13/01/2010 by admin.

Our intention was to conclude the Watch at end 2009. However, events in Haiti have made us think again. On 8 November 2009, we covered a story about Lucy Jones a seismologist at the US Geological Survey and our anxiety about her working for an organisation looking at Earthquake prediction evaluation.  http://watch.thehaymakerssurvey.com/2009/11/08/x-factor-lucies-cruel-farewell/ 

Just 2 months after our story, we now have a state of emergency in Haiti. On January 12,  Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the country’s most severe earthquake in over 200 years. Widespread damage resulted from the quake, with a majority of buildings collapsing due to poor structural design and construction. The capital city was devastated and up to some 100,000 people are feared dead.

Normally we would put the earthquake down as an entirely natural occurance, but the timining is odd given the phonetics of the country’s name: Haiti sounds like it begins with the word HAY probably the only country in the world with such phonetics. Did we somehow anticipate the disaster?

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It has been struck by multiple hurricanes, causing flooding and widespread damage, most recently in 2008 from Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav. This prompted Miami herald journalist Leonard Pitts, Jr., to ask “if the planet itself is not conspiring against this humble little nation”.

Haiti was once lush; less than 100 years ago 60% of its original forest covered the lands and mountainous regions. Since then, an estimated 98% of its original forest cover had been cut down, and in the process has destroyed fertile farmland soils, contributing to desertification. It is now extremely vulnerable to natural disasters. In addition to soild erosion, deforestation has caused periodic flooding, as seen on 17 September 2004. tropical storm Jeanne skimmed the north coast of Haiti, leaving 3,006 people dead in flooding and mudslides. Earlier that year in May, floods killed over 3,000 people on Haiti’s southern border with the Dominican Republic.

We do not in any way wish to be disrespectful to the victims in this horrific event and our deepest sympathies go to all concerned. We wish the people of Haiti well as they struggle to respond to the crisis. A huge interrnational aid effort is underway and we have already made our own donation. As their moto says ‘Strength is Unity’ - a lesson for all humanity perhaps.

Posted in Q62 Have you ever helped the poor?, Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q34 Have you ever restored something?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | 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 »

23/09/2009 by admin.

Yesterday we published a promotional video which included a RED ALERT warning.  It’s why a red top was worn as symbolism!

Well, well, well. This morning residents of Sydney, Australia were greeted by an epic unprecedented red dust storm causing widespread disruption.  Dust storms are common in the country but nothing on this scale has been witnessed by those alive today. The dust cloud was some 400 miles long and travelled over 1,000 miles down Australia’s east coast. It was formed from dust whipped up in the dried out basin of Lake Eyre. 

Health hazards aside residents were in awe of the spectacle. Comments included, “The sky was bathed in a red hue…. it was like waking up to see Armageddon… it was the weirdest thing I’d ever seen, like waking up on Mars.” So has Mother Nature confirmed that we are on Red Alert?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-s0nENyQ4w

Posted in Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

16/09/2009 by admin.

A former employee of ASDA supermarket in Preston has been caught on camera doing some instore raw ‘chicken licking’ amongst other things.  There was also an appearance on the X-Factor by the Lickin’ Chicken, including a search for keys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnK3QiIw4n4

We have our own take on these incidents! Number 26 in Caleb’s footnotes at the rear of our novel explains the fable of Chicken Licken and the phrase ‘The sky is falling in’.  He reminded us that the phrase is commonly used to indicate a hysterical or mistaken believe that disaster is imminent. The footnote refers to mention in Charles Lamb’s journal (page 296) extract:

…Lucy stopped in her tracks and cried, “The sky is falling in. The Sky is falling in!”  “The rush to tell the king,” I (Charles) said in jest.  An acorn had fallen from a nearby oak and hit her on top of her head. “Oh woe is me,” she mumbled, feinging serious injury - duping me into her arms. “Lucy Ebbs what ails thee?” The acorn was beneath her feet. She picked it up. “We fear the curse of the dark Satanic Mills’ she said.

Later when the Blakesware Set have come together (page 338) the Duke of Wellington comments on the pessimism, “Next you’ll be telling me the sky is falling in.”  The Duke was playing the role of Devil’s Advocate and was later persuaded by the  members’ arguments and need for action.

We see this tension taking place worldwide - with people on the one hand campaigning for change and tacking action with others dismissing the arguments and many more caught up in the middle - either disinterested, unengaged or unclear on what it all really means.  Those who deny the threat often recite the fable…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T2Yrt2gU7A&feature=related

We happen to think the Chicken Lickin incidents are timely given news from some of the world’s leading geologists gathering today for in London a conference warning of potential catastrophic consequences of rapid climate change, including Tsunami’s, avalanches and volcanic eruptions.  Its significant as many people will simply dismiss the warnings as empty threats. We say the coincidence of the Chicken Licken’ episodes are just another example that we ignore the risks at our peril. As we ask early on in our novel ‘Do we have the X-Factor?’ - See our opening extract.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Climate-Change-Geologists-Warn-Of-Natural-Catastrophes-Including-Tsunamis-Avalanches-And-Volcanic-Eruptions/Video/200909315381672

Posted in Q57 Have you ever spied on anyone?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

26/08/2009 by admin.

Today Climate Camp 2009 was revealed as Blackheath, a whisker away from Greenwich, London. The venue was chosen as the organisers wanted to camp in clear sight of the London City Skyline. Around 1,000 have set up camp for a peaceful week to help educate, raise awareness, challenge current strategies and explore solutions to the unfolding climate chaos.

Aside from the symbolism, we’re most curious about the chosen venue - Blackheath! One popular but incorrect theory is that the heath’s name derives from its use as a burial ground for the London based victims of the Black Death plague.  It was also associated with the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381.  The Greenwich Prime Meridian - the home of time - runs along the west side of Blackheath! Our readers will be aware that these 3 themes (potential climate change induced disease, a peoples uprising and the Greenwich Meridian) are all features of our novel.

But the creme-de-le-creme is that Caroline Brunswick, married to the Prince Regent, was banished in 1799 to a private residence in Blackheath.  As our novel reveals, the banished queen appeared before Ben Whittenbury and Charles Lamb as part of an extraordinary brief encounter that suggested a royal command from Mother Nature, “Forget me Not!”  Don’t just take our word for it - read the novel and see the truth for yourself!

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q.4 Have you ever wanted to stop the clock? | No Comments »

14/08/2009 by admin.

Our more serious posts often focus on activity at the Earth’s poles.  Today is no exception where we reflect on the pace of melting on one of Antarctica’s largest glaziers. Research shows that its melting four times faster than it was 10 years ago.  The surface of the ice on Pine Island glazier is now dropping by 16metres a year.  Professor Shepherd of Leeds University says the melting at the centre of the glazier could add about 3cm to global sea levels but the trapped ice behind it would add between 20-30cm.  There are fears that its collapse could lead to the massive disintegration of the West Antarctica Ice sheet. 

There are similar concerns raised in the Arctic where the absence of sea ice in the Nares Strait between Greenland and Canada has surprised scientists, including Professor Box who says the impact of climate change on large glaziers is like taking a cork off a bottle.

We know there are mixed views across the globe on what’s happening to this planet’s environment, including the amount of ice at the poles, which is why we are on our mission - to reveal some deeper magic. Just up to you whether you believe our coincidences recorded on this Watch are purely that or whether they represent something more.  

Posted in Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

06/08/2009 by admin.

From time to time we speculate on possible explanations for the curious coincidences between our project and events on our Watch. In one of his crazy outbursts the ever sceptical Bill Darvill joked that, “Maybe its aliens trying to warn us. Hell look at the strange things happening in space - on Venus, Mars and Jupiter - could they have done it? Do they know how much we’re at risk?”  He spoke in jest of course but look at this from ‘Look North’ (to the Polar region perhaps?).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8186289.stm

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

28/04/2009 by admin.

The world is facing a potential ’swine flu’ pandemic.  The outbreak has already claimed more than 100 lives in Mexico with thousands more infected and the virus has now spread overseas.

Now transmitted from human to human the virus is said to have arisen from people working on pig farms.  So, how does this link to our novel? Well in our account of events:

• To help open her mind to the power of the imagination to see the otherwise unseen, Sarah Whittenbury recites the nursery rhyme ‘Ring a ring o roses, a pocket full of posies. Atishoo, atishoo, we all fall down.’  Many have associated the verse with the Great Plague of London in 1665 or earlier outbreaks of bubonic plague.
• Ben Whittenbury dreams of receiving ‘pennies from heaven’ to restore the disused pig-stys in the grounds of Keeper’s Cottage, whilst Charles Lamb’s journal records the pig farm in its full glory.  And, Malachi our messenger claims that ‘it’s gone to pigs and whistles’ an idiom which means its become ruined or worthless.
• Sarah likens Ben Whittenbury to Dr Who:  WHO is an acronym for The World Health Organisation a specialised agency of the United Nations acting as a co-ordinating authority on international public health.  The WHO have a key role in leading the global response to the threat.
• The curious notes from the future left within our pages include one that speculates on the potential growth of the human population. It concludes with an observation that the predictions for growth by 2100 may well be impacted by a pandemic.
• In Charles Lamb’s journal, Lucy Ebbs, Mother Nature personified, warns that humanity needs to mend our ways and show the planet more respect or we will feel her wrath.

Life on Earth is indeed most mysterious. If previous pandemics are replicated then a whole generation is potentially at risk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0XknwXqLDo

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q73 Do you like nursery ryhmes?, Q44 Is there anything worse than a fly at night?, Q16 Have you ever had a psychic experience?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

16/04/2009 by admin.

Our readers will know all about the mystical ‘Tree of Life’ at the heart of our story and recorded in Charles Lamb’s journal.  Yggdrasil is an evergreen or fir tree and represents the essential role of trees in the continued survival of humanity on this planet. Trees are often said to be the ‘Lungs of the Earth’ so at a time when deforestation threatens the beauty of the Amazon rainforest isn’t it strange that a small fir tree has been found within the lungs of a man?

Reports claim that Artyom Sidorkin from Russia inhaled a seed which then sprouted inside him. After he complained of severe chest pains, doctors were convinced he had cancer after an X-Ray revealed what appeared to be a tumour. 

However when he operated, Dr Kamashev, thought he was hallucinating for growing inside Mr Sidorkin’s lungs was a 2 inch spruce!  He blinked three times as he was sure he was seeing things!

The presence of the tree is a real mystery as biologists say it is absolutely impossible for a green plant to grow from a seed inside a mans body; claiming that they need certain conditions -light, water and certain temperatures.  So, we have a person from Russia - home of the Samoyed tribe - operated on by a doctor whose names (Artyom and Kamashev) include the word HAYMAKERS!  It’s magic!

Celebrate for all we need is the ‘Air that We Breathe’….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMSAnZR2Q8Q

Posted in Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q21 Have you ever hugged a tree?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

26/03/2009 by admin.

Love is one of the key three themes embedded in our novel. But today we ask is there a cure for a broken heart?

 OR   ?

Why? The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has urged a radical change of heart in order to prevent runaway climate change. He said humanity should turn away from the selfishness and greed that leads it to ignore the interdependence with the natural world.  He warned that God would not guarentee a ‘happy ending’, saying, “God’s faithfulness stands, assuring us that even in the most appalling disaster love will not let us go - but it will not be a safety net that guarantees a happy ending in this world.”

Without a change of heart, Dr Williams warned, the world faced a number of “doomsday scenarios” including the “ultimate tragedy” of humanity gradually “choked, drowned, or starved by its own stupidity.” The poorest and most vulnerable and our children and grandchildren would pay the heaviest price for climate change, he added.

Given the spiritual nature running through our story and the curious numerous examples of coincidences we’ve witnessed since we began our Watch, we are moved to ask once more are we being warned by an unseen force of the need to act and do so now? Let us heed the final words in our book… in the footnotes, ‘Out of the depths I have cried unto the‘. You decide!

For now we ask, if Mother Nature could sing might she plead…

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

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »