Brighton and environs from space

The UK south coast crystal clear at night, centered on Brighton. pic.twitter.com/HUpay08chl

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) February 21, 2013

First ride of 2013

A new year, time for a new venture.

Last year was an atrocious one for cycling. February and March were fine, although farmers were worried about drought. But then the rain started in April and barely let up for the rest of the year. The Saturday of the Men's Olympic Road Race sticks in the memory...

Why The Dambusters couldn't be remade today

Hell in a Lancaster! Or why an updated version of The Dambusters could never be made in these puritanical times. And this is without even mentioning the name of Guy Gibson's dog.

You know Eric Coates's theme music so hum along.

Modern day sin I: Dog left in car.

Modern day sin II: Ill prepared bathing. Wading without a buoyancy aid or distress flares.

Greatest car chase ever

A while ago Sara Kennedy, Radio 2's early morning jock and Peter Briffa fave, was on holiday and her stand-in asked his listeners to e-mail or text in their suggestions for the best ever movie car chase. All the obvious contenders were present and correct; Bullit, Ronin, Italian Job and so on. However I don't recall anybody suggesting the real undisputed champion, the climactic car chase at the end of the classic meisterwerk that is Confessions of a Driving Instructor. I'm serious.