MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Wendyf]

That's after 16 years of use as well Stanley. There was a small pile of powdery tar deposit at the bottom of the chimney but not a lot. It has 2 burners, one for the central heating as well. Of course we have no problem with air flow up here!

[Stanley]

Try this one....

[Tizer]

Box with a hinged lid to hold file cards?

[Stanley]

Bugger!! Dead right Tiz. As a penalty, set the next one!

[Tizer]

Right, you asked for it! What's this? The man standing alongside the mystery object shows the scale. Sorry about the poor quality of the photo.

[PanBiker]

Lava formations after a volcanic eruption?

[Tizer]

Well done, Ian, you've passed the first test, the man is standing next to something made of volcanic lava - but now comes the more difficult part. Why is the lava standing up?

[PanBiker]

Has it formed around a tree or emerged from a vent hole lower on the slope?

[Tizer]

Oh drat, I'll have to look for something more difficult! Yes, it's due to trees combined with the right conditions. This is lava that flowed from a Hawaiian volcano onto a slope on which trees were growing. The lava depth quickly increased until much the tree trunk was submerged. The top, exposed parts of the tree would have immediately burned off in the air, leaving the stump within the lava. A crust formed on the lava surface and, as the molten lava underneath flowed away, it sank down around the tree, almost like shrink wrapping, then set. The trunk within was then incinerated leaving a vertical tube of solidified lava. Volcanologists call them `tree moulds'.

[Stanley]

What is it? And where.....

[LizG]

Is it the limestone pavement above Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales? The ones in the Harry Potter movie?

[Tizer]

I can see why you suggest that but the limestone pavement at Malham isn't anywhere near the sea or big lakes, Liz. There is limestone pavement nearer to the sea in Ireland. But I'd suggest it's volcanic pillow lava and, knowing Stanley's favourite places, a Scottish Island such as Eigg.

[Stanley]

Dead right again Tiz. It's the eroded surface of the Sgurr on Eigg. The name comes from old Norse for 'tooth' as it looks like that from the sea.



Mary and the Sgurr in 1988 when we went up to have a close look at it. It's the remains of a lava flow associated with the volcanic activity centred on Rhum, the neighbouring island. We found the evidence of fossilised trees under the base of it. A very interesting formation.

[Stanley]

Try this oldie....



Why the name?

[Stanley]

There's a deathly hush in the close tonight.......

[David Whipp]

'cos there's no customers...

[Gloria]

A59 next to the Caledonian, the Silent Seventh at Much Hoole, now Henry Altys builders merchants??
Sorry Stanley, but I googled it, felt sorry for you talking to yourself.

[Bodger]

Near a hill, =7th gear "freewheel"

[PanBiker]

We have this as well:

The Silent 7th

[Tripps]

There's a deathly hush in the close tonight.......

If you'd gone to Manchester Grammar School you'd know it was breathless, not deathly.

Vitai Lampada

THERE'S a breathless hush in the Close to-night -
Ten to make and the match to win -
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red, -
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; -
The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of schoolboy rallies the ranks,
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

This is the word that year by year
While in her place the School is set
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind -
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

[Stanley]

You're right David..... and yes 'Silent 7th' is the same as 'Aberdeen Overdrive', free-wheeling downhill when your wagon was limited by the governor. (Not recommended!) Nice clip from the lads Gloria....
Next for shaving?

[Stanley]

What is it? If you've been keeping up and know the answer keep stum for a day and see if the others can get it.

[chinatyke]

It's a pipe stem.

[Stanley]

Nice one China..... You know what the other object is. Come on the rest of you!

[PanBiker]

I know but I'm not telling, I'm open to bribery though.