Coffee Time – Quiz 1

Drop in for a chat, have a go at the quiz and browse articles on books, collecting, food and travel. (Answers to quiz at the bottom of the page).

This week’s quiz:

1. Who was the first female artist to have a UK number one with a self penned song?

Clue – Teak Hubs (anag)

2. Which Beatle wrote – Here Comes The Sun?

3. Which Canadian singer had an album Cuts like a knife? (clue 1983) 

4. Who joined Kenny Rogers on their ‘islands in the stream’?

5. What is the largest human sensory organ?

6. In which year did the Soviet Union collapse? 1991, 2001, 2011

7. What is the most common fuel in a nuclear reactor? Hydrogen, Uranium, Plutonium

8. In which year did the world population reach 1 billion? 1704, 1804, 1904

9. Which year was the first powered flight over Kitty Hawk Beach? 1703, 1803, 1903

10. In which state is Kitty Hawk Beach? Nevada, North Carolina, Florida

Collectables – lighting

Lighting is one of the most popular home accessories. Whilst there are plenty of attractive modern designs available at low prices, sometimes a vintage item is required.

Eileen Gray lamps:

Eileen Gray lamps are timeless and add art deco style to your home office. If you’re lucky enough to find a pair they are magnificent bedside lamps. They don’t come up often, but if you find them, buy them quickly if the price is right. A lamp like this one in good condition is worth over a $1000. Tarnished ones that aren’t damaged are easily restored and rewired.

Who was Eileen Gray? An Irish woman from County Wexford with a keen eye for design. Read her bio at http://www.eileengray.co.uk/ or go to our page HERE

Answers to this week’s quiz:

1. Who was the first female artist to have a UK number one with a self penned song?

Answer: Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights (1978)

2. Which Beatle wrote – Here Comes The Sun?

Answer: George Harrison

3. Which Canadian singer had an album Cuts like a knife?

Answer: Bryan Adams

4. Who joined Kenny Rogers on their ‘islands in the stream’?

Answer: Dolly Parton

5. What is the largest human sensory organ?

Answer: The skin, which occupies approximately 15% of our body mass

6. In which year did the Soviet Union collapse? 1991, 2001, 2011

Answer: 1991

7. What is the most common fuel in a nuclear reactor? Hydrogen, Uranium, Plutonium

Answer: Uranium (Plutonium is produced as a bi-product of nuclear reaction)

8. In which year did the world population reach 1 billion? 1704, 1804, 1904

Answer: 1804  (see the J curve chart below to see how dramatic the rise has been in the last 200 years)

9. Which year was the first powered flight? 1703, 1803, 1903

Answer: 1903  Wilbur and Orville Wright flew their 12 horsepower engine twin prop plane over Kitty Hawk Beach.

10. In which state is Kitty Hawk Beach? Nevada, North Carolina, Florida

Answer: North Carolina

The J Curve world population in billions:

The world population clock is Here

J.J. Barnes featured artist

Soul singer / songwriter J. J. Barnes passed away recently and there is a short bio HERE

What are you reading?

Casino Royale – Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel

Did you know? Ian Fleming wrote his first Bond novel in 1952 at his home in Jamaica called Goldeneye. Fleming was born in London in 1908 and educated at Eton. He worked as a journalist in Moscow and banker / stockbroker in London before becoming personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence during the second world war. No wonder he could write such good stories.

It’s worth looking out for the original issue which is printed with red text on black hard cover and wrapped in the dust jacket shown above. Only 4,500 copies (the smallest number of any Bond print runs) were produced. Valued at anywhere between $10,000 to $100,000 depending on condition. Note that ex library copies which have library stamps removed or concealed are worth much less.

If you buy it on Audible, the story is well told by Dan Stevens and there is an extra interview with the narrator.

More recommended reading from our book club HERE