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For sale: Your own island, complete with farm, pub and lighthouse
It boasts its own pub, two helipads, gun batteries and offers unbeatable sea views.
While the asking price has yet to be revealed, Flat Holm Island could soon become the most exclusive address in Wales under plans by Cardiff council to sell it off as part of its budget cuts.
Flat Holm’s new owner – whose only neighbours would be the swarms of breeding gulls – would join the likes of billionaire Richard Branson in owning their own island.
The Granite Walls of Cochamó: A Climber’s Paradise
The main visitors to this rugged region are foreign climbers. In 2011, the region had 3,000 visitors – twice as many as the year before. Often compared to Yosemite National Park in the United States, with its biodiversity, thousand year-old forests, and the splendor of its granite cliffs, the valley of Cochamó has become an international destination for hardcore hikers and climbers.
First TransPennine Express passengers evacuated after 'strong smell of cannabis'
Passengers were evacuated from a train after the driver reported a strong smell of cannabis in his cab.
The incident led to delays early today between Manchester and York.
The service involved, a First TransPennine Express train between Manchester Airport and York, arrived back at the airport from York and was due to return at 12.38am.
The company said the driver reported the smell as he stepped into the cab at the airport. It was driven with the driver's cab windows open to Manchester Piccadilly, where the entire three carriage train was changed.
The Moon Under Water by George Orwell Evening Standard, 9 February 1946
Although Orwell’s pub was a fiction (based on three or more Highbury hostelries), the central tenets were eternal. It’s a best kept secret that drunks and rowdies never seem to find, the barmaid calls you dear, the beer is exquisite and served in just the right vessel.
The Moon Under Water
by George Orwell
Evening Standard, 9 February 1946
My favourite public-house, the Moon Under Water, is only two minutes from a bus stop, but it is on a side-street, and drunks and rowdies never seem to find their way there, even on Saturday nights.
Community pub launches shares drive for revamp
A Historic pub that became the UK’s first town centre community-owned watering hole when it attracted backers from as far away as San Francisco is to become a centre for Welsh culture.
Campaigners launched a community share issue last year to re-open Wrexham’s grade II-listed 19th century The Seven Stars under the Welsh name Y Saith Seren (a direct translation). Now the group, who set up the co-operative Canolfan Gymraeg Wrecsam Cyfyngedig (Wrexham Welsh Centre Limited) to run the pub, is launching a second share issue.
Welsh pirate’s descendants claim to own New York
Descendants of a legendary Welsh pirate have spoken of the incredible legal battle to try to prove they “own” Manhattan, and of how the expensive bid ultimately failed.
The modern-day offspring of 18th century buccaneer Robert Edwards contacted Wales on Sunday after we last week revealed how Hollywood director Sara Sugarman plans to make a movie telling of their lengthy fight to claim some of the most lucrative real estate on the planet.
Welsh-born Edwards was said to have been granted 77 acres of prime New York land by Queen Anne, for fighting the Spanish.
Last survivor of the Jarrow March dies aged 96
The last survivor of the Jarrow March, a famous protest against unemployment and poverty during the Great Depression, has died.
Con Shiels, who died on Boxing Day aged 96, was part of the crusade that saw around 200 unemployed men walk from Jarrow to London in 1936.
Carrying an 11,000-name petition, they did so to demand help from the government after the closure of their shipyard.
Mr Shiels, who was 20 at the time, joined his father and the other protesters for the final part of the marathon 300-mile journey.
Amazing base jumps in Menara Kuala Lumpur
Take a look at this Pure Adrenaline Basejump! Editing by Vania Da Rui.SoulFlyers Fred Fugen & JP Teffaud basejumping at Menara Kuala Lumpur 2012 Event.
Sponsored by Turbolenza Follow the Flow.
Last of the 39ers
Last of the 39ers: Great Escape hero who was shot down at the start of the war dies aged 98
They were the unseen heroes of the Second World War – the men who risked their lives to help others escape from German prisoner of war camps.
And none did it for longer than Alfie ‘Bill’ Fripp, an RAF navigator shot down in the first weeks of battle to become a veteran of 12 different camps across Nazi-occupied Europe.
His job was to make sure secret consignments of equipment vital for escape were smuggled in under the noses of German guards.
Ecuador: A Duel
I recently read of a French duke challenging an Italian of some lesser aristocracy to a duel. Further details; the reasons for the pas de deux and outcome, if any, I have since been unable to establish. But this snippet of bizarre news reminded me of the time I too was challenged to mortal combat.