02/02/2011 by admin.

“Let me pass, I am your Queen”, are words allegedly spoken in 1821 by Caroline of Brunswick as she attempted to enter Westminster Hall at the coronation of her estranged husband King George IV.  They’re captured in our novel during Ben Whittenbury’s errie ghostly encounter with Charles Lamb.  We’ve often speculated on the relevance of the ill-fated Queen in our story and previous posts on the site have commented on the ’delicate investigation’ and Blackheath.  We view her exclusion as an allegory of how humanity behaves towards Mother Nature.

Well, at a time when Queen Caroline’s portrait features in an exhibition at the National Gallery, London we find that Queensland, Australia is experiencing the worst cyclone in recorded history. Cyclone Yasi is a category five with winds of 186mph. The storm follows quickly on the heels of the recent record floods.  The storm hit the shore at Cardland. Queensland’s president is warning of devestation on an unprecedented scale. It presents an extremely serious threat to life and property.  A tidal surge of some 30ft is expected in some areas.

Were we warned in advance about this through The Haymakers Survey? There have been seven tropical cyclones in the vicinity of Australia, Figi and New Zealand in the past 3 weeks. Is this confirmation that there’s worse to come as Gaia takes her revenge on humanity for our neglect and abuse of this planet?

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q60 Have you ever experienced deja vu?, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

27/08/2009 by admin.

Although our project is concerned with the big picture on environmental and ecological challenges faced by the natural world, we’re happy to focus this week on climate chaos and activities at the Climate Camp, including the Climate Casino operating outside of the Stock Exchange - colourfully performed by a dozen or so campaigners in fancy dress, with props including the use of large playing cards to illustrate how humanity is gambling with the planet.

We love it as in our novel and Charles Lamb’s journal the Three of Hearts - representing Love, Art and Nature - is a symbol of life as it could be.

In the words of Bruce Forsyth, Play Your Cards Right, come on get involved at home. Your a lovely audience, so much better than last week!

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

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q78 Do you want to be part of the picture?, Q61 Have you ever worn fancy dress?, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

06/01/2009 by admin.

The childrens’ clothing chain Adams has become the latest victim of the Credit Crunch with 111 stores going into administration.  A further 160 stores remain open whilst efforts continue to find a buyer for the business.

So far we’ve not passed any comments about the state of the economy as the UK heads into recession. However, we’re interested in the plight of Adam given the child’s perilious plight as recorded by Charles Lamb. It’s also curious that 111 of its stores should face closure as Malachi mentioned the number associated with Nelson as part of his messages to our society about the need for reform.  So, do we have a covert link that indicated the tenuous position we are now entering? We believe so especially as the stores demise follows that of the long established Woolworths or Woolies (remember were wool comes from) and Whittards the coffee store (Whittards and Whittenbury sound so familar).  Still, could e something or nothing - you decide.

Posted in Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q34 Have you ever restored something?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

12/10/2008 by admin.

As the world’s governments seek solutions to the global credit crunch and rescue the fragile financial services we’ve noticed that the Disney Movie, Mary Poppins, has appeared on television a lot recently, including today.  The story revolves around the Banks’ family:

Here we marvel at the Fidelity Fiducia Bank Sing Along, with Mr Banks at the heart of everthing! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt9JpYRulSk

In our tale, we found some old pennies embedded in rocks in our garden; coins dated from the Maundy Ceremony. Did we unwittingly foresee this financial crisis emerging?  Is the real solution a global culture change - a world built around love and respect for Mother Nature as our tale suggests, rather than growth, profit and greed.

Let another Banksy give us a steer - this time the artist and his bizarre fake ’Pet-Shop’ which aims to encourage people to think about the way we treat animals.  Why not take a look…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1laBLYjuqM&feature=related

The set includes a proverbial white rabbit, mentioned by Malachi in our story!

Meanwhile, an EU commissioned study has put the annual cost of forest loss at between $2 and $5 trillion dollars.  the figures come from the various services that forests perform, such as providing water and cleansing carbon.  The study leader believes the rate of loss dwarfs that currently being experienced by the financial markets.  It’s not only continuous, it’s happening year after year, after year.  For us, the greatest risk we run is not valuing nature as much as we should!  Here’s a supporting video from IUCN:

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

Posted in Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

15/07/2008 by admin.

The new Batman film has premiered in New York to much acclaim. It co-stars Heath Ledger as the Joker.  Tragically, Heath died aged just 28 this January from an accidental drug overdose.  The movie has been dedicated to the actor.  Critics rate the film highly, predicting record box office receipts.  Take a closer look…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8kzkdmPCJI&feature=related

From The Haymakers Survey perspective, we recall how the Joker featured in a game of cards between Ben and Sarah.  

Posted in Q78 Do you want to be part of the picture?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q32 Are you afraid of the dark? | No Comments »

20/11/2007 by admin.

A new map released by Visit Britain, ‘On The Trail of Britain’s Fairy Folk’  gives people the chance to go to some of the most famous places in folklore known for some mysterious inhabitants - fairies!  They include the legend of the piper who made fairies dance in Kelso, Scotland.   Perhaps the next edition will feature the Nimley Bourne stream? Time will tell!   

The company behind Britain’s national lottery say the luckiest three numbers are:  25, 31 and 38.    Question 25 is - Do you believe in fairies? Interesting!  The number 13 was officially the unluckiest number.   

Posted in Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour?, Q25 Do you believe in fairies?, Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else? | No Comments »