A Bit of This and That in the UK Quiz

Answer: Thames

"Swan Upping" is the yearly census of Mute Swans. It has been carried out on the Thames since the 12th century, although it was not until the 15th century that a royal charter was put in place. The census normally takes place during the third week in July each year.

Answer: It's played halfway between Southampton and the Isle of Wight in the Solent strait

The Bramble sandbank only appears once a year and then only for about an hour. It is halfway between Southampton and the Isle of Wight in the Solent strait. Boats from The Royal Southern Yacht Club in Southampton and The Island Sailing Club on the Isle of Wight race to the sandbank and play a game of cricket that normally lasts just an hour, as that is normally how long it is before the sandbank floods again. To passing boats it can look as if the players are walking on water.

The date and time of the match depends on the tides.

Answer: Seaweed

The seaweed is harvested off the west coast of the British Isles and most commonly eaten in Wales. It is cooked and pureed into a blackish-green paste. The mineral-rich puree can be mixed with oatmeal and fried as part of a breakfast including bacon and eggs.

Answer: Fishing

"Haaf," or "heave" fishing as it is sometimes known, is a method of fishing in Northwest England (Cumbria) and Scotland on the Solway Firth. It is a method that dates back to when the Vikings raided the area. A haaf, or sea net as it is also known, is approximately 18 feet by 5 feet in size and is used to catch salmon and sea trout. Those using a haaf net must be licensed by the Environment Agency and the license disc must be attached to the net.

Answer: a cup of tea laced with rum

Throughout most units in the British Army, "Gunfire" is normally served on Regimental days. It can also be served on Christmas Day in some units when they are serving on operations away from their families. Troops are woken by officers and senior noncommissioned officers who then serve them a hot cup of tea which is laced with rum, which they are expected to drink whilst still in bed.

Answer: cheese rolling

Rounds of Double Gloucester cheese, which normally weigh between 7-9 lbs, are rolled down the hill by entrants. The cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 mph. Between 1941 and 1954, because of World War 2 and the following years of rationing, wooden blocks were used and not real cheese.

Answer: 550

"Lady Godiva" (£5) comes from rhyming slang: Lady Godiva = fiver. Whilst the origin of the term "monkey" (£500) is not known for certain, it is thought that, like a "pony" (£25), it could be derived from the animals that were on Indian rupee notes that featured animals.

Another thought on "pony" is that it was the typical price paid for a small pony. A "score" (£20) comes from the practice that when sheep were counted, a stick was scored for every 20 counted to keep tally.

Answer: Toe Wrestling

The sport is very similar to arm wrestling. The aim is to pin an opponent's toe for 3 seconds. It is considered common courtesy for opponents to remove each other's shoes and socks before the competition begins.

Answer: On a railway platform

A "gricer" is another name for a trainspotter. Trainspotters enthusiastically collect the numbers, normally seen from the end of railway station platforms, of traction engines or railway locomotives. The word "gricer" was first coined in 1970 when some enthusiasts turned up in a removal van with G.Ricer written on the side of it.

Answer: The Welly Wanging World Championships

The object of "Welly Wanging" is to see who can throw the "Welly" (Wellington boot) the farthest. Upperthong (Holmfirth) is a village very close to the town of Holmfirth, Yorkshire that holds the The Welly Wanging World Championships. Many other countries have similar competitions, but Holmfirth is the home of the World Championships.

There are normally three World Champions crowned: Men, Women and Children (under 14).