Media notes

Internet drudges Molly and Howard have created a BBS for expats, with a transatlantic flavour/flavor, down in Lewes, Sussex. Lewes is an unlikely location for cutting-edge internet development but this small town, known as "Islington-on-the-Downs", is gaining attention as a happening place among media folk.
Jim Healey, Lewes-based ITN cameraman, covering the so-called "Jacko" trial in Santa Maria, California said "I can't wait to get back to Lewes for a pint of Harvey's in the Lewes Arms."
Maybe one day the town will get a permanent radio station - meanwhile you'll have to hold on for Rocket FM in the autumn/fall marking the 400th anniversary of bonfire.

Expat Costa hack in free sheet heaven

I've just been talking with Benidorm correspondent Paul Watts on the phone, now working for the Round Town News, a Costa free sheet. He has been waiting all his life for a paid gig in journalism and lapping it up - beats both driving the car park bus at Gatwick and heavy lorries between the UK and Spain.

Sometime Rocket FM comedian "Pablo" Watts, brought the world Melba, and introduced Pepe and the Bottle Blondes to a UK audience. He also spotted the hidden comedic talents of the late George Harrison on his cult radio show "Tail End." Sadly missed in Sussex, PunchBuggy wishes Paul all the best.

A youthful Paul Watts
in his radio days.

Back in TO

Flew back to Hogtown on Air Canada on Friday - now recovering from a week in Ottawa. Real signs of spring here - time to get the Brompton bicycle out of storage and get fit after winter hibernation.

Martin Leeburn sent me a picture to remind me what spring looks like in Sussex.
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Marsh King in KL

Sepang success for Matthew Marsh as he starts his title defence in the Porsche Carrera Asia Cup.

Libraries are cool

I'm in Ottawa at the Radisson sunday morning. Flew up here on Thursday for March break - an Ontario institution. Ottawa looked like a really small place, on the bend of the Ottawa river, from the air.

I went to see the Eric Eggleston band at the Lower Deck pub on Friday. They are packing the dance floor with a young crowd.
My book research is breaking through on all fronts - the national archives are in sight of the hotel and is home base for the week. Managed to find more stuff on-line armed with new knowledge from the paperwork.
Watched rerun of the Malaysian GP from 08:00 this morning. Waiting to hear how Matthew Marsh got on in Porsche GP support race at Sepang - he started from the front row.

CPR goes green with RailPower's Goats

The Globe and Mail covers an interesting purchase of cleaner shunting engines.

Old timers back in fashion

A strong trend at the Performance World Custom Car & Truck Show in Toronto was the return of old timey hot rods. The replica '32 Ford Model 'B' from the movie American Grafitti caught my eye as did this flathead Ford motor.

Sussex in the snow

Correspondent Martin Leeburn sent this picture taken with his new camera-phone on the Sussex Downs near Lewes.

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If anything was calculated to make me feel homesick this is it!

Giant grocery getter

Off to Loblaw's Friday night for some grocery shopping and there it was in the parking lot. An AMC Matador. These cars were made between 1974-1978 and they sure don't make them like that anymore. It was a grey car on a grey night but I just had to stop for the Mrs to get a pic.