Doofus Of The Day #142

The newly-opened Southern Star Observation Wheel in Melbourne, Australia, offers spectacular views of the city.




Unfortunately for two amorous visitors, it offers views the other way as well.

PERHAPS it was the balmy summer afternoon. Or the thrill of getting hot and heavy high above the city rooftops. Whatever the trigger, this couple obviously found the view from the Southern Star last Thursday not nearly so tantalising as the sights on offer inside their glass capsule.

After a cursory glance at the city's expanding skyline, the couple embraced passionately before moving their 120-metre-high public display of affection to the carriage's wooden bench.

Unaware that Sunday Age photographer Ken Irwin — and no doubt other patrons on the slowly revolving giant wheel — had spied them, the pair gave the bench, and each other, a full workout.




A CCTV camera — each capsule is fitted with one — would also have captured their sexy romp.

The Southern Star's chairman Fred Maybury laughed when told of the incident. "I suppose it had to happen," he said.

When Britain's giant wheel, the London Eye, opened in January 2000 it took until July before the first couple — a pair of 17-year-olds — was caught in the act, sparking tabloid headlines such as "Mile Eye Club".

The Eye's operators immediately banned couples from taking trips on their own, but Mr Maybury has ruled out such a ban on the Southern Star.

"There are definitely no plans to stop couples from enjoying flights together at this stage," he said.

One trusts that the CCTV video footage won't make its way onto some of the sleazier Internet Web sites . . . but that can't be guaranteed. I guess this goes to show that one needs to be a bit more careful where one bonks!

We declare our two overenthusiastic riders to be our Doofi of the Day.



Peter