Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-11-2023 — The Somme.

18th November, 2023: The Somme.

It’s now, officially, Saturday.

In other words … ?

The day I’m going to be doing stuff.

And the day after Friday: when I had a consultant’s appointment.

I’ve a stomach hernia: and the consultation was to see if anything could be done.

Unfortunately not.

In a repeat of a consultation, many years ago?

The surgeon told me that — as the hernia seemed not to be strangulated — he’d be comfier going ahead with an operation after I’ve lost more weight.

Or, at least, got my BMI, my Body Mass Index, down a little further than it is.

The upside?

Is that he’ll be writing to my GP, and recommending weight loss surgery.

That’s something to hope for!

~≈❎≈~

About the only BIG disappointment for the day … ?

Apparently … ?

Those of us receiving benefits can claim our ticket money back, for hospital visits: so long as we can show  we are receiving benefit, and have out appointment letter.

I had the lot!

Unfortunately, by the time I finished my appointment, at 14:00, and got to the cashiers desk at 14:10?

The cashier was out of the office: and had left left a sign up to say she’d be back … at 15:00 … 

I wasn’t planning on staying in Basildon for THAT long: and went home, by a seventy minute bus trip.

I wasn’t wasn’t exactly pleased!

~≈❎≈~

You realise I’m a Dr Who fan?

If you are, as well, you’ll be aware that last night saw the release of a special skit for the BBC’s Children in Need telethon.

It’s nice to see Julian Bleach reprising his role as Davros.

But?

In that piece for Dr Who Unleashed, we see Russell T. Davies explaining that he — and the rest of the production team — felt uncomfortable presenting the character as a wheelchair using, evil person.

I can agree with him about that.

However, I think I’d’ve preferred that change to not have been done.

The design of his chair* is supposed to have inspired the design of the Daleks, after all.

~≈❎≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga†, Mum‡ and Debbi§ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.


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

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

Q1)        The Battle of the Somme ended on 18th November, 1916.   It took place during which World War?

Q2)        The Somme, itself, is a what: river, lake or mountain?

Q3)        Battle — and geographic feature — were in what’s now where: France, Belgium or the Netherlands?

Q4)        The battle was fought between armies of Britain and France.   Against an army from where: the German Empire, Italy or the Japanese Empire?

Q5)        Finally … ?   The battle was called off by the British Expeditionary Forces’ commander.   Who was that commander: Douglas Haig, Henry Rawlinson or Hubert Gough?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        17th November, AD9, saw the birth of Emperor Vespasian.   He’d served as a legate.   In other words, as a senior Roman what: legionary commander, magistrate or provincial governor?

A1)        A legionary commander.

Q2)        17th November is the Feast day of Saint Elizabeth of where: Austria, Hungary or Romania?

A2)        Hungary.

Q3)        17th November, 1558, saw the death of Mary 1st of England.   Who succeeded her as England’s monarch: Elizabeth 1st, Elizabeth 2nd, Elizabeth 10th or Henry 8th?

A3)        Elizabeth 1st.   The Virgin Queen was Mary’s half sister.

Q4)        Actor and teacher, Lee Strasberg, was born on 17th November, 1901.   The original branch of the Strasberg run Actor’s Studio was where: New York, Chicago or Seattle?

A4)        New York.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Fenella Fielding was born on 17th November, 1927.   How many of the Carry On files did she appear in: one, two or three?

A5)        Two: Carry On Regardless and Carry On Screaming. Cue the music.

Here’s a thought …

“More than three million men fought in the battle, of whom one million were either wounded or killed, making it one of the deadliest battles in all of human history.”

From the Wikipedia entry on the battle.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Davros is supposed to have designed the thing, after being seriously injured when his lab was hit by a Thal Bomb.

†        It sounds like you had a busy day, Olga!   And a far more enjoyable one, than mine!   The really annoying thing was the cashier going AWOL!

‡        Hello, Mum!

§        I’m saying nothing, Debbi!   Bar mentioning VPNs!   (I’ve never used one, myself: couldn’t tell you a thing!   You MIGHT be able to use Tor to access the iPlayer, though.)