Mitz
@mitzcrosswords
Crossword geek (Guardian crossword stats database), politics obsessive (but when the fun stops, stop), intolerant of intolerance. Appropriately butterfly mind - it flits about all over the place. The Archers is real life.
We have leaf-cutter bees in our garden, making the leaves of this rose push look like emmental cheese. Saw one at work - took her less than 5 seconds to slice off one of these tiny circles and fly off with it.
Objectionable, swivel-eyed lunatic he may be, but this is actually pretty smart from Lowe.
Just thought I'd share the text of an email I have sent to my MP. If you agree with me, please feel free to use it as the template for a message to yours.
Long weekend in Brussels. This made me feel quite emotional and upset, to be honest. The senseless waste of the last 10 years.
Back cover of Sabotage by Black Sabbath. Bill Ward's brown and white underpants clearly visible through red tights. Absolute horror show.
Professional photographers will probably tell me off, but I love taking photos into the sun.
Ramsay is the 34th different Daily Cryptic setter for the Guardian in 2026 - a new record. This chart plots the rise in the number of setters used since pseudonyms were introduced in 1970.
This chart shows the longevity of all setters of Daily Cryptics in the Guardian (with two or more published puzzles) since December 1970 when pseudonyms were first introduced.
My favourite tree. Whenever I feel beaten up and broken I think about the new leaves that this ancient sweet chestnut still puts out, despite everything.
Some post arrived today containing nothing but lies and thinly-veiled racist dog whistles. It's going straight back where it came from:
Today's Guardian Crossword is Vulcan's 200th - he's the 21st to reach this milestone and the 6th fastest (faster than either Rufus or Paul). Congratulations! www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
Happy and very large crowd coming together on Park Lane for today's march against racism.
Went with Mrs Mitz and mini-Mitz #1 to RHS Wisley for mother's day (busy tomorrow). Beautiful afternoon, loads to see. Couldn't believe everyone was herded away at 4:30 - seemed very early with the sky cobalt blue and thousands keen to by more ice creams and merch. Ah well.
Quote from the Guardian. If they are right and the response to Ratcliffe is early evidence of a post-McSweeney loosening of the shackles then I'm all for it.
This chart shows the increase in the number of active daily setters per year since 1970.
I asked ChatGPT to scour a range of news outlets and social media for responses to Trump's comment on the Reiner tragedy. Looks like he's misread the room somewhat:
Just conducted a trial draw for the 2026 World Cup, taking into account all the confederation and seeding constraints - here's what came out. Not mad at it. In this scenario England would be seeded to meet Spain in the SF and either France or Argentina in the Final.