May 12th
It is the Feast Day of The Blessed Joan of Portugal,(isn't that Rinaldo's mum?).

It is also Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day...explains why I feel knackered!

1003. Pope Sylvester II possibly the first cat to be elected Pope before Pope Bagpuss I in the Middle Ages.

Sports News...David Moyes celebrated his fourth match in a row without defeat...'I am sure that my season's just about turned the corner," said the bewildered Scot as he wriggled madly in his straitjacket...meanwhile Sor Alex Ferguson seemed unduly reticent when asked about his "Noisy Neighbours" second title in 3 years, he was heard to mumble," Football,eh? Bloody Hell those Blues are good!".

1700AD English poet,playwright and critic, John Dryden, died in London aged 68yo. He was initially interred in Saint Anne's Churchyard in Soho but 10 days later he was exhumed and reburied in Westminster Abbey.

Politics ...As the row over School funding grew, the Education Secretary,Michael Gove , slapped the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg across the face and challenged him to a duel at dawn upon Wednesday.He accused the Lib- Dem leader of having besmirched his honour by calling him a lunatic and zealot in the media this weekend over his "theft" of £400million from the schools' budget, " and only the PM or Mr Murdoch can call me that!", the duelnis set for Wednesday morning and seconds will be announced

1820 Founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale was born in ...Florence, Italy...just as well she didn't arrive in Bognor!

1828 English poet and painter, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, was born in London.Best known for his Romanticised pictures of King Arthur and his Knights, he also provided illustrations for his sister, Christina Rossetti's poetry.

1864 In the American Civil War, the Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart was mortally wounded during The Battle of  Yellow Tavern, he had earlier won Battles at The Red Lion and The King's Head!

1907 British author Leslie Charter is is born , meaning he in turn can give birth to one of the most iconic English Literary Characters, namelybSimon Templar, better known as 'The Saint'.

1935 Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith meet for the first time at the home of Henrietta Siberling, founding Alcoholics Anonymous, celebrating until well into the night I suppose!

1925 Baseball player and manager Yogi Berra is born, he later moved to Jellystone Park with his friend Boo-Boo.

Ed Balls admitted hitting three parked cars, causing minimal damage, he apologised to magistrates adding it wasn't all his fault as he just cannot help veering to the left.

1924 Top comedic actor and manic depressive Anthony Aloysius Hancock is born, ensuring that in his torrid short life we would be given 'Hancock's Half-Hour'

1928 Legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach is born.

1942 Another legend in the music sphere is born as Ian Dury is born paving the way to find his Blockheads and use his Rhythm Stick to good effect.

1967 Poet Laureate John Masefield dies aged 88yo in Abingdon Berkshire.
Sea Fever (1902)

'I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky.
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song
and the white sail's shaking
And a grey mist on the sea's face
and a grey dawn breaking.

1968 American skateboarding legend and actor,(not legendary!), is born thereby spawning innumerable video games bearing his name!

2001 Iconic crooner Perry Como dies in his sleep six days before his 89th Birthday,it has been reported he was suffering from symptoms of Alzheimers Disease. He has numerous hit records including:-
'Catch A Falling Star'
'Magic Moments'
'Papa Loves Mambo'
'Delaware'
'Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes'
'It's Impossible'
'And I Love You So'
'For the Good Times'
And so,so,so,many more!

Iconic Crooner Gary Barlow says he was duped by David Cameron andvGideon Osborne over his Tax affairs, " They have shafted me ," moaned the Take That star," they told !e they had these great ideas what their fathers had set up to avoid paying full taxes. They said if I backed them in the 2010 Election I'd never have tax to pay again! Now I've a £20 million bill on my mat and now they are going to empty my bank account to pay it! Well I've had it I'm looking to Nigel to Relight My Fire! Could It Be Magic? Well Babe you never know but with UKIP I'm Back For Good and the Tories , well I've lost my Patience so they can Pray for my support.Now it's time for UKIP to Rule The World...and me I'm off to the Seychelles!"