StrangeSights

• Much as they were busy hosing down reports of UFOs in the mid-20th century, a recently declassified document shows the US Air Force drew up plans to build its own flying saucer in the 1950s. Called Project 1794, the plans (which can be seen here) show a disc-shaped craft designed for a vertical take-off and landing which could reach a top speed of Mach 4. A Canadian company was even apparently contracted to build the craft.

• Thousands of people from across the country converged on the small township of Millmerran in Queensland for the Australian Camp Oven Festival last weekend. The biennial event, which was first held in 1999, celebrates life in the bush and its feature events include a camp oven cook-off and damper throwing competition as well as workshops, billy boiling competitions and, of course, sheep shearing demonstrations. For more on the festival, see www.australiancampovenfestival.com.au.

• OK, we’re a little late with this one but we still thought it worth a mention. In celebration of its 50th anniversary in Australia, the Lego company has created a series of Lego constructions depicting 10 great moments in Australian history. The scenes, which were selected following a survey of Lego fans, include everything from Steve Irwin holding his son Bob in one hand while feeding a croc with the other, Cadel Evans winning last year’s Tour de France, the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973 and the praise for the film, The Castle, following its release in 1997. You can see a full gallery of the winners here.

• Theme tours are all the rage these days but here’s one that stands out from the crowd. IsraelThemeTours.com - having teamed up with the US-based Elvis Presley Enterprises - is offering an Elvis Presley-themed tour of the Holy Land next month which, as well as following in the footsteps of Jesus, cruising the Sea of Galilee and even perhaps being baptised in the Jordan River, will also feature a visit to an Elvis-themed restaurant and performances by some of Elvis’ favorite Gospel artists, Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood of Elvis’ Imperials and Bill Baize, a former member of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps. Limited to 100 travellers only, the clock is ticking. For more, see www.israelthemetours.com/elvis.

• Deckchairs don’t come any bigger than this one. A UK sculptor, Stuart Murdoch, has reportedly created the world’s biggest deckchair at the British beach resort of Bournemouth. The massive seat, which stands eight metres high, weighs six tonnes and could easily accommodate a whole family, was commissioned by drinks company Pimms to mark the start of British summer time last Sunday.

• Forget buying a house in France or even a chateau. What about an entire village? Located in Limousin, in central France, the deserted village of Courbefy was reportedly placed on the market in late February but passed in despite an asking price of just 300 euros (about $AUD382,00). Now in the hands of a bank it is going to be put up for auction again - with a slightly higher asking price - and the story has apparently attracted would-be buyers from across the globe. The village features more than a dozen buildings - the interiors of which have largely been stripped out - as well as a swimming pool, horse stable and tennis court.

• Questions are apparently being asked about the citizenship of iconic cat cutie Hello Kitty following the publication of a new book, Hello Kitty’s Guide to Japan in English and Japanese. According to the official biography published by Sanrio, the company that owns the rights to her, Hello Kitty (real name Kitty White) was born in London. But, according to some, Kitty is so knowledgable about Japan in the new guide, which was reportedly authorised by Sanrio, that “the reader can only surmise she is either Japanese or an amazingly bilingual Japanese studies scholar”. The catfight has raised the ire of many in Japan and elsewhere and sparked countless internet debates but so far there’s been no official clarification forthcoming. Stay tuned.

• The voice of former German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck has been heard for the first time in 100 years in a series of remarkable recordings digitally restored by the Thomas Edison National Park museum in the US. The recordings, in which Bismarck can be heard reciting parts of songs and poetry in English, Latin, French, and German - including France’s national anthem, La Marseillaise - and advising his son Herbert to “live life in moderation”, was made in 1889 using a wax cylinder phonograph. Discovered in 1957, research on the recordings did not reportedly start until 2005.

• Being able to say words backwards is quite a remarkable feat yet Alyssa, a girl from Oklahoma in the US seems to be able to do so with little effort. In a video clip posted on YouTube which has, yes, gone viral around the globe, Alyssa is seen repeating backwards any word that’s thrown at her. You can see the video here.