I wish...

...sometimes that I had a more interesting or active life! It says something when all I have to look forwards to in the next couple of weeks is a trip to watch the football, Hull City vs West Brom on Saturday, and that's it!

Oh and a couple of speaking engagements on the recent bright comet, to astronomical societies on 12th & 16th February.

Not very exciting or interesting for you all, is it??

Is it just me or what...?

Everyone been going childish about the snow, so am I the only one who can't stand it??

Its cold, makes the the roads and footpaths hazardous and you can't do what you want to do! I suppose its a hang-over from being blocked in at the farm in the past. Of course if you're not used to seeing snow, then you will get excited about it, but sorry everyone, count me out, I'm not joining in.

Roll on spring and summer!

PS Hi, to all my new readers! Welcome to the women of the BBC Radio4 message boards... No cleaning the place up girls, its good enough as it is....

Good time for astronomy

At the moment its a good time to be interested in astronomy, with a nice bright comet to observe just after sundown.

Here's a picture of said comet, Comet McNaught, taken by observing mate Paul Reed last night from just outside the city of Hull, and yes it was truly that bright. This photo, I gather, was only a very short exposure, less than a second in duration, yet look how good it is. For about an hour there was three of us, slightly awestruck and definitely excited, observing the comet as it set into the evening darkness.

If you want a high-resolution image for yourself, then please contact Paul on paul@laxey.karoo.co.uk and have a chat with him to discuss it.

Comets are wonderful, aren't they? So much so, that I will be taking the February meeting of the Society, speaking on 'Sun-grazing comets', as the regular speaker is unable to be there, due to family commitments. Its sad it should happen this way, but at least I will get one last swan-song in front of the Society...

Happy New Year...

Well its 2007 now, and the world feels the same. The main thing I was looking forward to this time last year, I'm still looking forward to it, but at least its further on! This WILL be the year.

At this time of the year we all get rather reflective, and yours truly is no exception. Back in 1989 when I left school, the Millennium year seemed ages away, in fact I was never certain that we'd all get there. Now, 6 years after it ended, we're now closer to 2010. And I'm now nearer 40 than 30 and that's something that deserves comment!

But then again my life has taken more changes in the last 24 months than it had in the previous 10 years, things I never thought I would ever do (or thought had passed me by), will happen. I'll be leaving this area which I grew up in, to join with someone I happen to be very fond of, and finally make something of my life. I'm not going to go on from here in this tone cos otherwise I'll get called a soppy git... ;)

Yet, I'm excited about the future and yet scared a bit, and sometimes feel even less sure about the world and my place in it, a sign of growing old I suppose. The past, well, its something we all have to live with. I know there's things in my past I'm seriously not proud of, yet I suppose those actions are part of me, and the same can be said about everyone.

Hmm, I'm thinking too much again! :)

Best wishes for 2007, everyone, and thanks for reading over the last 12 months... and for those in the London area, especially Southall, then watch out, the Rob is on his way!!!!!