30/09/2009 by admin.

Lucy’s in the headlines again -a sheep in her name is the matter of a legal custody battle.  Last December Bethan Parkinson from Buckley bought her nine year old daughter, Lauren, a pet sheep and called her Lucy. Initially Bethan kept her in stables with her pony but this proved troublesome so she chose to give her temporarily to an animal sanctuary whilst looking for land.  Five months later Bethan returned to claim Lucy but after a dispute which involved the police she produced a receipt and reclaimed the sheep.  However, the animal sanctuary have not given up and have taken the family to court over the pet sheep, under the Return of Goods Act. Next week, a judge will decide Lucy’s fate at a court in Mold.   

A curious tug-of-love for Lucy. From our perspective the ovine (Charles Lamb) link is obvious but the use of the Return of Goods Act stands out because humanity has exploited the Earth’s finite resources for many many years whilst feeding the material world that we live under. Its time to Return the Goods!  

Posted in Q71 Is there something missing in your life?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

08/08/2009 by admin.

Another symbolic anniversary relevant to THS; hundreds of Beatles fans have gathered to mark the 40th anniversary of the camera shot of the famous pedestrian (zebra) crossing cover of the Abbey Road album. 

A reconstruction took place with Beatles lookalikes - a tribute band known as St Pepper’s only Dartboard Band’ - wearing outfits the same as those worn on the day.  Billie Shears would be pleased! The original picture has been copied many times over by Beatles fans.  We’re especially taken by the iconic crossing - Malachi warns in our novel ‘We’re at the crossroads’. Perhaps that’s why Sir Paul chose to cross the road bare-footed as an unwitting reminder of the human ‘carbon’ footprint!

When visiting Abbey Road Beatles fans also like to leave personal messages on a wall by the roadside. Messages like these…

Abbey Road is also in St John’s Wood and St John’s Church is where Julia saw a ghostly figure wearing a replica ‘St Pepper’ jacket. Mmm. we do have fun don’t we?

Ben’s favourite song from the album is ‘Come Together’ which is what we need to do to address the ongoing environmental challenges. Here’s a video with rare footage of Abbey Road and the recording studios. Enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vAqekT-GuA

Posted in Q49 Do you ever think about the old days?, Q78 Do you want to be part of the picture?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

11/04/2009 by admin.

A 33 year old woman has had a terrifying close encounter with Polar Bears after she leapt into their enclosure at Berlin Zoo during feeding time.  In a crazy stunt the woman seemed elated at first as she swam towards one of the bears, but was soon set upon and biten by one of the creatures.  She was only saved from serious injury and potential death by the swift intervention of keepers and visitors at the zoo. 

The woman’s motivation for entering the cage remains a mystery  - perhaps she was unwittingly attempting to recreate Richard Westall’s painting ‘Nelson and the Bear’ which features in our story and in Charles Lamb’s journal as a symbol of Mother Nature’s plight due to the behaviour of humanity.  Is this another fascinating example - a distress call - to remind us of the need to act now to preserve our Earth as we know and love it?  Compare the images…

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

25/01/2009 by admin.

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard.  Events are taking place across the globe, celebrations including dancing, laughter and song.  He is regarded as the pioneer of the romantic movement, influencing William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. 

Aside from this connection, we find yet another remarkale anniversary coincidence and we’re especially interested in one of his most famous works, “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” due to the role of the everlasting rose in our tale and Charles Lamb’s journal. 

 Let’s recite the wonderful words,

“My love is like a red red rose That’s newly sprung in June; My love is like the melodie That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in love am I; And I will love thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: And I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only love And fare thee weel, a while! And I will come again, my love, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.”

So, there we have it - another curious connection, describing a love that’s fresh and long-lasting.  Let’s celebrate!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9lAi9A9s5lg&feature=related

Posted in Q66 Do you have a favourite flower?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

09/01/2009 by admin.

On New Year’s Day, Marc Greenhalgh was out walking in Alkrington Woods, Middleton, when his dog, Jarvis, ran onto the ice to chase ducks.  When the ice broke the dog struggled to get out so Marc plunged into the lake to rescue him.  The scene pictured below could well have been taken direct from Charles Lamb’s journal - when he had to rescue Malachi after he slipped through a frozen lake (page 378 of the story).

Although he was criticised by the authorities for putting his own life in peril, a passer-by who took the photo praised him for his bravery, “A lot of people would say he was idiotic to risk his life for an animal, but I thought he was really brave. If my dog was in danger I’d like him to be there.”

SIRIUS STAR

On November 15 2008, the oil tanker, Sirius Star, was hijacked by Somali pirates, becoming the largest ship ever captured.   The tanker has a capacity of 2 million barrels of crude oil and an overall length of 333 metres.  The cargo is worth some $100m.  The two month stand off ended today as the ship was released after a ransom of $3m was parrachuted on board.  However, the twist in the tale was that five of the pirates drowned with their share of the ransom after their small boat capsized.

Aside from the natural justice against the pirates, the hijack is interesting as Charles Lamb’s journal recalls how he and Mary Shelley speculated on the presence of Sirius the brightest star in the sky.  Here’s the extract from 30 December 1822:

“Together she and I stood after dusk on the terrace overlooking the wilderness garden. On a misty night, only one star broke through to shine in the sky overhead. Confidently dismissing the myth that the star can cause madness, we secretly dedicated the bluish white light of Sirius in the constellation Canis Major to the late Percy Shelley. His light shall not fade!”

Sirius is also know as the Dog Star, which is fascinating given the role of the dog Malachi as our Messenger. 

So, is the whole hijack experience designed to remind us to switch from our dependence on crude oil?

Posted in Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q.2 Are you an art lover?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

26/09/2008 by admin.

The magician and illusionist, David Blaine, has completed a daring 3 day stunt in which hung upside down in New York’s Central Park.  Medics had warned him about the potential serious effects to his body, but he pressed ahead with the performance regardless.  

Trouble is it seems most people have not been that impressed by his attempt to turn the world upside down for 60 hours, arguing that he ‘cheated’  by taking regular breaks to respond to the call of Nature.  For ten minutes at a time, he would stand upright on a platform to take in water, relieve himself and have medical checks.   Sadly these fundamental needs have led some critics to give him a hard time - with even some booing from the audience.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTcYa71zwfg

So the magicians efforts to look at the world from a new perspective were largely unappreciated - many promoting and working for the environmental cause know how that feels!  

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

14/08/2008 by admin.

Another relevant annivesary - this time it’s 100 years since Mills and Boon published their first novel. 

Famed for romantic fiction, their books are sold in 106 countries and translated into 26 languages.  They have over 3 million readers in the UK annually. Their exoctic escapist stories typically feature a tall, dark and handsome type who sweeps a cream-and roses heroine off her feet.   The stories inevitably have happy endings!  Charles Lamb would surely salute them as they celebrate their centenary, given his passion for love, art and nature.  Celebrate if you will…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SELp8xfbzJQ

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination? | No Comments »

05/07/2008 by admin.

Adam Warwick, a biologist from Florida, USA, has saved a 375lb bear from drowning.  The bear had wandered into a residential area in Tallahassee prompting wildlife officers to shoot the animal with a tranquiliser dart.  It panicked and raced toward water. 25 yards in and the animal became drowsy.  The animal started to lose the use of his limbs and without Adam’s intervention would surely have drowned.  Adam acted instinctively - taking to the water and managing to keep the bear’s head above water as he dragged the animal back to shore.

The whole experience is curious given Sarah’s comments in ‘The Haymakers Survey’ about her sadness due to a documentary which featured a polar bear which drowned seeking sea ice. 

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head? | No Comments »

30/05/2008 by admin.

Paddington Bear is celebrating his 50th anniversary today.  Here’s a picture of the famed stowaway bear from Peru discovered by the Brown’s at a railway station in West London.  They found him craving a better life at platform 8 and had the good heart to take him in and ‘look after the bear’.

As you can discover from the video below, Paddington emigrated on the advice of his dear old Aunt Lucy!

 http://www.truveo.com/Paddington-Bear-Please-look-after-this-bear/id/1035976138

As our story explains, Malachi was pleased he wasn’t called Paddington as he felt he’d have to wear Wellingon boots, but he secretly has much love for the mischevious bear!

How curious then that the Brazilian national Indian Foundation today released amazing picture of an uncontacted tribe on its border with Peru.  The Brazilian government says it wants to help protect the tribe’s land from illegal logging.  They are designed to prove those who doubted the tribe’s existence wrong.  More than half the world’s uncontacted 100 tribes live in Brazil and Peru.  Take a look at these warriors reacting to the plane… didn’t cupid draw back his bow in our story? Does this mean humanity should live in better harmony with nature?

Let’s ask Amy Winehouse. Does she think that’s right? Here’s a video aired on BBC Three

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymcPoYo8S20

Oh… an anagram of AMY WINEHOUSE is  HAY IN ME HOUSE.  In April, Amy won 5 Grammy awards at the biggest night in the rock and pop calendar.  The star celebrated by visiting her husband, Blake Civil-Fielder, in Pentonville Prison.  She dedicated her awards to her imprisoned husband and London’s blaze hit Camden Market, expressing sadness as the fire destroyed her favourite pub amongst other buildings.

Posted in Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour?, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q21 Have you ever hugged a tree?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

17/04/2008 by admin.

African pygmy hedgehogs have joined the list of Britain’s most sought after pets. They are just as cute as a hamster or a guinea pig but have that added ‘wow’ factor.  Brighter in colour than their wild cousins, they are a cross between Algerian and white-bellied hedgehogs. First bred in captivity the USA about 10 years ago, they are now being sold in Britain for up to £150 each.  One breeder has a long waiting list and people prepared to travel hundreds of miles to pick one up.  However, the Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital are concerned about the trend, arguing that hedgehogs belong in the wild and don’t make good pets.   Whatever, your view - We love hedgehogs!

Posted in Q19 Do you love hedgehogs?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »