Well this week was a pretty momentous one for us all. Firstly, NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landed successfully on the red planet where it will collect information and samples before it returns to earth in a decade’s time. Plus, we were given some provisional dates for when the world will hopefully open up again and we can be reunited with our friends and family.
Moving Day
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Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful life events that people have to overcome, but imagine having to move your actual house? In San Francisco this week, an entire two-storey Victorian building was moved six blocks to another address in order to make way for a new apartment block. The move had been planned for years and involved removing traffic signs and parking meters, as well as trimming back trees.
Sleetwood Mac
Here at dealchecker, we love a good pun, so the results of a Scottish traffic maintenance company’s gritter name competition is right up our street. Amey’s contest attracted a record number of entries, including corkers such as ‘Sweet Child of Brine’ and ‘Sleetwood Mac’ as well as a number of Sean Connery tributes such as ‘Coldfinger’ and ‘Dr Snow’. You can track which gritters are currently in service here.
Camden Highline
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London will soon follow in the footsteps of the Big Apple and transform a 1.2-kilometre-long stretch of disused railway viaduct into its very own linear park, similar to the Manhattan High Line. James Corner, who designed the NY version, will help to create the verdant walkway, which will start in Camden and end at Kings Cross. It will be lined with art attractions, cafes and scenic spots to sit and enjoy a picnic.
Lifesize Lego
A female entrepreneur in Kenya has found a solution to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the country — by turning it into building materials that are twice as strong as concrete. Nzambi Matee’s bricks are made of recycled plastic and sand, which result in a more lightweight and less brittle product.
New National Park
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We might have to wait a little while longer before we can travel across the pond, but in the meantime, we can always fine-tune the details of our dream trip, which could now include the USA’s newest national park. The New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia recently became the 63rd of its kind in the country. The 70,000-acre expanse boasts rock climbing and mountain biking opportunities, as well as whitewater rafting experiences on the New River. Its hundreds of miles of hiking trails offer plenty of chances to spot its abundance of wildlife, including bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons, beavers, river otters, wild turkeys, brown bats, snakes, and black bears.
Moonflower
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For what is thought to be the first time ever, the rare Amazonian moonflower cactus has bloomed in the UK. The rare and rapid event — the flowering usually begins at sunset and ends before sunrise — was livestreamed by experts at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden. The flower emits a sweet smell at first, then after two hours it begins to die and turns rancid.
Golden Egg
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A 22ct gold egg that was created by Garrard (the Queen’s official jeweller) for a Cadbury’s Creme Egg competition in 1983 has just sold for £31,000 at auction. The price egg-ceeded (ahem…) all expectations after it sold for £17,200 just three years ago, and was estimated to sell for between £15,000-£20,000 this time around. It was originally made for a nationwide egg hunt, which could be followed by solving clues laid out in an accompanying book.
And Finally…
Only one subject — and specific date — dominated social media this week…
21st of June 2021, sometime just after lunch. pic.twitter.com/BRZ2IAd9pU
— Chris Olivant (@olly2518) February 22, 2021
“Boris, tell them they’ll be allowed to go clubbing by the 21st June” pic.twitter.com/Mun4rz2uWd
— Dan (@DanWhitlock_) February 22, 2021
turning up at the pub on 21st of June after a year at home pic.twitter.com/PNtJahE4Jw
— Em (@IrradiatedMouse) February 22, 2021
