Volcano Grounds British Planes (and others)!

I never really expected to see volcanoes affect us here in Britain...but it is happening now! The eruption of an Icelandic volcano has resulted in a cloud of volcanic ash spreading south-east over Britain and some of Northern Europe. All flights to and from Britain have been grounded because volcanic ash can seriously damage planes. This was first discovered in 1982 when a British Airways jumbo jet lost ALL FOUR ENGINES when flying through the ash plume over Indonesia. Fortunately after gliding for about 20 - 30 minutes the crew were able to restart the engines and get the plane back to the airport safely! Having seen the programme "Air Crash Investigation" (on the National Geographic Channel), the current flight restrictions are perfectly reasonable - the engines of the BA Jumbo were scrapped and the fuselage and windscreens severely 'sand blasted'!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Who was born Joseph Ratzinger in Bavaria today in 1927?
   
   
2. Who launched the Royal Yacht Britannia (below) today in 1953?

   
3. What was the last pitched battle to be fought on mainland Britain today in 1746 in Scotland?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Washington DC; 2. "Bewitched"; 3. McDonalds

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Rural Fast Broadband

Although I've lived in the 'big city' for over 30 years, I still keep an eye out for our countryside and rural affairs (usually canal related). Today, this story caught my eye as people in the village of Lyddington have set up their own telecom company to provide fast broadband to the village! This is probably the future of high speed Internet connections in rural Britain as the larger companies don't seem to think it is worthwhile! Dinosaurs beware, the revolution could sweep you away as this isn't the only scheme - others are well advanced in their planning! Just one final (mild) amusement is the name of the company - Rutland Telecom - brings back fond memories of the spoof "Rutland Weekend Television" that spawned the band The Rutles!!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. In which city did Abraham Lincoln die today in 1865?
   
   
2. Elizabeth Montgomery (right) was born today in 1933 and played Samantha Stephens in which US TV sitcom?

   
   
3. The first franchised restaurant in which fast food chain was opened by Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, Illinois today in 1955?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "Chariots of the Gods"; 2. "The Full Monty"; 3. RMS Titanic

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Who'd Be a Driving Instructor?

Frequently I see adverts for people to become driving instructors and must admit that I've been tempted, but I always stop short when I remember that it is one of the most stressful jobs going...and this story illustrates why! A learner driver on only her second lesson managed to flip the car onto its roof. Fortunately both instructor and pupil were OK, but I don't think it will have helped the instructor's blood pressure!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. What was the title of the first book by Erich von Däniken, who was born today in 1935, detailing how aliens had visited the Earth in ancient times?
   
   
2. Actor Robert Carlyle (right) was born today in 1961 and played Gaz in which 1997 comedy film?

   
   
3. Which ocean liner struck an iceberg today in 1912?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Butch Cassidy; 2. "Lilies of the Field"; 3. Céline Dion

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

"Houston we've had a problem" - 40 Years On

Like many people my age I was gripped by the Apollo 13 mission and successful rescue that took place 40 years ago. It was today in 1970 that first Jack Swigert and then Jim Lovell uttered the words above (often misquoted)! At the time I was 11 and I had no doubts that they would return, because the Americans knew how to run space missions and had never lost an astronaut in space! (Aah! The joys of youth and innocence!) It wasn't until I saw the film "Apollo 13" that I had a fuller realisation of what a truly remarkable achievement it was to get those men back home safely!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Born today in 1866 in Utah, how was outlaw Robert Leroy Parker better known?
   
   
2. For which film did Sidney Poitier (right) become the first black actor to win the Best Actor Oscar today in 1964?

   
   
3. Peabo Bryson was born today in 1957 and duetted with which female singer on the Oscar and Grammy winning song "Beauty and the Beast"?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. EuroDisney (now Disney Land Paris); 2. "Barcelona"; 3. American Civil War

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

What a Weekend of Sport!

The weekend's sport really did live up to expectations - Tony McCoy won his first Grand National on board Don't Push It; Chelsea (owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich) will play Portsmouth (currently in Administration) in the FA Cup Final and the US Masters came to a thrilling conclusion with Phil Mickelson winning by three shots!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. What opened today in 1992 at Marne-la-Vallée in France?
   
   
2. Opera singer Montserrat Caballé (right) was born today in 1933 and duetted with Freddie Mercury on which Top 3 single?

   
   
3. What began with an attack on Fort Sumter today in 1861?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jeremy Clarkson; 2. Warwickshire; 3. Iraq

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Cat vs Postman - Guess Who Wins!

Of course, it's a no contest...the 19 year old cat wins easily (that's about 92 in human terms!) Named Tiger, the vicious moggy has assaulted several postmen in the town of Farsley (near Leeds) and now his owner has to collect her mail from the post office! I just love a silly story!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Which broadcaster, journalist and presenter of "Top Gear" was born today in 1960 in Doncaster?
   
   
2. England batsman Ian Bell (right) was born today in 1982 and plays for which English county?

   
   
3. Today in 1990, Customs officers in Middlesbrough found the barrel of a giant gun bound for which Middle Eastern country?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Omar Sharif; 2. Salvation Army; 3. Sophie Ellis-Bextor

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Fantastic Weekend of Sport!

What a day of sport lies ahead today! The third round of the US Masters, the Grand National from Aintree, the FA Cup Semi Final between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Wembley and 'El Classico' between Real Madrid and Barcelona!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Which actor and bridge player was born Michel Demitri Shalhoub in Alexandria today in 1932?
   
   
2. William Booth (right) was born today in 1829 and founded which Christian movement?

   
   
3. Which pop singer was born today in 1979 and is the daughter of a former "Blue Peter" presenter?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Prince Charles; 2. S Club 7; 3. Severiano Ballesteros

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Internet Problems - Solved!

After being told that my 'ancient' modem was broken, I did the usual 'turn it off and turn it back on again' and it started working fine! But...as the technician was booked I thought it best to let him come and see whether I needed a new modem! He arrived about 30 minutes AFTER I was expecting him, but Virgin Media had him booked in the later slot of 12 - 4pm. Anyway, he replaced my modem and all is well...so far! Apart from the mix up over the times, I must say that Virgin Media have done a good job!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Who married Camilla Parker-Bowles today in 2005?
   
   
2. Singer Rachel Stevens (right) was born today in 1978 and was a member of which pop group?

   
   
3. Which golfer was born today in 1957 in Santander, Spain?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Albania; 2. Ghana; 3. Betty Ford

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Internet Problems 2

Today the technician should be here to fix my problems...hopefully I'll be able to give you a glowing report on the great customer service from Virgin Media tomorrow!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. King Zog abdicated from the throne of which country today in 1939 following an Italian invasion?
   
   
2. In which country was former UN General Secretary Kofi Annan (right) born today in 1938?

   
   
3. Who was born today in 1918 in Chicago and is now most famous for her drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Liam Gallagher; 2. Jim Rockford; 3. Vesuvius

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Internet Problems 1

As I was browsing the Internet I suddenly lost connection! A call to the good people at Virgin Media identified my modem as the probable cause. As it was installed in 2001 I could probably do with a new one! But I'll have to wait until Thursday!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. Which singer married actress Patsy Kensit today in 1997?
   
   
2. Actor James Garner (right) was born today in 1928 and played which character on TV from 1974 to 1980?

   
   
3. Which volcano erupted today in 1906 and devastated Naples?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Myleene Klass; 2. North Pole; 3. Richard I

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

BlogDumps Top Sites Tuesday #54

It's "Two Thoughts on a Tuesday" at BlogDumps again...and again I'm clean out! I've just got back from an enjoyable (if somewhat chilly!) canal trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. And now I'm going straight out again to sample the delights of a couple (or more!) Birmingham pubs before paying a visit to the Best Indian Restaurant in Birmingham - the Raj Doot. So I've no time to think of new themes...nor to even contribute much to this one!!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Which former member of the pop group Hear'Say was born today in 1978 in Norfolk?
   
   
2. US explorer Robert Peary (right) was allegedly the first person to reach where today in 1909?
   

   
   
3. Which King Of England died whilst besieging a castle in France today in 1199?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Gene Pitney; 2. Sir Humphrey Appleby; 3. James Callaghan

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here.
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Back Home

Today we'll be at Lowsonford for lunch at the Fleur-de-Lys pub-cum-restaurant. Hopefully it won't live down to the appalling customer service we witnessed last year (and in previous visits!) Then onwards (and upwards) to our home mooring at Lapworth. If we get back in time we'll probably spend the evening exploring the delights of Birmingham (and maybe sample the cuisine of the Raj Doot!)!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which American singer died suddenly, aged 66, in Cardiff today in 2006?
   
   
2. What role in "Yes, Minister" was played by Nigel Hawthorne (right) who was born today in 1929?
   
   
3. Who became Prime Minister today in 1976?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Memphis, Tennessee; 2. Beyoncé; 3. United Kingdom

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Uphill to Wooton Wawen

Easter Sunday in Stratford is very busy when the weather is nice. It will be interesting to see how the new theatre is shaping up. breakfast and lunch will be taken in the historic town and then we'll set off back and probably spend the evening in the Navigation Inn in Wooton Wawen. This is a spectacular stretch of canal passing over the Edstone Aqueduct and then the Wooton Wawen Aqueduct over the main Stratford to Birmingham road!

Your Easter Sunday questions are: -

1. In which city was Martin Luther King assassinated today in 1968?
   
   
2. Who married hip hop rapper Jay-Z (right) today in 2008?
   
   
3. In which country was The Kennel Club founded today in 1873?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jesse James; 2. Niles Crane; 3. Helmut Kohl

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Onwards to Stratford-upon-Avon

Today we'll be lunching in Wilmcote (home of Mary Arden's House), probably in The Mason's Arms, but possibly in the Mary Arden Hotel. Then we'll be tackling the Wilmcote flight of eleven locks as we continue out descent to Stratford. Maybe you'll find the good ship Emma Jane in Bancroft Basin...or maybe it'll be full and we'll be moored somewhere else!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Which American outlaw was shot and killed by Robert Ford today in 1882?
   
   
2. Actor David Hyde-Pierce (right) was born today in 1959 and played which character in the long-running sitcom "Frasier"?
   
   
   
3. Which former German Chancellor was born in Ludwigshafen today in 1930?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Falklands (Malvinas); 2. Australia; 3. London

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Aweigh Anchor...Again!

It's Good Friday again and I'm on my way to Stratford-upon-Avon on board our narrowboat Emma Jane! There's the possibility of a Jumbo Cod at the Navigation Inn for lunch and for the evening will we be staying at the Crabmill in Preston Bagot or will we move on to Henley-in-Arden for the evening?

Your Good Friday questions are: -

1. Which islands were invaded by Argentina today in 1982?
   
   
2. In which country was three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jack Brabham (right) born today in 1926?
   
   
   
3. In which city was the first Panda Crossing, forerunner to the Pelican Crossing, launched today in 1962?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Royal Air Force; 2. Piano; 3. David Gower

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

2012 Olympic Monument

Turner Prize winning artist Anish Kapoor's design has been chosen as the monument that will grace the 2012 Olympics in London. Named the ArcelorMittal Orbit it will be 115 metres tall - that's 22 m taller than the Statue of Liberty! To me it looks to be a striking and original piece of art that will hopefully be around for as long as the Eiffel Tower!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Which of the British armed forces was formed today in 1918?
   
   
2. What musical instrument was played by Sergei Rachmaninov (right) who was born today in 1873?
   
   
   
3. Which Sky Sports commentator and former England cricket captain was born today in 1957?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Germany (Kingdom of Hanover); 2. Carla Tortelli; 3. Eiffel Tower

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Problem Solved...Maybe!!

Well, I found the solution to yesterday's problem/moan...I've reverted back to the old method of editing/uploading. I only hope that this is kept available for the foreseeable future!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. In which country was chemist and inventor Robert Bunsen born today in 1811?
   
   
   
2. Actress Rhea Perlman (right) was born today in 1948 and played which character in the sitcom "Cheers"?
   
   
   
3. Which building, then the tallest structure in the world, was inaugurated today in 1889?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Charlie Brown; 2. Switzerland; 3. Rolf Harris

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

BlogDumps Top Sites Tuesday #53

This week we're back to "Two Thoughts on a Tuesday" and usually I don't even have one! Anyway, my first thought (or moan) is directed at Google Blogger. They've changed the layout of the page for uploading blogs and certain features (which I found very useful!) have disappeared! The most annoying is that I now can't resize the pictures to the size I like best. Previously pictures could be resized to any size; I like small pictures as they are just a minor part of my quiz. But now there are only five sizes available and what you see is the smallest of them! The spell checker has also disappeared! Why is it that all too often change does not necessarily happen for the better? Oh well, Here are the questions to cheer you up!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Which cartoon character hit his first home run today in 1996?
   
   
2. Canadian singer Celine Dion (right) was born today in 1968 and won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest representing which country?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1930 and has the catchphrase "Can you tell what it is yet"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John Major; 2. Cuba; 3. Mercury

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it! Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here. See who Tweeted this Post!

Mini Food Portions?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) wants producers to make smaller portions of unhealthy snacks and to reduce the saturated fat in their biscuits, cakes and chocolates by 10%! I don't quite see how this will help...I'm technically obese and if portions are too small (for me) I just buy two of them! (I also don't buy products where I think there is too much in the package - e.g. a 'Grab Bag' of crisps or a Jumbo bar of Cadbury's chocolate!) More nanny state nonsense as far as I can see! 

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which former British Prime Minister was born today in 1943?
   
   
2. Heavyweight boxer Teofilo Stevenson (right) won three consecutive Olympic gold medals and was born today in 1952, in which country?
   
   
3. Spacecraft Mariner 10 sent the first close up pictures of which planet today in 1974?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Ankara; 2. India; 3. Neil Kinnock

My book "The Easy Quiz Master" 

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Birmingham's Cube in Trouble

I'm surprised that this sort of thing hasn't happened more often. On Friday it was announced that the company building 'The Cube' in Birmingham had gone into administration! Now the administrators are saying that they will pay the sub-contractors and have asked them to turn up for work on Monday and carry on! It is an ambitious project and I hope it can be salvaged to become a great asset to Birmingham when the economic upturn arrives! (Believe it or not the Empire State Building went through very difficult times in the beginning in a similar recession! Opened in 1931, it didn't make a profit until 1950!)!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Which Turkish city changed its name from Angora today in 1930?
   
   
2. Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussein (right) was born today in 1968 in which country?
   
   
3. Which former leader of the Labour Party was born in Tredegar today in 1942?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Tenerife; 2. Black-Eyed Peas; 3. Crimean War

My book "The Easy Quiz Master" 

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

USA and Russia Reduce Nuclear Weapons Arsenal

Barack Obama has announced that agreement has been reached with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev to reduce their collective nuclear arsenals by 30%. Now this still leaves enough warheads to wipe us all out several times over, but it's still a good move in the right direction!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Where did two Jumbo jets collide today in 1987 killing 583 people?
   
   
2. Fergie (right) was born today in 1975 and is the female vocalist with which chart-topping group?
   
   
3. Britain and France declared war on Russia today in 1854 signalling the start of which conflict?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Guardian Angels; 2. Elizabeth Swann; 3. "A Shropshire Lad"

My book "The Easy Quiz Master" 
is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Deforestation Slows Down

The rate of worldwide deforestation has slowed over the past decade and this has been helped by China planting more trees (UN Report here)! Hopefully in the coming decades there will be net forestation to replace some of the trees lost over the past few years!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Curtis Sliwa was born today in 1956 in New York and founded which organisation for combating crime?
   

   
   
2. Actress Keira Knightley (right) was born today in 1985 and played which character in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films?
   
   
3. Poet A E Houseman was born today in 1895 and is best known for which cycle of poems?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Private Frazer; 2. Ukrainian; 3. Jim Lovell

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"
is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

Meat and Global Warming

The statistic that 18% of greenhouse gas emissions come from meat production is to be revisited by the UN. If it is correct, meat production contributes more than transport to the emissions of greenhouse gases. This 'fact' has been latched onto by the vegetarian lobby who want to make us give up meat and save the planet at the same time! Even the author of the original report believes that the methodology used wasn't as correct as it could have been! Oh well, I'm off for a burger now!!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Actor John Laurie was born today in 1897 and played which character in the TV sitcom "Dad's Army"?
   

   
   
2. What nationality is World Heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko (right) who was born today in 1976?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1928 and was the Commander of Apollo 13?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Exxon Valdez; 2. Ehrich Weiss; 3. "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"
is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.