Last-minute preparations are underway for Liz Hurley's wedding to Arun Nayar.They are getting hitched at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire on Saturday evening.It is claimed there will be camels and elephants, lavish feasts and a ceremony under a f...

This week's idiot: Vishnu Khandelwal http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070410/wl_sthasia_afp/afpentertainmentindiabritainmarriagehurley_070410092650 UPDATE: 26/04/07 http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20070426/117760068000.html

The Wey and Arun Canal, in Southern England, runs 23 miles (37 km) through 26 locks from the River Wey at Shalford, Surrey to the River Arun at Pallingham. The River Arun was used in an unimproved condition for centuries, but work was carried out on the river itself and the port of Arundel in the 16th century, which allowed boats to reach Pallingham Quay near Pulborough by 1575. (I’ve also got a video online about Arundel Castle at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7jZ0ggnC3w and http://www.livevideo.com/video/DC689163EF8C41C399CA8D4C97711EF2/-arundel-castle-in-arundel-.aspx.) In 1810, the 3rd Earl of Egremont began to promote the idea of a canal to link the Rivers Wey and Arun, separated by only 15 miles (24 km). Part of the justification for this canal through a very rural area, with few of the cargoes which had made other canals profitable, was to provide an inland route from London to the south coast of England, an important consideration as England was at war with France and thus coastal shipping at risk of attack. By the time it was opened, however, the war with France was over and thus one of the key reasons for its construction was removed. As a result, the canal system was never very prosperous, but did reasonably well, with a maximum of 23,000 tons carried in 1839. However, railway competition hit hard in 1865, with the opening of the Guildford and Horsham Railway, which was in direct competition with the canal. The canal was officially abandoned in 1871. Without maintenance, the canal gradually became derelict over much of its length. However, since 1970, active restoration by The Wey & Arun Canal Trust has resulted in several miles of the waterway being restored to navigable standard. Work is continuing, with the ultimate aim of reopening the entire canal to navigation. The above information was taken from Wikipedia Encyclopedia, and if you want to learn more about this interesting part of England history, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wey_and_Arun_Canal Many thanks to my England friend Ren for showing me yet another part of her wonderful country :) The song is “What a Wonderful World” by Eva Cassidy.

Deriving from the Sansakrit language, the word "Songkran" means to pass or to move into. In this context, the meaning implies to the passing and the moving of the sun, the moon and the other planets into one of the zodiacal orbit. And the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries indicates the new era of the Thai New Year. Owing to the ancient Indian belief, the Grand Songkran Festival is most appropriate to be the Thai New Year due to the timing of the best season which is known as the spring of India which comes right after the cold season of winter. Also, there are other aspects supporting this belief such as the blooming flowers, the fresh atmosphere of the nature and the livelihood of all the living creatures. With the great influence from the Indians, the Songkran Festival portrays the typical ways of life of the Thais which involve the agricultural aspects. Free from their regular routine work, the Thai citizens will find time to perform their annual rites of showing respect to their ancestors. The highlight of the festival will include the younger Thais paying respect to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water. And in order to welcome the New Year, the celebration will include the delighted colourful local entertainment which, in fact, suitably unite the mutual relationship between members of the family, the society, the nature and surrounding. Therefore, this Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest festival of the year. Moreover, our neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also organised this type of festival. Since the old days during the Sukhothai period, the Songkran Festival had been practised both in the royal court palace and among the ordinary citizens. However, the size of the celebration had not been as elaborated as of today. Back in those days, civil servants and other government officials would pay homage to the king, and would drink the oath of allegiance to the king or the government, while the king would provide annual salary to all officials. Later on in Ayutthaya period, the festival had been expanded by including

Arundel is one of the most breathtaking small English towns, due to its location upon the Arun valley as well as the majestic Arundel Castle which towers over the city like a giant stone guardian.