Well, the first week of February has been washed away…hopefully, life will become drier now that all the reservoirs are full to the brim, and overflowing. The potholes are like crater lakes these days. It is now two years’ since getting about on crutches following a second foot operation to remove arthritis. And still struggling with balance issues on dodgy feet. This week saw me take a tumble out of the shower onto the bathroom floor in an ungainly leap ending in a sore heap. My little toe had got caught on the non-slip mat!
Despite all that, I managed to give a talk about a little known scientist who discovered that the Earth’s magnetism had a ten year cycle. I had volunteered to give a talk about John Lamont because he originated in Scotland and ended up in Germany as Johann von Lamont. A fascinating tale of an amazing character who catalogued, with assistance, 30,000 stars as well as his magnetic research, and observations of little moons of Saturn and Uranus. In honour of his research, he was given an honour by a Bavarian monarch thus permitting Johann to use von in his name. John had changed his name to Johann after a few years of living and working in Germany.
I ventured to Exeter by train and then across it by bus and finally on foot given that not one, but two roads near my destination were closed. It was lovely to catch up with a friend before making the return journey. The traffic was appalling, the river in full flood, the place shabby and dull which made me feel glad to be living in a country area and nearer the coast.
In the garden, a brave daffodil succumbed to the wind and bloomed when bent over. Spears of purple crocus pushed through the gravel despite the frequent deluges. Resilience in action!
Karen Hedges 