British High Speed Rail Line - Finally!

Only 66 years after Japan (Shinkansen), 50 years after France (TGV) and 40 years after Germany (ICE), Britain will finally have a high speed rail service that is projected to be opened in 2030! It's typical that the country which invented rail travel has fallen so far behind the rest of the world! Does anyone remember the titling trains fiasco of the 1970's/1980's? The APT system was pioneered here in the UK and, when it didn't work on it's first public running (for 3 days) the project was abandoned. Some aspects of the technology were sold to Pendolino and in 2002 Virgin Rail put its first Pendolino train into operation!

Your Thursday posers are: -

1. Chief Buthelezi was born today in 1928 and is a leader in which South African ethnic group?
   
   
2. Actress Sarah Chalke (right) was born today in 1976 and plays Dr Elliot Reid in which US TV sitcom?
   
   
3. The shortest war in history lasted just 38 minutes today in 1896. It was between the United Kingdom and which African island nation?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Michael Johnson; 2. Macedonia (Skopje); 3. Chris Pine

Andy Murray Out of Wimbledon

After playing very well to get to the Wimbledon semi-finals, Andy Murray lost out to Andy Roddick who will go on to try (for the third time!) and beat Roger Federer in Sunday's final. Andy Murray should be pleased with his overall performance as he almost went all the way, but as he's only 22 he must surely have many more opportunities in the future! It was a bad day all round for the Murray family as brother Jamie fell at the semi-final stage in the mixed doubles with his partner Liezel Huber!

Your Saturday teasers are: -

1. Which famous couple married today in 1999 at a castle on the outskirts of Dublin?
   
   
2. What nickname was given to Leona Helmsley (right) who was born today in 1920, after reportedly saying, "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes"?

   
   
3. Which radio station went on air for the first time today in 1950, from a transmitter in Germany, with initial broadcasts aimed at Czechoslovakia?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. George Washington; 2. Yazoo; 3. Mallard

New Mexico Spaceport

Well, I made it back safely from Cold Ashby - didn't win, but didn't lose either (although I should have!!) Anyway, I found this item on the BBC website about how the world's first spaceport is being built in New Mexico, called Spaceport America. When finished it will be the home of Virgin Galactic who will be running tourist flights into space!

Monday's questions are: -

1. Under the codename Barbarossa, Germany invaded which country today in 1941?
   
   
2. Author H Rider Haggard (right) was born today in 1856 and created which character that featured in 15 of his books and also in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"?
   
   
3. What was the first UK Top 3 single released by Cyndi Lauper who was born today in 1953?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Tony Jacklin; 2. The Killers; 3. Jane Russell

New Clock from ClockLink.com

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed a new addition (or two) to my blog - a clock which is courtesy of ClockLink.com. There are loads of different formats to choose from - and they are free! For any other bloggers out there I think this is a great addition because it means that when someone accesses your site, they know what time it is in your part of the globe!

Sunday's questions: -

1. Who took off on their historic non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean today in 1919?
   
   
2. What is the real name of singer Boy George (right) who was born today in 1961?
   
   
3. Which winner of 22 Grand Slam Tennis singles titles was born today in 1969 in Germany?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Mary Whitehouse; 2. "Heroes"; 3. Ireland (Dublin)

Flixborough Disaster

It's not often that major events have happened near to me, but I remember the Flixborough Explosion (35 years ago today) very well. I had just finished my evening paper round when I heard a long rumbling sound like thunder...only it went on too long to be thunder and there was little cloud in the sky. A large column of smoke could soon be seen in the relatively near distance, but we didn't know what had happened until the news came on later in the evening!

Next day I was due to play for the village cricket team (Scotter) against Nypro who were from the Flixborough plant. The game actually went ahead despite them only having 6 or 7 players. The game was played in Scunthorpe and we could see the pall of smoke still going almost 24 hours later. And there was a news helicopter parked on the field the cricket ground was in. We won the game, but nobody was really that bothered!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Who was born today in 1944 and plays Nursing Consultant Mark Williams in the TV series "Holby City"?
   
   
2. Model Heidi Klum (right) was born today in 1973 in Germany and married which English born singer in an igloo in 2005?
   
   
3. Which American inventor received a patent for his electric voting machine today in 1869?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Boer War (2nd); 2. Led Zeppelin; 3. None

The Holiday Starts Here

It's back to our narrowboat Emma Jane for a week cruising the English Canals. Today we set off from our moorings at Lapworth and should, hopefully, be spending the evening in Warwick (or maybe as far as Leamington Spa). Either way we'll have to navigate the Hatton flight of locks on the Grand Union Canal! We will also get to see the runners in the annual 145 mile Grand Union Canal Race from Birmingham to London - they must be mad!

Saturday's questions are: -

1. Who was born today in 1734 in Germany and was a pioneer in the field of hypnosis?
   
   
2. Born today in 1951, Anatoly Karpov (right) was a World Champion at what?
   
   
3. Which infamous bank-robbing duo were ambushed and killed in Louisiana today in 1934?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jordan (aka Katie Price); 2. Serbia (Belgrade); 3. Aer Lingus

Why Don't Polar Bears Eat Penguins?

"Because they can't get the wrappers off!" - It's an age old joke hiding the fact that they are, quite literally, Poles apart. Now, I thought that species present in the Arctic regions were not to be found in Antarctic regions (except for migratory species of birds and sea life), but apparently this is not the case.

I discovered this article on the BBC website which says that, "At least 235 marine species are living in both polar regions, despite being 12,000km apart". Fascinating...as Mr Spock would have said!

Today's questions are: -

1. Which three-time Wimbledon and four-time US Open Men’s singles champion was born today in 1959 in Wiesbaden, Germany?
   
   
2. Actor LeVar Burton (right), who was born today in 1957, played which role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”?
   
   
3. Kim Jong-Il, who was born today in 1941 in Russia, is now leader of which Asian country?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Matt Groening; 2. Fu Manchu; 3. New Zealand; 4. UB40

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!

England in the snow is a wondrous place! For many parts of the country it is the worst snowfall since 1991. Fortunately I didn't have to venture far yesterday, but today I'll be at the mercy of our rail network to get to Coventry. I then have a 25 minute walk, which under normal circumstances is great exercise, but in these conditions it could be a bit tricky!!

I'll never understand the people who moan about how other countries cope better than us! This is a once in 18 YEARS event, places like Germany, Canada, Norway or USA get this or worse EVERY YEAR so naturally they are better prepared and equipped. (And in those countries, the authorities also get overwhelmed by nature!)

Anyway, your treats for today are: -

1. What is the profession of Henry Heimlich who was born today in 1920 in Wilmington, Delware?
   
2. Which Economic Union in Europe was created today in 1958?
   
3. Innovative German engineer Hugo Junkers, who was born today in 1859 (and died today in 1935), was best known for designing what?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Nicolas Sarkozy; 2. Punxsutawney Phil; 3. Colombia