I’D LIKE TO KNOW

Q

I received a postcard featuring a picture of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Neither my husband nor I know how this rock formation occurred. Can you shed any light on it?

Mrs L.N., Inverness.

A

These spectacular interlocking octagonal columns are the result of an ancient volcanic eruption around 50 to 60 million years ago. Some of the columns reach almost 40 feet in height, and with around 40,000 of them, it really does make for an awe-inspiring sight that has tourists flocking to the area.

The rugged symmetrical columns have become the stuff of fantastical myth, with one local legend attributing the rocks to having been made by a giant. UNESCO declared the rock formation a World Heritage Site just over 30 years ago.

Q

My friend and I were recently watching an old episode of “Inspector Morse”, starring John Thaw, when she mentioned he was married to an actress whose name she couldn’t recall. Can you help? Miss A.L., Edinburgh.

A

Your friend is correct. The late John Thaw was married to Sheila Hancock. Having gone to RADA, Sheila starred in many plays, and her first hit TV appearance was in “The Rag Trade”. She later toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company and starred in the movie “The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas”.

Q

I thought that male birds tended to be more colourful than females, but my friend says this isn’t the case with kingfishers. Is she correct?

Miss K.J., Somerset.

A

Your friend is correct. Both male and female kingfishers are colourful. However, you can tell them apart by the colour of their beaks – the male has a pure black beak, while the female beak has orange colouration on the underside with a black tip.