Sorry for the absence for the last couple of weeks - the PC emitted a loud bang and a smell of burning. Carried it downstairs to see if there was any obvious problems and half-way down the stairs the carrying handle snapped and it bounced all the way to the bottom ejecting connectors, disk drives, chips etc. Still it was over 12 years old...

-1. What is Elton John's middle name?
-2. The name of which board game translated means "sparrow"?
-3. Sometimes called "the first great war of the 20th century", which two world powers were at war with each other between Feb 1904 and Sept 1905?
-4. What was the only country to have hosted the Summer Olympics and not win a single gold medal?
-5. When does one use the word 'Kanpai' in Japan?
-6. Which European capital city is built on 14 islands?
-7. Amongst the tribesmen he worked with he was known as 'El Aurens'. We know him better as who?
-8. What is a Gigli saw used for?
-9. Invented by a French chef at the Ritz Hotel in New York City, what name was given to his cold puree of leeks, potatoes and cream?
-10. Which car company, initially the Swallow Sidecar Company, was forced to change its name after WWII to avoid the unfavourable connotations of the SS initials?
-11. What is the name of the lost city of the Incas discovered in Peru in 1911?
-12. What aircraft is this?

11. Machu Picchu

Rog, reading about your computer mishap was horrifying!

But it's good to have you back!

3. Russia and Japan

Thanks Marian, it's good to be back.

Two goodies!

9. Would that be Vichyssoise? I hope I am not disqualified for looking up the spelling. I Googled as visheshwa.

Sorry to hear about your computer!

It would indeed, oldbroad!

1. Hercules

Sorry about your computer. I have an old XP still going.

5. When making a toast?

8. To cut through bone in surgical procedures

Three excellent calls!

7. Lawrence of Arabia

10. Walmsley & Lyons ??

My older Brother had an ancient black and white (badly faded even then) photo of my father's first car - and with it an equally ancient "article of the period" that mentioned this company !!

And I remember vaguely seeing both.

[Although my Father's vehicle wasn't from there. And I have no idea where either went to after my Brother's death.]

PLUS :

Glad all is well, Urban Worrier, and that only the computer rocketed down the stairs !!

6. Stockholm

flotsam, manxman - both good!

Mad - afraid not. The company is still going under revised name, quite top-of the range

2. I'll guess mahjong. I assume it's a Chinese word.

Hi Urban Worrier.
Well, I don’t know anything other than the snippet I already recounted 😶

10. Jaguar

Good guess, Lady K

manxman gets it, Mad

Wow !! Who’d ever have thunk that !! Clever stuff, manxman 👍

12. U2 spy plane

4. I know this because Australia failed to win a gold as well; misery, as they say, loves company.
it was Montreal, Canada

Lady K, flotsam - excellent finish!