CONTENTS
Editorial: Miscellaneous.
Travel: RedBeard Bakery.
Technology: Revolve Wheel.
Stationery: The Pen Addict.
Gadgets and Gear: IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”.
Books and writing: Anubis, Discerning Gaze.
Miscellaneous: L'Oréal UV Sense.
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EDITORIAL: Miscellaneous
Miscellāneus: Latin, "mixed". PD has been slowly evolving. The next step is an update on PD's "Project of the Week" segment. Originally conceived to write about projects that did not fit into the other PD categories, such as food, art, fashion and journalism, "Miscellaneous" will continue to be a platform for this but will allow greater flexibility by not being restricted to crowdfunding projects. The first post in this segment appears below.
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TRAVEL: RedBeard Bakery
Travellers going far away and with limited time usually go to the main tourist attractions in major cities. There is nothing wrong with that, as often that is where the spectacular and must-see attractions are - the art galleries, museums, parks, cathedrals. However for those with time to spend, there are little delights away from the cities.
If you are visiting Melbourne in Australia, hire a car and drive to the delightful small town of Trentham, about and hour and a half from the City in rural Victoria. This is a peaceful and clean town with a population of only 1,180, however it offers delights for those who want a leisurely day out.
What is now RedBeard was the original bakery in Trentham which opened in 1891, operating until 1987. It was resurrected in 1975 under its current name. It still uses the original wood fired oven in the original building.
The bakery produces a variety of sourdough breads, using only wild culture yeast, with slow leavening. The product is delicious and nothing like you have tasted before. The bakery also sells other locally made produce, as well as books and kitchen ware. The rustic building also houses a cafe where you can have tea with cake and a delicious lunch.
The bakery also runs tours and sourdough bread making workshops.
After lunch enjoy the pretty boutiques, such as the delightful book shop. There are other superb restaurants in Trentham, which PD will write about in the future.
http://www.redbeardbakery.com.au/
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TECHNOLOGY: Revolve Wheel
The Revolve Wheel is truly revolutionary (did PD intend this pun or not?). Up until now the folded size of folding bicycles, wheelchairs, perambulators and other vehicles was restricted by the size of their wheels, or they had to make do with smaller wheels.
[Above: Montague Paratrooper folding bicycle.]
The Revolve Wheel allows folding vehicles to have full size wheels and still be very compact.
The brainchild of Andrea Mocellin, the Revolve Wheel folds into a compact package, including the tyre. The tyre is airless to allow this to be done.
What is wrong with small wheels? Firstly, they are not as safe. Whereas a larger wheel will ride over small bumps and holes in the road, a small wheel can jar and cause an accident. You also work harder to get anywhere if the wheels are smaller.
https://www.revolve-wheel.com/
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STATIONERY: The Pen Addict
The Pen Addict's motto says it all, "There are worse addictions, right?"
If you love stationery, and pens in particular, this blog and forum may be worth a visit. Apart from good articles and reviews, you can ask pen related questions, buy things in the shop, listen to the podcasts and even become a member for a small fee and get newsletters and other benefits. The Pen Addict even has its own fountain pen.
The people behind The Pen Addict are so keen that each year they raise money on Kickstarter to go to the Atlanta Pen Show. Last year's rewards included a top quality pouch for pocket notebooks and a couple of pens.
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GADGETS AND GEAR: IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”
You may be surprised to learn that digital watch readouts are not new. Switzerland's famous International Watch Company had a pocket watch with a digital read out in 1885, named the Pallweber after its inventor. They were of course mechanical watches (electronic displays were not yet invented).
For its 150th anniversary, IWC has released a tribute to the Pallweber, available as a pocket watch or as a wristwatch.
https://screenshots.firefox.com/MXD9re74AHHBPS2B/www.iwcpocketwatch.com
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BOOKS AND WRITING: Anubis, Discerning Gaze
Ancient Egypt captures the imagination of every generation, with its mystery and beautiful creations. The Ancient Egyptians did great engineering feats and had beautiful paintings and monuments. Ancient Egyptian mythology "is full of old, old themes that are common to all of us, lessons of morality and questions of existential meaning, archetypes that re-appear across history and likely into future histories".
Jeszika Le Vye has created this beautiful painting as part of her upcoming book of illustrations, stories and poems from Egyptian Mythology, "From Dark Expanse, the Stars".
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeszika/anubis-egyptian-mythology-art-prints-make-100
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MISCELLANEOUS: L'Oréal UV Sense
With summer approaching (and already here for those in the Southern Hemisphere), over exposure to the sun can be dangerous to your skin. Often the damage is done in childhood and early adult life, but the consequences may take decades to manifest themselves. These include premature aging of the skin and skin cancers, some of which can be fatal. There are common sense precautions, such as covering up during the middle of the day, wearing a hat (and sunglasses) and using sunscreens.
[Above: Melanoma Institute Australia. IMPORTANT: The above screen shot is included for your advice only and does not imply that the Melanoma Institute endorses any product featured in this article.]
If you are out in the sun you can buy a UV detector to wear to monitor your exposure and hopefully use it to limit your exposure to the sun. Most of these are similar in size to fitness trackers.
L'Oréal, the cosmetics and skin care products company, has announced the smallest UV detector that PD is aware of. The UV sense is tiny, sticking to your fingernail. It is 9mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness, so you will not notice it. According to L'Oréal the adhesive can last for up to two weeks, when you will need to replace the adhesive. The detector connects to your cell phone via NFC. It can store three months' worth of data. A true marvel of miniaturisation.
The UV Sense will be available in the United States this summer and elsewhere in 2019.
http://www.lorealusa.com/media/press-releases/2018/january/uv-sense
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
Important disclaimer: Remember that crowdfunding sites are not stores. You may decide to back this project and provide funds, however there is no guarantee that any project will be delivered - the rate of failure is about 10%. PD is in no way accountable for the success or otherwise of any project and writes in this column purely for entertainment purposes, and will in no way be held liable for any failure or money lost by anyone. It is a case of "buyer beware". It is a sad reflection on the era we live in that PD must resort to this type of disclaimer.
Note: Photographs and illustrations are from the relevant websites and are the copyright of the respective owners.
© 2018 Prowling Dog