Sydney, Australia - Some Reasons to Visit Sydney

A series of photographs

William Barnes, Poems, 1844 Edition: From The Batten Library, Sold by Duke's Auctioneers

Looks like a fine leather-bound copy

I'm sorry I missed the auction - The Batten Library and other Important Books and Manuscripts 30th September 2015.

More William Barnes lots from the auction (lot 345-363)

A Taste of Sweden

The Hairy Bikers' Northern Exposure - South Sweden (BBC iPlayer)

Palmyra: The Arch of Triumph; Renewed Dangers

Palmyra, Jane Digby

Blown to smithereens

Wanton Destruction (Transconflict)

Update, April 2016 (Euronews)

Italian architects reconstructing Palmyra’s Triumphal Arch

"A group of Italian architects are resurrecting parts of the war-ravaged ancient Syrian city of Palmyra by recreating the 2,000-year-old Triumphal Arch from the Temple of Bel – much of which was destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIL) over the past year. The 3D robotic printers are being used to print the arch in Italy’s Carrara mountains so as to bring the historic ruins back to life".

Update, Transconflict, December 20, 2016 - Palmyra – renewed dangers

Bob Kirkpatrick: Poundbury Folk-Singer

Bob's site

YOUTUBE VIDEOs

I hate the rain	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZOE3zZWYWQ
Dreaming	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g9D6_7ap4I
Cards	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPjZSDH47eI
Amy Dancing	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x_GvDXnzOI

Greece: The Destruction of Traditional Wooden Boats and Caiques; EU Directive and Compensation Paid to Fishermen

I'd missed this at the time, but the topic has recently been discussed on the radio again (eg Manos Tsilimidis on Real FM - Ο ΜΑΝΟΣ ΤΣΙΛΙΜΙΔΗΣ ΣΤΟΝ REAL FM 97.8 - "Άγρυπνος στον Real".)

An old story - still a great loss, from Greek Reporter, 2011

Greek Islands Travel report

Details of a petition

"Because of overfishing and stricter EU regulations, life for fishermen is becoming more difficult. Many small-scale fisherman do not continue and only the big boats survive - large trawlers which suck the sea empty. The EU pays high sums of money for fishing boats to be withdrawn, and the small-scale fishermen choose the money to start a new life or to buy a new plastic boat which needs little maintenance. Over the last ten years more than 10,000 beautiful handmade wooden caiques - the traditional old Greek fishing boats - have been destroyed, according to the Hellenic Friends of Traditional Boats
(Πολιτιστικός 'Ομιλος Φίλων Παραδοσιακών Σκαφών)".

Plastic and fibreglass boats have been bought in place of the traditional wooden craft.

Hull salvage, from the Traditional Boat Association of Greece