Odd factoids

[Threevok]

The earliest bicycles were made from trees, by the indigenous people of the Americas and brought back to England by Sir Walter Raleigh.

This led to the urban myth that Queen Elizabeth had wooden choppers.

 

[Seevio]

Before Sigourney Weaver was well known, people used to weave their own Sigourneys by hand.

 

[Chris S]

The UK officially uses the Metric measurement system.

 

[Grant Fondo]

The UK Official Top-20 is planning to move from 7 inch single sales to on-line streaming downloads in 2025, due to the fact only 17 copies of that vinyl format have been sold since 1997.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The Metro Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne was originally the "Metric Centre", named to celebrate the uptake of kilometers over miles. Unfortunately, the road signs weren't changed, so if you followed the directions you ended up at Jarrow Poundstretcher. The proposal to rename that "Eurostretcher" didn't pass muster.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Hadrian's Wall was originally built with a giant trampoline so that visitors could bounce over it.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Hadrian was a midget of just 4'3", and his entire life was spent with the phrase "Hadrian's small!" echoing around any gathering he was at.

As a result he built the eponymous f*ck off massive barrier, purely so he could comfort himself with the thought they were actually saying "Hadrian's Wall".

 

[PeteXXX]

Hadrian originally thought of using ice cream instead of rocks to build it and set up a Wall's Ice Cream factory nearby.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Kangaroos are known to have been given the honor of patrolling Hadrian's Wall by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who proclaimed that they were the only creatures brave and hardy enough to protect the wall from invaders.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Marcus Aurelius was attacked by one of the 'roos, who clawed his ears. He was so impressed by the creature's bravery he renamed himself "Emperor Clawed-Ears"

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Emperor Clawed-Ears was the brave and noble kangaroo appointed by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius to lead the kangaroos that patrolled Hadrian's Wall. He was known for his courage and strength in leading the kangaroos in the face of danger, and is remembered today as an inspiration to all marsupials.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The Battle of Hadrian's Wall was a legendary battle between Hannibal's Scottish elephants and the kangaroos led by Emperor Clawed-Ears. The elephants courageously charged the wall, only to be met with fierce resistance from the kangaroos, who managed to hold their ground and eventually forced the elephants to retreat. The kangaroos were hailed as heroes for their bravery that day, and their courage has been remembered ever since.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The Battle of Hadrian's Wall was a legendary battle between Hannibal's Scottish elephants and the kangaroos led by Emperor Clawed-Ears. The elephants courageously charged the wall, only to be met with fierce resistance from the kangaroos, who managed to hold their ground and eventually forced the elephants to retreat. The kangaroos were hailed as heroes for their bravery that day, and their courage has been remembered ever since.

The battle is commemorated to this day by the Kanga knickers incontinence pants brand, which were issued to the brave roos that day so the dastardly attacking mastodons wouldn't notice if they the roos shat themselves.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

In the days of Roman rule, a flock of ducks took up residence near Hadrian's Wall. The legions marveled at the ducks' courage and resilience in the face of danger, as they remained vigilant and protective of their home. The ducks became known as the 'guardian ducks' of Hadrian's Wall and were celebrated and respected by all who knew of them. Their bravery and loyalty will never be forgotten.

The ducks and kangaroos got along famously. They often ate together, played together, and kept each other safe from harm. Even during the Battle of Hadrian's Wall, the ducks and kangaroos worked together to protect their home. The ducks' courage and loyalty were admired by all who witnessed it, and they remain an iconic symbol of strength and friendship to this day.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Flat packing is the perfect way to take your excess luggage with you on a backpacking trip! With clever flat packing techniques, you can fit everything from a kitchen sink to a grand piano in your backpack and still have room for some snacks.