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w/e 25 October…although posting a bit later this week. Tired and busy time.
Weekly whinging from a Grumpy Old Woman
Do you like the title? I felt my weekly blog posts/items needed a sub-title that explains where my thoughts are coming from. This post unusually spans two weeks rather than the usual one because I was so tired at the end of last week from the activities therein. Nice activities but exhausting. Why did I say yes to not one but three events as part of Sidmouth Science Week? I love showing off a wind tunnel model of a rocket I happen to be custodian of and encouraging young people into STEM subjects. Two of the events involved simply setting up a display and talking to people, while the third was a talk cum activity involving young people pegging planets onto a string to explore the scale of the solar system.
As a result of one display session at the science festival, something lovely happened. A scientist acquaintance beheld one of our artist/astronomer friend’s railway paintings and was bowled over by it. Not only by the skilled artwork but by the subject matter of a double header passing through Dawlish. Upon explaining our friend’s background, the other man was keen to meet him. This happened and the two gentlemen enjoyed a couple of hours talking railways. One regaling the other with tales of the GWR, the other listening rapt at meeting a senior GWR manager. They enjoyed playing with our friend’s 00 gauge railway to round off the visit.
The whole country it seems is having a whinge at the moment. Inevitably, there is the usual half yearly debate about the clocks changing. For me, this can’t have come soon enough as an amateur astronomer and as someone who is in tune with the sun. Losing an hour’s sleep in order to gain some extra evening daylight for a short period of time seems out of proportion to any ‘gain’. Given the length of daylight in June and July, there seems little point in moving the daylight and the heat. The latter seems not to be considered yet it is this aspect which affects me most. With the hour moved forward the heat from the sun is delayed of course meaning the mornings are colder than they should be and the hottest part of the day, not to mention that having the most UV, is shifted away from noon. The darker evenings in the north of the land affect those going to school or work, while the lighter evenings in the south make it difficult for those needing early nights, such as children. Research has proven that these changes wreak havoc with our body clocks, yet the twice-yearly changes continue.
Storms of a natural nature have also wreaked havoc. Trees down, trains cancelled, bridges closed, as the first storm of the winter season struck with a vengeance, closely followed by the second storm. Sadly, this meant cancelling a long looked forward to visiting to my daughter in the north of the country. The first storm was centred on our area and the south coast, while the second on her area.
However, every cloud has a silver lining, and we used the bonus time at home with nothing planned, to sort out our finances and make progress with the projects we have on the go. I have several writing projects nearing completion and am working hard on finalising some of those. Our finances are complicated, as are many people’s, due to the different dates our income arrives. After much thought and tweaking of spreadsheets, I think I have made our income and expenditure not only easier, but less worrying on a monthly basis. Most of the stress comes from the fact that the direct debits were set up after the main pension amount comes in on a set day each month, while the other pension comes in every four weeks meaning that sometimes there is a shortfall in the main account. We have not been in a position to stockpile funds. This has now been drastically sorted by cashing in an old life assurance policy. Yes, it gave a massive payout upon death, but there is still the house to sell for our children – who are all doing well financially – and we need to live without such stress now. It was the right decision. I feel better, sleeping better, and better able to concentrate.
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Eclipse Day
Proud to have an article about the eclipse when I used Sir Norman Lockyer’s 1871 telescope to show people the eclipse as it happened.
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A super Science Saturday
a lovely end to week ending 11 October
A super end to the week with a day at Sidmouth Science Festival with a wind tunnel rocket display for Super Science Saturday, and a poster of information about the Norman Lockyer Observatory, plus a painting of a train at Dawlish by John Meacham. John is keen to sell some paintings to raise funds for the NLO. Bizarrely, this painting attracted the attention of a fellow member whom I know through a group at the NLO but had not been aware of his interest in trains. He is keen to meet John soon to see his other paintings and enjoy his oo gauge railway. The wind tunnel model attracted some attention, but the whole exhibit was helped by the playing of a short video showing the rocket take off. A static display is not as evidently exciting as a moving, state of the art, 3D printer which was next to us. However, I was pleased that the information about the NLO sparked many interesting conversations, as much as did the rocket, with lots of people expressing interest or supporting our efforts to raise the profile of what was generally deemed by those we spoke with, to be a place of national importance. We left feeling tired but happy. Conversations with interested people will be mulled over for some time to come. There was universal agreement that education and opportunities were so much improved for today’s young people, and especially the opportunities for women were noted. I received some positive feedback for the recent Mary Browne event, which was really nice and left me feeling positive for future such events.
There was no putting our feet up though as we joined a local group for a fun harvest supper and quiz. The food was delicious and most welcome, while the questions were a bizarre mix of joke answers and obscure knowledge.
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Season of stress and success…
As I felt my mood lighten with the brightening of the day as the sun burned through the murk and mist, I was led to pondering once more about the lateness in returning to Greenwich Mean Time. Our bodies are aligned to the sun and at this time of year, the sunlight seems increasingly out of sync with the time of day. The mornings are cold as it is earlier than the clock displays of course. I welcome the return of the hour so that the morning light and temperature are much more in tune with my body and the time of day.
Having borrowed a couple of books from the Children’s Library, I was incensed to come across two errors. And not to mention a mistake about Sir Norman and helium in the August edition of Astronomy Now. Why, oh why, can’t I get published!? However, I am not immune from making mistakes myself and have just completed revising an earlier book of mine. The main errors were punctuation not factual though.
Stress levels were quite high during the week on an outing to the city of Exeter for a special screening of the film Pressure, accompanied by a talk from the Met Office technical adviser. The film was powerful with breathtaking performances from the lead actors. The stress came from finding a car park which stayed open late, was easy to find, near the venue, and did not involve a strange parking app. The scene setting of the film was superb with attention to detail as I had not been aware of in a film before. The whirling cigarette smoke of a 1940s office, the type of paper and pencils used, the accuracy of the weather charts and accompanying background conversation, the gentle breeze which foretold of the forecast accuracy. Of course, liberties were taken with who was where and the addition of thunder, but, overall, the film took us along for a rollercoaster ride of emotion, a collective sigh of relief when the rains fell.
Stress was followed swiftly by success in an apple pie competition in which I came first. There were not many entries in the event organised by the local town council for Apple Day I must admit, although the pie was a worthy winner with its light flakes and buttery flavour.
There was more breathtaking action by the performers of Exeter Opera Group as they performed Saint Saens Samson et Dalila. Iryna Ilnytska has worked hard over the years to bring together enough musicians and singers to make this opera group not only a success, but of a high standard to appear at bigger and bigger venues. She deserves success. Her voice and performance are outstanding. If you have not seen her, do catch one of the performances in Devon. And tell your friends! Soloists from other areas add to the mix of more local singers, while Iryna herself is an award winning Ukrainian mezzo soprano whose desire to help Ukraine involves multiple solo concerts. Money raised goes straight to volunteers in Ukraine for buying essential small items.
The week was rounded off with a trip on a tram at Seaton Tramway to celebrate my husband’s son’s birthday. Friends joined us for the ride and the inevitable cream tea afterwards. The day was warm and sunny, and we ambled along the seafront afterwards, basking in the late afternoon warmth.
Trouble and strife seem far away on glorious late summer days of warmth and friendship. Harvest festival reminded us to share and be kind to one another. If only. I sang the harvest hymns with gusto as this time of year always reminds me of my dear Dad who loved to grow and share his vegetables.
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Stars
w/e 20 September 2026
With the sun continuing to beam warmth and light, I made the most of a low tide by taking a dip in the warm sea. It was delicious and as life affirming as always.
There was a lot of last minute preparation and a fair few rough nights before Saturday, which turned out to be well worthwhile. On the day itself, around forty people interested in learning more about Lady Lockyer, an inspirational lady, were enthralled by the fascinating talk given by local author and storyteller, Janet Dowling, at the Norman Lockyer Observatory on Saturday 19th September. Janet said “It is difficult to walk around Sidmouth without being aware of the legacy of Lady Lockyer, or Mary Browne as she was known, and her sister, Annie Leigh Browne. Both were formidable and inspirational women.”
I enjoyed putting together this successful event and learning more about Sir Norman’s later life. I was particularly excited to hold a law book used by Lady Lockyer when she was considering bequeathing land owned by her to her husband – which became the site of the Observatory. We owe her a great deal. Today I am recovering from the energy required to put on such an event. Hopefully, next time if there is one, I shall have a team of people to help host. I had plenty of helpers but would love someone to share the worry load.
Also at the event, members of Sidmouth Quilters and Patchers were on hand to explain the making of the special quilt to honour Mary Browne, which is on permanent display in the Observatory. They were delighted by the positive response to their efforts. All in all, the event demonstrated how much the Norman Lockyer Observatory has to offer with its rich historical heritage.
Sadly, although there were some paintings by John Meacham for sale, none sold. He was pleased that they were being exhibited and enjoyed by the visitors.
The book I refer to above, was the Lawes Resolution of Women’s Rights which is in Exeter Central Library. On a previous visit, it could not be found, so I had to make a quick additional visit on Friday to photograph it. It falls open at the pages relating to a wife bequeathing land to her husband. Very pertinent.
Blue skies and sunshine to round off the last week of official summer before the equinox which has ripened some tomatoes and provided some more runner beans.
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w/e 13 September 2026
The heat has gone…
Summer seems to have disappeared as swiftly as it appeared last May. The extreme heat has abruptly given way to cooler, fresher days needing a cardigan. The days are still relatively warm; it is the drop of so many degrees that make them seem cool. Our bodies have not adjusted yet. One such day was enjoyed on Dartmoor. It was perfect. Not too hot, and not too cold with clear visibility. There were lots of birds, ponies, and cattle to enjoy. I had not been to Buckland before and was delighted to find the famed large stone carved with the ten commandments at the base of Buckland Beacon with no difficulty at all, as well as the church clock which has ‘My dear Mother’ in place of numerals.
This week sees the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. I recall the 10th fondly as I remember happily spending the day gardening, with an interval to take a phone call from a friend recently moved to Switzerland. Shortly after that, news of the relocation to Exeter broke. Life was never the same again. Twenty-five years on, I am now settled in a house that feels like home with a husband who cares and is attentive to my needs as am I to his. I feel heard and seen. The one constant has been the Norman Lockyer Observatory, without which I cannot imagine life now.
The 11th itself this year, I have spent quietly at home apart from a lovely walk in the warm afternoon sunshine. A contemplative day.
A friendly local barbeque hosted by the local vicar in their garden was much enjoyed by all. There were friends old and new, lots of lovely puddings, and a sausage or two to whet the appetite. The day stayed pleasantly warm well into the evening.
Sunday saw us have Sunday lunch using the new dining chairs given to us by a friend who was downsizing. My original dining chairs had seen over 65 years of use and were becoming a bit wobbly, having been repaired a couple of times. A couple of them shall be saved, and the rest to the recycling centre. A tasty tropical trifle seemed appropriate to enjoy for this occasion, followed by a stroll along the seafront.
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w/e 23 August 2026
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 Moon. Simple, yet so effective. This group were treated to a crater making display, using flour and cocoa onto which I dropped a marble. The effect is strikingly realistic.
I had a meeting with the archivist at the University of Exeter who kindly offered support and information for my research and work at the NLO. Altogether, a week full of positives.
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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 age only had small parties, tea parties that is with sandwiches and a few games, at our homes. One friend had a fancy-dress party – that was amazing as it was so unusual. My 21st birthday party was indeed a special event, although still held at home. On the other hand, my 18th (this was just coming in at the time) involved a group of friends going out to a nightclub for dinner and a show. That was posh and grown up!
Some things, however, do not change. The attraction of space to young girls remains strong. I am happy to report that following a talk I gave at Seaton Library yesterday, an 8 year old girl came to me with lots of questions about space and who shared a pack of stickers with me as a thank you. She wants to study space. There is hope. I made her laugh when I remarked that I was about her age at the time of the first Moon landings and loved all things spacey! Then felt really sad that no one had landed on the Moon since 1972. Using hoola hoops to explain the motion of the Moon around the Earth went down really well, with many saying how they now understood why the Moon was high in the sky at times.
And then I read the newspaper. An article described a recent mission to the Moon’s dark side. Oh dear!
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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 live, their interviewer, Hattie McCann was friendly and put me at ease. It was a great opportunity to spread the word about the Lockyer telescope and the potential for the site. If you are interested to learn more, please look up the Norman Lockyer Appreciation Society page on Facebook.
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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 skills. I am struggling financially and cannot afford to undertake the amount of voluntary work that is required.
Some good news though, an email arrived from the University of Exeter Old Library to the effect that I shall receive some support (probably not financial) but certainly valuable encouragement and indeed they have endorsed my project to write up about my finds in the archives in addition to my research into Sir Norman Lockyer.
Sadness that my mother is uninterested in my achievements or interests. She doesn’t ask, I don’t say any more. I did mention my talk on Saturday at the end of a list of what we were doing this week. No response.
So, a shorter blog this week as I try to get on top of my other paperwork to make space physically and mentally for this work.
