Reaching Out

This is very poignant and very apt nowadays.

A Warming Song about an Ordinary Town.

A beautiful song about ordinary people in an ordinary British town.

The Artisans of Fez and Solitaire.

On a recent trip to Morocco we were fascinated by just how many goods are still made by local artisans. Apparently the ancient city of Fez has 700 artisans still crafting goods by hand and selling them on to tourists as well as markets abroad. One product we picked up was a game dating back to the French Revolution. The story goes that the game known as peg solitaire was designed by a French aristocrat who was imprisoned in the Bastille. Later it was designed with indentations rather than holes and marbles were used and this is the version we bought.  I just hope that one day we can see more locally hand made products in our local markets. 

Here are the rules clearly explained for this wonderful little game.

Foundations of the London Underground

It's fascinating to think that Harry Beck in 1931 sat down at his desk at home and mapped all the stations on the London Underground. Apparently he felt that as the stations were underground the physical locations did not matter as passengers simply wished to know how to get from one place to another. He based his map on an electrical circuit with coloured lines drawn only horizontally, vertically or at 45 degrees. All this was something he did for others to make their lives easier and what a simple yet great idea it was; serving perhaps as a template for other underground,metro or subway maps. 

                              http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2443.aspx

A Fine Gentleman

"If you go to work, life is sweeter...If you've got good health, you're a millionaire." Well said Mr Biber, an 89 year old barber from Tottenham, London speaking out after the riots. 

A Voice From a Community

This man Tariq Jahan, is a grieving father who lost his son when he and two other boys from the local community were peacefully protecting their properties. All three were killed outright when a car drove straight at them. A 32 year old man who could be the driver is now in custody. Mr Jahan is just an ordinary law abiding man with an ordinary family. Later a group of around 200 local residents held a peaceful candlelit vigil in memory of the three deceased. He acts with such dignity and speaks words of real wisdom. Let's all come together and listen to a genuine voice from the community. 

A Real Community Spirit

On a recent trip to Canterbury, we came across these posters just outside the cathedral. It was both moving and inspiring to see people of all ages and backgrounds contributing to such a great and sacred work of heritage and architecture. 

A warming sentence starter: "I love my cathedral because ..." 

Earth Hour and the World Wildlife Fund

This is such a great idea to bring our world's nations together to raise awareness of a great cause and hopefully create a better tomorrow for us all. 

New Year Celebrations in London 2010

These superb photos are from the BBC website. It seemed like a great night with all enjoying themselves which is the main thing.

                            http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8436891.stm

Singapore~A Beautiful City

Singapore is one of my favourite cities and this captures the essential vibrancy of its people. This year they are celebrating the Youth Olympics.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11083336

Harmony

This picture seems to say so much about what really matters today~

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10913479