Bills Posts

OK, so I think I got it wrong yesterday. The moon wasn’t chasing Orion to stop him from chasing Mars, having had his way with Venus; she was chasing Mars to batter seven bales of whatever out of him herself, having overtaken Orion, and continuing on full tilt.

Hopefully tomorrow will be clear enough to see how this saga develops.

This leads me on to one of my recurring themes; what to write about. I’ve realised that I now practically nothing about the mythology surrounding the constellations. That would be something quite simple to research and write about on a recurring basis that I can dip in to whenever I wish.

I had a friend, actually he was only one of two people (not family) whom I would call true friends. The first one I lost at school, when his family emigrated to the USA. The second when he died about 17 years ago now. Yes, he was too young to go, but he did. I would never forget him. One of the last gifts he gave me was a small blue box, called the box of stars. it contains 32 cards, each showing a different constellation, star charts of the northern and Southern Hemispheres and a book describing some of the mythology of the constellations.

I think I may dip in to this occasionally and explore a bit of the night sky.

OK, so perhaps the photograph doesn’t even begin to do justice to the topic. It was when I walked out of the front door this morning. I was greeted by a very bright Orion and his hunting companion Sirius. Running ahead of him was a vibrantly orange Mars. Running along behind the trio was a very bright moon presumably trying to stop Orion from chasing Mars. Perhaps this was all happening because Mars had been inappropriate with Venus, whom I got the distinct impression was trailing behind, her brightness showing her weeping forlornly at a broken love?

That’s all very well, but the sad thing was that these were, apart from one aircraft, pretty much the only lights in the sky. We all accept that urban areas are brightly lit and that light pollution reduces what we can see in the night sky. It is an intense source of frustration that whilst we live like this, many of the wonders of the night sky are hidden from us.

Ironically, turning off the streetlights later at night is not appreciated by much of the community, possibly leading to an increase in criminal activity or anti social behaviour, but if you are able to stay up until the lights go out, it becomes something of a revelation as to what you can see with the naked eye. Even a pair of binoculars increases significantly what you can see.

Try it one night, If you are interested in supporting the quest for dark skies, then look here;

https://britastro.org/dark-skies/

When I go walking in the morning, I nearly always follow the same route, it is very rare I don’t. This morning was the same as usual. I normally see the same people. There’s one lady who is walking in the opposite direction to me. We normally pass each other somewhere around North Cross Street. That varies depending on whether I am slightly earlier or later than usual. Then, when I arrive at the waterfront nearly always the same people there. Apart from one time, long ago when a lady approached me to ask what I was doing, I don’t speak to anybody.

On my journey back, there’s Bob outside Gregs having breakfast. We exchange pleasantries.

This morning was the second time I took the tripod. I do think that it has improved the quality of the pictures, they are sharper. Seems like it’s going to become a regular feature.

I took the picture yesterday at West Dean Gardens, an interesting bit of wood with a rotten centre that went the entire length of the trunk. The only link between the picture taken yesterday and today was that it was raining on both day.

I just thought it would make an interesting B&W picture.

Today, Elayne and I went out for a walk. We were on a mission. We were compiling clues for a Treasure Hunt being put together for Elaynes Women’s Institute Group.

The follow on to Storm Alex arrived over night, and persistent rain has been one of it’s primary deliverables. It was, to coin a phrase, chucking it down all morning. But we needed to get it the treasure hunt sorted. So we walked out taking the route to test the clues.

I must admit it was lovely to be out, even though it a raining quite heavily. Of course, you need the right clothes. In my case this is a weatherproof coat that I bought in 2012. I remember the data because of the olympics and that I needed a coat because we were on holiday in the Lake District.

I enjoyed the walk far more than I should have done.

We escaped from Gosport today, going to West Dean Gardens just to the north of Chichester. We had a good wander around and followed the forest trail. Although the weather wasn’t perfect it really wasn’t that bad. We had an excellent day out.

Whilst we were aware that West Dean had a college associated with it, we didn’t know that it offered degree level studies in arts and conservation. We weren’t able to go in to the college but the Orangery at the back of the building has been set up as an art studio. There were a couple of pieces we could see, and a lady busy grafting away.

Our walk around the walled garden revealed a lot of fruit trees that were very heavily laden, it was a temptation to take an apple or a pear off a tree to taste, but we resisted the urge.

The day out reminded us how much we enjoy doing things like this, and that we really must make an effort to do more like it.

Bit of a milestone, No. 50. It is as much about the writing as it is the photography. On a Friday, we usually have a Fish & Chip shop experience, tonight I had sausage, saveloy and chips. It was very nice.

Elayne rarely finishes her chips. Sometimes I finish them, sometimes I’m full as was the case tonight. When that happens we give what’s left to the birds. Rooks and gulls both gather enmass when the chips are thrown. Whilst waiting for chips they either perch on the fence, staring at you, or strut up and down. It’s interesting to watch, it’s just sad that they have to do it.

Only a slight problem getting up this morning. No issues falling asleep last night, the issue was waking up at about 0330 and having trouble getting back to sleep, and then do I get so around 5AM ish, waking up at 0537. If you are with me on FB, you will see how waking up after 0535 flusters me. Ridiculous!

The walk itself was as usual very pleasant. Not many people about only a couple of regulars and only one of those that I speak to, Bob, who is always outside Greggs having his breakfast We always exchange pleasantries when I go past.

Normally, I use a monopod to hold my phone when I take my morning photos, recently, they have been a bit more fuzzy than I was happy with. The only way I could think of fixing that is to use my tripod.

There is a significant difference between a monopod and a tripod; weight and bulk being two of the main factors. I also found the tripod head a bit fiddly. But there is a definite improvement in the results. I think I will try this for a few days.

Just watched the forecast for tomorrow. It’s debatable whether the weather will be OK for me to walk. Heavy winds and rain are promised. I think that if it is only slightly bad I will still walk, it should be an interesting morning.

This is the only photograph I’ve taken today. I had problems getting to sleep last night, at least 2330 before my eyes felt like closing. I woke up at about 0610.

The thing is, the way my mind works is that if I can’t leave the house before 0610 then I won’t have enough time to get ready for work. It’s a self imposed arbitrary limit, and arguably I don’t have to stick to it, but it works for me.

Of course that meant I didn’t get to take any photos this morning. I really do mean to try and take a photo a day. So, occasionally you are going to be confronted with an apparently odd photo. Sorry.

Ok, I admit, not the most exciting picture. I set myself a little exercise this morning to photograph the streets or roads that I walk on during my normal morning route. This is Mumby Road not far from where I live.

In addition to my morning walk, I need to do more exercise so I’ve started going for a walk at lunchtime. In order to do that I’ve become determined that only urgent things will be allowed to interrupt my lunch hour – lets see how long that lasts!

Today’s walk was a very quick 1.5km, but it was lovely to be out and I have to admit that I felt energised as a result.

Busy evenings ahead this week;

The Isle of Wight Radio Society AGM on Zoom tonight. I’m an associate member of the IoWRS because I regularly chair the Thursday night net on the Island’s repeater, GB3IW. I must admit, it was a singular honour to be given associate status as enjoy doing the net anyway.

Tomorrow night is the South East Hampshire Wednesday Night Net. I’ve been a member of RAYNET for three, or is it four years now.

Thursday night is the IoWRS Thursday night net.

Friday Night is the first Zoom get together for the Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club (HDARC) of which I have been a member since becoming licensed.

Saturday Night is a virtual club that we hold for some old friends.

A busy week.

It’s not so much writers block, it’s having a common theme that I can return to in the event that I can’t think of anything to write about.

On FaceBook, I am well in to our fantasy holiday. I am wondering whether or not to do my next fantasy holiday here. That would ensure that I would have at least one post a day, and two when I have something I want to write about.

Like tonight, I feel I should have something to write about, so I’m writing about not having anything to write about. That’ll do for now I think.