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BLUE PETER SETS SAIL ON NEW COURSE TO MANCHESTER (Adrian)
It’s the end of an era today as legendary children’s TV programme Blue Peter makes its final broadcast from the BBC’S Television Centre in London before decamping to the grim North.
The show has been broadcast from London for more than 50 years but, due to the relocation of several BBC departments, it will return from its summer break in new surroundings at the corporation’s studios in Salford, Manchester. The famous Blue Peter garden will also be moving to Manchester and is likely to take a spot on the roof at the studios.
Inevitably purists will claim that the show will not be the same when it moves away from the famous Shepherds Bush building, but I think this is a good sign that the BBC is committed to spreading itself further around the UK. For too long it has been embedded and focussed on the metropolis of London, so it is about time that other areas got the same treatment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13937621
ALL FUR COAT, NAE KNICKERS? (Andrea)
You’d think the police would be able to spot a fur coat stuffed down someone’s knickers, wouldn’t you? Well a crafty woman in Ohio, US, did exactly that and managed to hide the $4,000 garment from them for three days whilst they interrogated her. Apparently she modified her underwear to fit the coat in – let’s just hope it wasn’t a hot day. There’s even a video of the act caught on CCTV so you can also check that out, if you so desire.
http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Thief_hid_fur_coat_in_pants_for_three_days
TRAVEL ETIQUETTE 101 (Eleanor)
Whether you’ve planned a backpacking soul search or a city break to Rome, it is important to remember that body language and hand signals really change across Europe and almost certainly around the world. Tell us something we don’t know, I hear you sigh, but a-ha! I cry.
The lovely link below is to an inspired, and obviously simplified, list of ten gestures or actions not to do in certain countries from those travel gurus at Lonely Planet. But that isn’t the best part. Check out the comments underneath. All 50-odd of them. Some are priceless. Look out for the obnoxious Texan and the sexually defensive Italian. It’s all a little bizarre. Thank you, Lonely Planet, thank you.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/travel-tips-and-articles/76514
A BRAND NEW ROAD THERE FOR MY CONVENIENCE (Pamela)
I can understand the apprehension about the M74. It is extremely rare for construction work to go to plan, let alone for it to be finished early. But I declare my support for the motorway extension! From now one I’m having driving thoughts of cutting out the Kingston Bridge and getting through to Glasgow without having to deviate. Congestion will be a lot better too, as you can lose an hour sitting in traffic in the rush hour.
It has enormous potential to make car journeys easier and I’m looking forward to using it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13902980
CHECK AT MY NEW ‘PUMICE’ (Eleanor)
I’ve never owned a BlackBerry handset. Or an iPhone for that matter. Friends of mine work for Apple though, so there is the regular PC vs MacBook debate. But I’m sticking to my 5-year old Sony Vaio guns, stubborn as I am.
So I was intrigued by this response in the Telegraph to BlackBerry’s new tablet. While many people I know swear by their BlackBerry’s, I must admit Tom Chivers makes some good points. It is one of the few must-have phones still designed with buttons. And what is it with naming technological devices after types of fruit? Just some food for thought for you…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/blackberry/8594627/BlackBerry-in-trouble-five-reasons-why.html
