Tonight is sadly another zoom for our Beer and Books group. Although we will tackle our discussion with our customary humour and thoughtful insights I desperately crave the day when we can meet. Normally on alternative months we all contribute with our culinary skills to a wonderful feast themed on the book we will discuss the following month. Verbal asides and gestures don’t really work on Zoom! Having said that we make the best of it! Tonight’s Book is Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood. I was just finishing it last week as the disgraceful scenes were taking place in Washington and these sadly chimed with 1930’s Berlin.  Look forward to what my fellow readers think!

Yesterday’s Quiz answers on the weather

a) Twister is slang for Tornado   b) Nephology is the study of Clouds   c) An anemometer measures wind  (as a former primary school teacher I got quite good at making them!)  d) The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere   e) Humidity is moisture in the air.

Today’s Quiz is on Books! I know I’ve done it before but hey…..

a) What was the name of Charles Dickens last book that was left unfinished?   b) Who wrote Paddington Bear?   c) In which novel did Sherlock Holmes first appear? d) Which story has the alternative title “The Modern Prometheus”?  e) Which travel writer comes from De Moines, Iowa? 

I knew I should of written this earlier! I have just watched a lacklustre performance from my football team that has darkened my mood significantly! A pity because despite a real soaking on my bike I’ve had a good 24 hours. Had a delightful zoom last night and tried to interact unsuccessfully with my five week old grandson! It was lovely to see his eyes looking at his parents and the lights! Also saw a Bullfinch today -they are lovely colourful birds and one of my favourites. Our perky little Wren has survived the cold spell and very visible in the garden.

Good news the official publishing date for my book is June but likely to be available before then. More about that in future blogs well probably a lot more!

Yesterday’s answers

a)  Cryophobia is not me getting upset watching the Hatters but a fear of the cold!  b) Silver is Ag   c) Cheese and Onion crisps is still the best selling flavour at Walkers d) John Noakes was the longest serving Blue Peter presenter; who can forget “Get Down Shep!”   e) Johnny Cash sang “Ring of Fire”

Today’s Quiz is on Weather as I got soaked!

a) What is the slang term for tornado is also the tile of a 1996 film   b) Nephology is the study of what?  c) What does an anemometer measure?   d) Name the lowest portion of the earth’s atmosphere where nearly all the weather takes place?  e) What name is given to the amount of water vapour present in the air?

I spent this morning working on the web site-just got to sort out pictures now so hopefully you will be able to see in the not to distant future.

Pleased with the cup draw tonight only if I will be able to watch it -so hopefully not on B.T. Sport !!!!!

Today’s Quiz General Knowledge for a change!

a) If you have cryophobia what are you afraid of?  b) What is the chemical symbol for silver?   c) What is the most sold flavour of Walker’s Crisps?  d) Who is the longest serving presenter of Blue Peter? e) Which American singer-songwriter sang of falling into a “Ring of Fire”?

Interesting moment on my ride today. I pedalled up to Bisley and across to the Slad Valley (of Cider With Rosie fame), while going under the trees on the top where of course it was much colder the ice/frost was falling off the trees as the temperature was gradually rising. At first I thought it wash heavy snow until I came out of the trees! Great ride with many birds to see.

Yesterday’s Quiz (my team didn’t play that well but won so go into the hat for the  next round!)

a) The first non-league team to beat a Premier League away was the Mighty Hatters in 2013 winning at Norwich the current England captain was playing for Norwich and got subbed at Half Time. Brilliant day out!  I went to New Zealand two days later!  b) Jose Mourinho brought a ticket for the Marine raffle (class)  c) 15 teams took part in the 1872 FA Cup  d) Record score was 26-0 Preston v Hyde  e) Oxford University were the first University winners.

No quiz today!

Of course it is that day when all football fans dream when the FA Cup Third Round takes place. A pity that economics has meant many teams don’t take it seriously-even my beloved Hatters made nine changes for their game today! Always loved listening to the draw in the past and hoping for an exciting away day at a new ground, sadly this year that won’t be the case!  It was an old fashioned day for me because I had to listen to the game (first match this season I haven’t been able to watch.) It reminded me of those sad times when I followed games on CeeFax  (younger readers brought up with the internet might not know what that is!).

Thursday’s quiz I hope didn’t tax you!

a) Drake of course is a male duck!  b) Antarctica is the only continent without ducks  c) The picture was of a Mandarin Duck -I see them from time to time in Frampton,

Today’s Quiz is all on the F.A. Cup and you can make educated guesses on all of them!

a) Which was the first non-league team to win away at a Premier League in the F.A. Cup? (clue I was there!)  b) What well known  manager in this year’s F.A. Cup Third Round has brought a raffle ticket in his opponent’s raffle ?  c)   How many entrants took part in the first F.A. Cup in 1872? Was it 15, 32 or 24?  d) What is the record F.A. Cup score?  e) Who was the first university to win the FA Cup?

The fog and frost never really dispersed here so when I went for a walk this afternoon for my daily exercise it was just like first thing this morning. Some pictures at the bottom including a Tufted Duck that was sitting in the middle of the road until I disturbed it! He did make me smile!

Still working on rewriting/ updating my web site-it does take time. I will post on here when it is done!

Yesterday’s Tree Quiz answers

a) Linden Trees are known as Lime Trees in this country  b) The Norway Spruce is in Trafalgar Square  c) Yews are commonly in churchyards  d) Sloes are found on Blackthorn  e) Eucalyptus is the tallest flowering plant and there are over 700 types!

Today’s quiz is all on ducks! Just three questions! Hopefully you can get all three right!

a) What is a male duck is called ?   b) Which is the continent without ducks?   c) What species of duck is pictured below?

My pictures below the quiz one above isn’t mine!!

First one is of the Tufted Duck after he crossed the road; that is tarmac in the background not water!

Frosted tree emerging out of the fog !

Cobweb on Cedric our camper van!

Elvis Costello song for today’s title-it felt really  cold today although no ice on the road when on the bike think it was more wind chill!

Spent time clearing apple leaves in the garden  today so guess what today’s quiz is!!!!!

Yesterday’s Quiz answers

a) Shackleton lost nobody on his 1915 expedition – I think one of the most amazing stories of endurance and bravery ever! He was a great leader!  b) Amundsen’s other achievements was he led the first expedition to traverse the N.W. Passage and the first dirigible to reach the North Pole   c) Scott’s companions who reached the South Pole were Wilson, Oates, Bowers and Edgar Evans- 

Today’s Tree Quiz!!!!

a) What are Linden Trees commonly called in the U.K. ?   b)  What type of tree is the 20 metre Christmas Tree that  is donated by Norway every year for Trafalgar Square?  c) Which trees are a traditional feature of churchyards?   d) Often used to make walking sticks, what is the more common name for the sloe tree? e) What type of tree from Australia is the world’s tallest flowering plant?  

I listed a few things that came into my head yesterday as reasons to be cheerful and I missed an obvious one.

• Marcus Rashford -those of you who know me will know Manchester United footballers don’t come high in my thoughts! However, this remarkable young man has been absolutely brilliant over the last few months and is wise beyond his years. Well done Marcus!

Yesterday’s answers on January

a) Rio de Janerio means January River in English   b) Scott reached the South Pole in 1912   c) Janus is the Roman God  d) 6th January is the date of Epiphany (also a significant date in the Church household!)   e) Garnet is the January birthstone

As I mentioned Scott some Polar exploration questions for today!

a) How many of the 28 members of Earnest Shackleton’s 1915 expedition survived?  b) Roald Amundsen was the first to the South Pole what other polar exploration  was he the first to achieve ?  c) Name the companions of Scott who reached the South Pole?

Thought I would use Ian Dury and the Blockheads for today’s title because my goodness we need it! The news has been so depressing, the incompetence and indecision of our government just adds to the depression. So some random positive thoughts!

• Oxford Astra Zeneca -brilliant collaboration to get to this point
• NHS brilliant but we must look after it!
• Jacinda Ardern a politician who is honest, compassionate and competent a real beacon of hope!
• David Attenborough a truly great man and a national treasure

I could of added more things but they are the first things that came into my head.

Anyway it looks like more quizzes on the Blog today’s is all about January.

a) Which world city’s name means “Rivers of January?”   b) On the 17th January Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole in what year?   c) From Roman mythology January is named after what god?   d) Which date on January  is the traditional date for the Feast of Epiphany?  e) What is January’s birthstone (hint – the name comes from the 14th century  English word meaning “dark red”)

Thought I would go with the Chemical Brothers for today’s title and their offering that was the cycling theme for the 2012 Olympics. Not that I was in a Velodrome today but outside on two wheels cycling into a bitter wind – balaclava on and my warm merino base layer!. My first decent ride of the New Year and sadly it looks like I will be going for plenty of solo rides for some time. Hopefully we will still be allowed to exercise!

I am currently working on revamping the web site so hopefully in the near future it will look different. I will have a new page for the Two Severn Bores that will have our River Severn  podcast on (hopefully more will be added through the year.)

Yesterday’s Swan Quiz answers – hope it wasn’t that taxing!

a) Swan Lake the ballet was written by Tchaikovsky and was based on Russian and German folk tales.   b) The two species of swan that come here in the Winter are Bewick and Whooper -I have seen both here in Frampton and also bizarrely a Black Swan one Christmas *  c) Female swan is called a Pen  d) Six Swans story was collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm-I have told this story many times and always add something new to each telling.  e) It is Seven swans a swimming in the 12 days of Christmas.

• I have to say when I saw it I did rub my eyes in disbelief I can only assume it had escaped-one interesting fact is although there have been  several generations of Black Swan in collections like WWT  they still breed according to Southern Hemisphere seasons!