05/03/2010 by admin.

Today is World Book Day and as if by magic a few people have asked me when the sequel might be ready - which is nice and reassuring. If I’m honest it’s a little way off just yet but in the meantime I’ve been prompted by several subscribers to honour the day in some way as the book’s all about helping to preserve our fragile world.

Well I put my thinking cap on and realised that in Charles Lamb’s journal Lucy Ebbs (Mother Nature personified) refers to the Earth moving (page number to follow) which is odd as the recent Earthquake’s we’ve seen all seem linked to The Haymakers Survey.  Elsewhere on our Watch we’ve already mentioned the devastating Haiti quake (sounds like Hayti).  Whilst the quake in Chile on 27 February was so powerful at 8.8 on the Richter scale that a NASA scientist has reported that the quake has literally knocked the Earth’s axis and shortened the length of each Earth day by 1.26 microseconds - uncanny that it should happen in Chile given the references to the Arctic in the novel, but more significantly we have two references in the book to the Axis Mundi - on which all things turn! (page refs to follow).

If that’s not sufficient to feed our curiousity - we have the Eureka moment. On January 9 2010 there was a quake of 6.5m in the Pacific ocean with an epicentre 33 miles west of the nearest major city of Eureka. No significant damage was reported but the amusing thing is that when the Blakesware Set gathered and thought up the Haymakers Survey questions when Malthus cried ‘Eureka’ in celebration (page 345 and on the Journal sample on the main site).

We speculate -is planet Earth protecsting against our behaviour? Our live to work, work to earn, earn to consume life style that is so stressful to many, futile and belittling to our species and threatens to destory the delicate eco-system of life on Earth. Behaviour which some argue undermines what humanity is really about. Mmm it make me wonder… let’s show our true colours… they are beautiful like the rainbow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbZDjnWtK1A

Posted in Q72 Are you a good time keeper?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

18/02/2010 by admin.

We have another example of a lamb with extraordinary markings that can readily be linked to our project. Our readers will know how in Charles Lamb’s journal the boxer Bill Richmond teaches Charles Lamb to defend himself and toughen up for the challenges ahead on the understanding that someone tasked with helping to care for Mother Nature needs to be ready for the fight (pages 255-256). Well take a look at this little fella born 5 days ago on a farm in Durham…

He’s been named Miyagi after fictional martial arts expert Mr Miyagi from the Karate Kid films, he was born five days ago with a thick belt of black wool around his middle. A Lamb with a fighting flare - the little Haymaker!  Farmer William Herbert said:

‘I’ve been farming for over 50 years but I’ve never seen anything like this before. Some lambs have a spot of discoloured wool, but it’s very unusual to see a  full thick stripe. It goes all the way around. It looks like I’ve gone out to him with a paint brush.

‘He’s one of a set of triplets but he won’t be treated any differently to his  brother and sister. They don’t have any markings on them – he’s the odd one out.’

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

07/02/2010 by admin.

We have another remarkable coincidence to report where life is imitating events in our novel.  On 7 February 1823, Charles Lamb’s journal records ‘a magnificant deep white snow’ to fall that helps demonstrate the true majesty of Yggdrasil (pages 374-378) and the diversity of life - represented by the difference between each and every snowflake, the 12 snow angels and the 3 hearts to appear in the snow at the points of an equilateral triangle.

On the same date, we look across the Atlantic and find the East coast of America has experienced ‘Smowmaggedon’ through the heaviest snowfall in some 100 years! Unsurprisingly the East coast was home to a couple of the Blakesware Set - Ralph Emerson and Henry Thoreau. Most poignant! We’d better take better care of our planet.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YitaEluvmaM

Posted in Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q21 Have you ever hugged a tree?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

22/12/2009 by admin.

Our regulars will know how the talent contest called X-Factor has featured on our Watch due to the question posed in our opening material - do we have the X-Factor (to preserve and care for the planet, animals and its limited resources)? We’ve kept an eye on the contest for Christmas No. 1. 

Its therefore interesting that following a Facebook internet campaign, the revolutionary rap metal band ‘Rage Against The Machine’ have beaten X Factor winner Joe McElderry to top spot following an internet campaign.  The anti-establishment song is called, ‘Killing in the Name’ which is ironic as that’s exactly what the human race is slowly doing to the natural world.  So - does this mean we don’t have the X-Factor after all?

On December 20th the Facebook campaign was acknowledged by some 950,000 people including the former Beatles star, Sir Paul McCartney. In a TV interview Sir Paul said, “I like the idea of this Rage Against the Machine thing happening. I think that’s kind of interesting… it would prove a point.” The band’s guitarist Tom Morello has since claimed their success was an act of God, saying “when Mother Nature and Sir Paul McCartney agree on something its going to be unstoppable.”  Maybe that’s why Sir Paul chose to sing this at the X-Factor final….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_esOVRCDpM

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

17/12/2009 by admin.

A first edition of Lewis Carroll’s classic book “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There”,  dedicated to the real life Alice who inspired the story has sold at a U.S. auction for $115,000.

Southern California-based Profiles in History said the book, the sequel to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland“, was the highlight of its children’s literature sale. “Through the Looking Glass“, published in 1871, includes the nonsense poem “Jabberwocky.” Both works were inspired by 10 year-old Alice Liddell, the daughter of an academic friend of Carroll’s. The edition is inscribed in ink “Alice Pleasance Liddell”, and was described as having been presented to her by Carroll.

Okay - we need to offer another explanation on how this links to our novel. Our very own Eath Detective - Sarah Whittenbury - examines a magic circle drawn in the soil before the ’Web of Life’ through her looking glass (pages 162 - 164).  She discovers a frozen tear! Is this a reminder to humanity - a message to let us know what’s really going on. That a state of emergency is being declared for the web of life is in peril!  

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q57 Have you ever spied on anyone?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination? | No Comments »

12/12/2009 by admin.

We may have just witnessed the most startling event linked to The Haymakers Survey on our 3 year Whittenbury Watch! Our readers will be able to vouch for this.

On 9 December near Tromso, Norway on the edge of the Arctic Circle a strange giant helical spiral of light span in the sky for some 12 minutes. It was accompanied by twisted beams of blue light from the centre of the spiral to the ground resembling MayPole ribbon.  After the sprial stopped spinning it went into itself and a black aperture appeared - like a black hole.  The diplay could be seen all over Northern Norway so it must have been very high up in the sky. Here’s one the videos that captured the event…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hrWjkn_DHs

A popular explanation given is that it was a Russian missile fired from a submarine in the White Sea that went spiralling out of control.  However, there’s very many people who doubt this on the internet including some scientists. 

We have our own version of events and this is where things get really interesting. In our novel Charles Lamb’s journal features helical spirals. Pages 401- 403 tells how a spiral of light appears in Royston Cave, Herfordshire after the Samoyed messenger, Malachi, forces his way into the cave.  Here’s the extract,

“Then Gaia it happened exactly as I describe. A miracle emerged from the chaos! The stones clustered at the centre of the cave and began to speed in a dynamic spiral - a helical twist. The stones gave out a luminous glow as they span…. How long did they spin? It was hard to tell. The stones were hypnotic, seeming to suspend time and space. It was a moment when the ideal and the practical collided. A fushion of time and space.

Stukley [the cave guide] broke our collective silence. “What are those things?” “I brought then home… in search of meaning… of truth, ” was all Reverend North could muster.  “It reminds me of a whirlpool,” claimed Mary [Shelley].  The Reverend’s eyes widened, “As water washes away stones and torrents wash away the soul, so you destory man’s hope” [Christian Bible Job 14-19], he said, prophetically as the stones settled at the cave’s core.  Mary Shelley was the first gather up a stone. “De profundis clamavi”, [Out of the depths i have cried unto the] [Psalms 130].  Stukely says.. “What force is this to defy the laws of gravity… ” … Captain Lwein says, “… that was a force for sure… the Force of nature - a warning to mankind to mend our ways.”

Pages 408-409 also tell of a spiral - this time in water in which Lucy Ebbs [Mother Nature] allows her blue ribbon to fall into it when, with Malachi beside her, she reveals to Charles Lamb an insight into the magic of creation [see October 8 posting] “I shared the truth with you as I’m afraid for the future. I am in grave danger.  There are so many demands on me. I’ve only so much to offer.”

So, we have two examples of active sprials in our novel - one that glows and another with a blue trailer within it; just like the spiral in Norway.  Strange too that this phenomena should take place in Norway - given the significance of Yggdrasil and Nordic legend in our project and novel.  Tromso has been inhabited since the end of the ice-age and the Sami-culture - from which the Samoyed dog is linked - is the first known culture of the region.

A higher force is at work - we have faith.

Posted in Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Star Question - what happened to the blue ribbon?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

30/11/2009 by admin.

Heavy rain and winds have felled the House of Commons Christmas tree from its perch under Big Ben.  The 50ft tree was dislodged yesterday but contractors failed to get it back up and were scrambling to do so today. The tree is traditionally donated by the Forestry Commission from a sustainable forest. A Commons spokeswoman said: “The tree has been dislodged only once whilst it was in the process of being erected. Heavy wind and rain is thought to be the main cause. There is no risk to the public.”

Curious that this should happen outside Parliament and beneath Big Ben, given the importance of the evergreen Tree of Life named Yggdrasil in our tale. Our readers will know that the tree is also dubbed ‘The Goblin Tree’ because despite its benevolent nature the tree actually hosts our darkest fears.  In our story Lucy Ebbs warns that should it tumble then life is becoming out of balance with potential serious adverse consequences. Mmmn… but its only a tale.

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q67 Have you ever decorated a tree?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

10/11/2009 by admin.

In Brazil some are blaming an intense concentration of lightening, rain and wind near Itaipu for triggering a huge blackout - possible the world’s worst ever - which covered half of the country. Some 800 cities were without power for around 3 hours, including Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo.  Power supplies have been a sensitive issue in Brazil since blackout in 2001 and 2002 affected large parts of the country - although nothing on this scale. In response Brazil has invested millions in improving the electricity infrastructure which has prompted many to seek answers about the blackout - with a potential cause being the failure of 3 high-tension transmission lines.

Well, how about our explanation for the massive and mysterious blackout - Mother Nature has intervened to warn us in the run up to COP 15 that we need to change our ways! Why are we so confident - simples! Our novel includes an account of how an intense storm caused a blackout at Keeper’s Cottage, which prompts Ben Whittenbury to ponder life prior to the industrial revolution and the value of a life lead in harmony with Nature, exemplified by The Haymakers painting by George stubbs.  And, what better place to host a blackout than in Brazil - home of the Amazon Rainforest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd7aWWTnrAc

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q32 Are you afraid of the dark?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

21/10/2009 by admin.

A new and rare species of ‘giant’ orb Nephila spider has been discovered in Madagascar - its the largest web spinning spider known to science.  The female of the species can spin webs up to 3ft 3in in diameter. 

The spider is located within two endangered biodiversity hotspots: Maputaland and Madagascar.

We see this as vindication of the Web of Life which features in our story and in Charles Lamb’s journal when Lucy Ebbs - Mother Nature personified - draws his attention to it to show that everything in nature is connected and if we continue as we are the eco-system will soon collapse.  Its another warning in the run-up to Copenhagen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhVB_wZ73WU&feature=related

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

08/10/2009 by admin.

On page 409 of our novel Charles Lamb reveals in his journal how Lucy Ebbs - Mother Nature personified - gives him an insight into the magic of the Secret Inheritance at the heart of all creation. Charles reports, “Gaia I have seen the inheritance for myself. The phenomena of the magic circle astounded me. Should the chance arise I shall share the truth with you” Lucy’s response was, “Now you know how miraculous life is… on this living planet that circles the sun, accompanied by the moon and the stars.” Charles’ account was penned on 1 May 1823.

Curious then that in Moscow people have been left mystified by a huge circular halo hovering above them. Although scientists claim this was no more than a simple cloud formation. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT2jwkCirP0&feature=related

It may well be just a simple cloud formation., but if there’s another explanation. Why Russia? Well aside from the affinity with May Day, the country features in the message on page 289 of our novel when Charles Lamb tells Lucy of Turner’s painting ‘Snow Storm: Hannibal and His Army Crossing the Alps’. He says, “The might of nature is the real subject of the painting. The message is that Napoleon should have turned back whilst he still had the chance, but he drove on and used up all his resources. It was the cruel Russian winter that turned the tide.” It implies that the cloud halo is a sign sent in kindness that we need to change our ways.

But perhaps it goes deeper than that! How about this extract from page 301 when beside the fallen tree that exhibits the web of life Lucy Ebbs tells Charles Lamb, “Humanity is the only species capable of influencing its destiny… I need you to bear witness to my deeds.”  The text then reads, My lips parted. “Charles, sh!” She put a finger to her pursed mouth. Bemused, I watched her use the long straight stick she’d found to draw a clear circle around her, dragging it in the uneven wet soil. She invited me into the circle. I hesitated. “I circle our world* with this rod, against the sore stitch, against the sore bite, against the grim dread, against the great horror that is hateful to us all, and all evil that enters this land.” 

*Caleb Hitch later recorded in his footnotes that Lucy was reciting a charm from the Lacnunga spell book - Anglo-Saxon and from the 10th century.

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »