The Daily Teaser — 9-4-2015: Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Oh … This could be good … 

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’ve had a mention in yesterday’s Brentwood Gazette: complaining about my building’s otherwise inaccessible gas meters.

Basically, they’re in next door’s carpark: and can’t be got to, unless we climb out of a window, or use next door’s Tradesman entrance.

Well, we’ve had some good news.

Crest Nicholson, the developers responsible for maintaining and altering the structure of the building, have finally decided to to door what I’ve been asking for, for quite some time.

Put a door in the communal hallway in the back of the building.

Indeed, the area outside my flat?   Saw workmen measuring up for the relevant bits and pieces, yesterday!

Personally?

I’m both grateful to the Gazette for running the story: and waiting for work to start.   Here’s hoping!

And here’s to the power of a free press!

~≈†≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and scoring six out out six.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s Brunel themed questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 9th April saw the birth of Britain best known civil engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.   In which year?

Q2) Which port town was Brunel born in?

Q3) Brunel worked with his father — Marc Isambard Brunel — on a tunnel under the Thames: the first under a navigable river.   Between Rotherhithe and where?

Q4) Talking of river crossings, Brunel did the original designs for the Clifton Suspension Bridge.   Clifton Suspension Bridge goes over which English river?

Q5) The last bridges Brunel worked on were the Three Bridges: on Windmill Lane.   In which city are those bridges?

Q6) Brunel worked on the railway that went from London to Bristol: this was the Great what Railway?

Q7) The railway was originally supposed to terminate at Bristol.   But eventually extended to which ‘E’?

Q8) Brunel used broad gauge on his railways.   In other words, a big gap between the rails.   Roughly how wide was that gap: 6 foot, 7 foot or 8 foot?

Q9) Brunel was also responsible for what many call the world’s first modern ship: the first propellor powered, iron ship.   What was it called?

Q10) Brunel died before seeing the launch of his last ship, the SS Great Eastern.   Which US city was the Great Eastern due to go to, when Brunel died?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 8th April is the feast day of Saint Walter of Pontoise: the patron saint of vintners.   What DO vintners make?

A1) Wine.

Q2) More to the point, what fruit do vintners usually use: oranges, grapes or apples?

A2) Grapes.   (Other fruit based wines are available: but — for most of us, in the West — our local off-license will sell the grape based variety.)

Q3) 8th April is ALSO International Romani Day.   The Romani are also known as what G?

A3) Gypsies.   (Although the term is considered — much like ‘pikey’ — to be vaguely insulting.   I’m also aware one old friend will be giving me a very LONG look … !)

Q4) 8th April, 1886, saw an Irish Home Rule bill introduced into the UK’s House of Commons: by which Liberal Prime Minister?

A4) William Gladstone.

Q5) 8th April, 1973, saw the death of artist, Pablo Picasso.   He died in France.   Which European country was he born in?

A5) Spain.

Q6) Finally … 8th April, 1941, saw the birth of fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.   What was the name of the boutique she operated with Malcolm McLaren?

A6) Sex.   (Although it’s gone under various names, including ‘Let It Rock’ and ‘Seditionaries’: and now called the ‘World’s End’).

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Of all the wonderful feats I have performed, since I have been in this part of the world, I think yesterday I performed the most wonderful. I produced unanimity among 15 men who were all quarrelling about that most ticklish subject— taste.”

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, writing about the Clifton Suspension Bridge, in a letter to Benjamin Hawes, MP.

And this tune … 

Have a good day.

*        Oh, that it does, Debbi!