Words About Things

Cars in England tend to be a bit smaller than their American counterparts. I guess this is because we have different types of roads (lots of narrow, twisting country lanes compared to big highways) and probably a different sense of proportion. Everything about America is bigger and and brasher (and it’s probably best I end that sentence there). I consider myself quite English (reserved, up-tight and of the opinion that guns are a Bad Thing) but I really like American cars. No Hummers or SUVs but good old fashioned long square ones with go-faster-stripes and a sense of style.

Modern cars leave me cold, I don’t understand why aerodynamics are considered quite so important, I would rather have a car that is a clearly defined shape than one that looks like a squished diamond. Ideally I would have a Ford Mustang or a Dodge Charger:

Unfortunately I don’t have the necessary spare cash to blow on one of these cars so I’m destined to own sensible second hand cars that are dull but get you falrom A to B. I have found that there are several car rental companies who specialise in classic cars so my dreams of driving one aren’t too far fetched.

Unprecidented numbers of Portugese Man of War jellyfish have been spotted of the coasts of Devon and Cornwall over the last six weeks. There have been 60 reported sightings this summer acording to The Marine Conservation Society. The Man of War is known for its dangerous venom which can cause ‘whip-like, red welts on the skin’ which cause the victim a considerable amount of pain.

The Portuguese Man o’ War is not actually a jellyfish but rather a collony of seperate, individual zooids. Acording to Wikipedia

A Portuguese Man O’ War is not a single animal, but rather a siphonophore – a colony of four kinds of minute, highly modified individuals, which are specialized polyps and medusoids.^[1] Each such zooid in these pelagic colonial hydroids or hydrozoans has a high degree of specialization and, although structurally similar to other solitary animals, are all attached to each other and physiologically integrated rather than living independently.

Those encoutering a Man of War are advised not to touch the creature(s). If contact occurs victims may need to seek medical attention depending on their reaction.

The Marine Conservation Society are unsure of why we are seeing increased numbers of Portuguese Man of War although persistent south-westerly winds may be a factor.