A brief review of David Whitehouse’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”
INTRODUCTION
This post is a review of David Whitehouse’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, the title of which comes from the Jules Verne classic. The title of the post refers to the distance and time span covered by this small book.
TRUTH OFT IS STRANGER THAN FICTION
That certainly applies to the comparison between Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and David Whitehouse’s modern factual version. Whitehouse also provides a short comparison between the journey described in this book and its equivalent on other planets in our solar system.
As well as a story that holds the attention all the way through, the book contains some excellent illustrations, a few of which I now reproduce…
As the folks at Faradays Candle have it “It’s an amazing world of science…let’s go exploring!” This little book does just that and the journey is splendid.
An account of this weekend’s six nations action plus some pictures and some links.
INTRODUCTION
The third weekend of the six nations rugby tournament is done and dusted. As indicated in the title I also have some links and pictures to share.
THE SIX NATIONS
On Friday night Wales took on France at the Principality (nee Millennium) Stadium. Yesterday’s two matches featured Italy versus Scotland at Stadio Olimpico and England versus Ireland at Twickenham.
WALES V FRANCE
Wales came into this match with one win and one draw to their name, France with wins over Scotland and Italy (a record which flattered them – given a decent kicker Italy would have beaten them and they were not convincing in the second game either). The match was fairly close throughout, and not of the highest quality. The Welsh emerged victorious and thus temporarily sat at the top of the table.
ITALY V SCOTLAND
Since Italy were included in the tournament, making it the Six Nations, these two sides have accrued 14 wooden spoons between them (Italy 10, Scotland 4) and few would bet against one or other adding to that tally this year. Often of late Italy have come to grief in the kicking department (see above) so it was ironic that on a day when Kelly Haimona was flawless with the boot they were well beaten, and are now very likely to finish bottom.
ENGLAND V IRELAND
England came into this match having won both games, unconvincingly against Scotland in the Calcutta Cup match and very comfortably against Italy. Ireland, winners in 2014 and 2015 had started with a draw and a defeat. England dominated the first half but failed to register the points to reflect that, and when James Haskell got himself sin-binned (for the fifth time in his international career) defeat was more than a possibility. However England were only one point behind when Haskell was able to rejoin the action, and two converted tries in a short space of time thereafter put them 13 points ahead. Although Ireland pressed hard in the closing stages England had done enough and on the balance of play over the whole 80 minutes their victory was well deserved.
THE TOURNAMENT SO FAR
England now lead with three wins from three games, Wales are second, and France third, with Scotland currently fourth, Ireland fifth and Italy sixth. England and Wales face each other in their next match, and the winner of that will be a strong favourite for the trophy, with France likely to finish third. Ireland, Scotland and Italy are fighting out the bottom half of the table. Thus far the quality of the play has not been especially high.
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERLUDE
After a big chunk of text, here are some pictures…
This is the frontage of the Royal Arcade, Norwich
The back of the Guildhall – the work is nearly complete.
LINKS
Although there are not that many of them I am splitting these links into sections, starting with:
A link to a very interesting piece about Asteroid 2013 TX68, accompanied by an image:
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Three links, and also three pictures, the latter showing how I have combined two metal badges to make a composite public transport badge. Since I am talking about public transport, here is a reminder of my London transport themed website, www.londontu.be on which I have already posted two of the links.
Citymetric expose in great detail the lack of a business case for the controversial garden bridge.
Following on from the previous link, change.org are running a petition against the building of the garden bridge – please sign and share.
This is a signpost to Richard Murphy’s summary of a talk he recently gave in Orlando. It is not open for comments as these should be directed to the source.
The links below take you to Richard Murphy’s outline of a talk he gave in Orlando recently. The main link is to the straight text version, the subsidiary link is to a mind map. I am closing this post to comments because I want all feedback to go the original.
A pointer to an article in the EDP that highlights a grave failing in Norfolk, along with raising the possibility of submitting an appropriately worded FOI request.
INTRODUCTION
A single issue post here – I may put another more general one later today…
I wonder how many of these pupils were autistic or had autistic traits.
Since this post is written with my NAS West Norfolk hat on, I conclude with a reminder that we are holding a Postive Autism Awareness Conference at the Dukes Head, Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn on April 15th.
The venue for the Positive Autism Awareness Conference.
This post is about today at work. There was a lot of imaging to do for the cover of our March catalogue (auction takes place at Fakenham Racecourse on the 30th and 31st March), also a van to be loaded up with stuff for tomorrow’s auction, and I also got a few other lots imaged.
THE COVER IMAGES
The images for the cover of this catalogue spanned a great range of items, some of which I had already imaged but most of which needed doing today. The early lots to feature are 83, 110, 124 and 135, one a framed photograph and the other three military items…
Lot 83Lot 110
Both sides of lot 124
The naming on the rim of lot 124Lot 136
Next we come to a selection of…
SMALL COINS
These coins, the first of which is lot 209 and the last 269, we done using the scanner at high resolution – and for safety I did both faces of each coin and assembled composite images.
Lot 209
Lot 217
Lot 220
Lot 225
Lot 227
Lot 231
Lot 241
Lot 242
Lot 243
246
Lot 238
Lot 269
We next have three items of ephemera, nos 301, 311 and 359:
311 – five images in total
359
We then come to four images of…
SPEEDWAY MEMORABILIA
Lot 420Lot 421An extract from Lot 422A second image of the extract from 422A single badge from lot 423
The last of the new images needed for the front cover were of…
A TOY, SOME PROOF COINS AND A JAPANESE MEDAL
The toy is lot 562, and I was particularly pleased by this choice for reasons that will be instantly obvious to anyone familiar with this blog! The Japanese medal is lot 686, part of small run of militaria in among the proof coins, of which lots 665 and 728 were also to feature on the cover.
I was particularly pleased that this toy (lot 562) was chosen to feature in our catalogue!
The full gallery for lot 665 starts here (six images total)
Lot 686
Lot 728
A HANDFUL OF GENERAL IMAGES TO END
The non-cover images I did today were less special, but a few are worth sharing:
An MCC tobacco pouch? Yes – at one time smokers versus non-smokers was a regular fixture.Lot 442(two images)
Our first building of the day is sadly not being used for anything. It used, in the days when such things existed to be our main Post Office (we now have the services of a few cashiers at WHSmith instead), and no subsequent use has been found for it.
Now we have some buildings near the train station…
The first of the two pictures I combined to make the ‘juxtaposition image’
The Fenman Pub – there is lots of railway memorabilia inside (it is directly opposite the station)St John’s Vicarage
From here, since we are at the start of St John’s Walk, we enter the parkland area…
The Guanock Gate
The South Gate.
On our way from the South Gate to the Great Ouse we get a glimpse of the Baptist Church.
Looking across the river, we get a glimpse of West Lynn Church (one can use the ferry if one wishes to get closer, or walk down to the road bridge and cross there)
Near Marriott’s Warehouse one can see the Rathskellar wine bar…
The Rathskeller, with a side wall of Marriott’s in the background.
We finish this section with a few quirky images from the town centre.
In spite of the size of this poster the map is next to useless – I know the Hardwick Sainsbury’s well, but could not find it using that map.The side of Boot’s .Close up of the metalwork.The top of the guildhall. The green structure projects the light show on to King’s Lynn Minster at night.
GAYWOOD AND PLANNING PERMISSION
My aunt had noticed a cause for concern in a planning application for something in Gaywood, and as we were heading for Sunday lunch with my parents in East Rudham anyway we went via Gaywood. We actually saw no evidence there of the planning application that had caused the concern, but did see another, for an extension of the pub. The original planning application that had been brought to my aunt’s attention was for a small new build, and these photos from the area in question show, a plain concrete box which is what apparently was on the table would have been very inappropriate.
The planning application that was on display in GaywoodTwo brick houses with distinctive features.
Trees that may i danger of being knocked down.Not brick and flint, but (like the library) brick and Carr.
A PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT HEDGEHOGS
Dedicated followers of this blog will know that yesterday I put up a post supporting a team4nature thunderclap. I am finishing this post by linking to an official petition to the UK government to give hedgehogs better protection. The petition can be viewed here (note and apology to my international followers – you have to be a British citizen to sign petitions on this site).
Please apply pressure to Sadiq Khan (for all that I support Sian Berry in this contest he is the most likely winner of the London mayoral elections) by following DPAC’s advice on the link below:
An extended signpost to a very detailed article about London mayoral candidate Sian Berry’s latest excellent idea.
INTRODUCTION
This is yet another excellent proposal from London mayoral candidate Sian Berry. For the rest of this post I will give you the introductory paragraphs of the article from http://www.power-technology.com, the picture that appears at the top of the article, and a link to the full article.
THE ARTICLE
The article, which appears under the heading “Green Party’s mayoral candidate proposes new clean energy company for London” starts as follows:
The Green Party’s mayoral candidate Sian Berry has announced plans to set up a new renewable energy company that will operate as a subsidiary of the UK’s Transport for London (TfL).
The proposal, which is part of the party’s 2015 London Mayor campaign, aims to reverse government attacks on solar power by setting out clear plans for a major expansion of renewable technology across London.
The London Energy Company would help the city to source 20% of its electricity needs from solar power alone.
By investing in other renewable technologies, the company is expected to deliver at least 30% of London’s energy needs from zero or low-carbon sources by 2030.
Sian Berry said: “There is huge potential in London for a wide range of low and zero-carbon technologies to be used to generate heat and electricity from the sun, wind, ground and air using heat pumps, gas created from waste, and from London’s tides and river flows.”
The clean electricity generated will be used to power Crossrails operations.
Links and a picture relating to a very interesting piece in the Guardian.
This comes courtesy of the Guardian, to whose piece I link below. The site of the discovery is near Peterborough, approximately one and a half hours bus ride from my home in King’s Lynn. To draw you in further, here is the picture together with link:
Acknolwegdements to the Guardian and Joe Giddens of PA for the photograph: https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/504b9161dfed899dcf1705869127939a832a7581/0_78_3500_2099/master/3500.jpg?w=620&q=85&auto=format&sharp=10&s=58b1f7b9358dac7b73b4bba211cc3400
aspiblog 