MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

Nobody has got there but I shall not hang it out any longer. One of the hardest jobs on the hands is 'shucking' corncobs. This was done by hand to remove the outer abrasive leaves before storing in ventilates silos for the winter. These gloves were made for that and the idea of the extra thumb was that when the palm was worn out on one side the glove could be reversed to double its effective life. Only used now for corn shucking competitions at agricultural shows, they were still being sold in the 1980s when my old mate Bob Jacobsen sold me a pair in Northfield MN.



You'll still see silos like this in the Mid West.
Next for shaving?

[Stanley]

Are you leaving all the work to me.....?

[Tizer]

Any guesses where this is located?

[plaques]

This is an upmarket version of John Buchan's thriller with more steps. This one isn't located in Scotland but in what is now known as the Mecca of the North for more reasons than one. That's enough clues for now.

[Whyperion]

Quick Question
AEROTIGHT NUTS
just seen them on Quest on the telly
But what use should I best put them to? I normally use nyloc ones for appropriate needs, but the split top ones I cannot think of using on my (push) bikes or cars.


I havent walked Bradford , Halifax or Blackpool enough to figure where the steps are. I have done some of the Smugglers steps in bays and small coastal towns in Cornwall though

[Gloria]

You can use them for the same use as nyloc nuts.

[chinatyke]

Sowerby Bridge?

[Stanley]

I'd have guessed Halifax but I am persuaded by P that it must be Bradford.....

[plaques]

You lot are facing the wrong way. Dare I say LANCASHIRE.

[Gloria]

Blackburn?!!?

[Tizer]

Gloria's got the right town, Blackburn, and Plaques seems to have an idea - but whereabouts in the town?

[PanBiker]

Googled:

Ignore if you want

► Show Spoiler

Brantfell Road

[Wendyf]

I've had to cheat, but Google tells me it's the Sixty Steps on Brantfell Road, Four Lane Ends, Blackburn....about 1912.

[Stanley]

Nowt wrong with cheating Wendy.... I tried but failed miserably!

[PanBiker]

Once you know it's Blackburn it's the first hit on Google images with the right question.

[Tizer]

Well done, Brantfell Road it is. It runs up the north-east edge of Corporation Park in Blackburn from East Park Road to Revidge Road. Known locally as `The Sixty Steps' it's on a steep slope, presumably deemed too steep for wheeled vehicles. When I was a child we often went to the Park and the Steps were an extra attraction! In this google aerial photo you can just make out the steps which rise from the bottom to the top of the photo.

[Stanley]

Good job they have bollards at the top! Could be a nasty surprise in thick fog!

[Stanley]

Anyone got a 'festive mystery object'?

[Tizer]

What's special about this Santa?

[plaques]

I see he is ready to to a bit of rabbiting. He has got his ferret with him!

[chinatyke]

He's too big to fit down the chimney.

[Gloria]

Is he a caricature of you Tizer???

[Stanley]

Could Gloria be right...... ?

[plaques]

Just realized who it really is...

[Tizer]

Stanley's photo with the white beard certainly fits the bill better than I would with no beard at all! But no, none of you has guessed any of the special features of the Santa in my photo. Clue - he might be a good present for those who have over-spent at Christmas.