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

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q14 Do you believe your stars?, 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 »

21/10/2008 by admin.

We have an encore! A mysterious luminous fushia cloud appeared in the sky above London last night, turning the heads of amazed commuters.  Metrologists suggest that the pink cloud is simply a reflection of city lights on a low cloud against the background of a low sun.  Others suggest it’s the work of Breast Cancer Awareness - pink is their adopted colour and October is devoted to their campaign.  The proposal is they simply sent a beam of pink light into the sky.

None of these explanations are especially convincing.  We judge this the most amazing of all the signs from Mother Nature or a divine force of the need to change our behaviour. Why? In our story Charles Lamb’s journal opens in May with he and Lucy - Nature personified - sat upon Philosopher’s Point when he witnesses a rose cloud in the zenith. He tells Lucy it represents his undying love for her.  Prior to this he had speculated about adorning her way with petals from the Mayfair celebrations from the day before.  So, on the eve of the birthday of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, we have the spectacle of ‘The Rose Cloud over Mayfair’.     

For the benefit of the doubters, here’s the text verbatim (from page 227)! Remember - we published the book in May!  In the journal Charles wrote:

‘To convince her of my devotion, I searched the heavens for inspiration. Clouds drifted serenely from west to east, from whence it came; and ambassador of love.  “Lucy, open your eyes,” I enthused. “Look, directly above us - in the zenith.  There, the cloud, do you see it?” I asked.  In the heavens was an ancient symbol of love  - a rose in the shape of a cloud, as though sent to us as a gift from the Greek goddess, Aphrodite herself. “Mother Nature speaks,” she said. “Why it is the rose I vowed to thee, to honour our eternal love,” I claimed.  Lucy smiled. I kissed her. “hark, they call in celebration,” I cried, as a peel of bells rang out from the distant St John’s Church, Widford. “May this rose endure?” I called, with my arms outstretched.  “Do you wish it so, Charles?” she said, as I watched the rose travel across the sky. “I do.” Two little words that rang in my heart. “Then it shall be,” she claimed, but the shape of the cloud was soon lost.”

Surely, this is beyond coincidence? What’s more, the cloud appeared at 08:30pm for an hour or so before fading away, which is also very strange as there are 83 questions in ‘The Haymakers Survey.’  As the magician in our tale says, “I save the best ’till last”.

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

01/10/2008 by admin.

One of the greatest names in boxing, Mohammed Ali, has been cut into a cornfield in Arizona, USA.  When they heard of the news, Ali, and his wife  flew over the site in their helicopter to check out the artwork from the air and could not believe their eyes.   Here’s the video…

http://multimedia.boston.com/pub/m/21065701/muhammad_ali_s_likeness_carved_into_corn_field.htm?pageid=14155

This is strange given the role of crop circles in our story and the presence of the famous black boxer, and proclaimed Haymaker, Bill Richmond.  Let’s compare the two…

Three times world heavyweight champion, Ali was famed for saying, ‘I am the greatest’.  A poet and prophet, his real name was Cassius Clay ‘oh those treasures in jars of clay!’  He certainly knew how to deliver the knockout punch!

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

27/09/2008 by admin.

Earth’s most ancient rocks, with an age of £4.8bn, have been found on the shores of Hudson Bay.   The sample of ‘Greenstone’ is estimated to be 250m years older than any previously identified.  The stone may reveal evidence of the earliest life on Earth.  The Professor of Geology leading the study said, “The rock contains a very special chemical signature - one that can be found in very, very old rocks only.  Nobody has found that signal anywhere else on Earth. Everyone is so excited!”  As Rev. North asked in out story, ‘What do these stones mean?” Lets take a closer look at the image of the Greenstone. 

Notice the X at the heart of the stone?  Is the really a poser,”Do we have the X-factor?” as explored in our story? A signal that we need to adjust our way of life to live in balance with the natural world. Perhaps Bill Dan has the answer…

Bill is a performance artist who has been wowing crowds in San Fransisco Bay with his amazing designs involving resting different sized rocks on top of each other.  His gravity defying work has led many to refuse to believe he doesn’t use glue or some other trickery.  If you’re watching Bill, we believe in the magic of the stones.

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

Let’s consult the Rolling Stones for advice on what humanity needs to do to avoid eviction from planet earth.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ8xM83fMhU&feature=related

Meanwhile Yves Rossy has succeeded in his quest to make the first single jetpack flight across the English Channel. It took him just 10 minutes to fly across the 23 mile stretch of water. History is littered with man’s attempts to fly like a bird and now someone has achieved that dream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzrKlEtxTx4

Posted in Q74 Do you like puzzles?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q65 Have you ever wished you could fly?, Q46 Do you value a good education?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

25/09/2008 by admin.

There’s no cause for a-Lamb, but there’s blue sheep roaming the fields of Tyneside! The blue sheep are the result of a farmer putting blue dye on them so he could check whether mating had taken place. Only trouble was that the rams chose to fight amongst themselves, spreading the dye over their bodies in the process.

All very quaint yet the curiosity for us is that in his diary the colour blue was especially precious between Charles Lamb and Lucy Ebbs! Time to celebrate with some animation …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C81NxEQW01U

And a song…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ejP-KZ_tk8

Meanwhile, further South, the former Beatles singer, Sir Paul McCartney has performed in concert in Israel.  The concert comes 43 years after The Beatles were banned from playing in the country for fear of corrupting the nation’s youth.   During his visit he went to Bethlehem. Outside of the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, Sir Paul said, “All we need is peace.” 

What’s remarkable about the visit is that in our tale, Caleb Hitch tells of the curious triangle surrrounding Keeper’s Cottage, with its lines leading east towards Stonehenge, north towards Royston Cave and south towards the Holy Land in Israel - which we suspected was too far to count, but clearly not!  The curious link between our story and The Beatles rolls on.  Here he is performing at the concert singing the Long and Winding Road!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS58AOGpLCQ&feature=related

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Star Question - what happened to the blue ribbon?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q73 Do you like nursery ryhmes?, Q66 Do you have a favourite flower?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

21/09/2008 by admin.

A millionaire businessman in Yorkshire has become so spooked by his haunted mansion that he fled and left it to the bank.  The owner, Anwar Rashid, described how he and his family became so terrified after hearing screams, knocking and seeing apirations in the mansion at Clifton Hall.  He compared his experience to Nicole Kidman’s movie, The Others. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu494-Dr5po

If Charles’ diary is to be believed, perhaps he ought to pay a visit to Blakesware Manor to witness the ghostly events there too? 

Posted in Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q16 Have you ever had a psychic experience?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q10 Have you ever seen a ghost? | No Comments »