com #puzzles and all the stories behind them: boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says: “The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump. As advised by the Panorama production team?

The Seasonal Reposting Competition is coming! Return here on Friday for a chance to win a signed copy of one of my books ... For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 @theguardian.com #puzzles and the stories behind them: boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...

I’ve been developing something called the Human-Made License, a Creative Commons–style way to certify that creative work was made without genAI. I’m looking for feedback from artists, designers, and writers before the public launch. DM me if you’d like to take a look at the first draft.

Nah think I'll wait for AI squeezy cheezy peaz. Wonder if that's in the conditions of Elon's new pay deal? m.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5k...

Money is tight right now, of course, and we’ve had a few people write us lately to say they can’t afford subscriptions. If you’re struggling but want to solve our puzzles, hit us up any time - [email protected] - and we will happily hook you up free for a year. No questions asked.

Puzzle editing is all done for Issue 2. Thanks @archelina.bsky.social, @amoebacrosswords.bsky.social, @liari.bsky.social & @henriwords.com, & all the setters! Now onto the design phase... Sign up for the mailing list over at unchcrosswords.com so you'll be the first to know when we open pre-sales!

BUY ONE NOW! VERY GOOD!

The puzzle can be solved in the site crossword.thehindu.com (behind a paywall). If anyone would like to have a PDF version, let me know and I will be happy to share.

Challenging patriarchal power & societal norms this October? You must be a witch. Comment with your favourite accused witch in fiction or history, to be in with a chance of winning a beautiful hardback edition of No Friend to This House… 🕯️ Rules below.

If you've already got a copy of Issue 1 of Unch, now is a good time to sign up for updates so you are ready to pre-order Issue 2. If you haven't got a copy of Issue 1 of Unch yet, now is a good time to buy one before we completely run out. Either way, the place to do that is: unchcrosswords.com

You can't handle the rules!

I've long thought the profits of asylum hotels shouldn't be borne by the 'tax payer'. Why can't they be run by a housing association or a charity that ploughs any profit back into addressing 'legitimate concerns' about integration and maybe English lessons if that's such a problem.

Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community. Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.

Working through in order with a lunchtime libation. Best clue so far is a right snorter! Witty answer in middle of grid: 'French letters' (7) 🤣

Flashling/Champie/other BSkyers: I can only read your posts/reply if you're Bridged. Takes 2 mins if you fancy: https://tlmb.net/blog/connecting-mastodon-and-bluesky-friends/

#cryptic#clue Perhaps Chancellor's cut back stopped by Bank of England? (6) www.ft.com/content/bfe6...

Another nice one today; Minute Cryptic - 22 October, 2025 "Private investigator losing 50 from roulette spin" (9) 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣 🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (44,050 solvers so far). www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

Opinions please crossword Bluesky; I'm using 'A' (as the indefinite article) in plain sight in a clue, it comes before a def that begins with a vowel. So what I need is WP + a = DEF for the cryptic, but WP an DEF for the surface. Are 'a' and 'an' as interchangeable as 'one' and 'a' are?

Getting the hang of this; I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Oct 21st 2025) in 02:45 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 cluesbysam.com

Pathetic nonce's claim: Sadly one was titled originally (2,5) A very EASY #CrypticClue m.youtube.com/shorts/8SCuH...

Love the nounal grind and lift and separate in that cryptic clue.

Pilates of the Carribbean. Probably a bit too obvious but sod it. #ASongOrMovieForUsingYourBody

Essential reading.

I ❤️ Viz

One I really enjoyed today. Very easy but also satisfying to solve. Hard doesn't always equal good. Minute Cryptic - 12 October, 2025 "Antique rocking chair in empty attic" (7) 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣 🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (78,023 solvers so far). www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

New #offgridpod #inthefield , in which we make an exhibition of ourselves talking about toots. https://offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/10/12/in-the-field-ep-61/

**In The Field – Ep. 61** Off-Grid, In The Field is a series of mini OGP episodes with just one host and The General. We know everything about art, we just don’t know what we like. Lay down and dye! […] https://offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/10/12/in-the-field-ep-61/

Prak! https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2765

🤭 Poor Snoopy!

Time to see what this dubious obscurely themed unfair crossword is all about. I already know just how dodgy the setter can be so vino poured cigarillo lit et on y va.

Today is World Sight Day, and as good a time as any to remind you that if you haven't had an eye test for 2 years or more, you should book one today! 😎

Fucker got off lightly with an extra year. Scum.

I predict this will be an unpopular opinion, but to fine GWR for what should clearly have been a completely unnecessary yet ruled insufficient warning sign is rank idiocy. Yes it was a tragedy and my heart goes out to her friends and family but how ridiculous is this? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Want to see something weird?

Because its so windy there is excess power in the system Green-energy supplier Octopus is giving customers free electricity between 12 and 2 today and between 11 and 12 tomorrow. Deform UK don't want you to know that. Their fossil fuel paymasters don't like it.

👇👇👇 youtube.com/shorts/ru3y1...

Subtly downgrade a band: Ninestick Plantagenet

Subtly downgrade a band: The eccentic continent of Galahad Tan maybe not so subtle either?

I completely agree.

More "ordinary Mums and Dads" action from people with "legitimate concerns". The UK's media and political classes should hang their heads in shame. They have handed legitimacy to pissed up, thick as shit, violent racist scum, through a mix of opportunism and cowardice. It's sickening beyond words.

Better or worse? And now? And now?

A few days ago (maybe up to a week now) I read a post from a trans person that really made me think, I now can't find it but if I describe what it said maybe someone can point me to it? I don't remember the name or who that I follow reposted it but will give as much detail as I can. (cont)

Wanna hear a #skydiving survival story, find out why it's called #mentoring, and relive the meta-movie moment from #Gremlins 2? Well, I've got a #podcast recommendation for you! #OffGridPod

JOB HUNTING Okay, I am thoroughly fed up with the marketing agency 'space'. I can do proofreading and light copy-editing, and know more about MS Word than most people. I have an eye for page layout, and rusty but quick-to-refresh familiarity with InDesign, Quark, Affinity, Photoshop. 1/2

If you listen closely, you might hear me say “biplane” in the new #offgridpod ep, as the General gives good advice. https://offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/08/31/athenas-parachute-concession-ep-58/

Are you a TA/HLTA in the West Country? Did inset/first days back go badly? Looking for a change and to come and work in a lovely inclusive school in Bath? 3 days left to apply for this HLTA (Literacy/EAL) position 👇 Please RT / pass on to anyone who might be interested.

A clue from a couple of years ago now that never saw the light of day. For a good reason but I still like it. His album art only had raw bananas (4,6)

🏆 Clue contest No 33 🏆 Submit your best cryptic clue for PENCIL CASE using the link below. www.mycrossword.co.uk/contests/33