31/12/2008 by admin.

A runaway beaver is on the loose in Devon, felling trees and leaving a trail of destruction covering 20 miles.  The beaver was one of three to escape last October from Upcott Grange Farm in Lifton.  Conservationist, Derek Gow, who keeps 24 beavers under licence from Natural England, is perplexed as to how they may have escaped since the perimeter fence of their managed enclosure was undamaged. 

Two beavers were quickly caught but one has evaded capture and has been busy felling trees 20 miles away from the farm on the banks of the river Tamar.  The beaver is the only one of his kind at large in the wild in Britain; beavers became extinct in the UK after the 16^th century after hunters trapped them for their fur.   Our interest is that Charles Lamb’s journal describes how Captain Richard Lewin returned from his travels in the New World with a fur hat made from beaver fur and wore it for his comic performance of ‘Yankee Doodle’ to admiring onlookers (page 253).  

Posted in Q34 Have you ever restored something?, Q21 Have you ever hugged a tree?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

25/12/2008 by admin.

The American singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt has died today from colon cancer at the age of 81. 

Eartha famously played Catwoman in the Batman television series in the 1960s. Amongst her hits songs are Let’s Do It, Old Fashioned Girl and Santa Baby.  She rose to the top of the entertainment world from humble beginnings.

Given her name was Eartha, the timing of her death is very curious  - falling as it did on Christmas Day, which are odds of 365 to 1.  It curious as the Blakesware Set came together on this day in 1822 to leave us ‘The Haymakers Survey’ out of fear that our actions would lead to the death of the Earth as we know it due to industrial creep and environmental abuse.  

Another coincidence is that Eartha’s middle name was Mae - the month when Charles began his journal. So, Let’s Fall in Love - Hey watch out for the Tiger fur - another clue of the threat of extinction?

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=U-oEA1sK374

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

21/12/2008 by admin.

Our readers will be aware of the significance of the X Factor poser in our narration. Well, the saga continues for the winner of this year’s contest Alexandra Burke now tops the pop tree with her powerful cover version of the song, Hallelujah.  The version has two fewer verses than the original and includes a key change.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=wAaw6VWpk4A

Alexandra’s closely followed in the charts by a more sombre but much acclaimed version by Jeff Buckley, first released in 1984.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=AratTMGrHaQ

It;s the first time in 51 years that the same song has occupied the top two positions in the UK pop charts - and the first time ever at Christmas.

A remarkable trinity of the song’s presence in the Top 40 is completed by Leonard Cohen’s original version, released in 1984.

We wonder whether the trilogy represents Art, Love and Nature?  Is it a call to arms from God - afterall the Hebrew meaning of the word Hallelujah is a request for a congreation to join in praise (of a divine force’s influence on The Haymaker’s Survey)?

FACE IN THE CLOUDS

Our novel recalls how Caleb Hitch reminded Ben Whittenbury of the likelihood of an encounter with supernatural forces on the Winter Solstice - the shortest day - in the run up to his ghostly encounter with Queen Caroline that fateful night in 2006.  How strange that 3 years later we should unwittingly capture a strange face in the clouds at sunset on this Winter Solstice?  Its almost as though Mother Nature was trying to provide some evidence for the doubting public of the credibility of this project.  Here take a look at the video which we’ve produced…

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=U4WouBKSCm8&feature=channel_page

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q46 Do you value a good education?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q33 Do you believe in life after death?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

14/12/2008 by admin.

As pantomine season approaches the outgoing Amercian President has been subject to an attack by a journalist throwing a shoe.  Its not our place to comment on the merits or otherwise of the gesture, but its interesting as we believe this is an indirect reminder to the most powerful individual in the world about the human footprint on this beloved Earth.  We’re also curious as Charles Lamb chose to remove his boots just prior to his first encounter with Malachi, the messenger dog… before he had to fend off the attention of those ants. Now, wasn’t there a recent story about Britain being invaded by a giant ant species?

Here’s the incident…

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VFX-dKpcDz8

Posted in Q56 Do you believe rules are there to be broken?, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

12/12/2008 by admin.

A glance up at the night sky reveals the closest full moon to the Earth for the past 15 years.  According to NASA, the Lunar orb passed over the Northern Hemisphere 30,000 km closer than usual at the nearest point in its oval orbit.  Only every few years does the near orbit coincide with a full moon, creating an appearance that’s brighter and larger than usual.   Not only is the moon at its largest now for 15 years, but also for the period between 1993 and 2016 - 23 years in total.

How curious that this should occur on the 12th day of the 12th month at the heart of the 3 year period of the Whittenbury Watch given the presence of the full moon that loomed large in the night sky at on the horizon behind the head of the ‘Goblin Tree’ at the start of our magical adventure.  Hear the voice of nature. Read the extract:

“Q14: Do you believe your stars?

Astrology was considered science in man’s early history, with messages written in the stars serving as the guiding force for many.  Old traditions die hard, of course, so in these days of supposed reason and facts, millions in developing countries regularly consult their stars for an insight into the future. What about Ben what did the stars predict for him?

After Ben had left the cottage, Julia had dashed to the bedroom to watch her husband’s progress.  To get the best view, she switched off the bulb and peered out into the darkness.  Several rooms were lit in the farmhouse opposite. It was their solemn neighbour’s house.  She speculated whether Ben’s Lady in Grey was inside.  Julia saw no sign of Ben, so she tried a second, smaller window; one which overlooked the Goblin Tree.  She had no choice but to look through its silhouette to the fields where Ben ventured.  A harvest moon had positioned itself right behind the tree’s crown.  The moonlight turned the route to the Nimley Bourne into a shimmering pathwayto a surreal and magic world.”

But much more than this, Charles Lamb’s journal appeared to bring to life William Wordsworth’s poem ‘Lucy’ which has a bright full moon at it’s heart, including the lines, “The sinking moon to Lucy’s cot. Came nearer and nearer still.” (Page 346 of the novel).

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

12 December is a significant date in our project, given the role of the sacred stones and our ‘Give Away Draw’.  How fascinating that on this day, as the people of planet Earth are slow to act on the need to preserve our natural world from the ravages of our consumption lifestyles, a new movie should appear namely, ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’.  The movie is about an alien visitor to warn us about an impending global crisis. The trailer begins with the line, “Are you aware of an impending attack on planet Earth?”  The key question posed by the movie is “whether mankind desrves saving… indeed it may already be too late.”

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A_bNDv0-ZrU

IT MAKES YOU THINK!

Archaeologists have found Britain’s oldest surviving human brain in a field where it was buried some 2,000 years ago during the Iron Age.  It was discovered inside a decapitated skull placed in a small pit near York. 

Researchers studying the remains believe they could be from a human sacrifice whose head was buried to appease the Gods.  The rare find is the first of its kind in Britain, described as ‘a real freak of preservation’. Curious that this should be reported today - it makes you think!

Posted in Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q14 Do you believe your stars?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

04/12/2008 by admin.

A British discoverer claims to have found the world’s largest rock sculptures and is poised to prove his claims.  Latest satellite imaging techniques were used to search the Peruvian mountains for ancient shapes and formations.  The collosal images include one of a ’sacred lamb’ and another of a staring human face with the forehead marked with an X.  As the details began to emerge, the explorer, Bill Veall - which is so similar to Bill Darvill - says he felt disbelief, then excitement and amazement.  The sculptures could be up to 5,000 years old, although there are doubters who claim the images have been doctored as part of an elaborate hoax.  Take a look…

Our interest is the role of sculptures in helping to reveal the truth, the Peru link to Malachi, Charles Lamb’s journal, and the X Factor question posed for the human race.  Truth or simple coincidence - you decide?

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q74 Do you like puzzles?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

03/12/2008 by admin.

Stargazers have enjoyed the sight of a smiley face in the night sky.  An extremely rare positioning of Venus, Jupiter and a crescent moon provided a smiley face over Asia.  What a wonderful coincidence to have the crescent moon right beneath the two planets just as they appear close together in the night sky.   The next time the 3 will be this close together will be in 2054.

It’s amazing as the Moon, Venus and Jupiter all feature in our story, and the ‘magician’ chose to leave us a emoticon ’smiley face’ in one of his messages.  What’s more, the date of the event is curious too - the 3rd of the 12th - when our story is designed to promote 3 things - Art, Love and Nature - and the role of the 12 sacred stones in helping to reveal the wonder of the survey.  

There’s more magic to this life than we know! LOL!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7ljA9y7QRF8&feature=related

MARCH OF THE INVADER ANTS

A recently discovered ant species, Lasius Neglectus, capable of forming supercolonies has begun to invade Northern Europe, including the UK.  Originating from Asia, a garden infested with them will contain between 10 to 100 times more ants than their European counterparts.  One of the species co-discoverers, Professor Jacobs from the University of Copenhagen, said, “When I first saw them I didn’t imagine it possible that so many ants on the same lawn.”  Perhaps Charles Lamb would have something to say about this given his encounter with ’super ants’ invading his boots just prior to the arrival of Malachi, the messenger.

Posted in Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q27 Do you like gardening?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

02/12/2008 by admin.

Happy 27th Birthday Britney Spears. Let’s celebrate - in the last year, Britney Spears was the most searched for term on Yahoo.com.  There are billions of searches each year and the troubled pop artist drew more hits than Barack Obama.  He was third on the list, behind Britney and ‘World Wrestling Entertainment’. 

This is all very interesting as some recent buyers of our novel initially mistook it to be by Britney Spears, not Billie Shears.  This was simply an ‘at a glance’ problem, but their names are very similar and rhyme.

Then we realise that Britney’s breakthrough song was, ‘Baby one more time’ with the lyrics, ‘Give me a sign, hit me…” She still believes. Do you? Here’s the video, complete with the clock ringing at 3.00.

 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_bsniYwSaWg

Curious as a definition of ‘Haymaker’ includes one able to deliver a good punch. Which leads us on to the ‘World Wrestling Entertainment’. Interesting as ‘throwing a haymaker’ is a wrestling move.

Perhaps this all explains why Britney Spears made an appearance on the show, ‘The X Factor’?  Does not our novel ask whether we - the human race - have the X factor? Are we equipped to care for our planet and its eco-systems? Why Britney even chose to wear a top hat, just like the mysterious man in the shadows - the character orchastraing our story is clearly making a big impression.

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q62a Is life logical?, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q.4 Have you ever wanted to stop the clock? | No Comments »