Boy Tending Donkeys

Today's picture shows a young boy tending donkeys. The picture was taken on the coast of England in the late 1800's. These donkeys look very hairy compared to the ones I have seen. Perhaps a breed suited for very cold weather.

Hauling Water

Today's picture shows donkeys being used to haul water. The picture was taken in 1936 in the Sudan. This is actually still a very common site in Africa, where people still have to haul water, sometimes for long distances. You will see people at the river filling barrels affixed to the back of donkeys. It is interesting that the donkeys know how to get home, so after the water barrels are filed, the people just let the donkeys go, and the people go on to do other tasks. The donkeys take the water back home unattended. Then the donkeys will just stand by the person's hut, waiting for someone to come and unload the water. It is really an interesting thing to watch.

Hurricane Gonzalo pounds Bermuda with strong storms

Hurricane Gonzalo has hit Bermuda with winds of about 185km/h (115mph).

Eighty per cent of the British territory had lost power because of the hurricane, Reuters quoted Bermuda Electric Light Company as saying.

Bermuda, an island chain and affluent insurance hub in the Atlantic Ocean, frequently sees strong tropical storms.

The category three storm swept by the eastern Caribbean earlier this week before heading north towards Bermuda.

London's Regent's Canal drained ahead of restoration

Road cones, shopping trolleys, even a bath tub - they have all been found on the bed of London's Regent's Canal.

It is the first of a number of canals in England and Wales to be drained ahead of vital restoration work.

It is a huge task that has involved draining the equivalent of 14 Olympic swimming pools.

Kawasaki Z250 launched at INR 2.99 lakhs

Bajaj today launched the Kawasaki Z250 and the ER-6n in India. The Z250 marks a new chapter for the Japanese manufacturer, as it is the most affordable product in the lineup priced at INR 2.99 lakhs, ex-Showroom, New Delhi.

The Z250 borrows its styling from the larger and more expensive Z800. Based on a tube diamond steel frame, the motorcycle measures 2,010 mm in length, 750 mm in width and 1,020 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 1,400 mm and a ground clearance of 145 mm. The Z250 weighs 168 kg and has a 17-liter fuel tank.

The street-fighter is assembled with a 37 mm telescopic fork at the front and a Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and 5-way adjustable preload at the rear. Even more impressive are the dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs at the front and the 220 mm single petal disc at the rear.

However, the highlight of the Z250 is its liquid-cooled, four-stroke, parallel-twin, 249 cc 8v DOHC engine. This fuel-injected unit is paired to a 6-speed transmission, and sends out 32 PS (31.54 hp) at 11,000 rpm and 21 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm.

Kawasaki says that the engine is fitted with a sleeveless, plated, die-cast aluminium cylinder and lightweight coated pistons to ensure reliability.