-funroll-loops -ffs

Sometimes, a chap could become convinced that the universe was having a bijou laugh-ette.

On one hand, we have the strange spectacle of Rice-Rocketry.

On the other, the computing version of same. (Yes, if you run Gentoo, you are a bit of a nobber)

(You can stretch your own analogies if you want to throw game/windows-ricing and/or Proper Chap's Unix into the mix. I'm not bothered.)

On the third hand, we have a pre-riced family shopper called a Gen-2. You may call it circular. I call it a bit bleedin' previous, pal.

The sound of flying ironmongery

Play loud.

(More here.)

"We had to back it off to 1000bhp because at 2000 it was dangerous."

Well, that's ok then.

Bonus extra-ludicrous picture: A diesel rail.

Next up, traction-engine racing live from the Tri-State Winternationals.

Metroland

On BBC-2 now: Cruickshank traces the path of Betjeman during the making of Metroland.

At ten, Metroland itself on BBC-4.

Marvellous.