Happy Special 22nd July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

Aviation is one of Nomanda’s favourite subjects so it will come as no surprise that a couple of aviation achievements get a mention today. It was on this day in 1933 that Wiley Post completed the first round the world solo flight. The flight took him just 7 days and followed a route from New York - Berlin - USSR - Alaska - Canada - New York. He stopped a few times en route but the first leg from New York to Berlin was non stop. Quite a nice trip!

Celebrating Post’s achievement 50 years later the Australian entrepreneur and aviator Dick Smith set off to become the first person to complete a round the world solo flight in a helicopter. Having bought himself a spanking new Bell Jet Ranger 206B he set off from Fort Worth, Texas on 5th August 1982. By 19th August he’d made it to Balmoral Castle in Scotland where he had tea and crumpets with Prince Charles. Very nice too! He then went on to London and began his next stage from London to Sydney where he arrived on 3rd October. The next stage was a bit tricky as he was not allowed to land in the USSR to refuel so he arranged to hop onto a ship to do the job arriving safe and sound back in the USA on 22nd July 1983. Great trip and achievement but it took him nearly a year compared to Wiley’s 7 days! Well done, Wiley!

It’s just been Open Championship season so two of the notable winners who won on this day deserve a mention. Our favourite “escape artist” Seve Ballesteros shot a 276 to win at St Andrews in 1984 and Nick Faldo went a few shots better shooting 270 on the same course to win in 1990.

Our birthday celebrities start with Amy Vanderbilt (1908 – 1974) who is still regarded as the leading authority on etiquette and for those of you who aren’t sure what to do it makes a very interesting and revealing read! You will be surprised at just how much stuff there is to know!

Jimmy Hill (1928) the guy with the razor chin and the guy who has held just about every job in football will be having a couple of beers with his mates today!



Our final birthday wishes go to the popular actor and celebrity of the ‘60’s, Terence Stamp (1939). He shared a flat with Michael Caine in the ‘60’s and still found time to date Bridget Bardot, Jean Shrimpton and Julie Christie. Great taste in women, Terence!



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!!