The Rock is back

They say 'they never come back' but here is a story with a happy ending. The Speedway at Rockingham, North Carolina, which dropped off the NASCAR roster in 2004, has changed hands for about $4 million and Andy Hillenburg is bringing the place back to life with an ARCA race on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Hurrah!

Tuk Tuk tikka

Saturday ethnic eats here.

Air bags to save cyclists

Now Dutch cyclists call for cars to be fitted with airbags to cut down on cyclist fatalities.

Froth comes off

I take no comfort in the troubles at Starbucks.
Oh dear.

Hogtown Antics

Go here.

Five ring circus

Discredited London Olympics running on tick. Taxpayers are the patsy.

Bloor Street Shuffle

Curbside Cycle at 412 Bloor Street on the yellow Brompton bicycle to book a service to sort out the Sturmey-Archer gears. The shop is busy with the spring season so I booked an appointment for 28 April. An Alladin's Cave for bicycle freaks with a number of Bromptons in stock and a superb Moulton being demonstrated. My pal Jack would be seriously tempted. Seven miles round trip. Stopped off at Starbucks in my building on the way back - coffee outdoors. Pleased to have got the bike out this early in the season.

Mirage in the desert

Land speed fever does strange things to a man. See PunchBuggy Passim.

Great railway journeys

High-octane tours in The Guardian. I can vouch for the NZ Auckland-Wellington trip. Get down to Britomart early - you won't regret it.

George Ernest WILLMETT 1880-1908

I published the following notice in the ‘In Memoriam’ section of the Globe and Mail newspaper here in Toronto today, it being the hundredth anniversary of his death. The text reads:

One Hundred Years Ago Today

[Picture in print edition.]

Constable George Ernest WILLMETT,
R.N.W.M.P.,
August 2, 1880 - April 12, 1908

Constable George Ernest Willmett, Regimental #4584, Honour Roll #32, of the Royal North West Mounted Police was murdered in the line of duty on April 12, 1908 in Frank, Alberta. He was buried at 2:00 p.m. on April 15, 1908 in Union Cemetery, Fort Macleod, Alberta. George joined the Royal North West Mounted Police in Winnipeg on May 9, 1907. He was a rookie policeman who served eleven months in the force. He was unmarried.
George was born on Aug 2, 1880 in Taylors Terrace, Nottingham Road, Derby, Derbyshire, England. He was christened on Sep 5, 1880 in Chaddesden, Derby, Derbyshire, England.

Shot down in his prime.

FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND
1. CORINTHIANS 15. 52.

Contact: rupertlt@sympatico.ca
Photograph courtesy of NWMP Museum, Fort Macleod, Alberta.

END.

New Age of the train in UK

The Independent has the story. More here and here.