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STRANGESIGHTS: AUSTRALIA WINS JOUSTING “ASHES”; MISSING BOULDER MYSTERIOUSLY RETURNED; AND, IRON BARGE MOVES CLOSER TO DOOM…

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DAVID ADAMS writes about the odder side of life…

An Australian team has won the inaugural “Ashes” of jousting, reportedly beating England 89 to 75 in a tournament held near the Australian town of Ballarat in the southern state of Victoria on Sunday. Wearing medieval-style armour, the “knights” jousted on horseback, scoring points if they could break their lance against their opponent’s torso. The two day event, which was held at local tourist attraction Kryal Castle, was dubbed the “Ashes” in a reference to the ongoing cricket contest between Australia and England which dates from an 1882 game after which, to mark Australia’s victory, the cricket bails were burned and placed in a tiny urn. In imitation of the original ashes, the tips of some lances were burned and placed in a small vase awarded to the winners at last weekend’s event.

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A jousting event similar to that held in Australia last weekend held in England in 2010. PICTURE: David Adams

 An Arizona landmark known as Wizard Rock has been returned to its position alongside Highway 89 in the Prescott National Forest following its mysterious disappearance almost a month before. The black boulder, which has white quartz running through it and is believed to weigh just under a tonne, was discovered by a forest employee on Friday back in its original location. “We are thrilled the Wizard Rock was returned, and are grateful that whoever took it was conscientious enough to give it back to the public” said Sarah Clawson, district ranger for the Bradshaw Ranger District. Forest managers, who were apparently baffled over how it could have been removed given its weight, are now looking to move the rock to a new location where it can be more easily seen. It’s illegal to remove minerals from national forests in the US without a permit.

An iron barge which has lay on its side in the roaring waters above Niagara Falls for 101 years has moved some 50 metres closer to its total destruction. Known as the ‘Iron Scow’, the boat has reportedly lain in the shallows on the Canadian side of the border since 1918. But a storm on Halloween caused it to shift towards the brink of Horseshoe Falls, one of three separate falls that make up Niagara Falls, before it once again became lodged on rocks. The vessel initlally became stuck after it broke free from a tug towing it during a dredging operation and the two men on board opened the bottom doors to sink it and slow its progress towards the falls. They were rescued the following day. 

 

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