Oxford today.

I enjoyed this blog by Ilva. I lovely combination of photos of food and flowers. Long live Italy!

Labels: good blogs, oxford photos

View: From Top of Jesus College, Oxford



Radcliffe Camera Square. All Souls in the back ground

picture by Richard 27/03/07

Labels: oxford photos

Radcliffe Camera, Oxford


Oxford Botanic Gardens, 33/03/07

Labels: oxford, photos

Labels: worldless wednesday

In the quite recent past, the idea of Rev Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams coming together to share power in N.Ireland, sounded almost laughable. Yet the unthinkable has become a reality with both leaders of the N.Ireland's most extreme political parties agreeing to work for a better future.

Rev Ian Paisley

"We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future.

"In looking to that future, we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, emerging. We owe it to them to craft and build the best future possible and ensure there is genuine support for those who are still suffering.

"With hard work and a commitment to succeed, I believe we can lay the foundation for a better, peaceful and prosperous future for all our people."

Gerry Adams leader Sinn Fein

"I believe the agreement reached between Sinn Fein and the DUP, including the unequivocal commitment, made by their party executive and reiterated today, to the restoration of political institutions on 8 May, marks the beginning of a new era of politics on this island."

The relationships between the people of this island have been marred by centuries of discord, conflict, hurt and tragedy.

"In particular this has been the sad history of orange and green. Ach tá tus nua ann anois le cuidiú De [But there is a new start now, with the help of God].

"Sinn Fein is about building a new relationship between orange and green and all the other colours, where every citizen can share and have equality of ownership of a peaceful, prosperous and just future.

A driving force behind this significant peace development was the people of Northern Ireland's desire to move on from the suffering of the past. Interestingly the last election was dominated by the economy with both parties agreeing that improving the economic situation of N.Ireland was an important priority.

It is often said unemployment and poverty can breed political extremism, so if the economy can be effectively rebuilt there is a real chance for a lasting peace in N.Ireland.

The Hands of history

Labels: ireland, peace

Rugby league is a great game, some awesome tries here.

See also best Rugby Union tries

Labels: rugby league

SOmetimes its tough being a keeper. I wonder whether the player was actually trying to score? I doubt it.

Labels: football, goal of the week

Many years late. Millions of Pounds overbudget. Was it worth the wait?

Looks good!

Labels: football

In one of the most anticipated books for many years the son of J.R.R. Tolkien has announced that he has finally finished a new book "Children of Hurin". The book is brought together from fragments of notes his father left in various parts.

For those familiar with the Silmarillion they will know that Hurin was one of the heroic Leaders of the early men. The house of Hurin joined the exiled Elves in fighting Morgoth.

Hurin married Morwen Eledhwen and had 2 children Turin Turambar and Niniel. In the tale of Turin Turambar we learn of the sad fate of Turin who seems cursed.

The stories of the Silmarillion are different in tone to the Lord of the Rings. However they offer a different scope and perspective on middle earth.

Like all Tolkien fans we eagerly await this new book.

Why Lord of the Rings is so popular

New Lord of the Rings

Labels: Lord of the Rings, Tokien

Christiano Ronaldo



Zidane, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Labels: football, ronaldo

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."

"I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and short memory! I wish I'd invented it, because it is very true."

"People associate me with a time when movies were pleasant, when women wore pretty dresses in films and you heard beautiful music. I always love it when people write me and and say 'I was having a rotten time, and I walked into a cinema and saw one of your movies, and it made such a difference.'"

More quotations from Audrey Hepburn

• Biography of Audrey Hepburn

Picture from: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn Books and DVDs at Amazon.com

Audrey Hepburn Books and DVDs at Amazon.co.uk

Labels: Audrey Hepburn, quotes

The World Harmony run is a relay event currently going around Southern Europe. The aim of the run is to spread a message of harmony and friendship with people from all cultures and backgrounds. The Harmony Run is the inspiration of Sri Chinmoy. Sri Chinmoy is a noted advocate for promoting initiative which work towards a more harmonious world.

The message of the World Harmony Run is that "harmony begins with me". The aim is to involve the participation of as many people as possible. The World Harmony Run does not have any political or religious affiliation.

• World Harmony Run

(1) Picture from Morroco

Labels: sri chinmoy, world harmony run

The crippling energy crisis, frequent electricity and hot water cuts, high unemployment and corruption in the former Soviet state of ... all » Georgia have caused misery to most of the country's 5.5 million people. But for some the crisis has become an odd incentive to break unusual records in endurance. Goderdzi Makharadze, a 28-year-old student, has been squatting in an empty railcar at Tbilisi rail station since he lost his place in a student's dormitory. To him it doesn't make much difference, the dormitory room is as dark and cold as his railway carriage.

Labels: football, news

A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human naturefeels.

It waits upon the lawn;
It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.

Then, as horizons step,
Or noons report away,
Without the formula of sound,
It passes, and we stay:

A quality of loss
Affecting our content,
As trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a sacrament.

By: Emily Dickinson


picture by Richard, Sri Chinmoy Centre galleries

Labels: emily dickinson, poem, spring

1. William Shakespeare
2. Emily Dickinson
3. William Blake
4. Rumi
5. Hafiz
6. John Betjeman
7. Maya Angelou
8. Robert Frost
9. T.S.Eliot
10. Walt Whitman
11. Sri Aurobindo
12. Sri Chinmoy
13. Rabindranath Tagore

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Labels: poets, thursday thirteen

Jermaine Beckford for Scunthorpe United - Goal Of The Week

See also: Brazil 1970 the beautiful Game

Labels: goal of the week, sport

Nadia Comaneci gets a perfect 10 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics

Labels: gymnastics, nadia comaneci