MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Big Kev]

Palmette?

[Stanley]

That's another good suggestion but not right. It is such a vague definition that unless someone gets it today I shall come clean. Clue, ask yourself what does it look like? That's why I said Wendy was on the right track.

[Wendyf]

Feather?

[Stanley]

Thank God for that! Well done Wendy. It wasn't very good was it, I shall go away and think.

[Stanley]

Any idea what this is?

[chinatyke]

We have similar here, life in the tropics isn't all carefree!

► Show Spoiler

A shield bug. AKA as stink bug. Some eject very acidic substances to ward off predators, but these just eject a malodorous sunstance.

The brown marmorated stink bug.

[Stanley]

Oh God! He has got it straight away!



Al right, try this one but I fear it is too easy!

[Tizer]

A lamprey.

[Stanley]

Exactly right Peter. As I expected. I shall have to do better! A frightening animal!
Anyone got a new one?

[Tizer]

How about this? What can you tell me about it?

[Cathy]

Looks like a dog dressed up for a flight in a very breezy aircraft. Brrr...

[Stanley]

Very close to Cathy. Poodle dressed for motoring around 1900?

[Cathy]

Is it Graham Mountford’s dog (co-pilot) Callie?
A chocolate Lab.

[PanBiker]

It looks more like a miniature Poodle to me. I would guess motoring also, possibly a motorbike passenger?

[Tizer]

Gosh I must have made that one too easy or you're all becoming very quick at these mystery objects! Cathy was very close but Stanley got it spot on with `Poodle dressed for motoring around 1900?'. The photo was in a book about early motoring and we're familiar with the Edwardian ladies wearing protective hats/masks to keep out the dust so this kit was advertised for her accompanying poodle. Apparently in the 1800s when railways took over from road coaches for travelling passengers it was assumed the roads would be little used in the future, upkeep was abandoned and they were allowed to deteriorate badly. When cars suddenly came on the scene there was a terrible problem with dust in dry weather (and presumably mud in wet weather). Hence the need for all the protective gear. Well done all!

[Stanley]

I think I have read the same book Peter. I had a memory of the image, I seldom forget a pic!



What can you tell me about these men and the services they offered?

[Wendyf]

Did they soon graduate to motorbikes and stand beside the road saluting motorists?

[Big Kev]

I'm with Wendy on that?

[Tizer]

Yes, AA or RAC patrol men. The ones on bicycles looked for policemen waiting to catch speeding motorists then stood in a position where they could warn the car drivers in advance.

[PanBiker]

Me too, I think the badge is RAC.

[Tizer]

I agree, it looks more curvy than the AA badge.

[Stanley]

You are all almost there. Wendy and Peter are the closest but haven't quite got there. I can't think of a clue that gets near enough. Think about the services.

[PanBiker]

One of them has his medals on so are they all ex servicemen mechanics?

[Stanley]

Sorry Ian no. Concentrate on the services they gave. Clue, they were protecting motorists. That almost gives it to you.

[PanBiker]

I think Tiz already has it if I am not mistaken. AA police speed trap warners.