jeudi 31 mars 2011

Grande Baie beach

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Grande Baie beach

View to Grande Baie beach

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mercredi 30 mars 2011

Agapanthus

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Al Zubara in HDR

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Al Zubara in HDR

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mardi 29 mars 2011

Friday night sunset in Mevagissey

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Friday night sunset in Mevagissey

One nice surprise walking back from the lighthouse pier was the sun setting over the village and harbour, which looked rather beautiful with the sun reflecting into the sea.

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lundi 28 mars 2011

Diary: Henry Brooke gives new meaning to being off the bridle

Diary: Henry Brooke gives new meaning to being off the bridle

Great rides usually don’t get acknowledged unless the jockey wins, but Henry Brooke’s effort on Cool Baranca at Kelso warrants a special mention.

Diary: Henry Brooke gives new meaning to being off the bridle

Over and out: the Ireland cricket team outplayed and out-sledged the England team in the World Cup Photo: GETTY IMAGES

7:08PM BST 28 Mar 2011

A brief summary – the mare was still in with an each-way chance when she ran out at the last flight of hurdles – does not begin to tell the story.

Brooke, 20, is a promising 7lb claimer attached to Donald McCain’s yard with 17 winners this season. He was just moving Cool Baranca into contention when she made a howler at the fourth-last and fired the jockey over her head. She found an extra leg to save herself and, in the process of defying gravity to save himself, Brooke not only lost his irons but managed to push the bridle over the mare’s head.

Critically, however, he managed to keep hold of the bridle – if he had let go it would have probably tripped her up. An inventory at this stage of what he had – tangled bridle in his left hand and whip in his right – and what he didn’t have – irons, steering or brakes – would have made uncomfortable reading had he been able to stop and think about it. His immediate future looked bleak let alone his continued participation in the contest.

Upsides him, Graham Lee shouted “well sat” while back in the Kelso weighing room there was a division in opinion as to what his next move should be; old jockeys were muttering to themselves that he should try and pull up or even bail out, while the cavalier young guns were roaring on his futile bravery.

In the saddle – not a totally accurate description of things – Brooke, with effectively no feet and no hands, had two sharpish left-hand bends and three hurdles still to negotiate but, whether this was a good thing or not, Cool Baranca had regained not only her composure but her competitive instinct and was right back in the firing line.

Waving his whip furiously around her head with his right hand, like someone conducting Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture on speed, to get her to turn at the bend, he not only got her round both corners and over the next two flights, but kept the game mare right in contention.

However, going to the last flight – an island hurdle was always going to be a problem – she was given the gentlest of nudges by one of the other runners and Cool Baranca, who had run a lot on the Flat so probably wondered what the hurdles were doing blocking her path anyway, rather sweetly ran around it but, of her own accord, rejoined the race to the line.

By this time the heroic Brooke had given up trying to ride a finish, but the mare looks a good thing next time out – with a bridle.

BOWLED OVER

Michael Caulfield, the former chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association who is now a sports psychologist, has not long returned from the Cricket World Cup. He was helping the ICC with the positive attitude of some of the associate nations, which included Canada, Kenya, the Netherlands, who should have beaten England, and Ireland, who famously did beat England.

According to him, it seems Ireland not only outplayed England but – and you’d half expect this from a nation well known for its blarney – they out-sledged them too. An Irish batsman who had been hitting the English bowlers to all parts of the ground, scrambled a single off an accurate yorker from our best bowler. When he got to the non-striker’s end he congratulated his adversary. “Well bowled, mate,” he said.

The English bowler, who was thoroughly frustrated by this stage, replied moodily: “You wouldn’t know what a ******* good ball was.”

“Well,” replied the Irish batsman, “I should do by now, you’ve bowled enough bad ones.”
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

IMG_3158

<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5567517038_0216519c91_z.jpg" alt="photo" width="640" height="427">

IMG_3158

Location: Carmel Beach
Carmel - CA - USA

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dimanche 27 mars 2011

Bulb

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Slangkoppunt Lighthouse

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Slangkoppunt lighthouse

Slangkoppunt Lighthouse, Cape Point, South Africa

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samedi 26 mars 2011

vendredi 25 mars 2011

Cascatella

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Cascatella

DO NOT use my pictures without my written permission, these images are under copyright. Contact me if you want to buy or use them. Selene Farci © All rights reserved

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jeudi 24 mars 2011

Beaches

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Coast near Fethiye/Turkey

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Coast near Fethiye/Turkey

Karagzler Peninsula at the Gulf of Fethiye

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mercredi 23 mars 2011

MEPs to defy austerity calls with European 'House of History'

MEPs to defy austerity calls with European 'House of History'

MEPs will on Thursday defy calls for them to show respect for national austerity programmes by spending millions on a euro-museum celebrating the "common historical memory" of the EU.

MEPs will on Thursday defy calls for them to show respect for national austerity programmes by spending millions on a euro-museum celebrating the common historical memory of the EU.

Plans to start the history with Greek civilisation had to be shelved because MEPs could not agree on any event prior to 1946 Photo: ALAMY

Bruno Waterfield

By Bruno Waterfield, Brussels 5:10PM GMT 23 Mar 2011

Despite opposition from EU governments and amid deep cutbacks to national museums and galleries in Britain and other countries, the European Parliament is planning to spend at least £58 million on its own "House of History". On Thursday they will spend £2.2 million as down-payment.

The project, aimed at fostering a "common historical memory" for the EU is to go ahead even though MEPs are unable to agree on a common understanding of fundamental European history, including what happened during the Second World War.

Parliament officials have been deeply embarrassed because plans to begin Europe's history with Greek civilisation up until today were sunk because MEPs were split on every significant event for the last 200 years.

Because of deep divisions between German, Polish and East European deputies over interpretations of both World Wars the official EU version of history will have to begin in 1946.

Disputes over the exhibitions continue to rage with many East European MEPs angered over pilot display that suggest that the first direct elections to the EU assembly in 1979 somehow triggered the fall of Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Derk Jan Eppink, a Belgian centre-right MEP, said: "Nobody wants to be involved in this, when people cannot even agree what happened in the last war.

"It is self-aggrandisement at the expense of the taxpayer. If the parliament wants this project then it should get donations from Federalists, well paid MEPs themselves or companies who want to support it."

Hans-Gert Poettering, a German Christian Democrat MEP and the former parliament president, has made the "house of history" a personal mission.

"If we'd asked the other EU institutions for financial assistance at this stage, we wouldn't have got it and it would have been the end of the project," he admitted to MEPs on the budget committee two weeks ago.

The £53.2 million start up cost of the museum and £6.3 million in estimated annual costs, not including staffing, have led the parliament's budget committee to complain "there is still no overview of the global cost of the project available".
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

CHSAA Bronx softball preview: Versatile Preston looks to regain division crown

Preston has been one of the premier programs in the CHSAA Bronx/Westchester league. But with a younger squad last year fell short of claiming a third straight division title, losing a head-to-head tiebreaker to Our Lady Victory.

“We definitely want to finish on top this year,” Panthers coach Rachel Mazza said.

Despite losing power bats Nicole Cavigliano and Jessica Kerrigan, a talented nucleus returns let by shortstop Laura Montalto. The four-year varsity starter, nicknamed Monster, is one of the best all-around players in the city. Last season she slugged nine home runs, drove in 37 runs and was 3-for-5 with six RBI, including a grand slam, in two playoff games.

Preston's Laura Montalto will try to lead the Panthers to a CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title.

Philip Hall

Preston's Laura Montalto will try to lead the Panthers to a CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title.

“I think everything falls on Laura,” Mazza said.

Montalto has already taken her likely protection in the order, first-year junior catcher Kitty Lajga, under her wing. Left fielder Franki Primiani is swinging the bat well in the preseason and could have a big year. Sophomore center fielder Megan Kelly, like her five other classmates, has come in more confident. She will lead an outfield that will also feature Melissa Santiago and senior Krista Rinaldi, who will also see time at fist with Sara Nardi.

“She is definitely another bat to the order,” the coach said of Lajga. “She is exactly what we needed since Cavigliano is gone.”

Jessica Signore was one of Preston&rsquo;s breakout starts as a freshman last season because of her speed and range in the field. She will move to shortstop and again be looked upon to provide a spark at the top of the order. Talented freshman Sabrina D’Ancona will take over at second base. Sophomore Mary Connelly is a slapper with plenty of speed who will help Preston succeed with a more small ball style than teams in the past that were loaded with power. Senior Azia Spivey will add depth.

“It’s just a little different [team],” Mazza said. “I wouldn’t say as talented [as past teams], but more versatile.”

Much of the Panthers' success against rivals Maria Regina, Cardinal Spellman and OLV will rest on the arm of junior windmiller Kristie Davidow. She finished her first year as the staff ace, despite an up and down regular season, with a flurry. Davidow allowed just two first-inning runs and struck out seven in a Archdiocesan quarterfinal win over St. Joseph Hill and had her team ahead of eventual CHSAA state champion St. Joseph by the Sea in the semifinals until they were undone by errors. Kelly is throwing better than a year ago and is better ready to step in if Davidow's nagging back injury flares up.

“We just have to keep her head cool and her back good,” Mazza said Davidow.

If so, Preston could find itself back on top.

Cardinal Spellman finished third last season, but feels it can better compete with Preston and Our Lady of Victory with a team that lost just one starter. Junior Tiffany Rondon returns to the circle after a broken bone in her leg cut her second varsity season short. Classmate Joanne Guerra, who filled in last year after the injury, will be her backup, play some second base and provide some run-scoring ability.

“She is a good littler hitter,” Pilots coach Dan Crane said of Guerra. “She knows the game. She is very intense.”

His squad’s unquestioned star is junior Victoria Quinones. Injuries had her moving to different positions a year ago, but Crane hopes to keep her strong glove at shortstop. Quinones will the No. 3 hitter in a formidable middle of the order with catcher Malaya Lambert and Olivia O'Farrill. O'Farrill will see time in right field and split innings at first with Christine Quinones. Soccer star Taylor Addison is an athletic leadoff hitter and centerfielder. Patrolling left field is Kristen Carew. Isabel Harris should provide depth in the infield, while Laura McCaffrey will do the same in the outfield.

“She is a pretty good hitter and has superior speed,” said Crane of Addison. “She is just a really good athlete.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Nypost.com

Chelsea 2 Manchester City 0: match report

Chelsea 2 Manchester City 0: match report

Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday March 20.

PREVIEW

LIVE

REPORT

CHELSEA

2 - 0

FT

MANCHESTER CITY

Sunday, March 20 16:00

Premier League

Stamford Bridge

David Luiz (78)

Ramires (90+2)

(HT 0-0)

ATT: 41,741

David Luiz - Chelsea 2 Manchester City 0 match report

 

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Defender of the faith: David Luiz scored Chelsea's first as they beat Manchester City Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Ramires - Chelsea 2 Manchester City 0 match report

 

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Back of the net: Ramires scored the second goal of the afternoon to secure all three points Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Fernando Torres - Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0 match report

 

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Off target: Fernando Torres has now failed to score in seven games for Chelsea following his record-breaking #50 million move from Liverpool on transfer deadline day Photo: PA

Henry Winter

By Henry Winter 6:00PM GMT 20 Mar 2011

Henry's Twitter

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All good teams boast a back-up strategy and Plan B for Brazilians certainly worked brilliantly for Chelsea at the Bridge on Sunday. Late goals from David Luiz and Ramires kept Chelsea’s title flame flickering after their initial tactical set-up failed to bring the best out of Fernando Torres, the birthday boy denied the gift of a goal he craved.

In leapfrogging City into third, the champions now lie within four points of Arsenal and nine of Manchester United. Chelsea, who have a game in hand over the leaders, must still travel to Old Trafford.

If Sir Alex Ferguson’s famously resilient side rightly remain favourites, nervy Arsenal certainly look vulnerable to a late Chelsea charge, particularly with Luiz and Ramires playing as vibrantly like this.

Luiz has quickly become a darling of the Bridge. The centre-half’s willingness to take risks in possession may haunt the sleep of his manager, Carlo Ancelotti, but the fans love it. The man who seems to use the same hairdresser as Carlos Valderrama certainly makes things happen.

Life’s not boring with Luiz about. At one point in the second half, Luiz tangled for possession with Edin Dzeko and his shorts came down.

It was not the full Sammy Nelson, not even a half-Nelson, but it provided more entertainment. He also scored a vital goal, heading home after City had resisted Chelsea for 78 minutes. His fellow-Brazilian, and former Benfica team-mate, added the second.

Ramires’ goal was a gem, weaving through City’s defence, and a slight surprise as the No 7 shirt had been deemed jinxed here in recent years; previous incumbents included Adrian Mutu, Winston Bogarde, Bernard Lamborde and Andrei Shevchenko. When he arrived for £18m, Ramires resembled a little boy lost in the big, bad playground of English football, a paper aeroplane in the wind-tunnel of the physical, pacy Premier League. Ramires settled in, put in some big tackles, and looks increasingly integral to Chelsea’s future.

As should Carlo Ancelotti be. The day began with Chelsea’s chief executive, Ron Gourlay, making some unnecessary comments on radio about the Italian’s future, saying that judgement would be made this summer. Ancelotti, one of the game’s good guys and an excellent manager, deserves an extension to a contract that expires in 2012, not the lukewarm words of his employer. At least, Roman Abramovich was here on Sunday and appeared to be enjoying it.

While Chelsea should rightly celebrate victory, the Torres conundrum persists. Abramovich’s £50m signing had the starting XI seemingly shaped to his design; Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba both began sitting behind Ancelotti, although they arrived midway through the second half and helped turn the game.

On being removed, Torres cut a disconsolate figure sitting, hunched, on the bench but he should look across town for inspiration. At Arsenal, Dennis Bergkamp took eight games to score, and Thierry Henry another game, and they became prolific idols. Torres will come good.

City will hope Edin Dzeko also begins delivering, although he was an isolated figure for much of this game as Chelsea dominated. City were missing Carlos Tévez, suffering with a slight groin problem, so blunting their cutting edge, seeing only a Yaya Touré shot in the first half. but they lacked none of their usual defensive resilience.

Vincent Kompany was terrific again. Defenders are rarely celebrated in the end-of-season individual awards but the Belgian deserves a mention alongside the likes of Nemanja Vidic.

Kompany had to be on his guard as Micah Richards ventured forth frequently, and Ashley Cole was quick to target the area vacated by the marauding City right-back.

Chelsea had their chances and Torres never stopped showing for the ball. He needs to regain that burning acceleration that saw off opponents. In a listless first period, Torres was caught by Nigel de Jong in a sprint over 15 yards.

Alongside Torres in their 4-4-2 was Kalou, getting into good positions but failing to hit the target. He could have earned a penalty, his cross hitting Joleon Lescott’s left arm, but Chris Foy waved play on. When Kompany then slipped, Kalou swivelled and shot straight at Joe Hart.

The game continued to meander through the second half, the song remaining the same, of Chelsea control and City blockade. Torres was working hard but the eye kept being drawn back to Luiz. He linked with Lampard, creating a chance for Branislav Ivanovic, who headed straight at Kompany. Abramovich swung a fist through the air in frustration.

City’s industry was immense, Aleksandar Kolarov and Nigel De Jong both throwing themselves in the way of Michael Essien’s attempted pass. City’s attacks were limited, although Dzeko flicked a header just wide.

Luiz was more and more visible, joining in the widespread sympathetic applause as Torres was substituted in the 70th minute. The Brazilian moved across to shake hands with the departing Spaniard.

Still Chelsea pressed. Still Kompany stood firm, heading away a Lampard free-kick. Luiz was making more frequent visits to Hart’s area, even geeing up the Matthew Harding end to crank up the volume.

He soon sent the noise off the dial. When Drogba swerved in a free-kick from the left, Luiz darted in between Kompany and Kolarov. The header still needed to be directed superbly, angled down past Hart.

As Chelsea celebrated, Mancini was forced to change course. He had planned to park the bus with two more defenders, Dedryck Boyata and Jerome Boateng, but had to release the handbrake. Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson came on but the most dangerous wave flooding across the pitch was pure royal blue.

Ashley Cole had an effort blocked before Ramires struck an elegant second in stoppage time. Gliding past Lescott and Kolarov, Ramires swept the ball past Hart. Brazil 2, City 0.
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

mardi 22 mars 2011

Mesh wire shirt

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Mesh wire shirt

Shop sign of a tailor's shop (or something the like) in Mnchen (munich), Bavaria, Germany.

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lundi 21 mars 2011

Welfare reform: companies could make up to 14,000 for every claimant who gets back into work

Welfare reform: companies could make up to #14,000 for every claimant who gets back into work

Private firms could make up to £14,000 each for every long-time benefit claimant they get back into work, the welfare reform minister has said.

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Link to this video

Christopher Hope

By Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor 3:42PM GMT 21 Mar 2011

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The new Welfare Reform Bill will sweep away a range of benefits and replace them with a simple Universal Credit. Benefits claimants will get higher payments when they go to work, trying to give them a stronger incentive to take jobs.

Welfare-to-work providers will be rewarded for helping longterm unemployed back into work and able Lord Freud said they would be able to earn “very good fees” from the benefits overhaul.

He said: “Depending on the scale of the challenge the jobseeker faces, we will pay anything between £4,000 and £14,000 to the employment specialists – if they can get people into sustainable employment.”

The Government recognised that “it is very easy to throw an incredible amount of money” at new benefits programmes “without seeing results”.

There are 2.2million people on incapacity benefit, of whom 1.6million will be assessed to see if they are fit for work. Trials have suggested that one in three will be judged to fit to go back to work.

Organisations will be paid on a sliding scale dependant on the nature of the benefit claimant they help.

A recently unemployed jobseeker would attract a smaller premium than someone who has been claiming out of work benefits for years, lacked confidence and had little work experience.

The highest premium - £14,000 - would only be paid to a firm who has moved a long term claimant into work, as long as they have stayed there for at least two years.

Lord Freud, a former City banker, was unapologetic about the prospect of large companies making millions of pounds from plans to replace a number of different benefits with the single Universal Credit.

He said: “Payment by results means that we can reward providers who invest successfully to get people into jobs – especially the hardest to help.

“In turn that means that the providers have an incentive and work with the specialist groups that can deliver the frontline expertise required to achieve the biggest pay-offs.”

Speaking at a conference organised by the Institute for Public Policy Research, Lord Freud said in the past “fundamental reforms like this created too many losers in the short term, even though it was the right thing to do in the long-term”.

However there was now the political will, the political consensus and “the financial imperative to get something done courtesy of the deficit”.

This “payment by results” model was now being expanded into other parts of Government, such as among drug addicts and in prisons. He said: “There is no reason why we can’t replicate this approach more widely.”

welfare reform bill, incapacity benefit, new welfare, christopher hope, time benefit, employment specialists, sustainable employment, universal credit, claimant, jobseeker, claimants, whitehall, amount of money, dependant, work experience, freud, gmt, confidence, long time, jobs

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Six Nations 2011: England fly-half Toby Flood hopes defeat against Ireland can have galvanising affect

Six Nations 2011: England fly-half Toby flood hopes defeat against Ireland can have galvanising affect

Toby Flood insists England will emerge from the wreckage of their failed Grand Slam bid a stronger side.

Six Nations 2011: England fly-half Toby Flood hopes defeat against Ireland can have galvanising affect

Catalyst: Toby Flood is banking on England learning from Ireland defeat Photo: AFP

By Telegraph staff and agencies 11:57AM GMT 21 Mar 2011

Comments

England's hopes of a Six Nations clean sweep were crushed by Ireland, who stormed to a 24-8 victory at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Martin Johnson's men were crowned champions but the trophy was of scant consolation after such a disappointing performance and emphatic defeat.

"This will hurt for a long time," said the Leicester fly-half. "Sometimes it is the darkest and difficult moments that bring you together. We will have to use this as a catalyst to drive us forward."

The squad need look no further than the likes of Johnson, Mike Tindall and Jonny Wilkinson for inspiration. They all experienced multiple Grand Slam failures before sealing the deal in 2003.

In 2000 and 2001, when Johnson was captain, England were crowned champions after losing Grand Slam deciders against Scotland and then Ireland. That team grew to become the best in the world.

This young England generation still boast huge potential but they were taught a brutal lesson by Ireland.

England will regroup in the summer for a training camp and three warm-up internationals before their next full-blown Test, against Argentina in the World Cup on Sept 10.

"I think we are in a pretty good place," Johnson said. "The season has been good. If you had said at the start that we'd have been here in Ireland with a chance to win the Grand Slam and the championship we'd have been happy.

"A lot of our guys are playing a full season of international rugby for the first time and winning the championship is a heck of an achievement.

"It is a fantastic launch pad as we head towards the World Cup.

"My motivation is to do a good job for English rugby and make it what it can be.

"We should be a team that can compete with anyone in the world - that's what the goal is and we are getting closer to it.

"We got ourselves to 4-0 and could not quite finish it off. We will come back and be a better team the next time we play.

"This will keep us humble with our feet on the ground, there is no doubt about that. Games like this one reinforce to players what they need to do to get better."

mike tindall, jonny wilkinson, english rugby, telegraph staff, captain england, launch pad, international rugby, grand slam, clean sweep, aviva, six nations, internationals, wreckage, consolation, good job, catalyst, world cup, training camp, flood, heck

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

dimanche 20 mars 2011

Six Nations 2011: England may have won the trophy but it's Ireland who took the crown in Dublin

Six Nations 2011: England may have won the trophy but it's Ireland who took the crown in Dublin

To England the spoils and the Six Nations trophy, but the real winners this year are Ireland.

Six Nations 2011: England may have won the trophy but it's Ireland who took the crown in Dublin

Different class: Ireland showed their full potential in Dublin Photo: PA

Brendan Gallagher

By Brendan Gallagher 10:31AM GMT 20 Mar 2011

Brendan's Twitter

Comments

In truth, England didn't come anywhere near winning a Grand Slam, they were almost embarrassingly off the pace in Dublin and should have lost by 30 points or more.

That is the chief memory they will take out of the 2011 Championship.

No, the team that came nearest to winning the Grand Slam was actually third-placed Ireland, and that's an Ireland that were only able to engage top gear in short bursts as they experiment with new players and systems ahead of the World Cup.

With Ireland you know for a fact that there is much more to come, with England you wonder.

Apart from the occasional mesmerising glimpse of French skill and early England dash against Italy, Ireland played most of the quality rugby in this year's tournament, albeit sporadically until on Saturday when they let England have both barrels for the full 80 minutes. If they start doing that with some regularity, look out.

Ireland outplayed France for large tracts of their game in Dublin and outscored them three tries to one. They only faltered at the Aviva because they got on the wrong side of the referee - as they did in Italy and Scoland - and Sean Cronin dropped the ball with both the line and a two-man overlap beckoning in the final minute.

Ireland should have won in Wales but allowed themselves to become unnerved by one of the worst and most crass refereeing decisions in Six Nations history.

Even then they would have won if Paddy Wallace hadn't butchered a three-man overlap in the last minute when trying to score under the posts, rather than keeping it simple. He won't do that again, or if he does he will be out of the squad.

As you might have noticed there are a few 'ifs' and 'buts' there for which I make no apologies.The point is, however, that there were absolutely no 'ifs' and 'buts' about England.

On Saturday, in Dublin, they simply weren't good enough, not even close to the required standard to compete for the World Cup. There were no caveats whatsoever about the England performance, they were lightyears away from the rugby Ireland produced.

It is Ireland who have emerged with the most plusses. O'Brien has emerged as a massive backrow force, Paul O'Connell is back up to speed after serious injury, Donncha O'Callaghan has rediscovered his zest, Cian Healy increasingly looks the real deal at scrum-time and Mike Ross is so solid. Why have Ireland taken so long to recognise his worth?

Johnny Sexton has come through a dip in form and confidence, Ronan O'Gara is settling into his new, but important, role as second fiddle, Eoin Reddan looks sharp again, Keith Earls could be a major force at full-back, where he was one of the best underage players in Ireland history, Tommy Bowe has been majestic in his few games after injury and most of all their warrior chief, Brian O'Driscoll, has got the bit between his teeth again.

Don't think for one minute O'Driscoll will be travelling to New Zealand in the autumn just to make up the numbers.

The SANZAR teams watching the Six Nations - and they do like hawks - will have been most impressed and worried by new Ireland because they are clearly on a big upward curve again, yet still have a hard core of experience within the squad.

France are a perennial puzzle and worry them a little for that reason alone, but England's soft underbelly was cruelly exposed and don't think the southern hemisphere giants didn't notice.

brendan gallagher, scoland, sean cronin, grand slam, nations history, six nations, aviva, regularity, spoils, top gear, wrong side, referee, tracts, glimpse, world cup, dublin, hadn, trophy, rugby, nbsp

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accepts five-match ban with parting shot at Football Association

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accepts five-match ban with parting shot at Football Association

Sir Alex Ferguson had a parting shot at the Football Association after accepting his five-game touchline ban for criticising referee Martin Atkinson, which will begin against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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By Mark Ogden 6:50AM GMT 18 Mar 2011

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The Manchester United manager, who will watch his horse, What A Friend, race for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday, had considered appealing against the ban, and £30,000 fine, imposed by an FA regulatory commission on Wednesday.

However, following talks with United chief executive David Gill and the club's legal advisers, Ferguson decided not to appeal, to avoid the possibility of having his ban extended beyond the Premier League trip to Arsenal on May 1.

Ferguson, who was charged with improper conduct for casting doubt on Atkinson's integrity by calling for a "fair referee" following the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea earlier this month – a match United were winning 1-0 but lost to a controversial penalty from Frank Lampard – remains unrepentant about his actions, however.

Ferguson described the punishment as "disappointing", adding that football "is the only industry you can't tell the truth in. So anyway, it's in the past, they [FA] are not worth it".

By accepting his punishment, Ferguson will also be banned from the touchline for next month's Premier League games against West Ham, Fulham and Everton, plus the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley on April 16/17.

Ferguson will be free to return to the dugout for the Old Trafford clash with Everton on April 23, however, if United's trip to Newcastle, originally scheduled for semi-final weekend, is rearranged for April 19/20.

sir alex ferguson, premier league games, bolton wanderers, alex ferguson, frank lampard, mark ogden, old trafford, controversial penalty, ogden 6, david gill, parting shot, legal advisers, improper conduct, martin atkinson, gold cup, manchester united, football association, west ham, regulatory commission, dugout

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

samedi 19 mars 2011

Baos de la Reina

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Baos de la Reina

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vendredi 18 mars 2011

Mountain moonlight

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Mountain moonlight

From a skiing trip over the Hardanger platou.

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jeudi 17 mars 2011

Sinad O'Connor to debut new album at Manchester Festival

Sin O&rsquo;Connor to debut new album at Manchester Festival

Irish singer will play songs from Home at the Manchester International Festival.

Sinead O' Connor - Sinead O'Connor at the Pigalle Club, London, review

A cross between a nun and a medical orderly: Sinead O' Connor 

2:54PM GMT 17 Mar 2011

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Sinéad O’Connor will debut her new album Home at the Manchester International Festival from 1-3 July at the Pavillion Theatre.

O'Connor, who will doing some acoustic shows in Europe in May and June, has been working on the album in London and New York in recent months. The Irish singer has been working with Marco Pirroni and John Reynolds on the album which is described as "a guitar based electric album . . .with songs about love".

The 44-year-old rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song Nothing Compares 2 U.

She has provoked controversy with her ordination as a priest and strong views on organised religion, women's rights, war, and child abuse. Her last album was 2007's Theology.

To listen to Sinead new song Reason with me go to http://www.sineadoconnor.com/

Other musical acts appearing at the Manchester International Festival include Rickie Lee Jones, Candi Staton, Bjork and Snoop Dogg.

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Telegraph.feedsportal.com

mercredi 16 mars 2011

Notre Dame Faulted in Student Death

The University of Notre Dame was cited Tuesday for violating Indiana safety laws when a student employee fell to his death in October after being ordered to videotape a football practice from a scissor lift during a wind storm.

A four-month investigation by the Indiana Department of Labor concluded that an unidentified athletic-department supervisor knowingly placed at risk the life of Declan Sullivan, by instructing him to ascend 35 feet in the lift amid gusts the National Weather Service had warned could reach 60 miles per hour.

Mr. Sullivan, 20 years old, stood atop the lift in howling winds on the afternoon of Oct. 27 and sent Tweets to friends expressing fear for his life. Minutes later, the lift toppled. Two other students who had been dispatched atop separate lifts quickly descended following the accident.

"The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrated that the university made a decision to utilize its scissor lifts in known adverse weather conditions," said Lori Torres, a state Department of Labor commissioner, describing the "knowing citation" issued against Notre Dame as "the most serious safety violation."

The department charged Notre Dame with six safety violations and levied fines totaling $77,500. Under law, Notre Dame has 15 days to pay the fines or appeal the findings.

In a statement, Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins reiterated his concession of last November that "we failed to keep [Declan Sullivan] safe, and for that we remain profoundly sorry."

Notre Dame's own investigation into the accident will be concluded in four to six weeks, and will be made public, said John Affleck-Graves, executive vice president of Notre Dame and the leader of that inquiry.

The state investigation found that university officials had failed to service the lifts, train students who used them and follow safety instructions, including keeping operating manuals aboard.

Mr. Sullivan belonged to a Chicago-area family with deep ties to Notre Dame. His parents, Barry and Alison Sullivan, praised the Indiana investigation and expressed the hope that other schools would follow Notre Dame's lead in halting use of the hydraulic lifts. "We are grateful for the respect shown us over the past several months by everyone connected with Notre Dame," the statement said.

In an interview, family spokesman H. Michael Miley, the late student's uncle, said he didn't know whether Mr. Sullivan's parents would consider filing civil litigation. "My belief is that they're focused on making sure others will learn from this," said Mr. Miley. "I'm not so sure that litigation would do anything but impede that process."

Write to Kevin Helliker at kevin.helliker@wsj.com

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Online.wsj.com

Dove Lake Circuit

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Dove Lake Circuit

Last day in tasmania and it was just wet. Still a lovely walk though. I just wasn't tempted to climb any passes or peaks or whatever.

There are even more pictures from Dove Lake in the set I just didn't want to throw them all over you.

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mardi 15 mars 2011

Manchester United v Marseille: Nani back in training and should be fit for Champions League clash

Manchester United v Marseille: Nani back in training and should be fit for Champions League clash

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says both Nani and Nemanja Vidic could be fit to face Marseille in the Champions League.

Nani - Nani could face Marseille

 

Image 1 of 2

Recovery: Nani hopes to bolster Alex Ferguson's squad ahead of the Champions League game against Marseille Photo: REUTERS

Nani - Nani could return against Marseille

 

Image 1 of 2

Quick return: Nani has been injured since Jamie Carragher's tackle on him at Anfield Photo: PA

By Telegraph staff 3:05PM GMT 14 Mar 2011

Vidic missed training at Carrington this morning after picking up a knock against Arsenal, but Ferguson expects his captain to be fit to face the French side, saying: "He's OK. He's tough enough."

Nani - sidelined since his shin was injured by a high tackle from Liverpool's Jamie Carragher - could also feature after a quicker than expected recovery. "He [Nani] has a good chance," of featuring.

"Nani has had the stitches removed and has a chance for Tuesday," Ferguson originally said. "He's done some work on the bike, but the problem is that he hasn't trained yet."

With Michael Carrick and Michael Owen also training today, and Antonio Valencia finally back after a long-term injury, Ferguson expects to field a very differenct side to that which started against Arsenal.

Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were all rested at Old Trafford, with Ferguson saying: "I couldn't risk Scholes and Giggs because of Tuesday's game against Marseille, such a vital game for the club, so Darron Gibson had to play as the only natural midfielder. "

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Telegraph.feedsportal.com

dimanche 13 mars 2011

Alte Nationalgalerie

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Alte Nationalgalerie

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Engadin Skimarathon 2011

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Engadin Skimarathon 2011

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samedi 12 mars 2011

Gourette

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Gourette

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Hereye Ramen..

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Hereye Ramen..

Amak,hayatta kalmak ve meyve vermek...

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vendredi 11 mars 2011

Frozen bushes in heavy fog

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Frozen bushes in heavy fog

at Hochkar ski resort, Alps, Austria.

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Queens Park Rangers face points deduction after fielding ineligible player

Queens Park Rangers may face points deduction as FA investigate player ownership

Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers face a possible points deduction after they were charged with a breach of rule banning third-party ownership in relation to Alejandro Faurlin.

Alejandro Faurlin - Queens Park Rangers may face points deduction as FA investigate player ownership

Costly mistake: Alejandro Faurlin (left) in action for Queens Park Rangers in their recent defeat of Ipswich Town Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Paul Kelso

By Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter 5:55PM GMT 09 Mar 2011

Paul's Twitter

The Argentine midfielder joined Queens Park Rangers in July 2009 from Institute FC for £3.5 million but it is now alleged that when he did so an un-named third-party retained a stake in his economic rights.

The FA on Wednesday charged the club and chairman Gianni Paladini with breaching seven regulations, including providing false information when the player was registered.

It is also charged with making payments to an unauthorised agent when Faurlin was signed.

If found guilty the club could face a range of penalties from a fine to a points deduction that might place their promotion chase in jeopardy. They are currently seven points clear at the top of the Championship and strong favourites to return to the Premier League.

The closest parallel to the case is that of Carlos Tévez who played for West Ham United in breach of the Premier League's third-party rules.

West Ham were eventually punished with a £5m fine rather than a points deduction and Tévez was permitted to continue playing, scoring the goals that kept the club in the league.

Sheffield United were the biggest losers from the Tévez case, being relegated under the management of Neil Warnock, who is now in charge at Loftus Road.

The FA consider that Faurlin, who is a QPR regular and signed a four-year contract extension in October 2010, has been eligible to play because his registration was lodged with the FA.

The club will be charged with concealing the true nature of his contract from the FA when making that registration.

The Football League discovered the alleged breach of rules in September last year but as it did not have rules banning third –party ownership at the time he signed the case was passed to the FA.

The FA allowed QPR to buy out the third-party rights in January 2011 so that the player could continue to play without breaching any rules.

In a statement the FA said: "The FA has charged Queens Park Rangers FC with seven breaches of FA regulations.

‪"The Club charges relate to the player Alejandro Faurlin and concern the alleged existence of an agreement between the Club and a third party in respect of the player's economic rights, and the alleged failure by the Club to notify The FA of that agreement before the player was registered to play in England in July 2009.

‪"These charges are brought under FA Rules C1(b)(iii) and E3, and the Third Party Investment in Players Regulations, A1 and A2.

"The Club is also charged with allegedly using or seeking to pay an Unauthorised Agent in relation to the player's registration in July 2009.

This charge is brought under the Players Agents Regulations, A1.

‪"The Club and Club Official Gianni Paladini are also charged in respect of allegedly false information contained in documents submitted to The FA in relation to the same player signing an extension to his playing contract with the Club in October 2010. These charges are brought under the Players Agents Regulations, C2, and FA Rule E3."
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

CSF // 07 // The Inspiration Theory

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CSF // 07 // The Inspiration Theory

--- PLEASE WRITE SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PICTURE - comments with group stamps will be deleted, thanks for understanding ---

fashion designer: CSF

gear: canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II USM lens

--- do not use my work without written permission, thank you ---

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Carnival in Venice, Italy.

photo

Carnival in Venice, Italy.

Photographed in Venice, Italy.

pedrolastra.com

© 2011 by Pedro Lastra
This image is copyrighted material as indicated!

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jeudi 10 mars 2011

Bubbles 3

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Bubbles 3

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Blunders and pranks that have plagued the census

Blunders and pranks that have plagued the census

With Jedis making an appearance in 2001 and the Government looking at cheaper alternatives, here are a few of the pranks, pitfalls and bizarre facts that have stood out in the census since 1841.

Blunders and pranks that have plagued the census

In 2001, over 300,000 people claimed that their religion was that of Jedi Photo: REUTERS

Andy Bloxham

By Andy Bloxham 7:30AM GMT 10 Mar 2011

Among the unusual occupations which have cropped up over the years are some which are either very specialised or somewhat less than entirely serious. They include: "ankle beater", "bottom knocker", "elephant teeth dealer", "slapper", "mugger", "toe rag" and the exotic "potato badger".

Before 1951, women had to be told to be honest about their age - many felt that such questions were too personal and opted to lie instead.

In 2001, over 300,000 people claimed that their religion was that of Jedi. Such was the success of the pro-Jedi campaign that it became the fourth-largest "religion" in the country. Many on Twitter (other social networks are available) have reacted angrily to suggestions of a similar stunt this year.

The population census of 1841 showed that almost half of all families in Ireland lived in one-roomed cabins about 3m wide by 7m long.

In 1911, married couples were asked about how "fertile" their conjugal relations were.

Refusing to fill in this year's census (available in 57 languages) is illegal. It could see you fined £1,000. However, an estimated 3million people took that chance last time around and only 38 were prosecuted.

In 1841, the question about birthplace had simply "yes" or "no" as answers and those writing "no" were recorded in the handwritten ledgers of the time as "F" - born in foreign parts.

elephant teeth, unusual occupations, population census, bizarre facts, toe rag, married couples, bloxham, ledgers, reuters, social networks, blunders, pranks, pitfalls, badger, elephant, 3m, last time, nbsp, gmt, appearance

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

mercredi 9 mars 2011

113473274SaZRtW_ph

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113473274SaZRtW_ph

Markets of PNG

global-citizen-01.blogspot.com

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mardi 8 mars 2011

Walchensee

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walchensee

Der Blick auf den Walchensee von Westen. Rechts noch Schnee, links die Ortschaft Walchensee und im Hintergrund der Jochberg.

View over the Walchensee from west. Right side still snow, left the village Walchensee and in the background the mountain Jochberg.

View On Black

My pictures are published under "All rights reserved". If you want to use an image - either for commercial or non-profit purposes, feel free to contact me. I'm sure we'll find an agreement ...

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Half Nelson Playground

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Half Nelson Playground

University Heights, The Bronx, New York City, New York, united states of America

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lundi 7 mars 2011

dimanche 6 mars 2011

Stockholm. Nordiska museet

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stockholm. Nordiska museet

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Icy Thorns, Matthiessen State Park

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Icy Thorns, Matthiessen State Park

I made this photograph just after sunrise at Matthiessen state park. The warm colors of the early light falling no the trees and canyon wall made for nice reflections.

This icicles jutting off of this rock remind me of a crown of thorns.

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Josh Merrill Photography

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