All about AL
Alistair at Leisure
Tastes of the UK
Mind the Monuments
Lords, Ladies & Leading Roles
100

Opposite of acidic, this term describes substances with a pH above 7

What is Alkaline?

100

A hobby that Al will only do on warm flat water

What is SUP?

100

This dish, often served with malt vinegar and wrapped in paper, became a national staple in England after fried fish met fried potatoes in the 1860s

What is Fish & Chips?

100

First appearing in Paris in 1853 and later popularized in London, this two-level vehicle became a symbol of British mass transit—especially in bright red

What is a Double Decker Bus?

100

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, this flamboyant English pianist became a global icon with hits like “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer,” and was knighted in 1998

Who is Elton John?

200

This term describes pasta cooked firm enough to offer a slight resistance when bitten

What is Al Dente?

200

A hobby in which Al fights samurais

What is VR?

200

This dessert layers sponge cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream—often served in a glass bowl to show off its colorful tiers

What is Triffle?

200

Though commonly used to describe the entire clock tower, this nickname technically refers to the 13.5-ton bell housed in London’s Elizabeth Tower

What is the Big Ben?

200

This English wizard, raised in Surrey and educated in Scotland, became a global icon after surviving a killing curse and defeating the Dark Lord in a seven-book saga

Who is Harry Potter?

300

From the Latin for “elsewhere,” this term refers to a defense claiming the accused was in a different location when the crime occurred

What is Alibi?

300

A hobby that Al will only do in the dark

What is Astrophotography?

300

DAILY DOUBLE

A staple of traditional English fare, this hearty pie combines diced beef and organ meat in rich gravy, often encased in suet pastry and served in pubs

300

This prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, aligns with the solstices and continues to mystify archaeologists

What is Stonehenge?

300

This royal was the "People's Princess", known for her charity work and tragic death in 1997

Who is Princess Diana?

400

This tool, often used in engineering and woodworking, measures the distance between two opposite sides of an object with pinpoint accuracy

What is a Caliper?

400

A hobby that Al does pushing a stick

What is Curling?

400

Often split and slathered with clotted cream and jam, this baked good is a staple of British cream teas—though its pronunciation and recipe vary across regions

What are Scones?

400

Originally built as a townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, this London landmark  hosts the Changing of the Guard

What is Buckingham Palace?

400

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, this playwright’s 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and epic poems earned him the title of England’s national poet

Who is William Shakespear?

500

DAILY DOUBLE

This adjective describes someone who shows courage or determination, especially in the face of danger or adversity

500

A hobby that allows Al to splash in puddles

What is Dirt Biking?

500

In British cuisine, this word can refer to both desserts and savory dishes—confusing Americans who expect something creamy

What is Pudding?

500

Originally built by Romans and later sold to an American entrepreneur in 1968, this Thames crossing has inspired nursery rhymes and multiple rebuilds over the centuries

What is the London Bridge?

500

Knighted in 1705, this English physicist’s Principia Mathematica laid the foundation for classical mechanics, including his three laws of motion

Who is Sir Isaac Newton?