Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Castle Coch
Q2. Roald Dahl
внимание друзья! for question 1, there are more castles than you can shake a stick at in this part of the world and the Marquis of Bute refurbished several of them but the one which most fits with the clues, as lying on the north western outskirts of Cardiff, seems to me to be Castle Coch.
The initial clues seem to place us at Castle Coch, which lies on the north western outskirts of the city of Cardiff, in Wales. This castle was reconstructed for the third Marquis of Bute (John Patrick Crichton Stuart),who was at that time said to be one of the richest men in Europe, by the architect William Burges (born c 1827). Burges produced a design for Lille cathedral, which according to some of his biographies, was never executed. Castle Coch is built in a style known as Burgesian Gothic, which combines outward mass, with intricate interior ornamentation from various countries and periods. The Marquis of Bute could easily have afforded such a lavish house, as he controlled the flow of coal through Cardiff docks, which he also owned. He basically got a fee for every wagon of coal that passed through there. Burges under the auspices of Crichton Stuart (who may have had the same syndrome as the completely hatstand schloss building King Ludwig II of Bavaria), also refurbished Cardiff castle.
The puzzle author then likely drives to Castle Morgraig, which lies north east of Castle Coch. It is a ruin now but it is described in some of the sources I checked, as having pentagonal curtain walls. He then probably visits the Millenium Stadium which was apparently constructed c 1999 to host the rugby world cup, before visiting the site of the National Assembly for Wales (aka the Welsh Parliament), which came into being c 2006, at Cardiff Bay.
There is a white Norwegian church nearby, and this was originally built on land donated by the Marquis of Bute, that Norwegian sailors and expatriates, could have their religious needs served. At that time Norway had one of the largest merchant fleets in the world and moved a lot of cargo to and from the locale. The church now appears to be an arts centre and the author Roald Dahl was according to some of his biographies, christened there c 1916. Dahl's parents were Norwegian and he was named after Roald Amundson, the explorer who beat Scott to the south pole. Dahl was a fighter pilot with the RAF and wrote about his sometimes terrifying experiences during the war, in a book called 'Over to You'. The aforementioned Scott, set off on his last expedition on the Terra Nova, from Cardiff, c 15th June 1910. The ship reached its destination of Ross Island, on the 22nd January 1911.
The half mile long feat of engineering is most likely the 'Cardiff Bay Barrage', which was built to turn Cardiff bay into a freshwater lake, that the area could be economically developed and revitalised.
N.B. The Eastender has moved to moderated comments due to the number of people who normally write letters in green ink, posting on his page. Rest assured though, if you have a non abusive comment relating to solving the puzzle and possible solutions, he will publish it.
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Saturday, 21 February 2015
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Richmond Park
Q2. Bertrand Russell
The initial clues seem to place us in Richmond Park, In Surrey. There appear to be around thirty Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the greater London area but the one which is the closest fit with the two thousand and ninety acre (or eight hundred and forty five hectare) descriptions, is Richmond Park. Some sources claim that the area of the park is around eight hundred and fifty six hectares or two thousand, one hundred and fifteen acres (methinks someone may possibly have used the dimensions of the Bois de Boulogne for this clue ;-) ).
The author Charles Dickens rented a cottage on the Petersham road, for around four months c 1839 (which was quite expensive for back then, at £100 for the term) and used to hang out in the Star and Garter hotel. The deeds for the hotel were given to queen Mary, who presented it to the Red Cross c 1916, that they should convert it into a 'permanent haven' for disabled ex servicemen. A character called Tracey Tupman, in Dicken's work, 'The Pickwick Papers', retired to Richmond.
Ham House lies a mile or so to the west of Richmond park and this appears to have been built c 1610 for Sir Thomas Vavasour. It was subsequently given to his friend William Murray, by Charles I (c 1626) and the olfactororially challenged diarist, who scribed the lines
"After dinner I walked to Ham to see the House and Garden of the Duke of Lauderdale, which is indeed inferior to few of the best Villas in Italy itself; the House furnished like a great Prince's; the Parterres, Flower Gardens, Orangeries, Groves, Avenues, Courts, Statues, Perspectives, Fountains, Aviaries and all this at the banks of the Sweetest River in the World, must needs be surprising"
is most likely John Evelyn (born c 1620).
Around seven miles south east of Ham House, very close to Railway Cuttings in East Cheam, lies the site of 'Nonsuch Palace', which was a very elegant house built by 'Enry the Eighth' c 1538. Seems to have been demolished c 1682.
There are a couple of lodges in Richmond park which have been home to several prime ministers, these are Pembroke Lodge, which was home to Lord John Russell (born c 1792) and grandfather of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, who spent some of his childhood there, and White Lodge, which was home to the prime ministers Robert Walpole, John Stuart (third earl of bute) and Henry Addington (born 1757). White lodge seems to currently be home to the Royal Ballet Lower School, which fits with the 'keeps you on your toes' clue. Some sources I checked, claim that King Edward the eighth was born in White Lodge.
N.B. The Eastender has moved to moderated comments due to the number of people who normally write letters in green ink posting on his page. Rest assured though, if you have a non abusive comment relating to solving the puzzle and possible solutions, he will publish it.
Q1. Richmond Park
Q2. Bertrand Russell
The initial clues seem to place us in Richmond Park, In Surrey. There appear to be around thirty Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the greater London area but the one which is the closest fit with the two thousand and ninety acre (or eight hundred and forty five hectare) descriptions, is Richmond Park. Some sources claim that the area of the park is around eight hundred and fifty six hectares or two thousand, one hundred and fifteen acres (methinks someone may possibly have used the dimensions of the Bois de Boulogne for this clue ;-) ).
The author Charles Dickens rented a cottage on the Petersham road, for around four months c 1839 (which was quite expensive for back then, at £100 for the term) and used to hang out in the Star and Garter hotel. The deeds for the hotel were given to queen Mary, who presented it to the Red Cross c 1916, that they should convert it into a 'permanent haven' for disabled ex servicemen. A character called Tracey Tupman, in Dicken's work, 'The Pickwick Papers', retired to Richmond.
Ham House lies a mile or so to the west of Richmond park and this appears to have been built c 1610 for Sir Thomas Vavasour. It was subsequently given to his friend William Murray, by Charles I (c 1626) and the olfactororially challenged diarist, who scribed the lines
"After dinner I walked to Ham to see the House and Garden of the Duke of Lauderdale, which is indeed inferior to few of the best Villas in Italy itself; the House furnished like a great Prince's; the Parterres, Flower Gardens, Orangeries, Groves, Avenues, Courts, Statues, Perspectives, Fountains, Aviaries and all this at the banks of the Sweetest River in the World, must needs be surprising"
is most likely John Evelyn (born c 1620).
Around seven miles south east of Ham House, very close to Railway Cuttings in East Cheam, lies the site of 'Nonsuch Palace', which was a very elegant house built by 'Enry the Eighth' c 1538. Seems to have been demolished c 1682.
There are a couple of lodges in Richmond park which have been home to several prime ministers, these are Pembroke Lodge, which was home to Lord John Russell (born c 1792) and grandfather of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, who spent some of his childhood there, and White Lodge, which was home to the prime ministers Robert Walpole, John Stuart (third earl of bute) and Henry Addington (born 1757). White lodge seems to currently be home to the Royal Ballet Lower School, which fits with the 'keeps you on your toes' clue. Some sources I checked, claim that King Edward the eighth was born in White Lodge.
N.B. The Eastender has moved to moderated comments due to the number of people who normally write letters in green ink posting on his page. Rest assured though, if you have a non abusive comment relating to solving the puzzle and possible solutions, he will publish it.
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Sunday Times Where Was I ? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Loch Arkaig
Q2. Sgurr Finnisg Aig
The Eastender's laptop has thrown in the towel (it is deceased, it is no more) , so he is carrying out the research on this puzzle and writing the results, via iPhone (which it has to be said, is a marvelous piece of kit). I digress, the initial clues seem to place us on the eastern shores of Loch Arkaig, in the Lochaber region of Scotland. Some of the references I checked claim that the Loch is around twelve miles long and about three hundred feet deep. It is also rumoured to be home to a water horse or kelpie.
There appear to be a couple of islands at the eastern end of the loch but they are so small they can barely be seen on the satellite pictures. One of the islands is called 'Island Columbkill' (St Columba's Island ) after the sixth century Saint ( feast day 9th June ). Driving south from Loch Arkaig, would take us through the hamlet of Achnacarry, which was where the commandos were trained, during WWII. The Eastender has visited the clan Cameron museum in the locale and this has a section dedicated to the Commandos.
There does seem to be a lighthouse at Gairlochy and driving east from there would bring us to the Commando memorial, at Spean Bridge. This appears to have been designed by Scott Sutherland and unveiled c 1952 by the queen mother.
The battle fought in the vicinity c August 1668, is probably the 'Battle of Mulroy' , which was a Donnybrook between the MacDonalds, Cameron Clans on one side and the Mackintosh government backed forces on the other.
Traveling south west down the A82 from Spean Bridge would bring us to the cable cars of the Nevis Range ski centre. The cable which carries the gondolas, passes very close to six hundred and sixty three meter or two thousand one hundred and seventy five foot high peak, called 'Sgurr Finnisg Aig' . The canal mentioned in the clues is probably the Caledonian canal (around sixty miles long and completed c 1882) .
Q1. Loch Arkaig
Q2. Sgurr Finnisg Aig
The Eastender's laptop has thrown in the towel (it is deceased, it is no more) , so he is carrying out the research on this puzzle and writing the results, via iPhone (which it has to be said, is a marvelous piece of kit). I digress, the initial clues seem to place us on the eastern shores of Loch Arkaig, in the Lochaber region of Scotland. Some of the references I checked claim that the Loch is around twelve miles long and about three hundred feet deep. It is also rumoured to be home to a water horse or kelpie.
There appear to be a couple of islands at the eastern end of the loch but they are so small they can barely be seen on the satellite pictures. One of the islands is called 'Island Columbkill' (St Columba's Island ) after the sixth century Saint ( feast day 9th June ). Driving south from Loch Arkaig, would take us through the hamlet of Achnacarry, which was where the commandos were trained, during WWII. The Eastender has visited the clan Cameron museum in the locale and this has a section dedicated to the Commandos.
There does seem to be a lighthouse at Gairlochy and driving east from there would bring us to the Commando memorial, at Spean Bridge. This appears to have been designed by Scott Sutherland and unveiled c 1952 by the queen mother.
The battle fought in the vicinity c August 1668, is probably the 'Battle of Mulroy' , which was a Donnybrook between the MacDonalds, Cameron Clans on one side and the Mackintosh government backed forces on the other.
Traveling south west down the A82 from Spean Bridge would bring us to the cable cars of the Nevis Range ski centre. The cable which carries the gondolas, passes very close to six hundred and sixty three meter or two thousand one hundred and seventy five foot high peak, called 'Sgurr Finnisg Aig' . The canal mentioned in the clues is probably the Caledonian canal (around sixty miles long and completed c 1882) .
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Northampton
Q2. Joan (Bogle) Hickson
внимание друзья! Joan Bogle Hickson was married and was also known as Mrs Butler.
The initial clues seem to place us at the Blisworth tunnel, which carries the Grand Union Canal under a hill between the villages of Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth, south west of the town of Northampton.The tunnel appears to be around three thousand and seventy six yards long and was completed and opened for business c 1805, according to some of the sources I checked.
Travelling four miles or so north north east of the Blisworth tunnel, would bring us to Delapre Abbey, which appears to have been constructed c 1145, by Earl Simon de Senlis (II). Walking south from the abbey would bring us to the site of Queen Eleanor's cross, which is one of a series of twelve built by the completely hatstand king Edward the first, in memory of his wife, Eleanor of Castille. The crosses mark the spots where her funeral procession stopped overnight, on its journey from Lincoln to London.
The battle of Northampton may have been fought in the grounds of Delapre abbey, on the 10th July c 1460. This seems to have been a fraicas involving the house of Lancaster and the house of York. The Lancastrians, lead by king Henry VI , were defending the abbey and apparently had artillery pieces lying in wait for the Yorkist team, which was lead by Edward earl of March and Warwick the kingmaker. A lot of these 'battles', like some of the inter UK political machinations of today, were about negotiating a better deal with the ruling elite, using your 'army' (or voters) as leverage to get what you wanted. The reason this battle lasted thirty minutes, seems to have been that rain rendered the artillery useless and some of the Lancastrian army switched sides at the last moment, because of a deal done with the Yorkists (for land and other goodies), which allowed them to overrun the Lancastrian fortifications with minimal effort, resulting in the king being captured.
Northampton had a castle, in which Thomas Becket (the turbulent priest) was tried. He subsequently escaped to France before the verdict. The quote 'Zounds! I was never so bethumped with words' is from Shakespeare's play 'King John', which has some scenes set in Northampton castle. The fortress was destroyed by a railway company which built a station on the site c 19th century and the church with the round nave, may be the Holy Sepulchre.
A chemical manufacturer who may have once have lived in Northampton, according to some of his biographies is probably John Jeyes (Inventor of Jeyes Cleaning Fluid, born c 1817) and a great old British actress, called Joan Bogle Hickson, who played Miss Marple for twelve episodes in a TV series back in the eighties and nineties, was born there c 1906
Q1. Northampton
Q2. Joan (Bogle) Hickson
внимание друзья! Joan Bogle Hickson was married and was also known as Mrs Butler.
The initial clues seem to place us at the Blisworth tunnel, which carries the Grand Union Canal under a hill between the villages of Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth, south west of the town of Northampton.The tunnel appears to be around three thousand and seventy six yards long and was completed and opened for business c 1805, according to some of the sources I checked.
Travelling four miles or so north north east of the Blisworth tunnel, would bring us to Delapre Abbey, which appears to have been constructed c 1145, by Earl Simon de Senlis (II). Walking south from the abbey would bring us to the site of Queen Eleanor's cross, which is one of a series of twelve built by the completely hatstand king Edward the first, in memory of his wife, Eleanor of Castille. The crosses mark the spots where her funeral procession stopped overnight, on its journey from Lincoln to London.
The battle of Northampton may have been fought in the grounds of Delapre abbey, on the 10th July c 1460. This seems to have been a fraicas involving the house of Lancaster and the house of York. The Lancastrians, lead by king Henry VI , were defending the abbey and apparently had artillery pieces lying in wait for the Yorkist team, which was lead by Edward earl of March and Warwick the kingmaker. A lot of these 'battles', like some of the inter UK political machinations of today, were about negotiating a better deal with the ruling elite, using your 'army' (or voters) as leverage to get what you wanted. The reason this battle lasted thirty minutes, seems to have been that rain rendered the artillery useless and some of the Lancastrian army switched sides at the last moment, because of a deal done with the Yorkists (for land and other goodies), which allowed them to overrun the Lancastrian fortifications with minimal effort, resulting in the king being captured.
Northampton had a castle, in which Thomas Becket (the turbulent priest) was tried. He subsequently escaped to France before the verdict. The quote 'Zounds! I was never so bethumped with words' is from Shakespeare's play 'King John', which has some scenes set in Northampton castle. The fortress was destroyed by a railway company which built a station on the site c 19th century and the church with the round nave, may be the Holy Sepulchre.
A chemical manufacturer who may have once have lived in Northampton, according to some of his biographies is probably John Jeyes (Inventor of Jeyes Cleaning Fluid, born c 1817) and a great old British actress, called Joan Bogle Hickson, who played Miss Marple for twelve episodes in a TV series back in the eighties and nineties, was born there c 1906
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