Submitted by Captain Qahn on
"From the steam engine to the power of plasmas"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09t9txy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvESV234lg0
Spose I ought to take a meter reading... ;-0
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63147947
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/interpreting-5-ancient-con...
Grrr...
"No matter where we were or how we stood or what time of day, all day, every day, there were always long shadows — crazy long shadows."
https://climate.nasa.gov/ask-nasa-climate/2594/sun-and-sky-snow-and-ice/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMiKyfd6hA0
"Locating Polaris is easy on any clear night. Just find the Big Dipper. The two stars on the end of the Dipper's "cup" point the way to Polaris, which is the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, or the tail of the little bear in the constellation Ursa Minor."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzZn31gd_Jc
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/1944/what-is-the-north-star-and-how-do...
"If the albedo were to decrease, temperature would rise..."
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/09/beam-me-down-can-solar-p...
15 Comments
Hibernation Mode?
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"The first thing that hits you is the scale. Have so many bricks ever been piled up like this anywhere else? It’s a cliff, a behemoth, a Babylonian monolith. Up close, you keep recalibrating your sense of proportion, like a confused camera lens, not quite believing what you see."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNhhAEupU4g
"Although longevity would also be heavily dependent on the continued good operation of the telescope's systems and, in particular, its four instruments."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYGUai7PNc
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63084707
"We spoke to each team member and asked them about what they were interested in working on next."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGstM8QMCjQ
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/oct/09/battersea-power-sta...
A 'Herculean' Task
Submitted by Captain Qahn on
"People tend not to realise that all these seemingly insignificant items have a lot of value and together at a global level represent massive volumes," WEEE director general Pascal Leroy said."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63245150
"There are an estimated 16 billion mobile phones worldwide - and in Europe, almost a third are no longer in use."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMZ3hIXG5w8
"More than three times the quantity of steel used to construct the Eiffel Tower has been used in the rebuild, the developers say."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S89K49BeBU
"... on the plus side, he did refrain from saying “WTF”"
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/oct/23/labour-keir-starme...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcGRLB-Tlnc
"“In line with long established practice to avoid prejudice to law enforcement activity, we can neither confirm nor deny any investigation into this matter.”"
Boracite.
I simply lurrve a good old Variety Show.... but that would be rather ambitious of you.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg4p02lvd0o
Skyora & the Skylark
Submitted by Captain Qahn on
“The problem for Liz Truss is that her anti-clean-power dogma is now catching up with her.”
Labour is to say that blocking solar would “rob the UK of potential for cheap power that could bring down bills for households” and tell voters that even before the Ukraine crisis, new solar was a quarter of the price of gas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lENeYlzXavk
"Based on what we have achieved here, we remain confident of achieving our objective of a full vertical orbital launch from UK soil in 2023."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/13/labour-vows-to-trebl...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80sSbLzSuak
"Horizontal" rocketry is about to begin..."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/14/markets-take-back-...
lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pm0ziZ-DzY
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/investing-in-sport-and-culture-...
"But how will the sharp-elbowed among us advance their careers, with no one to dig their funny bones into? They’ll have to kick their way to the top.
Do say: “If you can hear me calling you an idiot under my breath, you’re too close.”
Don’t say: “This office is bigger than my flat. Would it be OK if I worked from home and slept here?”"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SEaSW1jtnQ
Mind the Gaps.
'Tinkering & Technology'
Submitted by Captain Qahn on
"The $3bn (£2.6bn) Chinese-funded and operated railway line is Kenya's biggest infrastructure project since independence in 1963."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/05/potatoes-future-clim...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OMmvON_DA
"As usual, the wearing of suitably celebratory celestial attire is encouraged in honor of the full Moon."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWNOLqs1IPQ
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-63494211
Reality in Retrospect
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"What drove the mass breakout at the world's largest assembly line for Apple computers was fear, panic and ignorance."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-63481793
"“As that brilliantly bigoted and crusty old columnist, John Junor, once cannily observed: ‘Laddie, you don’t ever want to shoot the fox. Once the fox is dead there is nothing left to chase.’"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MByhY6aSUo
"On a tough day, you can find yourself staring down the barrel of the next 18 years, wondering if you’ve got what it takes."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5_15D7XCNc
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/nov/08/mews-peter-barber-s...
Neom.
"... the track and ramps built without permission on council land in Northstead would be very costly to dismantle."
Oh.
"The first three letters from the Ancient Greek prefix neo-meaning "new". The fourth letter is from the abbreviation of Mostaqbal, an arabic word meaning "future"."
"Scarborough Borough Council's planning committee rejected plans to covert the former Argos building into student accommodation this time last year. Concerns were raised over parking arrangements and health care provision, but the reason for the rejection came down to the buildings size and outward design."
https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/call-for-better-student...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X342hsfgEv0
"“There is no housing shortage. There are over 400,000 empty homes in the UK, and about 200,000 homeless people. The vast majority of empty homes are in parts of the country which have become depopulated because of economic decline – in the Midlands, the north, and coastal cities. So the solution to the housing crisis isn’t building tons of homes. It’s about reviving the economy in those places, launching a massive retrofit campaign, and bringing people back.”"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63583081
“I don’t think I’d last a minute in politics,” he laughs. “I just say what I think too much.”
The Marconi Company.
"The record of Manchester's pioneering children's programme reveals that on 15 November 1922, Miss A Bennie, known as The Lady of the Magic Carpet, read The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZCtHtmYw0&list=PLPTBbEwEawMK7dsll4XRq1...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63715388
A Nut Cracker Suite
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"The message from COP27 is that everyone has a role to play in effectively implementing the ambitious climate action required to meet the urgent needs of the planet."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/21/no-choice-hydrogen-h...
Hmm ...
"This is why you don't disrespect historic Mayan Pyramids."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbFma8Bd-AI
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-63720545
lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxbzb8XXiGQ
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23146461.hats-off-minster-wanting-put-s...
The Lord Mayor's Walk
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
They'd left the Pulp It Box on ... along with all the other Audio stuff ... and as tempting as it maybe... Dr Who style there was a Theatre practice in production whereby the 'Romans' would sit in Judgement and throw sticks at each other...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5sTIGLo79g
Anyone for B & Q ?
York Minster was kinda Strange ;-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3m3Cewrpp8
They have this Dooms Day stone and I was kinda hoping the 'bishop' (Vicar of Dibley) was gonna climb aboard the advent Calender and swing it, but hey ho. ..
Wot North Yorkshire needs in my humbly bumbly is a CIty.
It was packed.
Parking: That Mick Lynch place ... (York Railway)
Proper shops and everything. I particular liked that Coat. It was made from proper wool ... give or take a few moths.
Best place to shop: Sahara (Swinegate)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRuUnXjMxZ0
And, that Constantine figure had boots with Lion's on.... well they were more like kind of Sandals ... but with Lion's on !! And !! They were Knee length.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hampshire-63763070
Best not mention Frogs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrznwpD-2tk
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/27/candle-fever-strikes-as-bl...
Best place to Eat: Lucky Days (Shambles)
"“Breathe in!” demanded an automated Japanese-American woman’s voice. Then, “Breathe out!”"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-63735816
"Other than this, it was pure bliss."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wfpXI5PKlw
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/22/in-the-war-between...
Rumour has it, Betty's has big plans for our Town Hall... and that's why they need a 'larger' Museum.
Do Keep Up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ro0FW9Qt-4
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/22/in-the-war-between...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pQBEa4zRMw
East meets West
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/28/helena-bonham-carter-defend...
Spose you wanted the Aretha Franklyn version ;-)
"It is proposed that town and parish councils are able to choose what they would like to be considered, rather than being invited to choose from a limited list determined in advance.
Councils will need to apply before the end of March next year."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63757443
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W29xpRD0BwE
Bless.
Oddly Enuff the 'Northern Tower' was the Eastern ...
But then you'd know that if you actually bought a ticket... cos you're entitled to a Tour Guide and erm you can revisit... Martini Style.
"Simply putting it into a computer and telling the computer to work it out would literally have taken longer than the history of the universe!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1KZOSGIOUM
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23152547.crowded-christmas-market-too-d...
Wot a lovely Day Off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fg5iWmQjwk
Crawls Back into Cave...
Apparently according to the Doomstone, 'Frogs & Toads' were considered Magical creatures.
Yawwn...
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/27/atlantis-lost-civilisati...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHaetZ-Vu8Y
Sleep Tight.
'Residential Density'
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"A borough council committee yesterday backed a proposal to sell the council owned site for redevelopment, the proposal will now go to the cabinet for "in principle" approval.
Closed for several years, the site has been targeted by vandals and trespassers and the authority is hoping that the sale of the site will preserve the buildings and tennis facilities as well as balance its £1.8m of “outstanding finance”.
Part of the sports centre is likely to be redeveloped into 24 dwellings, but some aspects of the site would be preserved, with the Pavilion being reused by Scarborough College and Sport England insisting that Tennis courts must be present."
https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/filey-road-sports-centr...
Dig Deep... ;-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXcSD5CRK60
Adieu.
"“The society believes that a plan should be developed for the creation of a new town museum in the Town Hall by obtaining grant funding to expand Scarborough Museum and Galleries.”...
"The campaign has been given a boost by Scarborough & Whitby MP, Sir Robert Goodwilll, who said: “The Town Hall is a major feature of Scarborough’s heritage and should be retained as a civic asset.”"
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/nov/28/north-york-moors-national...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YXndDDjlxE
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23157773.van-gogh-immersive-experience-...
How Convenient.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxiwlSshZPM
Space Saving...
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23158947.letter-minster-roof-solar-pane....
A Time Capsule.
"Although it is not ideal to hide so much energy to produce these panels, they are still an ‘investment’ in terms of energy."
Not the place to go if you like blowing out Candles...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCJ5eNQ1c2s
""I'm really hoping these calls, particularly these threatened species, actually, ignite the spark in people to make sure that future generations can hear these calls and we don't rob them of that opportunity."
Off Limits
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"We're looking at this collection of stars as it was a mere 325 million years after the Big Bang."
"... campaigners say that the majority of wild campers are respectful, and that the minority who are breaking these rules would camp anyway even if it was outlawed. They argue that the right to wild camp is precious and should not be taken away."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63919257
"Although North Yorkshire and York’s combined population totals significantly above 800,000 residents, Mr Farrar described the 1,750 replies to the consultation so far as “a really good response rate” compared to similar devolution surveys in other areas."
https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/more-powers-for-north-y...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ8i0Mxojqs
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/10/wild-campers-protest...
'Inglorious Alternatives'
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"The High Court hearing in London is the first test of a major ruling in June that raised doubts that any new fossil fuel project could be approved in the UK. The head of the mining company sat side-by-side in court with the climate campaigners that want to stop him opening the UK’s first deep coal mine in 30 years."
"Labour opposed the Whitehaven project in opposition and instead of defending it in court, the new government walked away from the case last week, citing an “error in law”."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/22/fresh-from-his-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYOQDnWFXYI
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp68949n013o
"They also said the mine could not correctly claim that by digging coal in the UK, it would substitute coal mined in other parts of the world, meaning there would be no extra greenhouse gas emissions globally."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POZlJAZsok
""I love the images," he said. "I love words and storytelling and I love the way that you can have this engagement that overlays. And so you can look at the art and then you can follow the story.""
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ4i-QbXG54
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c728ven2v9eo
Nope, there's Nothing new There then.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/07/cornish-tin-was-sold-all...
Never, Gives Up.
'Dry & Crisp'
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"“If you live where I grew up, which is subtopical, you don’t see so many shadows. The sun is directly hitting the ground. You see vibrant color, in food, in houses and in signage,” she said. “And I felt that was not just a choice, not just a celebration of the form. It’s actually what we see. If you are closer to the equator, you see stronger color... she painted the mountains so sharp, and that’s because there’s no water in the air, so you get to see really far.”!"
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/ng-interactive/2025/may/04/land...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JSahEDRjvw
"... nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries ..."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8q6nv91x4o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsdy_rct6uo
Hypocrisy in Action.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/05/life-for-the-displa...
""It's one of those little winks to the audience that I like to include during the season.""
Those Bristol Chandeliers Light Up the Candle in Your Eyes. ..
""The “right to a jury” is a hangover from a medieval entitlement to judgment by one’s “peers” over the whim of an unelected manorial lord or other authority.""
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/may/04/how-ticketmaster-swallowed...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFuYIi5-igc
https://newsthump.com/2026/03/27/relief-as-coast-to-coast-walking-trail-...
'Pebble Dash'
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
Titans of Steam.
Serial Nos.... 2392...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxzqv21p45o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDD7t2Mj_aQ&list=RDhDD7t2Mj_aQ&start_rad...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/26/national-railway-museum-...
Oh Happy Days.
https://www.nymr.co.uk/j27-locomotive-65894-ner-p3-2392
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l5BBGaxBAU&list=RD1l5BBGaxBAU&start_rad...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx25d2pqz3go
It's not my fault if you never had me down as a Trainspotter. ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc1_9uNuDe0&list=RDjc1_9uNuDe0&start_rad...
Anoraks at the Ready.
https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/north-yorkshire-moors-r...
"The visiting engines were given a warm Yorkshire welcome and were part of an extensive timetable alongside the NYMR’s home fleet, including Black 5 No. 5428 'Eric Treacy', SR Schools No. 926 'Repton', Lambton Tank No. 29 'Peggy', Cockerill No. 8 'Lucie', and BR Standard 4 Tank No. 80136 which was renumbered for the Annual Steam Gala as No. 80116. The original No. 80116 hauled the last train from Middlesbrough to Whitby West Cliff, carrying the 'The Economist' headboard."
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/sep/29/oil-industry-paperw...
"“If you think about where the oil is, what mineral resources are required to maintain these relationships, they’re revealed as very flimsy."
I was having a Wobble.
Apparently... 67% of the population would like to bring back Woolworths.
https://yougov.co.uk/consumer/articles/43447-half-britons-wish-they-coul...
Thank Fook for That.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/08/a-rats-to-riches-story-...
Sleep Tight.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy40qk7v938o
"In western Paraná, Brazil, the Avá Guarani people have lost much of their ancestral lands to vast soy plantations. Agribusiness came and destroyed everything - our rivers, our forests, our food," said Karai Okaju, an Avá Guarani leader. "The land is sick. It cannot breathe."
The community has established a link with Wales, alongside the Wampís nation from Peru, whose leaders recently visited the Senedd to meet with ministers."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI-5uv4wryI
"High in phosphorus, it can become a problem when excess nutrients from animal manure leaches into rivers and groundwater."
One Day Rodders... ;-0
I dare not Hook.
Anyhoos.. we Started so we will Finnish.
Nope, Nothing Unusual there Then...
Once More Unto the Bridge.
'Villages Vexed'
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
""If I am not amiss, this pond 'lake' is in the countryside in a rural setting," he said. "Festooned lighting hanging along a 'proposed bridge'... spotlights, is this really Great Tew or have I mistaken this area for Blackpool?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMS51a8HX80
"Most of the bottles are Villa Maria, which costs £10.75 in the nearest supermarket and is said to pair well with seafood and tangy goat's cheese. Villagers, however, have warned about the danger to runners, horse riders and farmers who cut the long grass on the verges for hay."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL0UgdiDL00
"By 1834, Thomas Joyce had turned his attention to large public clocks for churches and civic buildings. His company later manufactured an escapement mechanism which was used in the Great Clock at the Palace of Westminster, otherwise known as Big Ben."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3ex1v11nwyo
According to Smith of Derby, its most ambitious project came in 1927. That was the year the company built the clock mechanism for Shanghai's Customs House on the Bund. To this day, it remains the largest mechanical clock in Asia."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/science/space/nasa-astronaut-medical-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3Vdo5etCQ&list=RDTR3Vdo5etCQ&start_rad...
""It was so obvious to me that when you build a set of AI systems to maximise things like clicks and likes and shares and angry faces and things like that, what you're doing is designing AI to addict people," he said."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8135ny182o
lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akvRTybPbBE
'Under Mining'
Submitted by Captain Qalypso on
"Meaningful progress in any negotiation is unlikely to take place without a ceasefire first, according to a regional official familiar with the discussions."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cvg3pdgyvdzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Iafh8v7lmg
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/02/donald-trump-iran-...
"Known as a free-return lunar trajectory, this route takes advantage of gravity from the Earth and moon, reducing the need for fuel. It’s a figure-of-eight path that will put the astronauts on course for home, once they emerge from behind the moon."
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/07/artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-b...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou96vLl--e4&list=RDOu96vLl--e4&start_rad...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj60nkd8nrko
Nope, it just makes me wonder how they got there in the First Place.
I doubt, Anyone slept peacefully last night.
Sleep Tight.