Happy Special 17th July Day!

Flower of the Month

Larkspur

Gemstone of the Month: Ruby

First of all Nomanda would like to thank Dave Spathaky for his comment yesterday. Dave is not only the current world plate spinning record holder but he’s also now set the record straight! Thanks, Dave!

Humorists and satirists sharpen your wits and pencils and celebrate this day in 1841 when the magazine “Punch” was first published. Despite its popularity, reaching a circulation of 175,000 in the 1940’s, its sales gradually declined and it ceased publication in 1992, 150 years after the first issue. It had a brief revival at the hands of Mohamed Al-Fayed who pitted it against “Private Eye” on account of the bad press he was receiving from that source but it never really made a comeback and 6 years and £16 million later it was withdrawn from publication once again. Shame, really!

The anthropologist Dr Richard Leakey discovered a human skull purported to be at least 600,000 years old on this day in 1959. He found it near the east shore of Lake Rudolf in Kenya and so far no-one has come forward to claim it! Anyone who is looking for their skull please get in touch with Nomanda.

Living a life of cramped luxury and fun the Beatles released their film “Yellow Submarine” on this day in 1968. All their friends are all on board so let’s hear from them!



Submarines tend to go under rather than over but if you wanted to get across the Humber estuary it was a long drive around it. The Humber Estuary bridge, at the time the world’s longest span bridge, was officially opened on this day in 1981. It carries around 120,000 vehicles per week that all gladly pay the toll of £2.70 each way. By comparison the Firth Road Bridge carries around 224,000 vehicles per week. More people wanting to get out of Scotland than into Yorkshire apparently!

25 years ago in 1983 Tom Watson won the British Open at Royal Birkdale with a score of 275. Well the Open is once again at Royal Birkdale starting today and I wonder if any of the present top golfers will beat Tom’s score! Best of luck to them all!


The royal dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II, Hardy Amies (1909 – 2003) was born on this day. Despite the fact that he made the Queen’s frocks he established a very successful gentleman’s tailoring business in Saville Row, London and it is still going strong. James Bond, amongst the many rich and famous, gets his togs from Saville Row where “bespoke” suits are the order of the day. “Bespoke” by the way means that the item is “bespoken for” in tailor speak! Quaint!

Celebrating an acting career spanning over 50 years the Canadian actor Donald Sutherland (1934) will be having his birthday mash today. Of the many TV series and films he’s made Nomanda’s favourites are “M*A*S*H”, “The Dirty Dozen”, “Kelly’s Heroes” and the “Body Snatchers”. I don’t know if it’s just me but I’ve always found him a bit scary!

All the way from Auckland, New Zealand, Gale Garnett (1942) will be “Singing in the Sunshine” at her birthday bash!


The subject of a lot of bad press, Camilla Parker-Bowles (1947) will be sipping a glass or two of the good stuff today together with Charles. I think she’s probably a nice lady, much maligned.



The girl who married Bill Wyman, Mandy Smith (1970), is probably more renowned for that fact than any other of her talents. She started dating Billy Boy when she was just 14 and “Just Couldn’t Wait” to get married. She did marry Billy Boy and it lasted a whole two years! Way to go, Mandy!

Our final birthday wishes go to Natasha Hamilton (1982) who is an explosive pussy cat! Very good at the Cat’s Cradle, too!




Happy Special Day to one and all!!


If you know someone who is celebrating their birthday, anniversary or a special day today or sometime soon why not send them a nice e-card so they get it as soon as they log on! Even better, why not send this page to your friend!
Don’t know what to get for a present? Think about what your special person enjoys doing and the things they like.


For Girls, I know that flowers and chocolates are a bit cliché but nevertheless they always seem to work! Of course, if your budget stretches that far, jewellery, watches, perfume and fashion items are always appreciated!

For Boys, all boys like toys! It’s just as they get older the toys get more expensive. So gadgets and gimmicky things work. Again, if you have the budget then car accessories, sporting equipment and clothes, and man type jewellery like watches and gold chains will go down very well!

And, if all else fails, you could always send them a gift voucher and they can choose whatever they want!

If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event today I hope you got lots of cards and presents and that there is someone special in your life who will make this day a very happy and special day for you.



Happy celebrations to you from the Happy Special Day Blog!!