25th May

Oh, for heaven's sake - global warming again? On this day in 1990 (yes, just two years after snow fell in Syria etc etc) Margaret Thatcher was warning of the dreaded phenomenon and pledging that Britain would cut its emission of carbon dioxide by 30%. A UN report immediately responded that the reduction needed to be at least 60% to have any effect. The report warns of a 2 degree rise in temperature in the next 35 years (in other words, chaps, 13 years from now) and 6 degrees by the end of the 21st century. For all of us who have just shivered through the coldest April and May on record, that somehow seems less scary than Mrs T made it sound in 1990.

This day in history has been one of the busy ones so 'in other news' will just list a few of the absolutely stonking stories which began, ended or took place on this day.

• In 1935 Jesse Owens set five new world records and equalled a sixth all in one afternoon, limbering up for seriously p***ing off Hitler at the Berlin Olympics the next year.
• In 1969, Thor Heyerdahl set sail in a reed boat named Ra, hoping to relive the success of his Kon-Tiki expedition. I am assuming all went well, but I'm blowed if I remember what happened. I hate sequels, don't you? 
• In 1925 the Scopes 'Monkey Trial' began in Dayton, Tennessee. Scopes was accused of teaching the theory of evolution, against the state law. A fascinating case, but a much better film, Inherit the Wind starring the wonderful Spencer Tracy and Frederic March. They really do not make them that way any more.
• In 1916, Henry Ford spoke one of the most misquoted lines ever - he actually said 'History is more or less bunk.' Still not acceptable, of course, but better than the usual version of 'History is bunk.' And that, of course, is better than the version I often hear muttered by Nine Eye You.
• And finally, in 1768, Captain Cook set off to explore the Antipodes. And we all know how that turned out!

23rd March

On this day in 1925 the state of Tennessee decided that the theory of evolution should not be taught in schools because it was contrary to scriptures. All the other subjects were also banned because there was no specific reference to them in the Bible. Except Maths (oops, sorry, Math) because of the Book of Numbers.

In other news ...
Pedro the Cruel of Castile and Leon was murdered on this day in 1369 on the orders of his brother Henry, the Even More Cruel. Their mother, Isabella the Outrages, was appalled (told you she would be) especially since she had hoped the crown would pass to her youngest son, Rodrigo the Utterly Unprincipled.

In more personal news, DI Mrs Carpenter-Maxwell would like to thank her many well-wishers and she is happy to announce the impending happy event of her plaster removal, next Monday, all being well and taking into account following winds, hordes of magpies, not walking under ladders and other arcane behaviour. Speaking personally, I won't miss the demise of half a ton of cast which has reliably called me into wakefulness several times a night by clouting me round the head for the last five weeks. Nolan is looking forward to a two-armed cuddle. Metternich is the only one who will lose out - his Mistress's enforced rest-time while Mrs Troubridge and I have been busy with the housekeeping has given him lap-opportunities hitherto only dreamed of.