Christmas message 2021

I hope you are keeping well. It looks like we shall all enjoy a more normal Christmas this year, so let's hope that no more restrictions are imposed, although I for one shall be avoiding crowded indoor venues for the time being (any excuse to avoid going to the panto!).

This year I thought I would give you my news in the form of a quiz. Click or tap on what you think is the right answer to each question. Only your first answer for each question will be scored.

Your score: 0 / 0

1. In a year where we have all fastidiously observed infection prevention measures, and during which I duly avoided catching Covid-19, how many colds did I catch instead?
   1. Two. Correct, usually just before a holiday.
   2. None. Incorrect, but I have no idea why this isn't the right answer.
2. In June I went to Ashton Gate to watch my team Torquay United play Hartlepool for the right to be promoted back into the football league. What was the outcome?
   1. We won, and are now top of our division back in the football league. Unfortunately, you are incorrect.
   2. We lost on penalties, and are now languishing in the bottom half of the same division we were in last season. Sadly, you are correct. Worst penalty shoot-out I have ever seen.
3. This year my activities group has started playing beach tennis. It's best described as a fusion of which three sports?
   1. Beach volleyball, badminton and tennis. Correct.
   2. Table tennis, football and lacrosse. You just clicked this to be silly, didn't you?
4. How far did I cycle over two days in July for the round trip I made to visit my sister on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border?
   1. 110 miles. Correct - and wasn't I sore afterwards!
   2. 220 miles. Incorrect, but I am flattered that you think I can ride that far!
5. How many runs did I score in my only game of cricket this season?
   1. A duck. Nope, that was last season.
   2. 2 not out. Correct, going in at no. 8 just before the match was rained off.
6. For the time being, my appreciation of live music is restricted to open air events. Which ageing New Romantic band whose heyday was the 1980s headlined the Sunday night of the Isle of Wight Festival this September?
   1. Spandau Ballet. Nice try, but no.
   2. Duran Duran. Correct, and a good performance it was too.
7. On which of the Canary Islands did I drive our hire car on the wrong side of the road for about 100 yards?
   1. Tenerife. Correct, until I was reminded by my passenger. Lovely island, by the way.
   2. La Palma. Incorrect: at the time of writing, its volcano is still erupting after three months!

I hope you have a happy and peaceful Christmas, and have more success with your New Year's Resolutions than I did last year.
Nige.

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