Great poem from Invictus

Great film Invictus. The apartheid system was as evil as it was inhuman and this scene from the movie is easily the best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FozhZHuAcCs

Jared Diamond: Great Author!

Jared Diamond is an awesome author, and I really enjoyed his book 'Collapse'. I have also been reading his book 'Guns, Germs and Steel', and found it to be just as enjoyable as his last offering. It is a shame that his books are seen airport novels, and as a keen traveller, I see his stuff on offer a lot. Note: Please do not confuse Jared DIAMOND with Jared Taylor, who is an extremist author I wouldn't give the time of day to. Some people seem to have mixed up which Jared I am a fan of, and you'd better believe its Diamond and not Taylor.

African puppets song

Most of you have seen the African puppets dancing in the street viral video. Most people want to know the song in the background. You're welcome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8XnNMjAgjo&feature=relmfu

World Trade Centre being rebuilt

Good to see progress is coming along nicely on the new World Trade Center. I look forward to standing on it one day http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/september-11-attacks/9536698/Webcams-capture-two-years-of-World-Trade-Center-reconstruction.html

South Africa

I'd quite like to visit there one day. However I am concerned about the crime situation. However, at least the inhuman and immoral system of apartheid is gone. One thing I'll say about South Africa is they produce great music, such as the offering below.

This never gets old...

America: you have done the world a great service

African Food

Had African food for the first time ever in the Matonge district of Brussels last night. Little bit heavy on the lemon, but otherwise an ok meal.

Happy St George's Day

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy St George's Day!

Possum raids a bakery

I remember reading that the police in Australia often have trouble with criminals, because koalas have almost identical fingerprints to humans. I wonder if that applies to possums too. This is because this story tells of how a possum raided a bakery and then gorged itself on cakes, pastries and tarts. As one does.

Batman helps Brazilian police

Crime is a major issue in many countries, especially poorer ones. Brazil is a fabulous country that is sadly scarred by violence, and the police in Brazil are in danger of constant violent attack. It would appear that the Brazilian police have a new helper: Batman. Or as this story explains, a retired policeman who goes around in a batman costume. Those drug gangs better watch out.

Long hair

I used to have reasonably long hair. It was motivated by two things: firstly, I was very into heavy metal, and it went with that scene. Secondly, at university I could never afford a haircut. Needless to say, my hair is a much more manageable length now.

I was reading this story that a BOY has finally been given permission by his parents to have a haircut. One thing I'll give my parents, they always insisted I look presentable. I waited until I went to uni to have the outrageous appearance phase.

Monsieur la Cravatte

I bought some brightly coloured ties on amazon.co.uk the other day. Marvelous stuff, very bright, with a pocket handkerchief to match. Now by bright, I mean bright. So bright you could probably use them to guide aircraft in to land at night. The other night I had a meal in the splendid 'Sapin au Rocher' restaurant near Homme de Fer station in Strasbourg, which I had been in the previous month. Apparently the staff their recognised me, and know me as "Monsieur la Cravatte" (Mister Tie) on the grounds my ties are so bright/offensive.

I don't think I have ever been so proud!

Titanic: sunk by unusual moon behaviour and tides?

The sinking of the Titanic was undoubtedly one of the greatest human tragedies of the 20th century. I remember reading a book a few years ago that suggested a cursed Egyptian pharaoh mummy was being carried in the hold cargo causing it to sink, but I suspect this may be an urban legend. Today, another culprit was suggested: the moon. Apparently, according to this article, the moon caused higher tides than usual, allowing ice bergs of an unusually deadly type to flow into the shipping lanes. The captain of the Titanic was the most experienced skipper in the White Star Line, so it has always puzzled researchers as to how he ended up hitting an iceberg. Maybe the moon created conditions no one could have predicted.

Shark feeding frenzy

There is something about the words 'shark feeding frenzy' in a headline that has the ability to make you reconsider that beach holiday you were planning, isn't there? Anyway, this story shows the sight of sharks feeding on mass, captured on camera. Damn nature, you scary!

Let them eat cake: all 8 metres of it!

I will confess something. I have a sweet tooth. In fact, I have a major sweet tooth. If you give me a box of chocolates on Christmas morning, by the time its Christmas lunch time, the box is gone. When I go out in Brussels for lunch, no meal is complete without dame blanche ice cream. So imagine my excitement when I saw that in Luoyang in Henan Province, China, they have baked an eight metre high cake.

That would take me anything up to several minutes to finish.

Wooly Mammoths

I have a guilty confession. I secretly enjoy watching the 'Ice Age' cartoons. I even went to see Ice Age 3 in the cinema in Brussels. Purely to improve my French of course. I was always fascinated by sabre tooth tigers and mammoths as a kid, and enjoyed seeing a wooly mammoth exhibition at the Anchorage Museum when I was in Alaska last year. Speaking of mammoths, footage emerged recently of a reported mammoth sighting in Siberia. See what you think



There needs to be a X-Files style poster with the Ice Age mammoth on it saying 'I want to believe'

Skegness

Had a splendid time at the UKIP Spring Conference in Skegness. Particularly encouraging was the number of younger members there. We also had speeches from great speakers, including the inspirational Chris Woodhead, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease. Always been very inspired by the courage of people living with that illness.

One thing that I liked about Skegness was the food. They had a wonderful roast carvery opposite the conference venue. My guest house, the excellent Clarendon lodge, also provided a great English breakfast.