Rolls-Royce Move Into Tidal Power
It is being reported that Rolls-Royce has moved into tidal power generation after the acquisition of Tidal Generation Ltd. There are some details here.
I know I keep bringing the Balaena up on this blog. But this surely is another place where the technology could be used. An appropriately sized column-like Balaena could be an ideal mount for the turbine.
Farce Start
What is going on at the World Athletic Chanmpionships in Daegu?
For a start there is no live pictures in the UK and we have to do with just the radio commentary.
I’ve just found that the pictures have been on Channel 4, but as I never watch that channel normally, how was I to know? I didn’t see anything in the papers and searching for details on the Internet didn’t seem to work.
Would I have watched it, if I’d found it? Probably the pictures only, with sound from BBC Radio 5.
But the starts of the various races seem to be bordering on the farcical. Here’s a typical report.
Let’s hope they all get this sorted by the Olympics next ear!
West Bengal To Change Name
I really don’t care what the Indian state of West Bengal is called, but it would appear that they are thinking of changing the name because the W put it at the bottom of lists of Indian states, so they get less inward investment. The Times of India report it here.
The interesting point though is that being at the bottom alphabetically a bad thing? Do more Prime Ministers and Presidents have names beginning with A, B or C say?
Along The River Lea To Lea Bridge
The River Lea has the reputation of being a rather stagnant open sewer in the east of London.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
And Here’s A Video
No visit to a museum like Markfield is complete without seeing the machine fully working.
Note how getting a machine like this going, isn’t just a simple matter of flicking a switch, but often involves quite a bit of physical work and gentle coaxing.
Two Proper Cups of Tea
The picture shows the two cups of tea we bought at the Markfield Museum.
Two Proper Cups of Tea
They had lots of things to eat, but not much that was gluten-free. The cafe also has free wi-fi, which is a must these days and seems to be in any pub or cafe worth visiting.
The Markfield Beam Engine
The Markfield Beam Engine sits in a park in Tottenham with a cafe and a rose garden.
It is well worth a visit.
G4S Tags Offender’s False Leg
I like this story.
The offender’s surname was Lowcock, so perhaps G4S should have realised he wasn’t your normal customer.
Perhaps they should tag criminals round the neck, with an electronic sign on the front, detailing their offences!
Bicycle Helmets
I don’t like them for myself, just as I don’t like wearing a helmet when I ride a horse.
In Halfords on Friday, the manager said that bicycle helmets will soon be compulsory.
I am changing my mind, but not for myself. I get a bit fed up with kids and some older ones riding on the pavements in and out of the pedestrians. Most seem not to be wearing helmets. So perhaps on the spot fines would drive them off the pavements, as it’s not cool to be a nuisance with a helmet on.
The funny thing is that on paths shared by cyclists and walkers, like the Regent’s Canal, there doesn’t seem to be the same problem.
Nimbys and Bananas
An eminent professor of engineering at a top level university has just told me about the term Banana or Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything. Or perhaps Near Anyone.
There are a lot more here in the Wikipedia definition of Nimby.
All of these people are usually members of the Council for the Fossilisation of Rural England.
I of course prefer a scientifically correct approach.
The Anonymous Widower 