The British Arctic Air Route Expedition Quiz

The telegram above, found at Arthur Beale's Chandlery, London, was sent by the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, requesting additional alpine lines.

I am currently reading a book about the BAARE and it is a corker - already a contender for the list of favourites.

Full review to come but in the meantime here is a multiple choice quiz. Bonus marks for suggesting what the d. answers should be.

1. How did the expedition leaders meet?
a. In a pub (natch)
b. On the ice flows north of Spitzbergen (natch)
c. At Cambridge Uni (natch)
d. [...]

2. What the pre-expedition training involve?
a. Regime of exercises performed in the Harrods ice store
b. Solo hikes across the Scottish Highlands
c. Running home to Chelsea from one's Mayfair dance
d. [...]

3.  Why was a magistrate required for entry into Greenland?
a. To check the passports, visas and landing permits
b. To search the vessel for illegal materials
c. To visually inspect for VD
d. [...]

4. What were the expeditions first actions on arrival at Angmagssalik?
a. Give the dogs a run ashore
b. Search for a safe anchorage
c. Set up the gramophone and teach the locals the charleston
d. [...]

5. What was the attic of the expedition hut used for?
a. Store the smelly whale meat dog food
b. Store the long range radio used to contact the Government wireless station in Aldershot
c. Accommodation for the local young women recruited as ...er... staff
d. [...]



Updated: the answers were c) in all cases, though for Q3 all three were probably correct

Quiz: which sailor are you?

We've probably all seen those on-line quizzes to find out which (say) Game of Thrones character you are, so how about a what type of sailor you are?

Just answer these five easy questions:

1. Why do you sail?
a. To beat everyone
b. For the experience
c. To reach inaccessible locations
d. To see the world

2. What do you sail?
a. Racing yacht or dinghy
b. Powerboat
c. Classic yacht like a Bristol Pilot
d. Comfortable yacht

3. Who do you sail with?
a. Depends upon the class rules
b. Prefer alone
c. With some mates
d. With your family
e. With your dog

4. You are:
a. Male
b. Female

5. Your age is:
a. Under 20
b. 20 - 35
c. 36 - 50
d. Over 50

Answer is the closest match to one of the following:
- Ben Ainslie: 1a, 2a, 3a
- Ellen MacArthur: 1b, 2a, 3b
- Jeremy Clarkson: 1b, 2b, 3c
- H. W. Tilman: 1c, 2c, 3c
- Liza Copeland: 1d, 2d, 3d
- Tristan Jones: 1d, 2c, 3e

Note that questions 4 and 5 are only there so we can target the adverts better and hence increase our revenue (thanks for that).

Picture puzzle: what are the sailing connections?

Sunday Quiz

The Wandsworth one way system is a well known London traffic black spot which drivers are only too happy to get through as quickly as possible.

However I lingered long enough to take a pic of this contraption in the Thames near Wandsworth Bridge.

Any guesses, educated or not as to:

a) what is this?

b) what is it doing?

c) and why?

Who's this sailor?

Quiz for Friday evening (or Saturday morning for you Aussies).

Who's this sailor?

He was first mate aboard the three master, the Pharon. On his wedding day to the fair Mercedes he was falsely charged for being a supporter of Napoleon and incarcerated in the dread fortress of Chateau d'If.

What name did he gave himself on his dramatic escape? And what is his titular name? And what is his real name?

And a clue - its a book. And a plea - don't say what happens as I've only got a third of the way through!

No prizes, just glory. And added glory for explaining the picture above.