Q. You’re a shoe-in. When it comes to this task, or race, or competition, you’re going to succeed or win with no problem. You’ve got this, hands down. Where does this idiom ‘hands down’ originate? 🏇🏽 A. ‘Hands down’ comes from the world of 19th Century horse racing. The jockey

Q. Where is somewhere you have visited that you would describe as ‘magical?’ What made it so? Archways of flowering trees? Fog rising off the water? Layer upon layer of pillowy moss? Shimmering light dancing from ripple to glass? Or is it about the history and stories certain places evoke?

Q. Do you ever travel alone? If so, where do you feel most safe going? What say others? . A. Travel and Leisure, along with Eminent, published a 2026 report highlighting the cities safest for solo female travellers. Their scores were based on high safety, affordability, and accessibility… Top 8

Q. They are the most intriguing birds, with their Formula 1 wings, Mr Fantastic tongues, and iridescent protein feathers.  Who are some artists who have worked to capture hummingbird beauty on canvas? . A. Painter and naturalist Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904) was one. Heade was utterly taken with these tinkerbirds, spending