US NOT to Build Weapons Bases in Eastern Europe

As far as I can see this is a very good decision by President Obama. Not only does it reduce the tension between Russia and the US, but it will also save a fortune which the US can ill afford to spend at the moment with the current debt levels. Russia and America need to be on the same side with the rise of religious fundamentalism and, hopefully, this is a step in the right direction for all of us!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Who sent up the first balloon with live creatures as passengers today in 1783?

   
   
2. Actor Adam West (right) was born today in 1928 and is best known for playing which superhero on TV?

   
   
3. Which model was born Lesley Hornby in London today in 1949?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. United Nations Secretary General; 2. James Boswell; 3. Horse

Erewash Canal Here We Come

By now we should have reached the Erewash Canal, which is one of the few waterways in the Midlands that we've never visited before. Several times in the past we have moored at the Trent Navigation Inn and Steamboat pubs that are near the bottom lock, but we've always gone another way. So, let's hope it was worth the wait!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. What started in London today in 1666?
   
   
2. Actor Keanu Reeves (right) was born in which country today in 1964?
   
   
3. Which TV show was cancelled today in 1969 by NBC, but has since spawned several successful films and spin-offs?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Edgar Rice Burroughs; 2. Miami Sound Machine; 3. Passenger Pigeon

Holiday Time Again!

It's holiday time again. We'll be taking out the good ship Emma Jane onto the waterways of England. Today we should be passing through Birmingham and then heading north!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. According to a mock obituary in The Sporting Times, today in 1882 marked the death of which English sport?
   
   
2. Actress Ingrid Bergman (right) was born today in 1915 in which country? (She also died today in 1982 in London)
   
   
3. What was the nickname of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker who was born today in 1920?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Scientific American; 2. "Sanctuary"; 3. Pepsi Cola

Stewart Cink - Open Golf Champion 2009

What a stunning finale to the 138th Open Golf Championship! Imagine standing on the 18th tee of the final round needing a par to win the Open and then failing to quite manage it. A nightmare in golfing terms that befell Tom Watson this year. It's a fate that has overtaken many famous golfers and is part of the spectacle of this fantastic game. So, well done to Stewart Cink for winning the Claret Jug, but it was Tom Watson's Open!

Monday's questions are: -

1. Which actor and former Crown Colony Cha Cha Cha dance champion died in Hong Kong today in 1973 aged 32?
   
   
2. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen (right) was born today in 1980 in which country?
   
   
3. Which railway station, London's first, opened today in 1837?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Paris; 2. Bristol ; 3. Ilie Nastase

Michael Jackson Tops UK Album Chart

Michael Jackson's greatest hits album "Number Ones" has rocketed from 121 to No 1 in the UK charts and four other albums have entered the Top 20! Also, six singles have entered the Top 40! I'll never understand this phenomenon - I have five Michael Jackson singles and the "HIStory" compilation from 1995 - I was happy with these before he died and I'm happy now. He made some great records and, as far as I'm concerned, I've already got the ones I like!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which London theatre burned down today in 1613?
   
   
2. Canadian John Part (right) was born today in 1966 and is a three-time World Champion at which sport?
   

   
   
3. Which actress died, aged 34, in a car crash today in 1967?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand (and his wife Sophie); 2. Denver Broncos; 3. Hans Blix (Enfield, London)

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

John Higgins - World Snooker Champion

John Higgins clinched the Betfred World Professional Snooker title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for the third time. He beat Shaun Murphy 18 - 9 in a final that never quite reached the heights of some of the previous rounds.

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Which country's embassy was stormed by SAS troops in London today in 1980?
   
   
2. Which actor married Angelina Jolie (right) today in 2000?
   
   
3. Which philosopher and revolutionary was born in Prussia today in 1818?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Horse; 2. "Roman Holiday"; 3. Al Capone

British Summer Time Starts

Today the clocks go forward in the UK and the rest of Europe! Daylight Saving is a funny term and, every year, there are people who ask why we do it. From my point of view, I much prefer the lighter evenings as I'm generally a late riser! I gather that in the US the clocks went forward three weeks ago. Follow the link above to learn more about the background to the whole subject - very interesting!

Your Sunday brain teasers are: -

1. Which was the first country to ban smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants, today in 2004?

   
   
2. Which 1990's US TV series starred Lucy Lawless (right) who was born today in 1968 in New Zealand?
   
   
3. Who opened the Royal Albert Hall (pictured below) today in 1871 in London?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sewer System; 2. (Arnold) Rimmer; 3. Jesse Owens

Robbie Williams Rejoins Take That?

It appears that Robbie Williams is on the verge of getting back together with Take That. I'm not sure who is the most desperate!!

Your Saturday brain teasers are: -

1. Civil engineer Joseph Bazalgette was born today in 1819 and created what network in London?

   
   
2. Actor Chris Barrie (right) was born today in 1960 and played what character in the TV sci-fi comedy series "Red Dwarf"?
   
   
3. Which athlete was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George H W Bush today in 1990?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. James Callaghan; 2. "Reservoir Dogs"; 3. Viagra

Atlantic Submarine Collision

Two nuclear powered submarines, carrying nuclear warheads, crash into each other in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean - amazing! The fact that a British and a French submarine were in the same area of the ocean suggests to me that they were both looking for something. What, we will probably never know, but it is a rather curious incident, though, thankfully not a serious one!!

Today's questions are: -

1. What is the real name of writer Barbara Vine who was born today in 1930 in London?
   


2. Paris Hilton (right), who was born today in 1981, co-starred with Nicole Richie in which reality TV show??
   


3. Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" premiered in which Italian city today in 1904?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John McEnroe; 2. Geordi La Forge; 3. North Korea

Tornado in London

No...not that sort of tornado!! This is about the first new steam locomotive for almost 50 years to be built in Britain that has made it's maiden passenger carrying run to London from Darlington today.

Tornado has taken 19 years to build at a cost of £3 million. Who says that we in Britain are not at the forefront of technology!!


Today's questions are (and I've treated you to an extra teaser as it's Sunday!): -

1. What was the first novel published by John Grisham (right) who was born today in 1955?
   
   


2. Who was executed at Fotheringay Castle today in 1587?
   
   


3. Who was born today in 1944 and played Owen Newitt in "The Vicar of Dibley" and John Lumic, creator of the Cybermen in "Doctor Who"?
   
   


4. Which of Trinny and Susannah (below) is celebrating her 45th birthday today?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. 10 Downing Street (while the Cabinet was sitting); 2. Alan Shore; 3. All got Married

Gabby Logan on Radio Five Live

Every Sunday morning at 10 am Gabby Logan starts her Radio 5 Live show by wishing "Happy Birthday" to various sports stars, celebrities and notable figures. She then lists some events that also took place on that date.

This week I'm going to email her and suggest that, for fun, she asks questions about the date and that she could take a look at this blog for suggestions. If I can get a mention on her show that would be great and maybe lead to many others visiting this blog...and who knows where that could lead?

So, today's questions are: -

1. What is the 'heroic' middle name of Wigan striker Emile Heskey who was born today in 1978?
   
   
2. Who was born today in 1971 (right) and had a UK Top 10 album and single in 2002 titled “No More Drama”?
   
   
3. Which golfer was born today in 1952 in Austin, Texas and won the US Masters in 1984 and 1995?
   
   
4. Which author was born in London today in 1961 and created the "Thursday Next" series of novels?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. England (Highgate, London); 2. Scarecrow; 3. First Section of the London Underground

The Weekend Is Here!!

Saturday comes around again! Time to relax from the pressures of the week; time for some of us to drink too much; time for some of us to just chill out; or time to just have some simple enjoyment! I've probably rambled a bit too much this week, but not today!

Straight to the questions: -

1. In which UK country was singer Rod Stewart born today in 1945?
   


2. Actor Ray Bolger, who was born today in 1904, played which character in the film “The Wizard of Oz”?
   


3. What was opened in London today in 1863 by Prime Minister Gladstone?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Income Tax; 2. Crystal Gayle; 3. SS Lazio

Is Global Warming Over?

Here in Birmingham it is pretty cold at the moment. The first time for many years that we've had such a prolonged cold snap in December/January. So, is Global Warming over? No chance, as Philip Eden said on Radio 5 Live this evening, "You have to distinguish between weather and climate!" Apparently, the variations in weather are much broader than the gradual change in the climate.

So, to the Global Warming naysayers, you'll need a better reason for not believing in the new 'religion' of Global warming!

Before the glaciers melt and London is deluged in the floods I'd better give you the questions: -

1. Alex Turner, vocalist and lead guitarist of which Sheffield based band, was born today in 1986?


2. Which American skater was attacked, suffering knee damage, today in 1994, but went on to win a Silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer?


3. Who was born today in 1925 in Detroit and is pictured (below) with his most famous car?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Italy (Rome); 2. Shetlands; 3. "Stargate: Atlantis"