RAF war drawings found at mid Wales hotel

Drawings of planes and technical details about wartime aircraft were found scribbled on walls at the Belle Vue Royal Hotel in Aberystwyth.

The RAF said pilots trained in Aberystwyth during the war and were probably billeted at the hotel.

It has sent details of the find to its air historical branch in London.

The RAF's spokesman in Wales, Squadron Leader Peter Sinclair, described the drawings as an "incredible piece" of wartime history.

Pictures of wartime fighter aircraft and bombers, one complete with a pilot smoking a pipe, were discovered when the hotel stripped the walls of the room to decorate.

Technical data about the wingspan of British and German planes and dates from 1943 and 1944 were also uncovered.

"We know that during the war years, Aberystwyth was the home of No.6 Initial Training Wing (ITW)," said Sqn Ldr Sinclair, who has visited the room.

"My research leads me to believe that the hotel was used as billeting for the students of the training wing and may even have been used as a classroom or some other type of learning centre.

"Certainly this would explain why they took great trouble to record aircraft data on the walls of the bedroom - they would retire to rooms to do homework and revision and the data they needed to absorb was recorded on the walls."

Phrases, such as Bing for king and Joe can't sing, were also discovered daubed on the walls.

These may have been used as a training aid to remind pilots about a certain procedure, added Sqn Ldr Sinclair.

The hotel's owners now plan to re-decorate the room.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/mid/6549573.stm

Hotel website:
http://www.bellevueroyalhotel.co.uk/

It's a Car, It's a Boat, It's Both

The Food of Marche in East Nashville

The Meal


Proscuitto with shaved asparagus and parmesan cheese


Croissant French Toast with Apple Bacon


After Dinner Coffee and Biscotti

Inside the restaurant "Marche" in East Nashville

Three different views of the interior of the restaurant

Some Spring Flowers

I swear it was jumping up at me!


I'm seeing red

Driving on Interstate 65

Driving North on I-65


That lil truck must have a lot of horsepower, huh?


The Redneck Express...Yeehaa!!!

Bon Jovi Video Being Shot in Nashville Currently

Here is the latest from Bon Jovi. It is a good song and I heard they are currently shooting the video here in Nashville. We'll see if we can bump into him somewhere along the way.

http://www6.islandrecords.com/www2/av_player/AVPlayer.php?av_asset_id=11778&av_link_group_id=2465&av_type_id=1&cms_site_id=9

Chocolate Beetles

This is from the blogger Un-Swiss Miss. Check out her blog for some great photos and stories. http://unswissmiss.blogspot.com/


What next?


America is, with some justification, considered one of the most consumeristic countries in the world. However, in some ways Switzerland is just as bad. When I was here back in October, I saw that many shops had already started displaying their Christmas wares. Then, Fasnacht cakes took the place of Christmas lebkuchen and läckerli cookies, and those in turn were nudged aside by enormous chocolate Easter bunnies and elaborately decorated eggs. Whenever I'm here, there's been something special for sale in the stores.

Now that Easter is over, I've been wondering what they'll come up with next. As far as I'm aware, there are no religious, national, cantonal, or city holidays coming up. So what excuse will Coop and Migros use to get people to indulge?

Well, yesterday I went into Migros for the first time since Easter, and the answer seems to be: BEETLES.

Joshua Bell plays to commuters in D.C.

Read about Joshua Bell playing in the Washington Metro station. Enjoy a short video clip of him playing and watch the reaction of commuters that pass him by.

Would you take the time to stop and listen to such beautiful music, if you didn't know who was playing it?

http://www.webbspunideas.com/news.html

Coffman-Baird Ranch, part two

Mr. Coffman's granddaughter is Miss Rodeo California
http://www.missrodeocalifornia.com/2007Pageant/COFFMAN.htm

http://www.sandimasnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86

Coffman-Baird Ranch

A horse trainer that works out of the ranch
http://www.performancehorse.com/0107quicktips.htm

Chef's Line

Having a hard time with a recipe or just don't know how to cook? Spend a little time, in the comforts of your own home, with a chef from Chefs Line and have them help you create a meal to remember.

Schedule a cooking class with one of the chef's, read the Q&A or ask a question yourself and get an answer by 5pm that same day. They offer podcasts and all sorts of things to help the aspiring cook/chef. A really unique way to learn how to make some amazing meals.

Check out the link for more info.
http://www.webbspunideas.com/news.html

Highballs and Hydrangeas

Friday, April 13
6:30-9:00pm

Live music, cool cocktails, great wines and art.Get out to Cheekwood to mix and mingle at their cocktail fling while listening to music by the San Rafael Band. While there enjoy the opening of Iona Rozeal Brown in the Temporary Contemporary gallery and UnNatural in the Video Installation galleries.

Free for Cheekwood Member
$10 for non-members
Cash Bar
Rain or Shine

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, Tn
37205

What a Name!!!

Work on the Planet Hollywood sign reached a, umm, bawdy stage on Wednesday. Word has it Robert Earl, Planet Hollywood founder, has definite plans to complete the wording of the sign. Photo by Craig L. Moran

From a Norm Clarke column

Driving on 31-W From Nashville to Louisville *edited*

We took a drive up 31W recently from Nashville to Louisville. We saw beautiful country and areas that have been forgotten by most of the people traveling down the interstate and hurrying to get to their destination. Now don't get me wrong, I use the interstate quite often myself but it is so nice to slow down and enjoy driving down the older highways to see local restaurants, small motels, funny landmarks, odd roadside attractions and more.

Where else can you find a motel that is made to look like a bunch of wigwams? You don't find giant roosters, giant fish or gorillas near the interstate but you do on the older, "back" roads. We had a good laugh at all the funny things along the road, our mouths watered over the smell of bbq and other foods along the way and at the end of our journey we went to a fish fry in Louisville that has been around for ever and is a tradition for our family to visit a few times from spring to fall each year. The fish and fries are delicious and unique to this place.

It was a great way to spend the day. It was beautiful outside and we had the windows down and we enjoyed the sights, the food and we just enjoyed the drive.

Why don't you all get out and take a drive this weekend? Go a different route than the interstate and see what you can along the road. Enjoy good food, nice people and fun roadside oddities and funkiness.


Driving on 31-W going North. This is a view from the drivers window.