The second talk about the Moon, this time with rockets and craters, was also well-received. A young girl came up afterwards to say it was the best talk she had been to, and that she had been to lots! Again, everyone commented on my use of hoola hoops to explain the orbit of the …
It’s a different world
w/e 16 August Times have indeed changed. I have just read a Facebook comment that ‘My little girl is wanting a birthday party for her 6th birthday but doesn’t want to go to the local sports centre as she’s been to so many there already.’ Oh my word, my friends and I at that …
Special Eclipse post 12 August
The Moon is my friend. I felt seen and heard as the Moon gave us respite from the heat and light of this very hot summer. With a talk coming up on Saturday, I am grateful to have some fresh eclipse photos to show. It was a fantastic experience to be interviewed by BBC Spotlight …
A busy week, leading to a shorter blog
Struggling to process a big news item about adult literacy, that there is a shortage of volunteers. Well, I loved my work with LearnDevon working with adults to help with their literacy and numeracy. Work hours dwindled until it was not worth working. There was a demand, still is a demand, and I have the …
Sherwood Observatory
Report of visit to Sherwood Observatory 27 July 2026 On arrival we were warmly welcomed by the staff and volunteers. After having our tickets checked, we looked at the exhibits outside the planetarium. These included reference to a local engineer who had made some spectroscopic equipment for a certain Sir Norman Lockyer. There was a …
Derbyshire Days
The drive to Derbyshire for a family wedding reinforced my view of travelling. Driving is no longer as fun as it used to be. Larger cars, heavy traffic, roadworks, bridges being built to connect who knows where to who knows what, the speed of traffic, the difficulties of navigating in a new area all combined …
Odysseys
Seeing culture began this week with enjoying the new film about Homer’s Odyssey. At three hours this was a committed watch, thrilling after a bit of a slow start, although some time was needed to set the scene. Although I still don’t understand how Odysseus got lost on his way home from Troy. The special …
Art, angst, and some fun!
It’s relentless. And exhausting. First we had 10 months of chilly rain, then a heatwave, then a cold spell, before wave after wave of heat. Having spent Monday recovering from the weekend, I then spent Wednesday recovering from Tuesday. Sadly, I had to go to a funeral of a friend which sparked memories of times …
A feast for the senses
A nice catch up with friends in their cool garden before having a picnic lunch in Seaton began the week. The sea was as blue as the Med and just as hot. We took our photo against the backdrop of a palm tree and could indeed have been in far flung sunny climes. Tennis …
Strawberries and Cream
The week began with a conundrum. My shopping came to £11.33 and I handed the cashier (an unsmiling young lad) a £20 note. The change was handed to me…£12. Mmmm I asked for the receipt which he also scrutinised but evidently floored by it. I gently suggested that £9 was the change and looked at …
Karen Hedges 