An extract from the BBC’s News Website (Tue 09 Oct 07):

“Plans to slaughter and dispose of a quarter of a million lambs caught up in the foot-and-mouth crisis have been announced by the Scottish Government.  

“Light lambs are usually roasted whole in Europe and there is little demand in the UK. Some carcasses will be used for BIODIESEL and the remainder will be incinerated.”

I always assumed that biodiesel would be made from rape-seed oil, used chip-fat and other ‘renewable’ sources. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that those little white bleating bundles of fluff would be used to power Manchester’s unreliable bus fleets.

How will they get the little hooves to fit in through those narrow fuel hoses? Come on – has someone really given this some thought?!

“Air pollution and problems with urban commuting are of great concern to people today. European surveys have shown that over six people in ten say that automobile traffic in the city is unbearable. Nine out of ten people believe that increasing public transport is a priority in combating air pollution and seven out of ten say they support a ban on car traffic in the centre of cities on certain days. However, at the same time, the number of cars and urban traffic is constantly increasing, eroding the quality of life of urban dwellers with the increase in noise, air pollution, stress, etc.

“Car Free Day on 22 September every year is part of an approach aimed at reclaiming cities and represents an important chance for dialogue. It focuses on raising the awareness of urban dwellers with respect to nuisances caused by the use of private cars in the city (air pollution, noise, etc.). It also stresses the rights of pedestrians and cyclists, the need for more and better public transport, and helps people rediscover their local architectural heritage. As a motoring organisation, the ETA does not want to put cars on trial or to totally condemn the users’ desire for mobility. The idea is to reconsider urban transport with the prospect of sharing streets more efficiently. ” – ETA

Northern Parkour had a hand in one of the events in Manchester City Centre that Saturday. The day began with a large (25+) gathering of traceurs in the Triangle, jumping around to the interest and amusement of large crowds of onlookers. There were many excellent stands and activities which no-body seemed to be aware of. We, however, participated fully in all the free stuff we could manage. :O)

We got to try our hand at Zorbing – where, like a hamster, they stick you in a huge ball and roll you down a slope. Great fun, but the inside smelled suspiciously of sick….

After a year without wheels, my legs have become reaquainted with the fiery burn of lactic acid and the chafe of a hard saddle. I’m not yet walking like John Wayne, but give it time. Hopefully the muscular pain will fade quickly and the pleasurable endorphin rush will take over. Soon, please!

I worked it out: a bike ride to and from work is exactly 23 miles. It feels like it, too. I reckon my ambitious plan to do this every day might have to be tempered somewhat. I think, till I get fitter, that I’ll do it three days in five. It’ll give me a fighting chance to recover from the exertion.

I don’t bike slowly – it goes against the grain. I completed my first 11.5 mile trip to work in 45 minutes. That’s an average of about 15mph fighting through the traffic, stop-start, stop-start. It dawned on me, as I was breathing in the fumes of a dinosaur of a lorry, that I didn’t have to follow the main roads to work just because they were the most direct. Where’s the fun in that?

On my way home, I’ll probably end up getting lost as I don’t intend to follow the beaten path whatsoever.

Time to put this baby through its paces….