Dolomites

Mountain group lying in the eastern section of the northern Italian Alps, bounded by the valleys of the Isarco (northwest), the Pusteria (north), the Piave (east and southeast), the Brenta (southwest), and the Adige (west). The range comprises a number of impressive peaks, 18 of which rise to more than 10,000 feet (3,050 metres). The highest point is the Marmolada (10,964 feet), the southern face of which consists of a precipice 2,000 feet high. The range and its characteristic rock take their name from the 18th-century French geologist Dieudonné Dolomieu, who made the first scientific study of the region and its geology. Geologically, the mountains are formed of light-coloured dolomitic limestone, which erosion has carved into grotesque shapes. The resulting landforms include jagged, saw-edged ridges, rocky pinnacles, screes (pebble deposits) of limestone debris, deep gorges, and numerous steep rock faces at relatively low levels. Glaciated features occur at higher levels; 41 glaciers

lie in the region. Many of the lower and more gentle scree slopes were once forested; only patches of woodland remain, however, interspersed with grassy meadows.

Dalmatian

The Dalmatian is an active, energetic and creative dog that enjoys lots of exercise and loves to play. They were bred to run for hours alongside a horse or carriage, and have almost endless stamina.

Dalmatians are very people-oriented. They thrive when they spend lots of time with and around their family. Dalmatians are wonderful family dogs, and are great in multi-pet households. Dalmatians can also get along well with cats if introduced appropriately.

This cunning creature who demands (and gets) your love is also an accomplished thief who steals food at every opportunity. It is a good idea to move precious ornaments out of tail wagging reach as one lash from their tail and your family heirlooms will be for the dustbin.

Dalmatians are not suited to living outside. Their short coat gives little protection from the cold. They are much happier indoors for comfort and for the companionship of their family. They like nothing better than a good walk and then to lie in front of the fire!

Dog or bitch?

Both sexes are equally as loving and intelligent, dogs tend to be stronger and slightly bigger than bitches. An unneutered dog will lift his leg to mark his territory. An unspayed bitch can attract all the dogs in the neighbourhood and be messy while in season. The unspayed bitch also runs greater risk of mammary tumors, likewise a neutered male is highly unlikely to develop testicular cancer. Neutering may also assist his temperament and trainability, and will minimise wandering and his need to mark everything he passes.

How long do they live?

Kept in optimum conditions and barring problems you can expect your Dalmatian to live approximately 12 - 15 years

Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp (born 10 May 1969 in Amsterdam) is a retired Dutch professional footballer. He was named after Manchester United footballer Denis Law (although the traditional spelling had to be observed for the legal satisfaction of the registrar). At club level he played for Ajax, Internazionale, Arsenal and also represented the Netherlands at international level. Bergkamp played most of his best games as a support striker, where his tactical awareness and deft passes made him a great exponent of the game from the 'hole'.

He was selected by Pelé as one of the FIFA 125 greatest living players and is widely regarded as one of the English Premier League's all-time greatest players. In 2007 he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, the first and thus far only Dutch player ever to receive the honour. He has also finished third in the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII (ruled 51-30 BC) was illustrious, intelligent and politically astute, and was reputedly the only Ptolomaic ruler to have actually learnt the Egyptian language. Cleopatra VII first shared a co-regency with her father Ptolomy XII (ruled 80-51 BC). Pharaoh Ptolemy XII died in March 51 BC making the 18 year old Cleopatra and her 12 year old brother Ptolemy XIII joint monarchs. These first three years of their reign was difficult due to economic difficulties, famine, deficient floods of Nile and political conflicts. Relations between the sovereigns completely broke down and her brother Ptolomy XIII actually ousted her from power for a time in the year 48 BC. Cleopatra tried to raise a rebellion, but in the end had little choice but to flee.

Crustaceans

Crustaceans are a type of Arthropod. The name may not sound familiar, but you probably know them. You may even have eaten one.

Crustaceans live mostly in the ocean or other waters. Most commonly known crustaceans are the crab, lobster and barnacle.

Crustaceans have a hard, external shell which protects their body. Crustaceans have a head and abdomen. The head has antennae which are part of their sensory system. The abdomen includes the heart, digestive system and reproductive system.

The abdomen also has appendages, such as legs, for crawling and swimming. Many crustaceans also have claws that help with crawling and eating.

Coin

A coin is a piece of hard material, usually metal or a metallic material, usually in the shape of a disc, and most often issued by a government. Coins are used as a form of money in transactions of various kinds, from the everyday circulation coins to the storage of vast numbers of bullion coins. In the present day, coins and banknotes make up the cash forms of all modern money systems. Coins made for circulation (general monetized use) are usually used for lower-valued units, and banknotes for the higher values; also, in most money systems, the highest value coin made for circulation is worth less than the lowest-value note. The face value of circulation coins is usually higher than the gross value of the metal used in making them, but this is not generally the case with historical circulation coins made of precious metals.

Exceptions to the rule of coin face-value being higher than content value, also occur for some "bullion coins" made of silver or gold (and, rarely, other metals, such as platinum or palladium), intended for collectors or investors in precious metals. For examples of modern gold collector/investor coins, the United States mints the American Gold Eagle, Canada mints the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and South Africa mints the Krugerrand. The American Gold Eagle has a face value of US$50, and the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins also have nominal (purely symbolic) face values (e.g., C$50 for 1 oz.); but the Krugerrand does not.

Historically, a great number of coinage metals (including alloys) and other materials have been used practically, impractically artistically, and experimentally in the production of coins for circulation, collection, and metal investment, where bullion coins often serve as more convenient stores of assured metal quantity and purity than other bullion.^[1]

Coins have long been linked to the concept of money, as reflected by the fact that in other languages the words "coin" and "currency" are synonymous. Fictional currencies may also bear the name coin (as such, an item may be said to be worth 123 coin or 123 coins).

Cramp

Leg cramps are a common problem, especially as people get older. The term cramp is used to describe various pains, but mostly refers to a painful spasm of the muscles.

If the cramps occur during or immediately after exercise, they may be a sign of atherosclerosis, when the arteries are clogged by fatty deposits, limiting the supply of blood to the muscles.

When you exercise your leg muscles need more oxygen. But because the arteries are narrowed, they can't get enough and so switch to anaerobic metabolism. This results in the build-up of chemicals that can trigger pain and spasm, usually in the calves. When you rest the pain gets better. This is called intermittent claudication.

In mild cases, you may notice your legs are cold, with dry skin and few hairs. As it gets worse the limbs may become blue, ulcerated and even gangrenous. Smokers, people with high cholesterol or diabetes and those with a family history of heart disease are all at particular risk. Intermittent claudication needs thorough investigation, so see your GP.

Cramps may also occur when a muscle is injured. Although the cramp or spasm may be felt in the legs, the underlying problem may be elsewhere, such as the back or knee.

Very rarely leg cramps are caused by medical conditions, such as an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), Addison's disease and kidney problems.

When cramps persist it's important you see a doctor, who'll be able to check for these underlying causes.

Many people find that leg cramps cause particular trouble at night, when the pain stops them from sleeping or wakes them up. These night cramps are rarely serious, but can cause a lot of discomfort.

Avoiding cramp

Before exercise, warm up gently and stretch the muscles out. You should also stretch after exercise too. Stretching also helps relieve the spasms of cramp.

Dehydration upsets calcium and phosphorous levels in the body, which may trigger cramps. So make sure you drink plenty of fluid before and during activity. Non-phosphate calcium supplements may also help reduce cramps.

If night cramps are a problem, sleep under a light, loose duvet. Heavy or tight covers can force the toes downwards, straining the leg muscles.

Sometimes quinine is used to prevent cramps. However, its use is controversial and potential side effects include dizziness, blurred vision and blood problems. Tonic water contains very small amounts of quinine, which may be enough to relieve night cramps.

Some people recommend vitamin E creams for cramp, but there's little evidence that they have any effect other than that of a good massage.

If cramps persist, get advice from your pharmacist about simple over-the-counter treatments. If these don't help, talk to your doctor.