Lifesize train set for sale - New Zealand

'Lifesize train set' for sale in New Zealand

It's the ultimate big boy's toy: a lifesize train set is being offered for sale on a New Zealand auction website.

The Flyer began life in the 1890s as a standard passenger train 

By Paul Chapman in Wellington 7:00AM BST 30 Mar 2011

With the 120-year-old steam locomotive come two beautifully wood-panelled passenger carriages, a kitchen van, several goods wagons, almost nine miles of track, a pub, and a railway station.

The Kingston Flyer has languished in an uncovered yard, 25 miles from the South Island adventure tourism capital of Queenstown, since its last owners went into receivership in November 2009.

Now the company's mortgagees are seeking offers for the once popular tourist attraction through the Trade Me website.

The Flyer began life in the 1890s as a standard passenger train running between Kingston, which nestles at the foot of the Southern Alps, and the town of Gore, then on to the southern port of Invercargill.

Hauled by a New Zealand-built AB Pacific Class locomotive, the train completed its last scheduled service in 1957, and the line was later closed.

Thanks to steam preservation enthusiasts, in 1971 the Flyer was reborn as a vintage tourist attraction on the short stretch of branch line that had survived between Kingston and Fairlight.

Steaming majestically through picturesque scenery, the train drew thousands of visitors a year and has been used as a backdrop for everything from television commercials to Bollywood films.

Kingston Acquisitions, the last owners, who went into receivership owing NZ$4.7 million (£2.2 million), had ambitious plans to develop a tourist resort on land beside the track, complete with hotels and luxury villas.

Bob Muir, who is handling the sale for Christchurch-based estate agents Ray White, told the Telegraph: "The Flyer is a much-loved part of New Zealand's railway history, and the locals are just willing someone to come along and get it going again.

"This could be a great business opportunity and we have already had a lot of interest, with calls from around the world."

The price? Subject to negotiation but, if you're thinking of making an offer, in 2008 the train alone was valued at NZ$950,000 (£449,000).

World's tallest hotel at 1,600ft opens its doors-Hong Kong

Rooms with a (truly spectacular) view: At 1,600ft, the world's tallest hotel opens its doors in Hong Kong

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:01 AM on 30th March 2011

It offers a bird's eye view of one of the most spectacular skylines in the world.

And should the visitor get bored of staring at Hong Kong's glittering towers from the 1,600ft eyrie of their hotel room window, there are always other distractions.

These come in the form of six restaurants, a sky-high spa with floor-to-ceiling windows and an indoor infinity pool overlooking the iconic harbour.

Spectacular; The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong (centre) became the tallest hotel in the world when it opened today

Luxury: The hotel has six restaurants and a leisure centre with an infinity pool overlooking the harbour (right)

Eye-catching: A hallway at the hotel which occupies the 102nd to 118st floors of the fourth tallest building in the world

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong officially became the world's tallest hotel - and the fourth highest building in the world -  when it opened its doors to the public today.

Located at the very top of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), it perches on floors 102 to 118 and has 312 rooms all with city and harbour views.

Herve Humler, president of luxury hotel chain said the building was a landmark hotel which was the culmination of many years of hard work

'We have been able to create truly spectacular so we can welcome our guests not just to the tallest hotel in the world, but also to one of the very best hotels in the world,' he said. 'We are taking luxury to new heights in every sense.'

Delicacies: Chefs prepare food at the Chinese restaurant at the Ritz Carlton

Plush: One of the bedrooms which all have views over the city or the harbour

Warm welcome: It has taken years to build the hotel which also has a shopping mall

The hotel's facilities include state-of-the-art technology including WiFi, iPod docking stations, Blu-ray DVD players and flat screen TVs.

There are three restaurants on the 102nd floor, including Tin Lung Heen, which is a Chinese restaurant serving refined Cantonese cuisine; Tosca, an Italian restaurant which offers Southern Italian cuisine and the very stylish The Lounge & Bar with fire pits and open kitchens.

In addition, there is a chocolate-themed lounge named The Chocolate Library on 103rd floor and a stylish patisserie located on 9th floor.

Managers say the jewel in the crown is Ozone, located on the hotel's 118th floor.

It offers contemporary Asian tapas and signature cocktails to a backdrop of incredible views as well as the chance to drink on the world's highest al fresco terrace.

The hotel has an ESPA on site which is located on the 116th floor.

Iconic: The building towers over other skyscrapers nearby

Glittering ceiling: Chefs at work in one of the restaurants which all have views over Hong Kong

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371203/Worlds-tallest-hotel-opens-Hong-Kong.html#ixzz1I4rWKEuI

Outrage as father tows son waterskiing with helicopter....

Outrage in the outback as father filmed towing waterskiing son with a HELICOPTER

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:34 PM on 29th March 2011

A father has hit back at critics who are demanding he is prosecuted for towing his son on a ski with a helicopter.

46-year-old Milton Jones from Australia's Northern Territory performed the stunt as part of Network Ten's show 'Keeping Up With the Joneses'.

The clip was an immediate online hit but has divided viewers, with some demanding that Mr Jones is prosecuted for putting his son in danger whilst others were in awe of the stunt.

Up and away! 46-year-old Milton Jones from Australia's Northern Territory performed the stunt as part of Network Ten's show 'Keeping Up With the Joneses' and claims it was perfectly safe

But now the Canberra-based Civil Aviation Authority is demanding to see unedited footage of the incident.

Mr Jones says the authority is wasting its money and claims it has turned into a 'witch-hunt'.

Mr Jones, who owns the 700sq km Coolibah station on the Victoria River, was towing his 15-year-old son Beau.

He was home from boarding school. I only see him for a few weeks each year and we were just having a bit of fun.

'It was perfectly safe. I've been flying for 20 years and am very experienced. All the yahoo has gone out of me by now,' he told Northern Territory news.

Safety first: Milton Jones with his son Beau preparing for the stunt. But critics are now calling for him to be prosecuted for putting his son in danger

Mr Jones, who also owns the Albatross helicopter company and the Top Springs Hotel, said he was endorsed for low-level flying. 

The safety authority took out a search warrant to obtain the raw footage.

But Mr Milton's lawyer obtained an order for the video to be sealed and handed to the Federal Court.

A judge will decide next month if the authority can see the footage.

It is believed several viewers complained about the waterskiing scene in the reality television show, which was shown in 15 episodes last year.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371154/Milton-Jones-filmed-towing-waterskiing-son-HELICOPTER-Australia.html#ixzz1I0n9iC4m

On yer bike!!! Ride your office chair to work...

Ouch! The desk that allows workers to sit on their bikes all day (a snip at £4,000) 

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:15 PM on 29th March 2011

It will hardly be the most comfortable way to spend your time at the office but it is at least a solution for those concerned their bike may go missing from the car park.

An inventor has designed a bike stand that doubles as a desk - so that workers can literally ride to work. 

The Japanese-designed desk, called the Pit In, has a slot at the front that is large enough to fit a 26-inch wheel.

Pedal power: Cyclists no longer need to get off their saddles when they arrive at the office thanks to this wacky new desk design

It means workers can ride into the office and remain seated on their saddle for the entire day.

Side platforms allow them to rest their feet on either side of the desk while they tap away at their computer as usual.

But you'll need to work extra hard to afford one - the Pit In, which measures 28 inches long, 35 inches deep and 45 inches high, is sold online for a whopping £4,000.

 

The indoor version is made of plywood but designer Daisuke Ito, 38, also plans to release a steel version for use outside.

Daisuke, from Japan-based design studio Store MUU, said: 'The saddle of a bicycle is just like a movable chair with wheels.

'You can sit on your bicycle while you take a coffee break, check emails or chat with friends.

'Of course, the desk is only as comfortable as the saddle you have.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371081/Pit-In-The-desk-allows-workers-sit-bikes-day.html#ixzz1I0DiN6D5

Convicted murderer wins beauty contest on the inside-Brazil

• 29 March 2011, 11:14

Beauty contest behind bars in Brazil

It's the no holds barred beauty contest where the winner certainly won't be going on a global tour to promote world peace.

Because these women were competing in the first pageant for women serving prison sentences in Brazil's Pernambuco state.

The Miss Jail contest was won by Rebecca Rhaysa Suelen Guedesin, 19, (second from right) who is serving life for murder in Recife Prison.

She said: "It was a real thrill to be cheered by the inmates and the guards. Sadly the dress has to go now and it's back to prison routine."

The final - held in the officers' club at the local military police headquarters - saw each of the 12 contestants judged for beauty, general knowledge and their good behaviour record as an inmate.

Ms Guedesin added: "I have an appeal coming up soon. I never killed anyone so I hope to return to normal life one day soon.

"It's flattering that people think I am pretty. But I don't have a boyfriend at the moment. I am just focused on getting out of here."

Her first place gives her a chance to take special career training - and £400 to go in her prison bank account to buy luxuries.

Runners up Ark D'Juana from Lima came second with a £300 prize and fellow inmate Inabel Priscila dos Prazeres was third with £150.

The event was organized by Brazil's Ministry of Social Development and Human Rights as a way of reintegrating convicts with society.

"Prison life can be very grey and lacking any kind of excitement. This gives the women something to work for and puts something special onto their lives," explained one official.

Royal wedding reception rooms are ready...

Bride and rooms

Reception ... white drawing room

THESE are the lavish rooms at Buckingham Palace where Wills and bride Kate will mingle with guests at their wedding breakfast.

Head chef ... Mark Flanagan

Six hundred people will circulate through all 19 state chambers, attended by 60 Palace flunkies doing everything from opening car doors and taking coats to serving champagne and canapes.

Deputy Master of the Household Edward Griffiths - who is organising the reception after the wedding ceremony - said: "It's a very joyous occasion and preparations are going extremely well."

Lavish ... blue drawing room

Head chef Mark Flanagan, 43 - leading a team of 21 - added: "The closer we get, the more the tension will ramp up."

Grand ... state dining room

Great expectations ... music room for banging tunes

Aircraft carrier for sale on auction site with no minimum bid....

Buyer must collect: Ark Royal posted for sale on auction website

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:34 AM on 29th March 2011

She is the Navy’s former flagship, a symbol of Britain’s proud maritime history.

But after sailing the world’s seas for a quarter of a century, the HMS Ark Royal is suffering an undignified end – being put up for sale on an eBay-style auction website and possibly becoming scrap metal.

Potential buyers with several million pounds can snap up the aircraft carrier from the Ministry of Defence website.

HMS Ark Royal: The Royal Navy's former flagship is going to be auctioned off on the internet

The 10,000-ton warship is being advertised on the edisposals.com site just two weeks after she was decommissioned.

The sale follows that of her sister ship HMS Invincible, which was towed away last week to a scrapyard in Turkey after being sold on the same internet site.

 

Although the Ark Royal could also be sold for scrap metal, other proposals include turning her into a commercial heliport in London or a fortified base for special forces troops providing security at next year’s Olympic Games.

Bidders have until 10am on June 13 to put their tenders forward for the ship. No minimum price is given but the MoD is hoping to raise at least £2million.

Enlarge 

New kind of battle: A bidding war for the ship will end in June

The vessel is currently berthed at the naval yard in Portsmouth, Hampshire. She was built by Swan Hunter on Tyneside and launched in 1981.

Ministers announced Ark Royal was being axed in the Strategic Defence and Security Review  last year.

An MoD spokesman said: ‘Difficult decisions had to be made during the SDSR due to the severe financial constraints facing the department.

‘HMS Ark Royal has a proud history in the naval fleet and was due to leave service in three years’ time. 

‘Bringing forward her decommissioning ensures we will have an enhanced carrier strike capability in the future.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370864/Buyer-collect-Ark-Royal-posted-sale-auction-website.html#ixzz1Hx5dmVQd