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 »

14/11/2009 by admin.

In an exclusive poll for The Times only 41% of the population believe that human activity is responsible for climate change.  The survey makes for uncomfortable reading in the run up to COP 15.  Almost 33% are yet to be convinced by the science, 8% claim its just propoganda and 55 say the world isn’t warming.  One expect suggested that because of the potential consequences - green taxes, lifestyle changes, wind farms etc -people are taking refuge in denial. 

In response to the survey, Ed Miliband the Energy and Climate Change Secretary said, “The overwhelming body of scientific evidence shows us that climate change is man-made and is happening now. We know we still have a way to go in informing people about the threat and that is why we’re pushing our Act on CO2 campaign”.

The poll’s findings come as no surprise to us. We believe there’s a limit to what can be done through conventional means to demonstrate to people the genuine nature of the threat and the role played by humans. It’s why we have taken a very different path - one based on faith and the believe that we are being guided by a higher force - left signs of the need to act not just on carbon emissions but on our relationship with the Earth! This remains our steadyfast belief and is the purpose of the Watch.

We foresaw this and imagine this resistance will continue. It’s why our novel includes a sceptical voice - Bill Darvill - and includes commentary by Ben Whittenbury about human behaviour being ostrich like about the issues - we put our head in the sand!

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q46 Do you value a good education? | No Comments »

03/09/2009 by admin.

Australia has experienced its warmest winter since records began.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology described August as an ‘extraordinary month’ with mean temperatures been exceeded by several degrees! The margin of increase is unprecedented and put down to a combination of climate change and the natural variability of the country’s weather.  All the same, its a clear reminder that the threat of damaging changes in global temperatures is real and current.

Posted in Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q22 Do you love our Earth? | 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 »

23/06/2009 by admin.

Early today a fire broke out in the historic Wellington Inn, Welwyn, Hertfordshire.  The blaze took hold on the top floor of the three-storey building.  Fortunately no one appears to have been injured, but we very much hope the building isn’t too badly damaged. The Wellington has its orgins as an inn dating back to the 13th century and was once visited by the famous writer and diarist Samuel Pepys. 

We feel rather unsettled by the fire. Our readers will recall the mysterious blaze on the Cutty Sark - at Greenwich the home of time - which we recorded in our Watch.  Now we have a fire at another venue linked to our story - afterall did not the Duke of Wellington chair the Blakesware Set?  It’s unsettling given the venue is so close to home.  Given global temperatures are predicted to rise unless carbon emissions are brought under control we wonder - is this a clear sign to us all that the mercury is set to soar? 

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q80a Do you keep a diary?, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q47 Do you know your history? | No Comments »

02/02/2009 by admin.

The South-East of England has experienced its heaviest snow fall for nearly 20 years, bringing travel chaos, school closures and causing millions of people to take the day off work.  So far, some parts of London have had 8 inches of snow, covering the heart of government with a blanket of snow for politicians to enjoy.

So, Global Warming is just a rouse right? Let’s look at this from ‘The Haymakers Survey’ perspective. In early February 1823, Charles Lamb’s journal begins (pages 374 and 375), “A magnificent deep white snow has settled about the [Ware] Uplands… changing it into a fairytale land.  I wish Hans [Christian Anderson] and Albert [Thorvaldsen] had remained to witness it. Hans could have recounted his Snow Queen tales, and Albert could have borne witness to the majesty of Yggdrasil in deep snow - yes Gaia for he claimed the real magic of the tree is only witnessed at that time.”

Later that day the journal records how Charles witnessed 12 snow angels perfectly formed about the tree and how Lucy - Mother Nature personified - invited Charles to, “look at the snow. Isn’t it simply beautiful?… Wonderful isn’t it how no two snowflakes are alike.” The young Malachi stretched up to greet her and she said, “Hello, my little polar bear - enjoying the snow are we? Make the most of it my friend for it will disappear befor you can say Jack Frost.”

What’s more, the journal [page 289] records how William Turner’s painting ‘Snow Storm: Hannibal Crossing the Alps’ features in the Gallery to serve as a warning to learn from Napoleon’s demise and turn back whilst the chance still prevails rather than press on and face defeat.  Captured by the Curator’s Assistant, it warns of the might of Nature!

Interesting too that the snow brought commerce and travel to a standstill on a day when a report by the Children’s Society invited us to review our relationships with our children - promoting love and fun!  Did a forgiving Mother Nature intervene on our behalf?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gaOcwWrKTJY

Poignant too that across the other side of the globe, the South-East of Australia,  a country so strongly linked to Britain, are experiencing record temperatures of 40 degrees plus over a sustained period, causing power outages in Melbourne.

Here’s a special report on the snowfall on behalf of Sky News… enjoy!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qa3DcGqqBQ&feature=channel_page

Posted in Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q46 Do you value a good education?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q.6 Do you believe in fairy tales? | 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 »

23/08/2008 by admin.

Scientists are confident that the ‘La Nina’ effect in the Pacific Ocean will probably lead to the coolest year globally since 2000.  Even so, 2008 looks set to be the 10th warmnest year on record since 1850, and scientists predict that the warming trend will recommence when the effect fades. La Nina translates to ’Little Girl’, which might readily be interpreted as Sarah Whittenbury in action!

Posted in Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q46 Do you value a good education? | No Comments »

27/05/2008 by admin.

A study by scientists at Royal Holloway, University of London shows that roads are very dangerous places for hedgehogs.  They are very poor at dealing with traffic, waiting until a vehicle is about 17m (60ft) away before responding, and even then they freeze rather than try to run away.

The trouble is that hedgehogs find roads attractive places, in part because of their small legs, but also because tarmac is warm and attracts insects - so they get a meal too.

The peril they face may help explain why numbers are down 50% in some areas.  But the ongoing use of once natural countryside for housing and other development, the tidiness of the urban garden, and the reduction of hedges across rural land may also be a factor. 

Posted in Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q27 Do you like gardening?, Q19 Do you love hedgehogs? | No Comments »

14/04/2008 by admin.

Research by the National trust shows that global warming is already bringing a huge amount of change to the British coast.  Increased flooding and erosion will force some species away from their habitats - but others may be attracted by the higher temperatures.  Rising sea levels could drown freshwater pools and isolate mud flats and marshes, forcing wading birds and terns out of their homes.  Shingle beaches used by grey seals to raise their pups could be isolated.

World food prices have become so high that hundreds of thousands of people in a large set of countries could starve, warned the head of the International Monetary Fund.  The rising costs of basic crops, such as wheat and and rice, are a global problem, reaching record levels.  Poor harvests and a shift to crops for biofuels are being blamed for the peak.

Meanwhile, NASA has released new stunning images of Phobos - one of Mars’ moons! Readers may recall that Ben speculated on the presence of Mars and its moons on the night Malachi unearthed Lucy’s locket! Creepy? 

Posted in Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »