| Shambo - the Temple Bull ~ Shambo, of the Hindu Skanda Vale Temple, was destroyed by representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government on July 26, 2022 after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis. This despite offers to isolate him, treat him or even to ship him to a cow sanctuary in India. Many here are left feeling, that was an awful thing to do. |
| Ship Of Fools ~ You’d imagine otherwise, but 60% of people in the UK identify as Christian according to the latest figures. Of the remainder, 33% either had no religion or wouldn’t say: leaving just 7% to Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, Buddhism and all others. This website takes a wry look, at an institution rarely tasked by their flock. The Mystery Worshipper is a great touch… |
| Siberian Times ~ All about Siberia, in English. Speaking as a European, who deals more with North America than my own neighbours: it seems I stumble on plenty concerning Asia nowadays, yet North Asia is rarely mentioned. With Siberian Tigers, Snow Leopards and the biggest temperature extremes on Earth: this is a tough place to survive, let alone run an online newspaper. |
| Skydiving from the Edge of the World ~ I recommended this video before, when I used to help out on a site elsewhere, but was reminded recently to post it here. The year is 1960 and Joe Kittinger, a career officer in the US Air Force, takes a specially adapted helium balloon beyond the edge of space, then does something nobody has tried before or since. He jumps… |
| Sokushinbutsu ~ Sokushinbutsu ritualistically hastens your demise, while ensuring your body is preserved. Buddhist monks observing extreme asceticism, entered a state of mummification while still alive. Examples occur across the Buddhist world, but the Japanese term is generally used. Hundreds of individuals have attempted this feat, but just two dozen examples have been found. |
| South
Pole Live Camera ~ Our view of astrology will need to change once
people are born away from our own small planet. Closer to home there
are also difficulties, such as the failure of many house systems in polar
regions. You can check out the South Pole right now, but remember there’s
complete darkness from March to September! |
| Space Adventures ~ You can catch a ride on an aircraft to beyond 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere at 21 kilometres, but so far only this company has put paying passengers into orbital space. Just seven space tourists have enjoyed the ride at a cost of $20-35 million each, but now one seat is available on a trip around the Moon at $120-150 million… |
| Space Tourism ~ Featuring a subject soon to be in the news far more prominently than it is today, here’s the definitive low-down on the whole subject of space tourism, courtesy of our friends at Wikipedia. It’s interesting the flights you can enjoy to 21km (70,000 feet) and beyond aboard a MiG-29 fighter aircraft for instance, don’t even get a mention… |
| Stuff
on My Cat ~ Featuring a subject soon to be in the news far more prominently than it is today, here’s the definitive low-down on the whole subject of space tourism, courtesy of our friends at Wikipedia. It’s interesting the flights you can enjoy to 21km (70,000 feet) and beyond aboard a MiG-29 fighter aircraft for instance, don’t even get a mention… |
| Sun Dog ~ Many in the UK were lucky recently to witness a stunning example of this solar and atmospheric phenomenon, known scientifically as a parhelion. I caught it from the back yard, where a striking and multicoloured halo surrounded the sun, caused by hexagonal ice crystals refracting its rays like prisms, amid the high cirrus clouds… |
| Sunrise, Sunset Calendars & Local Time ~ This site allows you to generate a monthly calendar of sunrise and sunset times, together with the divisions of twilight and major lunar phases, for any location you choose. You can select your nearest city from the list provided or enter your own details, to ensure you take account of updates to daylight saving time for example. |
| The Beach Guide ~ As we approach the autumnal equinox, the summer of 2017 has not quite breathed its last here in the UK, when many had previously assumed it expired during the first week of August. Numerous folk will be drawn to visit our coastline, while this guide helps convince me that there are beaches to enjoy, even at such a late stage in our far northern climes. |
| The Mountain Astrologer ~ To fail to mention
the website of one of the most popular astrology magazines around would
be to neglect my duty as your guide to the astrological Internet. Hailing
from Cedar Ridge, California you can sample its content here, with a
selection of articles for your perusal online, naturally. |
| The Norwood Scale ~ My neighbour is losing his hair. It is a source of endless merriment for me, as he is not a very likeable individual and I have a grandstand view of this deforestation. I gave up my own battle years ago and far from regretting the situation, have never looked back. My scalp is in excellent condition with no comb-overs, side partings or weird headgear, either. |
| The Owl With Stars In His Eyes ~ Zeus is a Western Screech Owl, who suffers from a condition that leaves him 10% of his vision, but also with eyes that resemble the constellations of a starry night. He no longer lives in the wild and currently resides at the Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar, California. He is friendly and loves attention. He’d be happy if you paid him a visit… |
