Bison to Bedlam
This was the archaeology story for CrossRail, that I mentioned earlier. I took these pictures.
The sad thing was that it is an exhibition for one day only. The work done deserves to be seen by many more. And it would be if it was shown again, as it really drew in the crowd.
The Australians Have Called For The Bus
It’s just gone six and there is at least 30 minutes to go. But the Aussies have had enough, so they’ve called up the team bus.
It looks like they’ll lose by eight wickets. Even the two video replays haven’t helped.
A Good Idea For A Restaurant
This window display took my eye in Upper Street today.
A Good Idea For A Restaurant
Especially as the restaurant is closed on Monday.
Equation Dining Room, Islington
I shall try it for lunch one Sunday. Especially, as it looks like they can do gluten-free.
Amazing 2D
Well! That’s what it says!
Amazing 2D
Anyway with my eyes, I don’t think 3D would work. It’s just an expensive gimmick.
The Old Farts Get It Right
Wimbledon has shown that with a bit of planning, you can avoid the problems of the weather. In 1993, they unveiled a plan to create a venue fit for the 21st century. Now nearly twenty years later, they have completed that plan. Here’s a simplified version of the plan from Wikipedia.
Stage one (1994–1997) of the plan was completed for the 1997 championships and involved building in Aorangi Park the new No. 1 Court, a broadcast centre, two extra grass courts and a tunnel under the hill linking Church Road and Somerset Road.
Stage two (1997–2009) involved the removal of the old No. 1 Court complex to make way for the new Millennium Building, providing extensive facilities for the players, press, officials and members, and the extension of the West Stand of the Centre Court with 728 extra seats.
Stage three (2000–2011) has been completed with the construction of an entrance building, club staff housing, museum, bank and ticket office.
A new retractable roof was built in time for the 2009 championships, marking the first time in the tournament’s history that rain did not stop play for a lengthy time on Centre Court.
A new 4000-seat No. 2 Court was built on the site of the old No. 13 Court in time for the 2009 Championships.
A new 2000-seat No. 3 Court was built on the site of the old No. 2 Court and the old No. 3 Court.
It just shows if you take your care at the planning stage and get everyone on your side, you get a better outcome. The only mistake, they seem to have made was underestimate the success of the roof on Centre Court and not put in provision for a roof on No. 1 Court. I suspect though, that engineers are seeing No. 1 Court as their next challenge.
It is interesting to compare Wimbledon’s progress with the dithering the French have been through about expanding or relocating, the venue for the French Open.
Wimbledon have also had the last laugh, in that they will be hosting the tennis at the London Olympics. What odds can I get on a Federer-Murray final? After all one will be hoping to prolong a winning streak and the other will be looking for revenge.
You Can’t Legislate For Stupid
This little snippet from The Times today, hints at a major row in the state of Utah over gun ownership.
Clouds of smoke blanketed western states in America yesterday as firefighters blamed gun owners for scores of fires.
A furious row erupted after a fire official in Utah said that some gunmen using the forests for target practice “might as well just go up there and strike a match”.
Clark Aposhian, chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, conceded that gun owners were responsible for some forest fires but, citing the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms, he added: “You start banning guns and you’re on a slippery slope.”
Coy Porter, Utah’s chief deputy fire marshal, said legislation for permanent bans might be introduced. “Unfortunately you can’t legislate for stupid,” he added.
Checking this page, which gives worldwide murder statistics, it doesn’t appear that the state has a high homicide rate.
Perhaps, they’re all bad shots, which explains the large amount of fires. But as the fire officer said, you can’t legislate for stupid.
Archaeology In Europe’s Biggest Project
As you can imagine if you dig a hole as large as CrossRail through London, you’ll find things, that history will value.
There’s an exhibition for one day only today. I shall try and go!
The Great British Stand-By
Around ten this morning I received an e-mail saying that the local party in the square will be held provided the weather is not too bad. If it deteriorates, it will be held in the crypt of the church. How very British to use the church instead.
There is also a rumour going around that if the weather gets worse the Olympics will be held in St. Paul’s cathedral.
Why The Weather Is So Bad?
There is a detailed explanation here in the Daily Telegraph. The first paragraph says it all.
The reason the weather is so bad this month is that a so-called jet stream, which lowers air pressure and brings unsettled weather, has become stuck over southern England.
I think it is a case of up the anchors and tow the country south.
But then summers were like this in the 1950s and 1960s. And we survived!
On the other hand we didn’t get all this flooding. But that’s because idiots allowed houses to be built on flood plains.
Even the Olympic Park has been built on a drained swamp, but it has lots of rivers running through it.
The Anonymous Widower 