THE BIG QUESTIONS
During elections, I’m always charmed by the jokier-type candidates such as the Monster Raving Looneys. I’d like to know who achieved the lowest vote at a General Election. – D
At the time, candidates weren’t allowed to vote for themselves, which helps explain why two people have received exactly no votes.
FR Lees and WM Somerville achieved their “nul points” moment in the elections of 1852 and 1874 respectively.
For the umpteenth time, my cat’s loud meowing woke me up very early this morning. How loud is she, and how does that compare to a big cat, say like a lion? – M.
Domestic cats meow to get attention, or to be fed, reaching around 45 decibels – a lot quieter than a barking dog, which can make a din of around 75 decibels.
A lion can roar louder than any other big cat, achieving 115 decibels, and can be heard up to five miles away.
But the loudest animal on earth is actually the sperm whale. It can make a series of clicking noises that can reach 230 decibels – a noise so loud that if it was on land, it would kill people
My wife said I was cheap when I bought her an ice cream. Do you have any pricier suggestions for when it’s her turn to pay? – C
The Fortress Resort & Spa in Sri Lanka has a dessert costing £10,500.
It features Italian cassata flavoured with Irish cream, served with a pomegranate and mango compote. The base is a Champagne sabayon, adorned with an 80-carat aquamarine stone, placed beneath a handcrafted chocolate stilt fisherman.