Sunday, July 29, 2007

Flying


Had a flying visit back home and managed to catch up with most everyone for at least a couple of hours each. In between some mad dashes around the country we managed to see the Lancaster Bomber flying over "the show" and also the Montague's Harriers that have been breeding out in the fens. No pics I'm afraid but we stopped for tea at Evedon and I snapped some nice pics in the gardens.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Flying Rabbit

Milan procurator M.V. di Vigevano is pushing for a fine for animal cruelty, following an act of idiocy by an AC Milan supporter. The fan faces a fine of up to 10,000 Euros for launching a rabbit onto the sidelines.
The offender could also be charged for throwing dangerous items at a sporting event which could lead to four years imprisonment.
Despite injury and shock, the rabbit survived and has now been adopted.


goal.com

Friday, July 06, 2007

Vivre La Différence!



If the difference is the weather then it is difference worth celebrating. One week in St Aulaye in the Perigord region of France was probably too short but we still managed a few site seeing trips to Bourdeilles, Brantôme, Bordeaux, the caves at Lascaux and the Dune de Pyla.

La dernière chose. Je voudrais remercier Gerard et Liliane. Vous étiez très aimable pour nous rencontrer en Saint Aulaye. Merci pour le repas, le logement et votre hospitalité!

Thursday, July 05, 2007

How Good Was Goodwood?


It was fantastic!

Having been (only once) to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone it was difficult not to be impressed by the high level of organisation and diversity that Goodwood offers.

The cars basically run twice a day up the hill in batches of 10-15 cars roughly grouped by era or formula. Missing your favourite car is thereforefore unlikely and the chances of seeing all the cars are favourable. Knowing this, it is then possible to fully explore the pits and get as close to the cars as physically possible, talk to the owners/mechanics and hunt for some famous faces. Alternatively a longish walk up the hill takes you through the forest rally stage to the top paddock perhaps a chance meeting with Colin Mcrae or Petter Solberg.

Once you've wandered back down the hill you can explore the exhibitors area and admire the latest offerings from manufacturers like Lamborghini and Audi, or soak up the atmosphere among the Cartier 'Style et Luxe' concours cars. If seeing $50 Million dollars worth of Type 41 Bugattis parked beside the house fills you with awe, a quick detour to the supercar paddock should bring you back down to earth. Being able to poke around more affordable motors like the Veyron, Zonda Koenigsegg and Ferrari P4/5 seems almost normal!

The British weather did not fail to dissapoint but the only thing to suffer was the downhill part of the Organic Milk Race. Lewis even managed to bring a bit of sparkle to an otherwise damp Sunday.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Usagi Bus

My japanese is not so great but from what I can "interpret", it seems the children at "zuiko-youchien" have the enviable pleasure of riding the Usagi-bus when going on school trips.



Not only do they have a rabbit but there are a couple of hounds and a little pup to enjoy too!

12 Volt Rabbit

SKK Lighting have some fantastic creations including this Halogen Rabbit in a variety of colours.
Amongst their other designs you will find Cats, Dogs, Elephants, Buddhas and even a skull.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Watch Your Back, Lewis

The motor racing bug stepped up another gear today. Scalextric, Forza and Gran Tourismo are good but not a patch on karting. The Arrive and Drive session is for all-comers (novices and amateurs, etc.) that fancy a 15 minute spin. After completing a session each driver is provided with timing data for every lap. This adds considerably to the challenge which ultimately is all about going as fast as possible. We had two sessions each and each of us improved substantially between the first and second session. It's easy to underestimate how physical the racing is and we all came away with our fair share of bruises, aches and pains. Not so many that we'll avoid going again though!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Show Me The Way To Go Home




Not sure that Google Maps should be out of beta yet. I mean, why get out at Le Havre? Surely Portsmouth would make more sense.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Jellibat

Andricongirl has a real talent when it comes to crafting such inspired creations. She is a graphic and textile artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Check out her flickr site or buy something from her shop at www.jellibat.etsy.com

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Hot Hare 3

Glo Kehoe and her ground chief, Sue Dietze, are in Dunnellon this weekend to inaugurate a new big bunny and participate in the Cool Springs Ranch Balloon Classic. This third incarnation has some impressive stats but also brings some serious headaches. Touchdown has to be in a spot where, Kehoe adds, "you can lay a 16-story building down on its side in any direction." Before inflating the bunny Kehoe sends a helium-filled balloon afloat. "I have to determine where the winds are, cause my ears will be up in that. It's twice as tall as most balloons and it can catch some unfavorable winds," she says. "You have to be really careful."
Hot Hare Vital Statistics
Total Height: 166'—15' taller than the Statue of Liberty
Ears Height: 60'—as tall as the Presidents' faces on Mount Rushmore. The Hot Hare's ears alone are the height of an entire average-sized hot air balloon.
Head: 30' wide x 45' long
Glasses: 32' wide
Drum: 45' diameter, 20' wide
Nose: 16' wide
Arms: 40' long
Tail: 20' diameter
Sandals: 60' long, 12' wide, 4' deep
Balloon Volume: 180,000 cu. ft.—550,000,000 AA batteries could fit inside the Energizer Bunny® Hot Hare Balloon. Balloon Weight: 1,170 lbs.—the same as 4,680 D batteries.
Double Burner Output: 30,000,000 BTU/hour—the equivalent amount of heat produced by 5,000 gas grills
Deflation Ports (Vents): 93
Fabric: 5,000 linear yards, 60' wide
Thread: 84 miles

White White Rabbit Rabbit

In the second of two white rabbit incidents in Ipswich in the last few days, another bright eyed bunny has been found in a school play ground. The receptionist at Sidegate Primary School, said: "He was found this morning by the groundsmen on the school playground.It took 20 minutes to catch him. There were two groundsmen, our site manager and head cleaner trying to catch him without hurting him or frightening him too much but he can run very fast apparently."
Eric, an albino rabbit, is not the first hot-footed rabbit to go on the run in Ipswich recently. On Thursday Beckham the Bunny had gone missing for the second time in one week leaving her owner, Laura Gooding, 12, desperate for her return. Is Eric your pet? Email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk. or contact Ipswich Evening Star