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Just watch and smile

So travel to and from most of Europe is now banned. Do I feel sorry for people who were going to spend the holiday there – actually not at all – travel is a major problem.

I do hear the words fascism and totalitarianism increasingly. We know many people will ignore advice. Shock and horror should be used – how many people are on ventilators at any one time?

I am listening to a Tory MP who is saying he wants a debate in Parliament on tiers and measures. I agree with him that debate is necessary so that arguments against lockdowns can be heard and justified.

Some different stats that belie the suggestion that more tests. are creating the apparent problem: People tested up 4%, People tested positive up 51.2%, deaths up 9.9%, Patients admitted 18%.. The facts are concerning.

What a great word! I am mulling over what to write!

Lots of nice words – baobab, granite, sesquioxide, cumulus, cirrus, Belem!

1. In which country was Silent Night composed?

2. Wenceslas Square has a memorial to whom?

3. Who is seen as the first Martyr of Christianity?

4. What does the word Islam mean?

5. What does the word henotheism mean?

6. Which football club is known as the hatters?

7. What is an Oryx?

8. Watling Street roman road went between Dover and …?

9. Who is seen as the richest person ever in financial terms?

10. How big was the wood Winnie the Pooh lived in?

11. In which book was the main action taking place in 1929?

12. What is the county town of Wiltshire?

13. ‘Something in the air’ was a No.1 for 3 weeks in 1969 – who by?

14. The Coronation Stone—is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland, and later also when the monarchs of Scotland became monarchs of England as well as in the coronations of the monarchs of Great Britain and latterly of the United Kingdom following the treaties of union.  What is it better known as?

15. Born in Portsmouth, WHO? left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors’ prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed readings extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children’s rights, education, and other social reforms. 

16. Who was the 5th president of the USSR?

17. What number did Michael Jordan wear on his shirt for Chicago?

18. Which British Prime Minister was assassinated? 

19. At what temperature are Fahrenheit and Celsius equal?

20.    Which 2 planets lack moons?

Christmas Quiz – part 1

1. OS maps show height above sea level – where is the base line for this in the UK?

2. Where can you see the QE2 liner?

3. Where is the centre of London – as used for mile posts in the past?

4. Who, based on Ely, led a rebellion against William the Conquerer?

5. Who invented the horse drawn seed drill in 1700, and whose name became well known in the 1970/80’s?

6. Her picture is probably one of the most seen photographs of 2020, in every news paper repeatedly – What is the name of the girl Prince Andrew is accused of ‘meeting’?

7. In what year was NASA formed?

8. The 1980s model had no indicator for either the headlights or turn signals, no fuel gauge, no rear seat belts, no external fuel door, and drivers had to pour a mix of gasoline and oil directly under the bonnet/hood. It sold over 3 million models.

9. Where would you be to see a broken spectre?

10.    A question which is difficult but given the genius of the discoverer he name should be well know.  Which Greek clever person calculated the circumference of earth in the 3rd century BCE?

11. In which country is the Duke of Edinburgh seen as a divine being?  This is not a joke at any level!

12. What country is this?  17th largest by population and area; they drive on the right, most popular sport is football, and highest point is 5610m asl.  

13. If you look at a magnetic compass; north is actually which direction?

14. What are the names of the 4 families which have provided more than one POTUS?

15. What is Bob Dylans highest selling single?

16. What is the top selling vinyl record of the last decade?  I can also do top 3 if needed?

17. What order comprises of 30% of all known life forms?

18. Who has given more than $4billion to charity in the last 4 months?

19. Where can you see the Mappa Mundi, the largest map of the medieval world known to exist?

20. Which American state has an Union Jack on its flag?

Sometimes it is hard, but good to listen. This what I did this morning talking about Covid to a staunch Tory. “The government are doing a brilliant job in an ever changing situation”. “The high rates in Congresbury are due probably to a travellers camp”. Please forgive me for not arguing back. I basically taken aback, and wanted to here more from how many people think. Reader of the Telegraph, he went on to state that the press has a lot to be blamed for! Presumably not the Telegraph! (Or the Mail, or the Sun, Express, Western Daily Press. So it must all be down to the Guardian, Mirror and iDaily (all minority reads!).

I did not point out the fluctuating situation was largely a result of ineffective government!

Or that Westbury-on-Trim was the highest in Bristol – presumably because of the …. high number of servants????

And I was thinking! If test, track and trace contact someone, presumably they can see if that stops that particular pathway for the virus. But there are others who are tested but not tracked immediately – but presumably their contact reappears in later cases. How many prosecutions have there been? I am not suggesting a police state here – people who have to isolate should be made financially secure to do so. How many cab/Uber drivers have spread the virus inadvertently due to economic necessity.

And sad but true – pubs have been shutting down for a few years – this crisis might increase the rate. But hopefully there will be some innovation so not all turn into housing/flats, but into local hubs. Surely a potential now that more people are likely to work from home, but would still like to meet another human being at lunch or other times. If I had money I would start a chain of licensed cafe/work spaces in villages/local areas. Bike racks outside, wifi, cafe, craft type shop, conference room for hire, rooms that could be rented for offices instead of having to work from home. I think I first floated this idea about 20 years ago when The Ship in Banwell was up for sale.

I am annoyed/angry about a ministers use of the above word! They will allow us to visit relatives over Christmas. Personally I think it is a dumb idea, but they ‘will allow us’. Who the f do they think they are? Just because they right cheques for their buddies with more noughts than I can count, does not mean they can dictate how we spend our personal, law abiding time. This does not give them a free hand to introduce whatever measures they like at their whim and fancy.

The referees decision is final!

Jupiter and Saturn will appear as one star in the south-west evening sky on 21st December. The mood will be a 11% crescent moon. Fingers crossed for a clear sky.

Answers might be posted later? Maybe not!

A Friday night quiz – next page