Odd factoids

[classic33]

Chinese athletes have long used animal parts to improve their performance. In the 1990s, Chinese track coach Ma Junren credited a series of world records by unknown runners in part to a cocktail of turtle blood and caterpillar fungus (though to be fair, illicit testosterone use was suspected).

But for the ultimate in sports medicine, some folks swear by deer penis wine, which despite—or, perhaps, because of—its alleged powers of healing, was banned from the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Many traditional Chinese remedies, including those made with animal penises, contain herbal ephedrine, considered by numerous sports federations to be a performance-enhancing substance.

 

[Drago]

In China the only occupation was athlete, until farming was invented during the Ching Dynasty.

 

[classic33]

The Isle of Wight is often said to be the most haunted island in the world, perhaps due to mysterious ley lines under the island. It attracts thousands of ghost hunters every year.

 

[classic33]

The Isle of Wight Competes with the World for "Wonders" – it has 8!
Known locally as the "8 Wonders of the Isle of Wight"

- Needles you cannot thread
- Freshwater you cannot drink
- Cowes you cannot milk
- Newport you cannot bottle
- Lake you can walk through and stay dry
- Ryde where you walk!
- Newtown which is old
- Winkle street where there are no winkles.

 

[raleighnut]

I went on a day trip to the Isle Of Wight once, the pub was very nice.

 

[colly]

And we all know what is brown and comes out of Cowes steaming don't we?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

And we all know what is brown and comes out of Cowes steaming don't we?

The old ferry - obvs really

 

[Drago]

Bryan Ferry invented a special type of boat to 'Ferry' people across relatively short sea journeys. Being the conceited sort that he is, he named the type of boat after himself.

 

[colly]

Brian Ferry came from Merseyside. Was forever crossing the river for some reason and people still sing about it occasionally.

 

[Drago]

The bodgers favourite car polish, Mer, was jnvented in Merseyside.

 

[Dave7]

Brian was soooo good they named a film after the life of him.

 

[NorthernDave]

Bryan Ferry invented a special type of boat to 'Ferry' people across relatively short sea journeys. Being the conceited sort that he is, he named the type of boat after himself.

He was also notoriously unreliable, often staying out late with the likes of Jerry Hall on work nights and letting down passengers who had booked in advance - hence the expression "don't pay the Ferry, man until he gets you to the other side".

 

[colly]

A man of many parts, 'Bry' as his close friends called him, was also good at making small cakes and twinkling lights.

 

[classic33]

he Benedictine Monks ran the first regular ferry from Birkenhead to Liverpool. The Monks would row over to the fishing village in Liverpool on market days, and offer the service to travellers.

 

[Drago]

Dirk Benedict was a Benedictine Monk who made knives.