Treasure hunt for famed Golden Eagle is over 

Choutteurs, also known has treasure hunters, from around the world have been on a treasure hunt in France for decades. The cult like crowd has been hot pursuit of a bronze statuette of an owl buried over 31 years ago. 

However, the 200,000+ hunters who have been searching for the cache were recently greeted with an early morning announcement that suggested they “stop digging as the replica of the golden owl had been dug up on the previous night”. This news ended the world’s longest treasure hunt.

As the story goes—Michael Becker designed and created the statue and buried it in 1993. At the same time, he co-authored “On the Trail of the Golden Eagle” with Regis Hauser who was, until he died, the holder of the secret envelope that revealed its whereabouts. 

The book which contained a collection of complex clues in the form of 11 difficult puzzles and a hidden 12th puzzle revealed more about where the treasure could be located. Dedicated hunters and media have been in on its trail with a number of legal rows and special rules coming into play along the way. Becker took over upon Hauser’s death.

A video released on October 13th, 2024 explains that the winner wishes to remain anonymous and that the answers to the clues will be revealed in a documentary around April 23rd 2025.

The golden owl is estimated to be worth about 165,000 dollars.

Source: Euronews.com

Giresun: “The hazelnut capital of the world”

For generations, women have tended hazelnut trees and bushes in fields on the slopes of the Pontic Mountain Range that overlooks the Black Sea. Their thriving family farms contribute the majority of Turkey’s hazelnut exports—72% of the world’s supply. Sold as raw and as ingredients for flavored coffees, sweet treats, chocolate bars and spreads, they often return as finished products.

While Turkey’s hazelnut industry is currently booming but like many others, threats are significant from climate change. Traditionally a suitable dry climate good for growing hazelnuts, Giresun’s mountain meets sea ecosystem is at now said to be at risk with the air and soil becoming more humid causing dangerous mildews to appearing on trees and plants.

Farmers now find themselves fighting to survive against an influx of new pests that have been aggressively feeding on their plants in the last three of four years. Both these pests and the humidity can damage plants, reduce yields, dramatically stunt growth and even kill some hazelnut plants, suggest scientists. Feeling that they have no choice, some farmers have started using controversial pesticides which experts suggest may be doing more harm than good by interfering with the natural balance and killing much need soil-dwelling microorganisms.

Time will tell, but for now, the women of Giresun carry on as their ancestors before them—proud of their bountiful harvest and determined to protect their precious hazelnut industry.

Source: BBC

Bathroom divorce is on the rise

Are his and hers bathrooms one of the latest symbols of how couples are maintaining marital harmony? 

Like getting a sleep divorce, having one bathroom for each half of a married couple, is said to resolve some of the tensions that have been simmering for years. Men seem glad to get rid of the cosmetics and other female accoutrements that’s for sure, but, as the Nigel Slater reports in The Guardian, bathroom divorces are, usually female driven and can be quite expensive. Tongue in cheek, he suggests it perhaps should be. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, subject to any changes in gastrointestinal needs”. 

It seems more than ever before, two sinks, two mirrors, two toilets and even two doors that separate different rooms, are often not just desirable, but new bathroom design must-haves. 

Interior designer, Debbie Wiener justifies her over $100,000 spend on double sinks and separate his-and-hers toilets to the New York Post saying, “As you get older, your gastro needs change. My husband’s habits didn’t age well. One toilet for both of us was just not cutting it”? Oversharing these details, as Slater calls it, means Wiener has a ready audience. “All of my neighbours lined up to see my bathroom” she claims. And, “every time I tell a woman about my bathroom she is like, OMG, I want that”.

Seems like couple’s bonding toilet talk is out, and personal privacy in the loo might just lead to “happily ever after.”

Source: The Guardian

Phto: Art Ingot – Golden Owl Museum. iStock.