In which I abseil down the Orbit

You know how, when your boss says, "Does anyone want to abseil down the Orbit in the Olympic Park on Friday?", you say something along the lines of, "No thanks, I'm busy that day/washing my hair/got too much work to do/all of the above"? Turns out, I don't. Turns out, my answer to that question is "Ooh yes, I'll do it, I'd love to. Me, pick me!"

Yup, that's right ladies and gents, I abseiled down the red whirlygig. Find out how that went.

Not a day without poetry in Punta Umbria

The coastal town of Punta Umbria in the South-West of Spain is known to few, often overshadowed by the nearby larger and more industrial town of Huelva. Those who do know Punta Umbria probably know it for its miles of beaches, or perhaps the fish market. 

However, one of the lesser known interesting parts of the town are these Andalucian-style painted ceramic tile signs, dotted around the town. 

One side of each sign is a short verse of poetry, attributed to the poet. On the other side of every sign is the phrase "Ni un dia sin poesia" - literally, "not a day without poetry", and the logo of the local council.

Although my patchy Spanish skills only allowed me to translate around half of the signs that I saw -and as is the nature of poetry, they didn't all translate too well - I was captivated by not only the idea of this project, but also the way it blended in. With the decorative signs on pavements and street corners among lamp posts, benches and litter bins, the poetry became part of the street furniture, a normal way of life in Punta Umbria.

London geekery

A little excitement on my way home from work tonight, when I saw Tower Bridge opened, a sight I don't think I have ever seen before.

Unfortunately I was too far away (Platform 1 of Cannon Street Station) to get a proper look, but I was still more excited than I should probably admit to.