Sometimes you come across maps in the most unexpected places. So let's start with a centrepiece of the Portland Rose festival, which closes tomorrow, 19 June 2011. Within the Pioneer Courthouse Square is a map of the world, set out in flowers. Each country of the world is represented using a particular flower. For instance, purple flowers for the United States of America, red for Mexico, and green for Japan. Very nice - so far. But what's this!
Japan is represented in green, bamboo-like plants. But to the south Taiwan has the same green plants. And to the North of Japan Sakhalin Island is green too. I expect the Russian and Chinese delegates to the Portland Rose Festival may have some reservations about the display. The flowers were corrected after a while, but apparently Sinai still belongs to Jordan.
This started me thinking - someone should consider a thesis investigating why horticulturalists have a world view stuck in 1945. Thanks to Sarah Morrigan for the details.
Then I spotted an Estate Agents' car in Woodstock the other day. I always ensure that I have a map in the car before I go on a journey. But here is a better idea - have a map ON the car! Now if I forget my map, I'm always covered. The new Mini was completely covered with local maps, from the Ordnance Survey as far as I could tell. Despite inspecting the car from bumper to bumper, I failed to spot a copyright note.
And one more. Not so unexpected, this one. As a freebie to a local music festival I produce the site map for the programme. I was pleased to see it blown up to a 2 meter high poster at the site today, and I think it works quite well. Not entirely happy with it - I may need to refine it for Riverside 2012.
I entered the site today and happened across an acquaintance of mine - a speculative property developer (you can choose your family...)
He was lost, and asked me where the bar was. On reflection, many hours later, I suspect he was teasing me. Or maybe I overestimate his intelligence...
