Hiya peeps, I've just got back from The Royal Cornwall Show after taking part by presenting a show garden to the public. I was one of many students
studying Horticulture at The Duchy College, Our stand was Made at Heaven Scent where i study and was a wetland habitat garden. We recieved a SILVER MEDAL for our efforts. I'm now very knackered and am about to spend a well deserved rest in my own bed!!!

Well today I get the chance to look at my new house! At last! hopefully will be able to move some of my stuff in as it's all over the place, thanks to Farley and Jen + Phil for all the support they have given me during this trying period. Better friends one could not want for!!

It seems that I will be getting stung again by the Government that does not listen to a word the public it is supposed to represent say. I will now have to pay MORE Road Tax on my "Chelsea Tractor"...... I need My four wheel drive as I actually,

1) Live in the countryside and
2) Require a four wheel drive as I work off-road as a Landscape Gardener/Tree Surgeon...

A 1000cc Fiat punto style car although fuel efficient and great for the urban motorist is completely useless to somebody like me. I am aware of the need to reduce Carbon Emissions and have been doing "My Bit" for the environment well before the Government got it's act together and jumped on the Environmental Band-Wagon. I have been using recycled and low emmision Bio-fuel for over 15 years. I recycle 90% of everything that I use. Why do the Government think that taxing the public is going to make any difference at all.... Educating the public is the answer! Something this Government seems to shout about but does little about!

Yet again this Government Sh*ts on the little guy!!!

  Hello to all, I'm still looking for a place to live locally. It really is a pain when all you can find advertised is outlandishly priced holiday lets owned by property developers and rich South-eastern holiday home owners. You may say that the locals have sold the houses so stop moaning..... BUT as Cornwall IS and HAS Historically been a Deprived area where wages are well below those of the rest of the UK (and some European countries), you can hardly blame those people who, after many years of hard work for little return, when offered LARGE amounts of money for their "little quaint village cottages" took the money and retired to better climates. Many of these homes had been in the family for generations (some even were tied accommodation) but after the collapse of the Tin Mining Industry in Cornwall, many of the younger generations had to move out of the county to get work, leaving only the retired and unemployed ( of which there were above average jobless). Now after the grossly inflated house prices even those locals with relatively well paid jobs still find in almost impossible to find accommodation either to rent or buy. I unfortunately fall into this category and as there seems to be a chronic lack of Social Housing it looks like I will be on the streets and homeless with all the others........ maybe that's what the government wants so then they can move the Riff-Raff on and buy themselves all "little quaint village cottages" to spend a weekend or even two in.

Still looking for somewhere to live. Can't seem to find anything in my price range.... Thanks to all the second home owners down where i live. In some villages near me there are up to 50% of the housing in the hands of second home owners. Some of which get used once or twice a year!!!! The others get rented out  at Holiday maker prices.. i.e. Exhorbitant prices per week. I have no problems with people from other areas coming to live here ( it is a very beautiful part of the country) but when it is the expense of the local population it makes me very angry. I have lived here ALL my life and I cannot get somewhere to live (buy or rent),
Also down in the West Country wages are pretty low compared to the rest of the country an a great deal of the work is seasonal.... How are the locals supposed to live and make a living I don't know. Many just move out of the area and this just ruins the family and community as a whole. And this is what people come down here for (apparently).

well thanks to the insurance company i've got a brand new cheverolet estate to get about in . Now I can go about earning some money to feed myself
Been doing the monkey thing and hanging from trees for the last couple of days (bloody lleylandii) reducing overhanging branches. A few more golden pennies for the coffers. Still looking for that elusive new home... all packed and ready to go but nowhere at the moment to go to!!
Ah well can't have everything I 'spose

catch y'all later

Some little old lady decided to drive her car into mine today and now mine is a write off!!!! Insurance have loaned me a car for two weeks but after that i'll be stuffed as i live in the sticks....

Well hopefully the skies will be clear for me to go and do some observing on the solstice. Apparently the belt of Orion lines up with a stone monument that is local to me. So I'll be out in the freezing winter nights observing whether or not it does...... with any luck somebody who actually knows what they're doing will turn up and show me what to do
Will keep y'all posted and even might be some pics to look at too!

Here is part of an article taken from "Astronomy Now" magazine dated September 2007, concerning light pollution. I thought it might be a good read for those who are plagued by this Obnoxious Habit.



Earlier this year a petition was set up on the Government's petitions website asking The Prime Minister to "ensure that all exterior lights are shaded to direct their light downwards, so as to prevent light pollution obscuring the beauty of the night sky". That petition was submitted by Richard Johnson and signed by 3,379 people. This was the response from the Prime Minister's office:

"The Government recognises the fact that outdoor lighting has increased significantly over the past 30 years and we are working to tackle the problem through better planning, energy-efficiency, improved street lighting and more effective local authority enforcement."

"The night sky over England is more brightly lit than any other European country, with the exception only of the Netherlands. This is certainly reducing our ability to view and enjoy it the night sky, and this has implications for astronomers, stargazers, and wildlife alike. The wasted energy from unnecessary lighting is also contributing to dangerous climate change."

"In 2003, a Parliamentary Select Committee on Science and Technology held an inquiry into light pollution and astronomy to consider the effectiveness of measures taken to reduce the impact of light pollution on astronomy. A number of sources of light pollution where considered, including street lighting, domestic and industrial security lighting, and the floodlighting of sports facilities and buildings."

"A number of recommendations were made, including better use of the planning process and the extension of the statutory nuisance regime to include light. The Government, broadly welcoming the committee's recommendations, are working to reduce the amount of light pollution from premises and street lighting and have given local authorities stronger powers to take action against artificial lighting of premises and unwanted glares from security lighting.

The adverse effect of some external lighting is well known and a Transport White Paper, published in 1998, stated that "where lighting is essential, it should be designed in such a way that nuisance is reduced and the effect on the night sky in the countryside minimised". In the past, much street lighting has been provided by low-pressure sodium lighting units, and this often leads to an orange sky glow. Newer technologies, and in particular high-pressure sodium lighting units, allow much finer control of the light distribution and a reduction in the amount of light directed towards the sky.

As a response to this White Paper, highway authorities are now encouraged to consider using high-pressure, or other light sources allowing more precise light control, when  installing new lighting or Updating older lighting schemes. The Government also announced £600 million Private Initiative Credits in November 2005 for street lighting schemes to help the renewal of street lighting to help bring it in line with modern standards. Better, more effective lighting should not only reduce light pollution, it can also help to reduce crime and road accidents.

The Government has also given local authorities stronger powers to tackle light pollution under the clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act. The Act extended this statutory nuisance regime and enables authorities to  issue abatement notices, and individuals to take private action through the Magistrate's Court. Fines, apon conviction, for non-compliance with an abatement notice can range up to £5000 for domestic premises, with up to £20,000 for Industrial/Trade/Business Premises.

Since 1997, lighting has been considered as part of the planning process for new buildings, and this applies to residential as well as commercial premises. The Government is currently developing good practice guidance on use of artificial lighting upon premises. We have also provided guidance to local authorities, highway engineers and members of the public on ways to lessen the adverse effects of external lighting. This guidance, Lighting in the Countryside: Towards good practice, as well as other information on light pollution, is available via the Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/nuisance/light/index.htm)."

well its about time that i got my shit together and found a new place to live or it's the park bench for me!! Been doing the packing but sooo muuuuch stuff!
In between all this trying to do study for college and process all my larest astronomy data and pics... life is certainly very hectic at the moment

hiya to all I have just added some new pics of the crescent moon... enjoy!

well here i am again.. just had a major upheaval in my life but i seem to be getting back to normal so i will be continuing this blog more regularly now....
Life in Cornwall is great and i wouldn't change my location for all the money in the world.. never more than 20 mins from a beach or complete wilderness.. Bliss!!!!

here is a wiew from my patio/balcony..