20/12/2009 by admin.

The icy spell across Europe has brought travel misery to thousands of passengers using the Eurostar between London and Paris. A number of trains have broken down due to the difference in temperature outside the tunnel and within. Many have endured extremely long and uncomfortable journeys and we feel for their plight.

So, what does this have to do with our Watch we hear you ask? Simple really - maybe its Mother Nature’s way of drawing everyone’s attention to the role of the star in revealing the hidden message in ‘The Haymakers Survey’.  In our story, the star is at the centre of the unveiling of the key message - see page 198. What’s to follow we wonder?

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Star Question - what happened to the blue ribbon?, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

10/11/2009 by admin.

In Brazil some are blaming an intense concentration of lightening, rain and wind near Itaipu for triggering a huge blackout - possible the world’s worst ever - which covered half of the country. Some 800 cities were without power for around 3 hours, including Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo.  Power supplies have been a sensitive issue in Brazil since blackout in 2001 and 2002 affected large parts of the country - although nothing on this scale. In response Brazil has invested millions in improving the electricity infrastructure which has prompted many to seek answers about the blackout - with a potential cause being the failure of 3 high-tension transmission lines.

Well, how about our explanation for the massive and mysterious blackout - Mother Nature has intervened to warn us in the run up to COP 15 that we need to change our ways! Why are we so confident - simples! Our novel includes an account of how an intense storm caused a blackout at Keeper’s Cottage, which prompts Ben Whittenbury to ponder life prior to the industrial revolution and the value of a life lead in harmony with Nature, exemplified by The Haymakers painting by George stubbs.  And, what better place to host a blackout than in Brazil - home of the Amazon Rainforest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd7aWWTnrAc

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q32 Are you afraid of the dark?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

08/11/2009 by admin.

Our regulars will know we’ve been following the fortunes of Lucie Jones on this year’s X-Factor. Sadly, we have to report that Lucie has been voted off the show at the expense of the controversial twins - John and Edward (Jeward).  Despite putting in a wonderful performance Lucie came in the bottom two in the public vote, probably because the public thought she was safe. In the sing-off she performed ‘One Moment in Time’ whilst the twins did ‘Rock DJ’. Although Lucy was far and away the better performer, Simon Cowell, the lead X-Factor mogul chose to put the decision to the public vote. Lucie had received the least votes so had to bid a tearful farewell at the expense of a couple of lads who can’t sing yet have attracted celebrity status through immense media attention.

Lucie’s eviction and the manner of it comes as no surprise to us.  “Does humanity have the X-Factor?” is a poser within our novel.  Lucie’s plight - Mother Nature in our tale - is perilious yet people assume she’ll be fine and complacency will be our downfall. Even Lucie’s final song ‘One Moment in Time’ was significant given the run up to COP15.  Will we seize that moment in time? Are we going to set Mother Nature free?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4b0uQJc6y0

A further coincidence is that Lucy Jones is also a seismologist at the US Geological Survey currently working on a multi-hazards demonstration project developing a new programme to integrate hazards science with economics and emergency response to incease community resiliency to natural disaster.  She also serves on the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council - ominous?

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.5 Do you believe in fate? | 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 »

28/02/2009 by admin.

A lost mobile phone has been found in the belly of a massive cod.  The phone slipped from the pocket of Andrew Cheatle into the sea but was found a week later by fisherman Glen Kerley who rang Rita Smith 33, Andrew’s girlfriend.  The fisherman had been gutting the cod that morning at his stall and found the mobile inside.   The phone was a bit smelly but he was happy to return it.  Andrew had to change the circuit board but the phone now works fine. He said’ I know it sounds a fishy tale but its 100% true.”

All very intriguing given the role of a mobile phone in Charles Lamb’s journal and Bill Richmond’s comments about the world being a far stranger place than we realise supported by his words about fish falling from the sky.  Its also fun that the names of the 3 people involved in the story include letters that spell out HAYMAKERS! Perhaps this is really a reminder about the need to guard against overfishing.  

Posted in Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

17/02/2009 by admin.

The ghostly encounter recorded at the start of our story (see opening sample in left hand column) records how a distraught and runaway black horse is a clear sign of Mother Nature in serious jeopardy.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwN_CXi41s4 

So, we look on with interest as Lloyds Bank TSB - known for its black horse symbol - quivers under the strain of the global financial crisis - with a £10bn loss last year due to bad debts inherited following a merger with HSBC.  The bank’s share price has plummeted and the prospect of a government bail out looms.  

Amongst other victims of the crisis are car workers at the BMW plant in Oxford where 850 people helping to manufacture the Mini have lost their jobs.  It comes as no suprise given that new car sales have plummeted across the industry in recent months.  Did we foretell the struggles of the car industry at this time too given Ben’s initials are BMW - Ben Michael Whittenbury? We use the acronym several times in our story!

Minis were a key part of the Italian Job movie - let’s here from Michael Caine and others on the need for a ‘Self Preservation Society’ to tackle the challenge of caring for our planet! “Get your skates on mate.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy3BdoWaYxY

Certainly a Lamb or two isn’t wasting any time in getting tough! A new report on bird wildlife by the Scottish Heritage Fund records how a lamb was seen head-butting a golden eagle - one of Scotland’s largest birds of prey.  The incident was recorded at Baile Ailean on the Western Isles of the Outer Hebrides.  Apparently older ewes, especially pregnant ones, have resorted to such action from time to time.   Perhaps this is a reference to Charles Lamb’s quest as recorded in his journal to toughen up through sparring under the guidance of Bill Richmond so as to prepare for the challenges ahead.  Take a look at these little fellas…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoDirD2hw1w

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

16/01/2009 by admin.

Boy George, the former controversial frontman to the 1980’s band Culture Club, has been given a 15 month prison sentence for false imprisonment and gratuitous violence.  A barrister in the case said that, “At the heart of the matter was a descent into self destructive behaviour.”  The singer’s solicitor later claimed, “George is on the way to recovery, I sincerely hope this sentence doesn’t knock him back.” 

This is George in his hey-day! An artist known for wearing a ribbon or two in his hair and an ambassador for diversity in our world.

So, what does this have to do with the environment, we hear you ask? Simple really - in response to Ben Whittenbury’s decision to draw up ‘The Haymakers Survey’ our Magician invited the climate change sceptics to say no to climate chaos and join the Culture Change Club.  The implication is that Boy George’s troubles are a reflection of the unwillingness of many on our planet to take the environment seriously or see any real threat.  The culture change required remains a distant vision. 

Allow George to take you back to 1870 …

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YqeTpbV9nt0

Posted in Star Question - what happened to the blue ribbon?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q61 Have you ever worn fancy dress?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

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 »

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 »

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 »