Stan Bowes, from Diggle, has uncovered some interesting and entertaining facts – you just couldn’t make them up.
THE WORLD’S oldest wine, produced in 1472 and kept in a huge barrel in a cellar in Strasbourg, was recently transferred to a new oak cask when its 18th century barrel started to leak.
It was tasted in 1576 and 1718, and again in 1944 by General Philippe Leclerc, after he liberated the city from the Nazis.
At this latest transfer wine-lovers declined the chance to taste, believing it to be too acidic. The original volume of 3,000 litres has shrunk by 90%, because of leaks and evaporation.
Meantime, a cow fell 30ft down an old mineshaft near Holywell, North Wales, and survived – by landing on another cow that had fallen earlier.
Passers-by heard mooing and dropped grass to the trapped animal until a cave-rescue team was able to winch it to safety. It had been trapped for two days in chest-deep water. Sadly, the other cow died.
Improve your vocabulary
Recto: The side of a piece of paper, printed on both sides, that is to be read first.
Verso: You’ve probably guessed… That’s the other side!
Apothegms
To attain the impossible one must attempt the absurd.
Start off each day with a smile and get it over with.
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