Last Day of the Winter Olympics

 

Yes, final day at the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.

And a chance to see the remarkable training facility that the Chinese Winter Sports Department built in preparation for the event/ This image above is of the facility in Yunnaan, and features at 91% scale model of San Ciascian, the Italian village considered most suitable for the chinese athletes. The facility was built inside a disused airship hangar, and that mountain in the background....is a painted backdrop.  Rather than snow, that's shredded iMac casings. Recycling !

Bonus -  

Nothing is creepy

 

The fear of the unknown, and the unseen is the greatest dread.  

So for a Halloween Tedious Tuesday, a seemingly innocuouc iamge, which could be foreshadowing something dreadful.

Bonus -

Cold, Grey, Dead Eyes

 

I get the idea that she's seen thing that should not be seen, and cannot be unseen.

Pretty girl, though.

Bonus - Been a while since I watched this .... Joyous !

So, her we are in ... Stoke -On-Trent...

 

...with the little clay flower pots that let Stoke gain it's nickname of "The Potteries"

But I might be wrong.

Bonus - Why is black worn in hot climates to keep cool?

The Follow-Up to "Leaving Las Vegas"

 

It's wasn't a success.

"Leaving Grand Teton National Park" featured Nic Cage gurning, and suffering attention deficit disorder. Zero Oscars. Nice cinematography

Bonus - 

Seconds from Disaster

 

"No, you're still too close to the camera. All three of you, take a step backward.

...and another..."

Tee hee hee.

Bonus - Please Clean Your Spice Jars

Venice Traffic Lights.

You know, I hadn't thought about this before. Are there traffic lights on the canals of Venice.

As this slide shows, the answer is yes. But, is it a practical solution?

It takes a lot of energy to accelerate a boat up to a speed, and Italian drivers usually love speed. So, I suspect that the traffic lights are ignored, and serve only as a distraction for tourists.

Thoughts?

Bonus - 

 

At The Beach

 

Yesterday was the hottest day in the UK, since records began, so today has turned out a little cooler. Thank goodness. 

So, it might be tempting to head for the beach for a dip in the ocean, and an overpriced ice cream.

Bonus - Best Bus Shelter Ever?

Christian Gartner 1878 - 1956

 

Apologies for the lack of umlauts.

Initially, I thought this was a domestic garden, but on closer inspection - the final resting place of Christian Gartner.

And, I think I found him. Christian Gartner

Bonus - My wife left me because I am insecure

No wait, she's back. She just went to get coffee

The Moldovan Punchbowl.

 

Today's slide is a bit of a cultural joke, for those in the know. The unknown swingers in the picture are standing in front of an item known as the "Moldovan Punchbowl".

It a fairly elaborate horse trough, but in Bratislava, they are referred to as The Moldovan Punchbowl as a slide aside, hinting at how Bratislavans view the quality of Moldovan wine.

Making this comparison in Chisinau will likely get you a well-deserved kick up te arse.

Bonus - Australia Travel Time To The Nearest 100k Populated City

The Familiar Made Unfamiliar.

 

It may take a couple of seconds to realise it, but this is one of the most famous artworks in history.

Being subject to an in-situ (naturally) conservation. This is probably a section of the 1978-1999 major restoration.

Since the painting of the original, there have been many parodies, copies, derivative works and inspirations. My favourite occurs quietly in the film M*A*S*H

Bonus - 

Palms Trees and Blue Skies

 

A pretty scene, to be sure, but not a particularly interesting slide.

Tediously average.

Bonus - 

Happy Young Lady

 

Yes, young Gertrude is giggling with gree. Today sees the start of the Six Nation Rugby Championship, and Gertie is looking forward to seeing England be humbled by the mighty Scots.

Bonus - Wallet lost in Antarctica turns up in California 53 years later

Bonus 2 - La Babane