Atherstone or Polesworth

We should have reached Atherstone before the end of the day, possibly will have gone through the flight of locks, which always seem (to me) to be the slowest flight that we pass through! they take ages to fill and empty...and there are always lots of boats around meaning that 3 hours to do the 11 locks is a good time - often takes much longer! This means that we could have reached Polesworth where there are quite a few pubs (again if they haven't closed down!!).

We will hopefully be able to find a suitable place to watch the Champions League Final. Whilst I'd like Manchester United to win, if it's a great game and it ends up 5 - 4, then it won't bother me if Barcelona win by that scoreline!

Your Wednesday posers are: -

1. Which German battleship was sunk in the North Atlantic today in 1941?
   
   
2. Actor Christopher Lee (right), who was born today in 1922, played Count Dracula nine times in films by which production company?
   
   
3. Today in 1964 in Coventry, 11 boys were suspended from school for having a hair style like which singer?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Everest; 2. Tonto; 3. Sally Ride

Manchester United Win Premier League

By drawing 0 - 0 with Arsenal, Manchester United clinched their third successive Premier League title. This was only the second time (out of 11 victories) to be clinched at Old Trafford.

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. During which war was the Siege of Mafeking that was relieved today in 1900?
   
   
2. What was the title of the 1988 No 1 debut solo single by Enya (right) who was born today in 1961?
   
   
3. Rated as one of the best boxers ever, who was born today in 1956 and held various world titles between 1979 and 1990?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Hires Root Beer; 2. Four; 3. John Prescott

Ryan Giggs PFA Player of the Year 2009

Some people seem to consider this result as somewhat controversial as Ryan Giggs has played so few games for Manchester United this season. My theory is that, rather than split the votes amongst the United players, enough of them decided that Giggs was a deserving choice for his years of service and fantastic play. (It's only a theory; maybe the PFA actually did fix the result in favour of a long-serving British player; then again, maybe not!!)

Here are your Tuesday teasers: -

1. A vaccine to combat which mosquito borne disease was announced for use on humans today in 1932?
   
   
2. Actress Jessica Alba (right) was born today in 1981 and played which character in the "Fantastic Four" films?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1968 in Cape Town and is the Team Director for the England Cricket team?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Ulysses S Grant; 2. "Quincy"; 3. Edward Gibbon

The Damned United

This film hasn't been released yet in the UK, but it is being hyped beyond belief! I remember the time when Don Revie left Leeds United and Brian Clough came in (and went within 44 days). For me this was great news as I despised Leeds United at the time because they were always pipping my team, Manchester United, to all of the trophies. Now, 35 years later the tables are completely turned...who knows what it'll be like in another 35 years? That's the beauty of sport.

The weekend starts here: -

1. Which Archbishop of Canterbury was burned at the stake today in 1556?

   
   
2. Actor Timothy Dalton (right) was born today in 1946 and played James Bond in which two films?
   
   
3. Brian Clough (below), who was born today in 1935, managed which club to their first League Championship in 1972?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jules Rimet Trophy; 2. "Just Dance" ; 3. Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race

More Premier League Success in Champions League

As an Englishman, you'd think I am 'over the moon' that all four English Premier League clubs have made it through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, but I'm not! Where is the interest in, say, Arsenal playing Chelsea and/or Man Utd vs Liverpool (or any other combination)? The beauty of European competition is the prospect of playing teams from other countries who play in a different style. Now we have homogeneous football played by multinational teams - there's no soul or heart any more!

Thursday's teasers for you are: -

1. What is the best known book written by Beat Poet Jack Kerouac, who was born today in 1922?
   
   
2. Pete Doherty (right), who was born today in 1979, first came to fame as a member of which punk band?
   
   
3. Who gave his first "Fireside Chat" on radio to the American people today in 1933 titled "On the Bank Crisis"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Keith; 2. "Don't Worry, Be Happy"; 3. Captain Jack Harkness

The Romance of the FA Cup

What better time for the 'Romance of the Cup' than Valentine's Day weekend. Can Derby County beat World Champions Manchester United, again? Will Chelsea overcome Watford away from home? Can Swansea take another Premier League 'scalp' by beating Fulham? Will Aston Villa progress at the expense of Everton?

Who knows, but it's at this time of year, when the air is still cold and the skies grey, that football fans, whose team is still in the FA Cup, can start to dream of a warm Saturday afternoon in May at Wembley. Just the tonic now that the nights are starting to draw out!

And the 'romantic' Valentine's Day questions are: -

1. Which two middleweight boxers met for their sixth and final bout together in what was dubbed 'The St Valentine's Day Massacre' in Chicago today in 1951?
   


2. Simon Pegg (right), who was born today in 1970, starred in and co-wrote which 2004 film described as "A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies"?
   


3. Which actor married actress Meg Ryan today in 1991?
   
   Yesterday's Answers: 1. Chuck Yeager; 2. United Kingdom (East Finchley Tube Station, London); 3. Macdonald

You will never think of them in the same way again

I've just returned from Solihull Arts Complex having visited this exhibition by John Garghan. I met John through my quizzes at the Bull's Head, and what an interesting chap he is.

I'm no arts connoisseur, but what John does is fascinating. He generates works of art from photos of burnt out cars! To see exactly how this works you need to visit his website and blog (links above). The finished pictures, when hung in a gallery and properly lit, are stunning. Alongside each piece there is a description of where John found the car and a little story about how he took the photo. Well worth a visit if you are in or around Solihull

Anyway, here are the teasers for today: -

1. Which classic TV series starring George Peppard first aired in the USA today in 1983?
   
2. True or False - Richard Dean Anderson (right), who was born today in 1950, is an honorary Brigadier General in the US Air Force?
   
3. Which footballer, born today in 1969, scored in both the Manchester and Liverpool derby matches in the same year?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. George Foreman; 2. Donald Trump; 3. Rorke's Drift