Author Archives: dunurban

Who didn’t clean up?

Seventy-five pieces of rubbish litter the moon, including five vehicles. Forty-five of the pieces belong to NASA. In addition, there is a designated orbital band chokka-full of space junk. It’s known as the graveyard, circling 36,000 kilometers above earth, so that pieces don’t collide with in-service satellites. It seems we are happy to trash moreContinue reading “Who didn’t clean up?”

Flying free

Falconry. Now there’s a word to evoke images of leathered-gloved longhaired heroes, masters of round-eyed feathered hunters. Of course, the reality is different, but no less spectacular. If you’re lucky enough to visit the Isle of Wight’s falconry on a cold wet day, there’s no other tourists to hamper the conversation, but even in fullContinue reading “Flying free”

Needles and Hovercraft.

Hovercraft, now that’s the way to go! As it roars in from across the sea, there’s a worrying moment when it looks certain to crash, but that’s probably because our brains are conditioned to think water craft should stop before they run out of water. The hovercraft, however, rides gently up onto the sand, stops,Continue reading “Needles and Hovercraft.”

When kids meet history (and other stuff)

At a tourist attraction, a mum with three energized kids, who were clearly in danger of going feral, simply said ‘All the wise kids, follow me.’ Then she walked away! There was no raised voice, no threat. And do you know, those youngsters all followed. What’s interesting is that a few minutes later they wereContinue reading “When kids meet history (and other stuff)”

Standen House

Most historic homes go back centuries, so Standen House is refreshingly different, having only been built in the 1890’s by Philip Webb as a retreat for the Beale family, who owned it until 1972 when it was gifted to the National Trust. The house is much Morris & co, and presented as though expecting aContinue reading “Standen House”

Repairs at Weald.

The media is renowned for hyping things up, and yet how readily we base expectations on the skill of the camera operator. Whoever thought of producing TV’s ‘The Repair Shop’ certainly created something special, so it’s probably natural for folk to get excited about visiting Weald Living museum, the programme’s home, just out of Chichester.Continue reading “Repairs at Weald.”

Oh Dear, oh dare, oh deer.

In 1565, fifteen-year-old Helena Snachenberg from Sweden became Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth the First. Helena must have been quite a girl, as she married a Marquess, and then a Sir Thomas. She died aged 86, leaving ninety-eight descendants! She and her Sir lie together in Salisbury cathedral. The cathedral has surprising memorials. AContinue reading “Oh Dear, oh dare, oh deer.”

Changing times.

The fens of Lincolnshire were part of my ancestral quest on the Great OE; to see the landscape is to understand a little more of the story. With no sun peeping through the day’s weather forecast, taking a train ride through the countryside seemed a sensible solution to the problem of exploration. But first theContinue reading “Changing times.”

Flat, sharp and inclusive.

There’s often debate around the big bang versus the bible, but in Cambridge it seems there’s been a form of reconciliation from way back. Isaac Newton believed ‘God is the God of order and not confusion.’ This gave him the confidence to study and test scientifically, whilst retaining his faith, to find those orders, includingContinue reading “Flat, sharp and inclusive.”