My talk about the history of the Norman Lockyer Observatory and a brief biography of Norman himself was very well received by an audience of about 15 in my local library. I also gave them some astronomy highlights such as the flyby of Jupiter, sizes of stars and some info about the Moon. One member …
Squid
Well, life imitates art, is that what they say? A couple of weeks' ago I sent off my new adventure story containing an episode with a creature who had an enormous eye...and my daughter produced a delightful painting of a giant squid to accompany the text. The characters had an interlude in Iceland and I …
Small Planet
Still in shock at the result of last week's referendum. So sad. Especially sad following the global excitment at Tim Peake's adventures in space. And seeing those photos of the beauty of the Earth. Hope the politicians can untangle the mess.
Gosh, wow, what a week…
Well, at risk of duplication the week has been one roller coaster of highs and higher highs and music. Last Saturday we enjoyed the superb performance of the Gondoliers by the Southampton University Gilbert and Sullivan Society. They have expert actors, comic and serious, singers, designers...and lighting designers (my own son!). There was more music …
Higher and higher…
What a week this has been! So full of nice surprises and excitement. Last Saturday we enjoyed a train ride to Southampton where we had a rest before meeting son for a meal. This was followed by another superb production of a Gilbert and Sullivan show, this time The Gondoliers. My son's lighting was sympathetic …
A starry morning…
What an exciting morning! The Year 5 class from local primary were enraptured with the facts they learnt from my talk about the solar system and space generally. What was amazing was that the teacher who came to collect them was one I had worked with in Another Life back in Berkshire. At the time …
A thought-provoking book
I came across the Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder which won the 1928 Pullitzer Prize. It is evocative and contains the powerful final paragraph: But soon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But …
Library talk
Birds
Hanging out washing busy, hopeful. Busy birds feeding Blue Tit exhausted Grey Haggard Babies flying, first to line then to trees. How fine a sight! 30 springs pass heartache and joy laughter and tears Another spring another nest Baby birds feeding Shouting fit to burst Hanging out washing, busy, peaceful. Baby birds feeding Great Tits …
Seeing stars
Last Friday evening the sun was shinging and the birds were singing as I pulled into the NLO carpark for the Friday Astroscouts session. The group arrived, full of excitement and anticipation as usual. They were not disappointed. We went outside to view the sun - a bright disc with a hairy surround - through …
Karen Hedges 