Law Against Loneliness: 4 June

Springwatch with The Lawyer

“I’ve had the rare opportunity to spend time at my home and have been concentrating on the garden (it was a mess),” says Lyn Penfold, general counsel of the Rail Delivery Group.

“As part of my amusement I’ve put up some bird feeders, only to see the squirrels overcome every deterrent I’ve put up.”

It’s a bit late for Springwatch really but we will use this opportunity to put out a call for nature videos of all kinds.

My isolation exercise

Sticking with the nature theme, Womble Bond Dickinson solicitor Emily Cox gets in touch to say: “I thought I would share a ‘Life in Isolation’ picture. I am currently on lockdown on the family farm in Wales. My morning and evening ‘commutes’ are exercising the horses on the farm… can’t beat the view – and the peace and quiet!

Quiz of the Day

We turn once again to The Official Biggest Pub Quiz Book Ever 2, Revised 2009 edition, which is a hint for you to send us more quizzes (Podcast recommendations + The Lawyer Listens tracks appreciated too, thanks). Today’s theme is plant life. Answers tomorrow.

1. Which European country produces more than half of Europe’s rice?
2. If a leaf is sessile what is it missing?
3. The Venus Flytrap is found naturally in which two US States?
4. Which plant has the largest leaves?
5. If a plant is halophylic where does it grow?
6. What is the fruit of the blackthorn bush?
7. What does the death cap mushroom do that makes it so toxic?
8. The Sequoia takes its name from…
9. Atropine is derived from which plant?
10. What is the tissue that forms on a damaged plant surface called?

Dog of the Day

From Mauchline near Ayr, Alastair McIntyre of DW Shaw writes: “Very much enjoying the Law Against Loneliness column – just about the only light relief I get as I do my best to keep going in my rather cramped box-room. Here is my work companion Marvin – this home office ain’t big enough for both of us.”

Podcast of the Day

Missing Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons is awesome, on that we can all agree. But in 2014 the curly-haired fitness guru suddenly disappeared, not just from the public eye, but from the people who had known him for decades. They were worried, and Missing Richard Simmons charts one man’s efforts to find out if his friend was okay.

This six-episode podcast was incredibly popular, shooting to the top of the download charts, but it also proved controversial, with some saying it was a gross invasion of Simmons’ privacy. Either way, it is engrossing listening.