Header foto – a selection of sweet, crumbly pastries at Salzburg airport. Yummm!
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Category Archives: not really travel
More April 2013 news from Europe
From France 24. The Gates of Hell have been dug up in Turkey (not a government building – it’s an archaeological site). From London Independent. This event was linked to in a previous blog post. Ruminations on the reopening of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum … Continue reading
Not the same old lawn ornaments
One of the shops at Floriade, the Netherlands’ once-every-ten-years horticultural exhibition, had a variety of plastic lawn ornaments for sale. In addition to the usual ducks, chickens and gnomes, they also had goats and… you won’t believe it… guinea pigs!! … Continue reading
Magpie blog announcement
Over the coming weeks and months, I will be fiddling with both the blog theme (format) and with how I present news links. The themes I play with will still have header images – I quite like that feature – … Continue reading
Pajamas needed
From Oxford Mail. I’m just posting this because the headline tickled me. A play set in a pajama factory needs lots of pj’s as costumes for the cast. I can’t really help; I recently had to throw out my worn … Continue reading
Posted in General magpie travel, UK news, not really travel, News from Britain
Tagged Oxford news, pajamas needed
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New production boost for London black cabs
From London Independent. I didn’t realize that the maker of London’s black cabs is now owned by a Chinese company. Now comes word that they’ll be ramping up production, with a view towards building hybrid vehicles and, eventually, hydrogen-powered cabs. … Continue reading
Multiple Mona Lisas
From France 24. Swiss analysis, including carbon dating, has confirmed that, although the Louvre’s Mona Lisa is an authentic work by Leonardo da Vinci, it’s a copy he made of an earlier version.
Posted in General magpie travel, News from Europe, France, not really travel, European art
Tagged Leonardo da Vinci, Louvre, Louvre Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
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The newest and youngest Macbeth
From London Independent. James McAvoy, age 33, has started a run as Macbeth in London, the youngest Macbeth if only by a couple of years. Through 27 April.
NY’s Grand Central Terminal celebrates centennial
From France 24. Celebration of Grand Central Terminal’s centenary. Much as I love London, Grand Central is probably my favorite train station anywhere. It’s where I land on my day trips to NYC. One of these days, I’ll make time … Continue reading
Top ten Scotch whiskies
From London Independent. There was a similar list published in September of 2011. New year, new list and this time, all single malts. Top ten single malts. One entry appears on both lists – the Old Pulteney 12 year old. … Continue reading
Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate in April 2013
Just an interesting tidbit from DutchNews. I know almost nothing about the monarchies and monarchs of continental Europe, possibly because they are so low-key. The only time we hear anything about them is if one of them dies or one … Continue reading
Add Borgen and The Bridge to your Netflix list
From the London Independent. A Danish TV series, Borgen, with a female prime minister as the central character, is a hit in the UK. Will PBS pick it up in the US? If not, maybe Netflix will carry it. I … Continue reading
Remembering Rudolf Nureyev
From France 24. Today (6 January, 2013) marks the 20th anniversary of Rudolf Nureyev‘s death. This France 24 article is a remembrance of his genius and legacy. I saw him dance in Boston in 1966 or ’67. He was dancing … Continue reading
Dutch research discovers why Rudolph’s nose is red
Dutch News reports on how this reindeer ‘fact’ was confirmed. Infra-red photo and all. Who knew?
Posted in General magpie travel, News from Europe, not really travel
Tagged rudolph's red nose
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French wine news – Chateau d’Yquem ditching a 2012 vintage
From France 24. Chateau d’Yquem will not be putting down a 2012 vintage of their Sauternes. The reason? Lousy weather. Red Bordeaux will also be having a rough year. Better luck next year. Actually, I never would have known. I … Continue reading
Posted in News from Europe, France, Europe food & wine, not really travel
Tagged Chateau d'Yquem 2012, france travel, French wine
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Day old baguettes are ‘hot’ in France. Sacre bleu!
From France 24. Now, cash-starved bread hounds in Nîmes are buying day-old baguettes to save money. What next?!
England beats the All Blacks? Holy cow!
From France 24. This headline was a surprise. Still trying to decide if I’m pleased or disappointed. I’m sure the Brits are chuffed but the next Rugby World Cup in 2015 is a long way off. Stomach bugs aside, still … Continue reading
Visit Oxfordshire and (maybe) see a wallaby
From Oxford Mail. Wallabies seen in Oxfordshire. It’s certainly cheaper than flying Down Under if you want to see one. Maybe someone could round them up and have a wallaby park?
Posted in News from Europe, not really travel, UK news
Tagged oxford travel, UK travel, news from Europe, wallabies in Oxford
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Burger King is returning to France. Oh joy.
From France 24. Burger King, gone from France for 15 years, has decided to open two locations, one in Marseille and one at a highway rest stop in Reims. I wonder if the first location will have bouillabaisse on the … Continue reading
Getting the word and the product out for Greek olive oil
From Deutsche Welle. Greek olive oil is some of the best, but producers need a way to get the stuff onto the global market as the terrific oil that it is. Currently, Greek olive oil is mixed with Italian to … Continue reading
Posted in General magpie travel, News from Europe, Europe food & wine, not really travel
Tagged Greek olive oil
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Nutella crisis in France
From France 24. A proposed tax on one of Nutella’s main ingredients could cause a price increase. Quel horreur! This is the French equivalent to a price increase on Oreos or Coca Cola here, I think.
Rugby news – France beats Australia
From France 24. Sounds amazing to me, but there it is. France gave the Aussies an absolute thrashing for the first time in 7 years.
Working on my blog posts, but in the meantime…
From the London Independent. I always thought that if my dad had lived to see cannabis legalized and had the inclination, he would have had results like this! They just don’t mention how tall the thing was. Aah! Leave … Continue reading
Posted in News from Europe, not really travel
Tagged big weed, growing cannabis?, potted plant?
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Fruit-flavored Czech beer? Really?
From Prague Post. OK. I could see a lime wedge on your summer beer (did you know this was not for flavor but to keep the flippin’ flies away?) And I sampled some kriek (cherry flavored beer) last time I … Continue reading
Plum jam to get next time I’m in London
From Oxford Mail. A small local producer of fruit jams has finally accepted Fortnum & Mason’s invitation. Everything sounds yummy, so I’ll be looking to get some in London, even if the only flavor at F&M is the plum conserve.
