Oz in Spain

(IMAGEN © TURISMO ANDALUZ, S.A.)

…ACRONYM for Spanish Ministry of the Environment’s Planes de Ordenación de Recursos Naturales department, which looks after the nation’s natural resources: P.O.R.N.

The 2011 Miss Universe pageant in Brazil became more interesting than usual (i.e. mildly interesting) when, in the endless round of mostly meaningless lead-up events, Miss Colombia Catalina Robayo was snapped in a short dress inadvertently (or not) minus knickers.

Oh yes… and the winner was Leila Lopes from Angola. Miss Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs, who was also reprimanded by the organisers for an “offensively see-through” evening gown and a “way too sexy” bikini, finished in the top 10.

Sonny Wool takes over Paul the Pulpo’s mantle…

…and then there’s furrowed

IT MIGHT be a mystery for the Punch columnist but here in Spain we are all-too familiar with the dear soul with the “furrowed” lines. It’s the indomitable Doña María del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva, 18th Duchess of Alba de Tormes, a grandee of Spain and current head of the House of Alba. According to the Guinness Book of Records, she is the aristocrat with the highest number of titles recognised by an existing government.

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ALWAYS REASSURING to discover that not all modern-day professional golfers are metronomic gym freaks with personality bypasses…

Tibetan leader sees the joke… sort of

AN ATTEMPT by Australian TV presenter Karl Stefanovic from Channel 9’s Today show to tell a Dalai Lama joke to the man himself backfired with hilarious results, at least for viewers. As elements of the joke were translated to the religious leader, he mostly maintained a blank stare though he did laugh when Stefanovic tried to explain the joke.

Dame Edna uninvited to The Wedding

By NED BELLY

LEVEL-HEADED TV viewers will be denied the opportunity of watching The Wedding from a less obsequious perspective as the result of a ban by the royals’ humour-less media department. The ABC has been forced to cancel its satirical royal wedding special featuring The Chaser satirical comedy team, after Buckingham Palace announced new restrictions banning drama, satirical and entertainment programs from using footage of the ceremony. (more…)

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A film by Juan Fernando, Andrés Parrilla and Esteban Roel García Vázquez – one of the finalists in the ninth edition of the Jameson Notodofilmfest internet-based short film festival

Synopsis: Only somebody brave, with a rebel soul, may enter the jungle of the outlaw and fight face to face against the most dangerous men on this side of the river…

WITH EXAGGERATED airport security, “low-cost” flights and now wildcat strikes by overpaid air traffic controllers in Spain… travelling long ago ceased to be even remotely pleasurable. All we have left is our sang-froid – and some light relief spotted on the internet.

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The Tale Of The Goblet That Didn’t Come Home

By Barrie Suart

ONCE UPON A TIME  11 Englishmen lost a precious goblet while journeying in Africa in a land called Fifa. Their leader, Don Cornetto Capello, was instructed by his sponsor, Lady Cheryl of Newcastle-upon-Cole, to go back and find it. (more…)