Luke to Neil: When you were a baby, who was our father?
14 years ago
28 Feb 2009
Guard Mounting
The Changing of the Guard:
Changing of the Guard is one of the oldest and most familiar ceremonies associated with Buckingham Palace.
The proper name of the ceremony known as 'Changing the Guard' is actually Guard Mounting. In this process a New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard and both Guards are drawn from one of the regiments of Foot Guards.
The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from musical shows and even familiar pop songs.
When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building; when she is away there are two.
The Queen's Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins; if they have operational commitments, other infantry units such as the Brigade of Gurkhas take part instead.
Watching the ceremony:
Buckingham Palace - Guard Mounting takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 am, and lasts about 45 minutes. There is no Guard Mounting in very wet weather. During the autumn and winter, Guard Mounting takes place on alternate days, but it is held daily during spring and summer. Buckingham Palace is immediately adjacent to St James's Park and The Green Park.
Horse Guards Arch - the Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11am (10am on Sundays) and lasts about 30 minutes. It is held on Horse Guards Parade by Whitehall, which is located east of St James's Park.
Changing of the Guard is one of the oldest and most familiar ceremonies associated with Buckingham Palace.
The proper name of the ceremony known as 'Changing the Guard' is actually Guard Mounting. In this process a New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard and both Guards are drawn from one of the regiments of Foot Guards.
The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from musical shows and even familiar pop songs.
When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building; when she is away there are two.
The Queen's Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins; if they have operational commitments, other infantry units such as the Brigade of Gurkhas take part instead.
Watching the ceremony:
Buckingham Palace - Guard Mounting takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 am, and lasts about 45 minutes. There is no Guard Mounting in very wet weather. During the autumn and winter, Guard Mounting takes place on alternate days, but it is held daily during spring and summer. Buckingham Palace is immediately adjacent to St James's Park and The Green Park.
Horse Guards Arch - the Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11am (10am on Sundays) and lasts about 30 minutes. It is held on Horse Guards Parade by Whitehall, which is located east of St James's Park.
From TheRoyalChannel at youtube:
Olhos embrulhados
Olhos embrulhados (wrapped up eyes) - that is what Mark calls eyes with make-up. He must have been reading poetry...
Este o mundo
de mistérios
refratários
a microscópios
Este o mundo
de muralhas
inexpugnáveis
a máquinas.
Aqui a noite
opaca e parca
de estrelas.
Aqui os olhos
embrulhados
em dobras e sombras.
Esta a ante-sala:
áspera espera
de outra era.
Ante-sala, de Astrid Cabral
de mistérios
refratários
a microscópios
Este o mundo
de muralhas
inexpugnáveis
a máquinas.
Aqui a noite
opaca e parca
de estrelas.
Aqui os olhos
embrulhados
em dobras e sombras.
Esta a ante-sala:
áspera espera
de outra era.
Ante-sala, de Astrid Cabral
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
Easter Holidays: Superheroes at the V&A Museum of Childhood
Monday 6 - Friday 10 April, 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00
Monday 13 - Friday 17 April, 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Unleash your superpowers during the Easter holidays with two weeks of amazing workshops, trails and arty activities devoted to SUPERHEROES!
Create your own superhero, become a master of disguise or write an action-packed superhero story at one of our creative workshops, track down the Museum's own superheroes using our incredible trail and get creative with lots of superhero-themed arts and crafts activities. Oh, and don't forget to dress up!
Monday 6 - Friday 10 April, 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00
Monday 13 - Friday 17 April, 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Unleash your superpowers during the Easter holidays with two weeks of amazing workshops, trails and arty activities devoted to SUPERHEROES!
Create your own superhero, become a master of disguise or write an action-packed superhero story at one of our creative workshops, track down the Museum's own superheroes using our incredible trail and get creative with lots of superhero-themed arts and crafts activities. Oh, and don't forget to dress up!
Animal Adventure
Animal Adventure at the London Zoo: This Easter ZSL will be launching its new Children's Zoo. This exhibit will provide thousands upon thousands of children with the chance to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of life in the animal kingdom.
Plans for the new Children's Zoo
£2.3m zoo attraction for children unveiled
Hampstead and Highgate Express - Feb 5, 2009
FREEDOM to roam - especially among wild animals - is a privilege unlikely to be given to children nowadays.
But a groundbreaking £2.3million attraction due to open at London Zoo is set to give the nation's little people a rare chance to escape their parents' watchful eyes.
These pictures give the first glimpse of Animal Adventure - a brand new exhibit at the Regent's Park attraction expected to revolutionise the concept of children's zoos.
Gone are the days when youngsters are guided hand-in-hand with their protective guardians to gawp at monkeys and giraffes.
Now they will be given the independence to climb alongside their simian cousins, burrow through underground tunnels and come eyeball-to-eyeball with untamed beasts.
This may sound like risky business but the project's developers assure visitors that all the activities are compliant with government safety guidelines.
The zoo's head of discovery and learning, Malcolm Whitehead, said: "Animal Adventure connects children to animals through magical experiences and imaginative play, helping them develop an understanding and concern for nature.
"Caring for the environment is intrinsic to the nurture and survival of animals.
"By enabling children to empathise with animals and understand the obstacles and advantages of their environments, we hope to foster the beginnings of a lifelong passion for nature and an inkling of the importance of conservation."
Work on the project began in September last year - with children in both Camden and Westminster consulted about the designs.
The construction team is now working round the clock to turn the 6,000 sq ft space into an open-plan animal kingdom for three to 11-year-olds.
It will be split into themed areas, paved with brightly coloured tarmac and surrounded by lush tropical plants.
The entrance leads straight into the Treetop Zone which will be home to coatis - members of the racoon family - and red pandas. Young visitors will be able to view the exotic tree climbers at eye level by clambering up their own set of wooden climbing frames just metres away.
The pint-size adventurers will then have an opportunity to break away from their adult carers in the Root Zone. Leaving their parents on the main path, they can delve into a network of transparent tunnels leading them through the subterranean habitat of aardvarks and mongooses.
They will be reunited with their family in the Encounter Zone where they will be allowed to pet llamas, alpacas, ferrets and even skunks accompanied by their keepers.
A giant splash pool is also being constructed to offer some light relief from the daring escapades and a seven-metre high tepee erected for storytelling sessions.
Animal Adventure is due to launch on April 3 and is expected to host 1,000 visitors per hour once up and running.
Hampstead and Highgate Express - Feb 5, 2009
FREEDOM to roam - especially among wild animals - is a privilege unlikely to be given to children nowadays.
But a groundbreaking £2.3million attraction due to open at London Zoo is set to give the nation's little people a rare chance to escape their parents' watchful eyes.
These pictures give the first glimpse of Animal Adventure - a brand new exhibit at the Regent's Park attraction expected to revolutionise the concept of children's zoos.
Gone are the days when youngsters are guided hand-in-hand with their protective guardians to gawp at monkeys and giraffes.
Now they will be given the independence to climb alongside their simian cousins, burrow through underground tunnels and come eyeball-to-eyeball with untamed beasts.
This may sound like risky business but the project's developers assure visitors that all the activities are compliant with government safety guidelines.
The zoo's head of discovery and learning, Malcolm Whitehead, said: "Animal Adventure connects children to animals through magical experiences and imaginative play, helping them develop an understanding and concern for nature.
"Caring for the environment is intrinsic to the nurture and survival of animals.
"By enabling children to empathise with animals and understand the obstacles and advantages of their environments, we hope to foster the beginnings of a lifelong passion for nature and an inkling of the importance of conservation."
Work on the project began in September last year - with children in both Camden and Westminster consulted about the designs.
The construction team is now working round the clock to turn the 6,000 sq ft space into an open-plan animal kingdom for three to 11-year-olds.
It will be split into themed areas, paved with brightly coloured tarmac and surrounded by lush tropical plants.
The entrance leads straight into the Treetop Zone which will be home to coatis - members of the racoon family - and red pandas. Young visitors will be able to view the exotic tree climbers at eye level by clambering up their own set of wooden climbing frames just metres away.
The pint-size adventurers will then have an opportunity to break away from their adult carers in the Root Zone. Leaving their parents on the main path, they can delve into a network of transparent tunnels leading them through the subterranean habitat of aardvarks and mongooses.
They will be reunited with their family in the Encounter Zone where they will be allowed to pet llamas, alpacas, ferrets and even skunks accompanied by their keepers.
A giant splash pool is also being constructed to offer some light relief from the daring escapades and a seven-metre high tepee erected for storytelling sessions.
Animal Adventure is due to launch on April 3 and is expected to host 1,000 visitors per hour once up and running.
London Zoo Buries An Elephant Tooth Onsite
Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News
London, UK - This 6 inch, 4lbs elephant tooth is just one of the items buried this morning under ZSL London Zoo’s soon to be opened Animal Adventure exhibit.
In a bid to highlight the fact that today’s children are likely to outlive some entire species, a time capsule containing items from endangered animals was placed underneath the £2.3m redevelopment.
The capsule was buried by Bill James one of the Zoo’s longest-serving animal keepers. Bill started work at the Zoo as a 15-year-old in 1966.
Other items included in the capsule include a sea lion skull, Komodo dragon skin, rhino horn shavings and a snake fang.
It’s hoped the capsule will remain buried until 2059.
Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News
London, UK - This 6 inch, 4lbs elephant tooth is just one of the items buried this morning under ZSL London Zoo’s soon to be opened Animal Adventure exhibit.
In a bid to highlight the fact that today’s children are likely to outlive some entire species, a time capsule containing items from endangered animals was placed underneath the £2.3m redevelopment.
The capsule was buried by Bill James one of the Zoo’s longest-serving animal keepers. Bill started work at the Zoo as a 15-year-old in 1966.
Other items included in the capsule include a sea lion skull, Komodo dragon skin, rhino horn shavings and a snake fang.
It’s hoped the capsule will remain buried until 2059.
ZSL Babies 2008, from ZSL at youtube:
27 Feb 2009
The Hayseed Chronicles
Reading a review about Mr Toppit, I was intrigued by all the references to these children bestsellers, The Hayseed Chronicles, that I had never heard of. Now all is revealed...
Imagine if brands such as Persil, Flora or Cadbury had pages of editorial dedicated to their every variant launch. If this were the case, then it's unlikely they would feel compelled to spend the millions they do on advertising. Books are in just that fortunate position through the column inches newspapers and magazines allocate to reviews. Despite this, publishers invest significant sums in marketing for books and their authors.
This is because the market is controlled by large retailers such as Waterstone's, WH Smith, Amazon and Tesco. Before agreeing to stock a book, retailers want assurances that it will be promoted. Although a certain amount of each marketing budget goes towards discounts when you purchase - such as "three for two" offers - publishers do put money behind traditional advertising and online campaigns.
As a rule, there is no real art to book advertising. It's more often than not a poster for the latest sex-and-shopping romcom, thriller, cookbook or celebrity autobiography. Apart from the particular look associated with each genre, the ads almost always fail to tell me very much about their subjects. Also, books can only really do well if they are any good, so word of mouth is the most effective way of advertising them.
A few years ago there was a lot of hype surrounding The Da Vinci Code. Although I had read nothing else by Dan Brown, I too felt compelled to buy it. And I read it avidly. Five years on, I could not tell you much about the plot, but I always thought that if a moment in time like that could be bottled, then publishers all over the world would buy it in crateloads and books could become real brands.
But books are not brands. Or are they? Penguin certainly believes that they could be.
Last year, Penguin signed a new author, Charles Elton. Because it was so excited about Elton, the publisher wanted to do something a little different to the usual press releases and distribution and pricing deals. Because of the nature of the book, a poster campaign would have not been the right solution. So it drafted in BBH - the ad agency behind Persil and Audi - for a project to launch Elton's novel, Mr Toppit. The agency's head of engagement planning, Jason Gonsalves - a man well known in the industry to think outside the usual confines of marketing - took on the challenge. The aim was to take a different approach from the usual run-of-the-mill press and poster ads and instead to create what he refers to as "heat" ahead of the launch.
Elton's novel is about a fictional book called The Hayseed Chronicles. If you read the Times two weeks ago then you might have spotted a full-page ad in the form of an announcement from a fake organisation called The Hayseed Foundation, which complained about the use of the family's name and other aspects of Mr Toppit. It also directed people to a website for a full statement on the matter. If you clicked on it you discovered that http://www.hayseedfoundation.com/ had "crashed", and were redirected to a website dedicated to the book.
OK, so it's not the most amazing marketing idea ever, but it created an unusual buzz around the launch of a book. Even the Independent was fooled, running a short story about the matter, believing the ad to be genuine.
BBH claims the launch has been a success, and it is early days so we don't yet know if this kind of marketing and advertising is the way for books to go, but Gonsalves is adamant that publishers should and will continue to do new things around launches. He even suggests that if the content were appropriate, we could see a clothing line or a rock tour to coincide with a first-time author's debut.
It is not just Penguin that is marketing its books a bit differently. According to the Bookseller's editor-in-chief, Neill Denny, the internet has enabled many publishers to build online communities through services such as Facebook and Twitter. Denny also points to video as the hot new way to promote a book. He says that, as well as creating an online presence in the form of dedicated author websites, two- or three-minute films in a similar style to movie trailers are being created by publishers. They run on Play.com as well as YouTube to whet both retailers' and consumers' appetites.
No column on the subject of book marketing would be complete without mentioning Richard & Judy's book club. It has been running for five years and has sold around 29m books, according to the Bookseller. No other endorsement has been as successful as theirs in the UK, but others will follow them, and publishers will continue to invest in creating a buzz around book launches - which means more opportunities for clever advertising.
More in How to create a buzz about a book, The Guardian, Feb 2009
This is because the market is controlled by large retailers such as Waterstone's, WH Smith, Amazon and Tesco. Before agreeing to stock a book, retailers want assurances that it will be promoted. Although a certain amount of each marketing budget goes towards discounts when you purchase - such as "three for two" offers - publishers do put money behind traditional advertising and online campaigns.
As a rule, there is no real art to book advertising. It's more often than not a poster for the latest sex-and-shopping romcom, thriller, cookbook or celebrity autobiography. Apart from the particular look associated with each genre, the ads almost always fail to tell me very much about their subjects. Also, books can only really do well if they are any good, so word of mouth is the most effective way of advertising them.
A few years ago there was a lot of hype surrounding The Da Vinci Code. Although I had read nothing else by Dan Brown, I too felt compelled to buy it. And I read it avidly. Five years on, I could not tell you much about the plot, but I always thought that if a moment in time like that could be bottled, then publishers all over the world would buy it in crateloads and books could become real brands.
But books are not brands. Or are they? Penguin certainly believes that they could be.
Last year, Penguin signed a new author, Charles Elton. Because it was so excited about Elton, the publisher wanted to do something a little different to the usual press releases and distribution and pricing deals. Because of the nature of the book, a poster campaign would have not been the right solution. So it drafted in BBH - the ad agency behind Persil and Audi - for a project to launch Elton's novel, Mr Toppit. The agency's head of engagement planning, Jason Gonsalves - a man well known in the industry to think outside the usual confines of marketing - took on the challenge. The aim was to take a different approach from the usual run-of-the-mill press and poster ads and instead to create what he refers to as "heat" ahead of the launch.
Elton's novel is about a fictional book called The Hayseed Chronicles. If you read the Times two weeks ago then you might have spotted a full-page ad in the form of an announcement from a fake organisation called The Hayseed Foundation, which complained about the use of the family's name and other aspects of Mr Toppit. It also directed people to a website for a full statement on the matter. If you clicked on it you discovered that http://www.hayseedfoundation.com/ had "crashed", and were redirected to a website dedicated to the book.
OK, so it's not the most amazing marketing idea ever, but it created an unusual buzz around the launch of a book. Even the Independent was fooled, running a short story about the matter, believing the ad to be genuine.
BBH claims the launch has been a success, and it is early days so we don't yet know if this kind of marketing and advertising is the way for books to go, but Gonsalves is adamant that publishers should and will continue to do new things around launches. He even suggests that if the content were appropriate, we could see a clothing line or a rock tour to coincide with a first-time author's debut.
It is not just Penguin that is marketing its books a bit differently. According to the Bookseller's editor-in-chief, Neill Denny, the internet has enabled many publishers to build online communities through services such as Facebook and Twitter. Denny also points to video as the hot new way to promote a book. He says that, as well as creating an online presence in the form of dedicated author websites, two- or three-minute films in a similar style to movie trailers are being created by publishers. They run on Play.com as well as YouTube to whet both retailers' and consumers' appetites.
No column on the subject of book marketing would be complete without mentioning Richard & Judy's book club. It has been running for five years and has sold around 29m books, according to the Bookseller. No other endorsement has been as successful as theirs in the UK, but others will follow them, and publishers will continue to invest in creating a buzz around book launches - which means more opportunities for clever advertising.
More in How to create a buzz about a book, The Guardian, Feb 2009
26 Feb 2009
Darwin's Evolution
Not to be missed - Darwin's Evolution at Gulbenkian. I really liked it a lot and intend to go back with the kids.
25 Feb 2009
Hoje - Atelier Baobab
Terra de Siena, Atelier Galeria de Pintura
Rua Bartolomeu Dias 111 - R/C Esq. (perto do CCB)
1400 LISBOA
Rua Bartolomeu Dias 111 - R/C Esq. (perto do CCB)
1400 LISBOA
ATELIERS BAOBAB de PINTURA em LISBOA
Para crianças dos 4 aos 10 anos
Através da Arte, a criança pode expressar os seus desejos ou sonhos; facilitando assim a sua comunicação e o seu desenvolvimento. Nos ateliers BAOBAB, as crianças tomam contacto com diferentes práticas de expressão artística, para depois criarem os seus próprios universos. Os Ateliers são orientados pela artista plástica Cláudia Conduto e desenvolvem-se num ambiente acolhedor e interactivo, em grupos de menos de 10 crianças. Combinando a arte com jogos, músicas e histórias, e em grupos de acordo com as suas idades, a criança é incentivada a desenvolver o seu potencial artístico. Cláudia Conduto, diplomada pela LASALLE School of Arts em Singapura, tem desenvolvido vários projectos em Portugal e no estrangeiro e é representada pela galeria Luís Serpa.
Cláudia Conduto
Baobab
PS Site e logo Baobab por Atelier Santa Clara...
Para crianças dos 4 aos 10 anos
Através da Arte, a criança pode expressar os seus desejos ou sonhos; facilitando assim a sua comunicação e o seu desenvolvimento. Nos ateliers BAOBAB, as crianças tomam contacto com diferentes práticas de expressão artística, para depois criarem os seus próprios universos. Os Ateliers são orientados pela artista plástica Cláudia Conduto e desenvolvem-se num ambiente acolhedor e interactivo, em grupos de menos de 10 crianças. Combinando a arte com jogos, músicas e histórias, e em grupos de acordo com as suas idades, a criança é incentivada a desenvolver o seu potencial artístico. Cláudia Conduto, diplomada pela LASALLE School of Arts em Singapura, tem desenvolvido vários projectos em Portugal e no estrangeiro e é representada pela galeria Luís Serpa.
Cláudia Conduto
Baobab
PS Site e logo Baobab por Atelier Santa Clara...
24 Feb 2009
Kew again
This is it! Can't miss Kew Gardens this time!!! Time to explore the treetops. The diary doesn't mention it yet, but, according to this, there will be an Animal Farm (4-19 April) and an Easter Egg Hunt (12th April). And there's also Climbers and Creepers.
The making of Kew's treetop walkway, by Kew at youtube:
23 Feb 2009
The Reader
PS for Susana: Yes, yes, another one! What can I do? My physiotherapy is next to Saldanha... And the kids went to visit a friend.
Super clocks
SCIENTISTS have developed a new generation of clocks that can keep time without missing a beat in almost 2 billion years.
They are so precise that they will allow satellites to track moving objects to within less than a metre. This could eventually lead to automated cars and an autopilot accurate enough to land a plane without human intervention.
Laboratories in the US, Britain, Germany, France and Japan are now competing to make a clock capable of measuring time so accurately that it would not have lost a second since the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago. Scientists believe it will be built within a decade.
The new devices are known as optical clocks because lasers “look at” and measure the frequency with which electrons in atoms vibrate. This enables them to divide time into ever tinier increments.
More in Laser clocks stay spot on for 2bn years, Times Online, Feb 8, 2009
They are so precise that they will allow satellites to track moving objects to within less than a metre. This could eventually lead to automated cars and an autopilot accurate enough to land a plane without human intervention.
Laboratories in the US, Britain, Germany, France and Japan are now competing to make a clock capable of measuring time so accurately that it would not have lost a second since the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago. Scientists believe it will be built within a decade.
The new devices are known as optical clocks because lasers “look at” and measure the frequency with which electrons in atoms vibrate. This enables them to divide time into ever tinier increments.
More in Laser clocks stay spot on for 2bn years, Times Online, Feb 8, 2009
For those physicists and philosophers puzzled by nature's fourth dimension, Patrick Gill has a wry response. "Time," he says, "is what you measure in seconds."
For Gill, that is a statement of professional pride. He is what you might call Britain's top timekeeper. Within the windowless - and largely clockless - cream-brick confines of the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL), near London, Gill and his colleagues are busy developing the next, staggeringly accurate generation of atomic clocks. These tiny timepieces are the devices that ensure radio, television and mobile-phone transmissions stay in sync, prevent the internet from turning into a mess of missing data packets, make GPS accurate enough to navigate by, and safeguard electricity grids from blackout. They are, in short, the heartbeat of modern life.
These are momentous times for Gill and others like him in timekeeping laboratories around the world. A new generation of atomic tickers, known as optical clocks, have just wrested the record for accuracy from the ensembles of oscillating caesium atoms that held it for half a century. Soon, the new technology will be so refined that if such a clock had ticked away every second since the big bang 13.7 billion years ago, it would not yet have missed a beat. That is an awesome accomplishment - but it's also a problem. At this astonishing precision, we might have to rethink not only how we measure time, but also our concept of time.
More in Super clocks: More accurate than time itself, New Scientist, Feb 9, 2009
For Gill, that is a statement of professional pride. He is what you might call Britain's top timekeeper. Within the windowless - and largely clockless - cream-brick confines of the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL), near London, Gill and his colleagues are busy developing the next, staggeringly accurate generation of atomic clocks. These tiny timepieces are the devices that ensure radio, television and mobile-phone transmissions stay in sync, prevent the internet from turning into a mess of missing data packets, make GPS accurate enough to navigate by, and safeguard electricity grids from blackout. They are, in short, the heartbeat of modern life.
These are momentous times for Gill and others like him in timekeeping laboratories around the world. A new generation of atomic tickers, known as optical clocks, have just wrested the record for accuracy from the ensembles of oscillating caesium atoms that held it for half a century. Soon, the new technology will be so refined that if such a clock had ticked away every second since the big bang 13.7 billion years ago, it would not yet have missed a beat. That is an awesome accomplishment - but it's also a problem. At this astonishing precision, we might have to rethink not only how we measure time, but also our concept of time.
More in Super clocks: More accurate than time itself, New Scientist, Feb 9, 2009
Big Ben - not for us foreigners!
During 2009 Parliament celebrates the 150th anniversary of its world famous Clock Tower, Great Clock and Great Bell.
The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. 1859 was the beginning for all three elements when the Clock Tower was completed, the Great Clock started on 31 May and the Great Bell’s chimes were heard for the first time on 11 July.
The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. 1859 was the beginning for all three elements when the Clock Tower was completed, the Great Clock started on 31 May and the Great Bell’s chimes were heard for the first time on 11 July.
I was trying to find out if we could visit Big Ben in 2009, but... The Clock Tower is the name of the famous tower of Parliament - more popularly known as Big Ben. UK residents can arrange a tour through their local MP. However, please be advised that space is extremely limited and early booking, 3-6 months in advanced, is strongly recommended. Overseas visitors cannot currently visit the tower. Also: During the 150th anniversary year demand for tours is expected to be high. Therefore, preference will be given to those with a proven interest in clocks, watches and bells. I do look at the time an awful amount of times a day. Does that prove my interest in clocks???
Let's just stick to reading and virtual tours:
Big Ben, including Building the Clock Tower, Inside the Clock Tower, Facts and figures
Clock Tower virtual tour
animation: How the Great Clock works
Image slideshow
Big Ben - wiki
Bong! Big Ben still rings out 150 years on, Times Online
Big Ben, including Building the Clock Tower, Inside the Clock Tower, Facts and figures
Clock Tower virtual tour
animation: How the Great Clock works
Image slideshow
Big Ben - wiki
Bong! Big Ben still rings out 150 years on, Times Online
The Tour, from UKParliament at youtube:
The chimes, from UKParliament at youtube:
22 Feb 2009
Dinosaurs or Deep Sea?
We can't miss the IMAX at the Science Museum, London. Which film will we see? The schedule for April is not available yet. Here's how IMAX works, from HowStuffWorks.
Deep Sea 3D from IMAX movies:
21 Feb 2009
Oh, deer!
Beautiful train trip at Tapada Nacional de Mafra. The train is not great for photos, though, so next time we will try the pedestrian walk percurso azul. As long as I don't slip and break something else... Maybe I should stick to walks in shopping centres ;-)
Photo album:
Cracking ideas
Not to miss in London, at Easter:
A World of Cracking Ideas
DISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE WORLD OF INNOVATION
Science Museum, London
Who better to inspire the nation’s creativity and imagination than those masters of innovation and whacky ideas, Wallace and Gromit? The Oscar® winning duo will be at the heart of a new interactive family-oriented experience opening at London’s Science Museum on 28 March 2009.
WALLACE & GROMIT PRESENT A WORLD OF CRACKING IDEAS
Created to appeal to a new generation of innovative minds, the exhibition is the result of a ‘cracking idea’ – a partnership between Aardman Animations, the Science Museum and the Intellectual Property Office.
Visitors will interact with all kinds of clever and quirky exhibits as they are taken on a tour of 62 West Wallaby Street, Wallace and Gromit’s famous terraced home. Exhibits include innovative and patented objects from the Museum’s own collection, as well as some of Wallace and Gromit’s mind-boggling creations like the Tellyscope II, the Piella Propellor and the Blend-o-Matic. Wallace and Gromit will also be calling on visitors to use their ideas to help power a brand new invention of theirs, the Thinking Cap – top secret at the moment, with patent pending.
WHERE WILL YOU DO YOUR BEST THINKING?
From the Kitchen to the Garden Shed, each room will accommodate a different aspect of the thinking process behind ideas. Innovators of all ages will also learn how to protect their intellectual property, so that ideas deliver value to their creators as well as the wider world.
HAVE A CREATIVE BRAINWAVE!
Creativity plays a huge part in every aspect of our daily lives. The Intellectual Property Office want to inspire visitors to contribute their own brainwaves, coming up with brand new ideas or even developing existing ones by adding a new twist.
‘Ideas Stations’ will be located in the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bathroom, Workshop and Garden of the house, so visitors can jot down their own cracking ideas. There will be walls to colour on and the opportunity to solve a plasticine eco conundrum! Visitors’ ideas will also be used to power the awesome, 3-metre high Thinking Cap contraption – just one of the many thought provoking Wallace and Gromit inventions at the exhibition which visitors will be invited to try out for themselves.
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!
In the World of Cracking Ideas anything is possible! In amongst all the fun, Wallace and Gromit will be helping the Intellectual Property Office to spell out their message: What exactly is Copyright? What legal rights does a Design have? How can a Patent protect an idea? How do you tell a registered Trade Mark from a copycat version?
All will be revealed at the Science Museum!
DISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE WORLD OF INNOVATION
Science Museum, London
Who better to inspire the nation’s creativity and imagination than those masters of innovation and whacky ideas, Wallace and Gromit? The Oscar® winning duo will be at the heart of a new interactive family-oriented experience opening at London’s Science Museum on 28 March 2009.
WALLACE & GROMIT PRESENT A WORLD OF CRACKING IDEAS
Created to appeal to a new generation of innovative minds, the exhibition is the result of a ‘cracking idea’ – a partnership between Aardman Animations, the Science Museum and the Intellectual Property Office.
Visitors will interact with all kinds of clever and quirky exhibits as they are taken on a tour of 62 West Wallaby Street, Wallace and Gromit’s famous terraced home. Exhibits include innovative and patented objects from the Museum’s own collection, as well as some of Wallace and Gromit’s mind-boggling creations like the Tellyscope II, the Piella Propellor and the Blend-o-Matic. Wallace and Gromit will also be calling on visitors to use their ideas to help power a brand new invention of theirs, the Thinking Cap – top secret at the moment, with patent pending.
WHERE WILL YOU DO YOUR BEST THINKING?
From the Kitchen to the Garden Shed, each room will accommodate a different aspect of the thinking process behind ideas. Innovators of all ages will also learn how to protect their intellectual property, so that ideas deliver value to their creators as well as the wider world.
HAVE A CREATIVE BRAINWAVE!
Creativity plays a huge part in every aspect of our daily lives. The Intellectual Property Office want to inspire visitors to contribute their own brainwaves, coming up with brand new ideas or even developing existing ones by adding a new twist.
‘Ideas Stations’ will be located in the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bathroom, Workshop and Garden of the house, so visitors can jot down their own cracking ideas. There will be walls to colour on and the opportunity to solve a plasticine eco conundrum! Visitors’ ideas will also be used to power the awesome, 3-metre high Thinking Cap contraption – just one of the many thought provoking Wallace and Gromit inventions at the exhibition which visitors will be invited to try out for themselves.
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!
In the World of Cracking Ideas anything is possible! In amongst all the fun, Wallace and Gromit will be helping the Intellectual Property Office to spell out their message: What exactly is Copyright? What legal rights does a Design have? How can a Patent protect an idea? How do you tell a registered Trade Mark from a copycat version?
All will be revealed at the Science Museum!
Wallace & Gromit Present "A World of Cracking Ideas"
Winnie the Witch
Winnie the Witch - great stories! Thanks for the recommendation, TCA & Co.
Winnie the Witch lived in a black house in the forest.
The house was black on the outside and black on the inside.
The carpets were black.
The chairs were black.
The bed was black and it had black sheets and black blankets.
Even the bath was black.
Winnie lived in her black house with her cat, Wilbur.
He was black, too.
And that is how the trouble began.
Winnie the Witch, by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
The house was black on the outside and black on the inside.
The carpets were black.
The chairs were black.
The bed was black and it had black sheets and black blankets.
Even the bath was black.
Winnie lived in her black house with her cat, Wilbur.
He was black, too.
And that is how the trouble began.
Winnie the Witch, by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
20 Feb 2009
19 Feb 2009
Photos
Now that I have downloaded the photos from my mobile, thanks to the processionary caterpillars, I found this wonderful photo:
Any guesses?
Best book read in 2009
Yes, it's quite early in the year to make such a decision but I would be so lucky if I read anything better. So, here it is:
Alice Della Rocca odiava la scuola di sci. Odiava la sveglia alle sette e mezzo del mattino anche nelle vacanze di Natale e suo padre che a colazione la fissava e sotto il tavolo faceva ballare la gamba nervosamente, come a dire su, sbrigati. Odiava la calzamaglia di lana che la pungeva sulle cosce, le moffole che non le lasciavano muovere le dita, il casco che le schiacciava le guance e puntava con il ferro sulla mandibola e poi quegli scarponi, sempre più piccoli di un paio di numeri, che la facevano camminare come un gorilla.
«Allora, lo bevi o no questo latte?» la incalzò di nuovo suo padre.
Alice ingurgitò tre dita di latte bollente, che le bruciò prima la lingua, poi l'esofago e lo stomaco.
«Bene. E oggi fai vedere chi sei» le disse suo padre.
E chi sono?, pensò lei.
Poi la spinse fuori, mummificata nella tuta da sci verde, costellata di gagliardetti e delle scritte fluorescenti degli sponsor. A quell'ora faceva meno dieci gradi e il sole era solo un disco un po' più grigio della nebbia che avvolgeva tutto. Alice sentiva il latte turbinare nello stomaco, mentre sprofondava nella neve con gli sci in spalla, che gli sci bisogna portarseli da soli, finché non diventi talmente bravo che qualcuno li porta per te.
«Tieni le code in avanti, che altrimenti ammazzi qualcuno» le disse suo padre.
A fine stagione lo Sci Club ti regalava una spilla con delle stelline in rilievo. Ogni anno una stellina in più, da quando avevi quattro anni ed eri abbastanza alta per infilare tra le gambe il piattello dello ski-lift, a quando ne compivi nove e il piattello riuscivi ad acchiapparlo da sola. Tre stelle d'argento e poi altre tre d'oro. Ogni anno una spilla per dirti che eri un po' più brava, un po' più vicina alle gare agonistiche che terrorizzavano Alice. Ci pensava già allora, che di stelline ne aveva solo tre.
L'appuntamento era di fronte alla seggiovia alle otto e mezzo in punto, per l'apertura degli impianti. I compagni di Alice erano già lì, a formare una specie di cerchio, tutti uguali come soldatini, imbacuccati nella divisa e rattrappiti dal sonno e dal freddo. Puntavano i bastoncini nella neve e ci si appoggiavano sopra, ancorandoli alle ascelle. Con le braccia a penzoloni sembravano tanti spaventapasseri impagliati. Nessuno aveva voglia di parlare, men che meno Alice.
Suo padre le diede due colpi troppo forti sul casco, manco volesse piantarla nella neve.
«Stendili tutti. E ricorda: peso in avanti, capito? Pe-so-in-a-van-ti» le disse.
Peso in avanti, rispose l'eco nella testa di Alice.
Poi suo padre si allontanò, soffiandosi tra le mani chiuse a coppa, lui che se ne sarebbe presto tornato al calduccio di casa a leggere il giornale. Due passi e la nebbia se lo inghiottì.
Alice lasciò cadere malamente gli sci a terra, che se suo padre l'avesse vista gliele avrebbe suonate lì, davanti a tutti. Prima di infilare gli scarponi negli attacchi, li batté sul fondo con il bastoncino, per far venir giù le zolle di neve appiccicate.
La solitudine dei numeri primi, Paolo Giordano
(First chapter here)
«Allora, lo bevi o no questo latte?» la incalzò di nuovo suo padre.
Alice ingurgitò tre dita di latte bollente, che le bruciò prima la lingua, poi l'esofago e lo stomaco.
«Bene. E oggi fai vedere chi sei» le disse suo padre.
E chi sono?, pensò lei.
Poi la spinse fuori, mummificata nella tuta da sci verde, costellata di gagliardetti e delle scritte fluorescenti degli sponsor. A quell'ora faceva meno dieci gradi e il sole era solo un disco un po' più grigio della nebbia che avvolgeva tutto. Alice sentiva il latte turbinare nello stomaco, mentre sprofondava nella neve con gli sci in spalla, che gli sci bisogna portarseli da soli, finché non diventi talmente bravo che qualcuno li porta per te.
«Tieni le code in avanti, che altrimenti ammazzi qualcuno» le disse suo padre.
A fine stagione lo Sci Club ti regalava una spilla con delle stelline in rilievo. Ogni anno una stellina in più, da quando avevi quattro anni ed eri abbastanza alta per infilare tra le gambe il piattello dello ski-lift, a quando ne compivi nove e il piattello riuscivi ad acchiapparlo da sola. Tre stelle d'argento e poi altre tre d'oro. Ogni anno una spilla per dirti che eri un po' più brava, un po' più vicina alle gare agonistiche che terrorizzavano Alice. Ci pensava già allora, che di stelline ne aveva solo tre.
L'appuntamento era di fronte alla seggiovia alle otto e mezzo in punto, per l'apertura degli impianti. I compagni di Alice erano già lì, a formare una specie di cerchio, tutti uguali come soldatini, imbacuccati nella divisa e rattrappiti dal sonno e dal freddo. Puntavano i bastoncini nella neve e ci si appoggiavano sopra, ancorandoli alle ascelle. Con le braccia a penzoloni sembravano tanti spaventapasseri impagliati. Nessuno aveva voglia di parlare, men che meno Alice.
Suo padre le diede due colpi troppo forti sul casco, manco volesse piantarla nella neve.
«Stendili tutti. E ricorda: peso in avanti, capito? Pe-so-in-a-van-ti» le disse.
Peso in avanti, rispose l'eco nella testa di Alice.
Poi suo padre si allontanò, soffiandosi tra le mani chiuse a coppa, lui che se ne sarebbe presto tornato al calduccio di casa a leggere il giornale. Due passi e la nebbia se lo inghiottì.
Alice lasciò cadere malamente gli sci a terra, che se suo padre l'avesse vista gliele avrebbe suonate lì, davanti a tutti. Prima di infilare gli scarponi negli attacchi, li batté sul fondo con il bastoncino, per far venir giù le zolle di neve appiccicate.
La solitudine dei numeri primi, Paolo Giordano
(First chapter here)
18 Feb 2009
Processionary caterpillars
Thanks MMP for the tip. These are in fact the pine processionary caterpillars, a health hazard and a plague for pine trees, and I have just reported them to the City Council. I found them here:
View Larger Map
It turns out TCA had photographed the nests in the beginning of January at Complexo Interdisciplinar - see the photos here. Scary or what?
More:
Processionárias - CML
Processionnaire du pin - wiki
More:
Processionárias - CML
Processionnaire du pin - wiki
17 Feb 2009
March: Left, Right, Left, Right
Beautiful caterpillars!! What were they doing? I took this photo the other day, on the way to the office.
16 Feb 2009
15 Feb 2009
Growing up
Luke: Quando for crescido como o pai, vou ter bigode e cinto.
(When I grow up, I will have a moustache and a belt.)
(When I grow up, I will have a moustache and a belt.)
Slumdog Valentine's
Slumdog Millionaire - A beautiful love story for Valentine's, last night (though the background story is very sad), followed by dinner in Bairro Alto. Thank you, Avó!
14 Feb 2009
Massa de bolacha para recortar
Tried it today. Not bad for a first attempt!!!
125 g açúcar / 125 g manteiga / 250 g farinha / 1 ovo inteiro / sal
Peneire a farinha sobre a mesa e com os dedos misture-a com a gordura até ficar com o aspecto de areia. Adicione o açúcar, o ovo inteiro e uma pitada de sal. Misture tudo e deixe a massa descansar 30 mn, em local fresco. Tenda a massa com o rolo e, com os moldes ou forminhas, corte-a. Leve a cozer em forno médio.
Variante:
250 g açúcar / 125 g manteiga / 200 g farinha / 1 ovo inteiro / raspa de limão / açúcar para polvilhar
Proceder da mesma forma. A massa tem sempre que saltar da mão e, posteriormente, ser tendida.
125 g açúcar / 125 g manteiga / 250 g farinha / 1 ovo inteiro / sal
Peneire a farinha sobre a mesa e com os dedos misture-a com a gordura até ficar com o aspecto de areia. Adicione o açúcar, o ovo inteiro e uma pitada de sal. Misture tudo e deixe a massa descansar 30 mn, em local fresco. Tenda a massa com o rolo e, com os moldes ou forminhas, corte-a. Leve a cozer em forno médio.
Variante:
250 g açúcar / 125 g manteiga / 200 g farinha / 1 ovo inteiro / raspa de limão / açúcar para polvilhar
Proceder da mesma forma. A massa tem sempre que saltar da mão e, posteriormente, ser tendida.
13 Feb 2009
On children and mothers and fathers
Mark: No andar zero, há o bebé Vasco e uma menina.
Eu: Sim, a Leonor.
Mark: No um, é a Catarina e a Ana.
Eu: Sim.
Mark: E no dois?
Eu: É uma senhora sozinha.
Ambos: Sozinha???
Mark: Mas é uma mãe?
Luke: Ela pode ir comprar um pai que anda e fala.
Eu: Sim, a Leonor.
Mark: No um, é a Catarina e a Ana.
Eu: Sim.
Mark: E no dois?
Eu: É uma senhora sozinha.
Ambos: Sozinha???
Mark: Mas é uma mãe?
Luke: Ela pode ir comprar um pai que anda e fala.
12 Feb 2009
The Origin of Darwin
MY fellow primates, 200 years ago today, Charles Darwin was born. Please join me in wishing him happy birthday!
The Origin of Darwin, New York Times
The Origin of Darwin, New York Times
11 Feb 2009
Family Portrait
Mark's family portrait - from left to right, Luke, Mark, Neil and me. I thought I had a lovely heart next to me, but it turns out it's my broken arm...
10 Feb 2009
360
A new game by Professor Erno Rubik, inventor of the iconic Cube, is tipped to become a best-seller when it goes on sale later this year.
The Rubik’s 360 is set to repeat the success of the maddening Cube, which became an overnight sensation almost three decades ago and remains the world’s fastest-selling toy.
Now the reclusive Hungarian inventor hopes to recreate the buzz of Rubik’s Cube with his new game, featuring six balls trapped within three transparent plastic spheres.
The puzzle, shown to the Sunday Telegraph ahead of its unveiling at a toy industry fair in Germany on February 5, confronts users with the same frustrating challenge – a task that is simple to understand, with only one possible solution, yet extremely difficult to execute.
Players must get the coloured balls from an inner sphere into matching slots on the outer sphere by shaking them through a middle sphere that has only two holes.
More in Rubik's Cube inventor is back with Rubik's 360, The Telegraph
The Rubik’s 360 is set to repeat the success of the maddening Cube, which became an overnight sensation almost three decades ago and remains the world’s fastest-selling toy.
Now the reclusive Hungarian inventor hopes to recreate the buzz of Rubik’s Cube with his new game, featuring six balls trapped within three transparent plastic spheres.
The puzzle, shown to the Sunday Telegraph ahead of its unveiling at a toy industry fair in Germany on February 5, confronts users with the same frustrating challenge – a task that is simple to understand, with only one possible solution, yet extremely difficult to execute.
Players must get the coloured balls from an inner sphere into matching slots on the outer sphere by shaking them through a middle sphere that has only two holes.
More in Rubik's Cube inventor is back with Rubik's 360, The Telegraph
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