Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: ronm on August 11, 2012, 07:17:54 PM

Title: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on August 11, 2012, 07:17:54 PM
[attachimg=1]Thought we needed a new thread after the pumice platform story had to be posted in Wildlife!?! ???
Tonight and tomorrow we will once again be treated to the annual Perseid meteor showers. At the moment we here in East Yorkshire are 0% cloud cover, so hopefully a good show tonight. Last time we had a decent event I could have sworn they were coming down in the fields behind us. Of course they weren't.  ::) ::) :-X :-X :-X :-X
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on August 11, 2012, 08:10:02 PM
 :-X
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Tony Willis on August 11, 2012, 08:31:52 PM
As usual 100% cloud cover here!!

I did manage to see the international space station a couple of nights ago
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on August 11, 2012, 08:40:56 PM
What a shame Tony :( :(
It's well worth seeing and needs no special equipment,  8) 8) 8)
Especially if you have one of these,

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hoy on August 11, 2012, 09:30:05 PM
A shower? Think I will fetch my umbrella. It is 90% clear sky here!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on August 12, 2012, 09:57:49 AM
We watched until 01:00, when unfortunately the cloud cover took over.
A truly amazing sight,  :o

http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/ (http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on September 25, 2012, 09:20:04 AM
A rather strange 'news' story for today,  ::)

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/25/armageddon-by-year-end/ (http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/25/armageddon-by-year-end/)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Martinr on September 25, 2012, 09:33:35 AM
A rather strange 'news' story for today,  ::)

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/25/armageddon-by-year-end/ (http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/25/armageddon-by-year-end/)

Oh dear, another one. ??? ::) :P :'(

Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on September 25, 2012, 09:46:03 AM
Oh dear, another one. ??? ::) :P :'(

 ;D ;D
It'll soon be 'news' when its NOT the "end of the world".  ::)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: brianw on September 25, 2012, 08:37:19 PM
I guess this goes here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19716141 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19716141)

Who put too much washing up liquid in Maggie?
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Martinr on September 25, 2012, 08:50:18 PM
And an educational lesson on how to say Footdee ;D ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Paul T on September 28, 2012, 12:16:10 AM
The "Armageddon at the end of the year" is disurbingly close in timing to the end of the Mayan calendar (23rd December 2012).  Interestingly that we should enter this Radon belt right around that date.  :o

I'll not be stocking up I think.  If the global catastrophy is bad enough that we need to have stocked up on food, I doubt it will recover before that food runs out.  :-\
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 28, 2012, 03:04:02 AM
Well, if it happens, it will happen in New Zealand first, so I'll let you know. Forewarned etc. ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Martinr on September 28, 2012, 07:29:35 AM
Well, if it happens, it will happen in New Zealand first, so I'll let you know. Forewarned etc. ;D

Ah, but if it's true you won't be able to communicate :o  So if you don't tell us it hasn't happened we'll have to assume it has :P
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Brian Ellis on September 28, 2012, 10:24:50 AM
The "Armageddon at the end of the year" is disurbingly close in timing to the end of the Mayan calendar (23rd December 2012). 

My goodness I hope that doesn't mean we'll miss Christmas dinner!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 28, 2012, 10:51:37 AM
Ah, but if it's true you won't be able to communicate :o  So if you don't tell us it hasn't happened we'll have to assume it has :P
er, yes, I think? ;)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Paul T on September 28, 2012, 11:11:14 AM
Brian,

Just bring Christmas dinner forward a week.  She'll be right!! ;)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 28, 2012, 12:30:42 PM
I still can't get my head round Christmas being in the middle of summer. Should be snow on the ground, plump robins visiting the bird table and mistletoe and mulled wine to warm you up.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on October 18, 2012, 08:25:37 PM
And the seaweed fell to earth,  :o
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9461243/Weird-weather-rains-seaweed-over-Gloucestershire-village.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9461243/Weird-weather-rains-seaweed-over-Gloucestershire-village.html)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Paul T on October 25, 2012, 03:43:04 AM
Good mulch for their gardens, but by the sounds of it they're cleaning it all up and taking it away. ::)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ichristie on October 26, 2012, 05:42:56 PM
Hello, the mention of Christmas must have been heard over here the weather today is very Chrismas like I have even thought to make a snowman later, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on October 26, 2012, 05:55:28 PM
We've got  less snow than that here, Ian - thank goodness.  No idea what tomorrow morning might bring, of course! It's certainly very cold.  :(

SRGC  Forumist Magnar Aspaker in Trondheim Harstad , Norway, had 25cms of snow the other day - see his photo in the Flemish (VRV)Forum :
http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=492.msg33108#msg33108 (http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=492.msg33108#msg33108)    :o
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on October 26, 2012, 07:09:42 PM
Heavy snow / hail just started here. ::) Really came from nowhere! :o
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: David Nicholson on October 26, 2012, 07:35:18 PM
Sky? ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on October 26, 2012, 07:57:52 PM
 ;D ;D

Why do we need Dr. Brian Cox or such a National Treasure as Sir Patrick Moore, when we have DN?  ;D ;D

But then we do have Michael Fish !!  ::) ::)

Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: David Nicholson on October 26, 2012, 08:24:20 PM
 ::)
 ;D
 ;)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on October 26, 2012, 08:24:55 PM
 ;)

Its heading south tonight !!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hoy on October 26, 2012, 09:25:15 PM
We've got  less snow than that here, Ian - thank goodness.  No idea what tomorrow morning might bring, of course! It's certainly very cold.  :(

SRGC  Forumist Magnar Aspaker in Trondheim, Norway, had 25cms of snow the other day - see his photo in the Flemish (VRV)Forum :
http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=492.msg33108#msg33108 (http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=492.msg33108#msg33108)    :o
Magnar lives in Harstad  ;) but Stephen near Trondheim also did report snowcover today (or maybe yesterday)!

I've got a couple cms of snow too - extraordinary at this time of the year :-\
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on October 26, 2012, 09:34:13 PM
My mistake, got my Norwegian places muddled.

Quite a lot of snow lying here now. Yuck!

Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on October 26, 2012, 10:07:03 PM
This was the view from the bath tonight,  :o
Unheard of in this part of Yorkshire!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on October 27, 2012, 02:57:50 AM
Sky? ;D
I used to blame the BBC!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Martinr on October 27, 2012, 09:07:14 AM
This was the view from the bath tonight,  :o
Unheard of in this part of Yorkshire!

What? having a bath!  :o
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hoy on October 27, 2012, 09:48:01 AM
My mistake, got my Norwegian places muddled.

Understandable - I often get many places mixed up myself ;)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on October 27, 2012, 09:53:50 AM
What? having a bath!  :o
;D ;D


I was whinging all last night about our little storm that blew through. Then we wake up to this news. :(  I feel a right idiot!  :-[

http://www.smh.com.au/world/frankenstorm-kills-44-before-reaching-us-20121027-28cfz.html (http://www.smh.com.au/world/frankenstorm-kills-44-before-reaching-us-20121027-28cfz.html)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on October 27, 2012, 10:32:06 AM
What? having a bath!  :o
Isn't that where you keep the coal?
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on October 27, 2012, 11:37:10 AM
;D ;D


I was whinging all last night about our little storm that blew through. Then we wake up to this news. :(  I feel a right idiot!  :-[

http://www.smh.com.au/world/frankenstorm-kills-44-before-reaching-us-20121027-28cfz.html (http://www.smh.com.au/world/frankenstorm-kills-44-before-reaching-us-20121027-28cfz.html)

Quite so, Ron - a humbling experience for those like me moaning about a little early snow.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ichristie on October 27, 2012, 03:47:29 PM
hello you are quite right we are very lucky here and I really like the snow just a bit early. I took some pictures today now most of the snow has gone, the crocus is banaticus albus, the squirell is cheeky blighter cheers Ian.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Paul T on October 28, 2012, 11:17:31 AM
Ron,

Snow, or flooding?

Ian,

That squirrel is SOoooo cute. ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Rogan on November 02, 2012, 01:04:00 PM
"And the seaweed fell to earth, 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9461243/Weird-weather-rains-seaweed-over-Gloucestershire-village.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9461243/Weird-weather-rains-seaweed-over-Gloucestershire-village.html)"

Excuse me for being sceptical (and so late!) but that "seaweed" looks awfully like Nostoc, a blue-green alga species that often grows prolifically on damp soil; I collect it regularly for use in our practical classes - but then who am I to judge from way down under  ::)  ;)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on November 03, 2012, 12:34:59 AM
This had been picked up by a water spout from a beach 20 miles away.  You can see from the picture it is on a concrete driveway.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on November 05, 2012, 09:11:07 PM
Apparently its been 61 years since this happened to this extent!

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2012/11/05/359910/Blizzard-alert.htm (http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2012/11/05/359910/Blizzard-alert.htm)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on November 06, 2012, 06:04:03 AM
Wasn't Hercule Poirot on the train then?
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Rogan on November 06, 2012, 07:28:39 AM
"Stunned engineer Dr Richard Overton, 55, and his wife Kay, collected an entire bucket full of the green slime from their front garden."

I'm still going on about the "seaweed" report - I still maintain that most of what was collected is Nostoc; here the keywords "slime" and "front garden" are significant - exactly what Nostoc feels / looks like and where it grows naturally. Oh! Why am I going on about this so? In the end it makes no difference really...   :P  ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on November 06, 2012, 08:51:22 AM
What ever it is or was, it started its life in water and was picked up elsewhere and deposited. It certainly didn't grow there.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: John Aipassa on November 06, 2012, 09:01:48 AM
Complaining about snow? Hah! You should look at this:

http://www.buzzhunt.co.uk/2010/12/29/snow-roads-in-japan/ (http://www.buzzhunt.co.uk/2010/12/29/snow-roads-in-japan/)

 :-X
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Paul T on November 06, 2012, 10:08:07 AM
John,

Oh My Giddy Aunt Mary (as a friend of mine says).  That is serious snow.  it must be heavily compacted too, as it stays that way successfully.  I'd be worried about it caving in and trapping you in your car. :o
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: John Aipassa on November 06, 2012, 07:12:37 PM
Yes, it is jaw dropping isn't it Paul?

Somehow I get the idea of how the Israelites led by Moses must have felt when crossing the Red Sea.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: annew on November 06, 2012, 07:52:38 PM
I was MUCH more interested in the link below to "10 The Best Assault Rifles". Right up my street…  ::)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: jandals on November 07, 2012, 06:23:47 PM
I was MUCH more interested in the link below to "10 The Best Assault Rifles". Right up my street…  ::)

Are your daffodils getting a little stroppy?
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Paul T on November 08, 2012, 11:13:42 AM
No, it's the weeds that are invading Anne's garden.  Get an assault rifle.... that'll learn em!!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: jandals on November 08, 2012, 05:32:18 PM
Cheers Paul . I knew that  :)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: annew on November 08, 2012, 08:41:11 PM
Might try it on the cat that left me a little 'present' in my tray of compost…. >:(
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Michael J Campbell on November 08, 2012, 08:51:50 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 06, 2012, 03:22:45 AM
Three people have died after a tornado struck north-west of Auckland this afternoon.

Seven people have also been taken to North Shore and Auckland hospitals, although none are thought to be seriously injured.

Police said the casualties occurred at the construction of a school at Hobsonville Point.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on December 06, 2012, 10:01:06 AM
What next for NZ?  Not good news at all, though if the casualties were at a construction site that might prove a clue as to the severity of the incident - too many was to be injured in such circumstances with all the equipment etc around the area -a nightmare scenario for a tornado to pass through, making damage and injuries much worse.  :(
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on December 06, 2012, 06:55:01 PM
Are tornadoes something that are infrequent but not unknown in NZ Anthony?.. or is this something that is rather 'out of the ordinary'?

Whichever its very sad to hear this news.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 06, 2012, 07:21:31 PM
Definitely out of the ordinary. I think health and safety will be looking into one incident? Building construction seems to involve erecting walls, which are huge slabs of concrete and then anchoring/propping up each with two angled steel rods attached near the top. These are removed when the building is completed. It seems a van with two men in it was parked in front of one which then collapsed.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hans J on December 20, 2012, 09:30:59 PM
Hi all ,

what are doing all the members this evening ?
Tomorrow the world goes down ( sorry Brian ...it is not the 23.Dec.)
I have just received a programm for this event ( sorry only in german )

Good bye
Hans  :'(
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: angie on December 20, 2012, 09:36:51 PM
Well if  the world ends tomorrow I am away to open my Christmas presents then, no point wasting them  ;D ;D ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on December 20, 2012, 09:39:53 PM
I'm busy Hans - I must eat all my chocolate before tomorrow- I would not want it to go to waste.

Great timetable-

I did not realise the last day of the world would be so busy-  and I am fascinated to read that the one minute's  silence will take five minutes!
Best news is that an after-party is planned - that seems like a really good idea!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hans J on December 20, 2012, 09:43:14 PM
Well if  the world ends tomorrow I am away to open my Christmas presents then, no point wasting them  ;D ;D ;D

Angie  :)

Hi Angie ,

I have heard the most of the women have not received any gifts and Xmas presents from her husbands...why :
If the world goes down - it would only a waste of time  ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: ronm on December 20, 2012, 09:46:52 PM
I'm sticking my thumb out and waving a towel about, after drinking a couple of pints quickly and eating some peanuts..... ;D ;D


I filled the Land Rover right up and have two places going .....

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/19/habitable_planet_round_near_star/ (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/19/habitable_planet_round_near_star/)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hans J on December 20, 2012, 09:48:46 PM
I'm busy Hans - I must eat all my chocolate before tomorrow- I would not want it to go to waste.

Great timetable-

I did not realise the last day of the world would be so busy-  and I am fascinated to read that the one minute's  silence will take five minutes!
Best news is that an after-party is planned - that seems like a really good idea!

Maggi ,

I'm also in stress  :o
I have to eat  Foie Gras  and a lot of other nice things , to drink some good bottles of wine and to smoke my cigars ...now with this plan is it bit easier

Hasta la vista
Hans
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 20, 2012, 09:56:59 PM
Rats. My wife just asked me if there was anything I wanted as she went off to Botany Downs Shopping Centre just now and Hans mentioned cigars. Haven't smoked a Cuban since going for a curry in Stirling 14 months ago! :-\

Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Hans J on December 20, 2012, 10:03:02 PM
Which time you have now Anthony ?

Is anything happend ?

....I fear it is to late for buying a really big cigar  ...maybe a smaller one ?
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Diane Clement on December 20, 2012, 10:05:43 PM
I thought this put it into perspective  ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 20, 2012, 10:15:58 PM
 ;D ;D ;D Phew! We are just after 11 a.m. on the 21st. If the world is going to end it will end here first. I wonder if I have a cigar somewhere in the study? A bit early in the day for cigars. Perhaps another cup of tea?
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 20, 2012, 10:28:24 PM
I'm sticking my thumb out and waving a towel about, after drinking a couple of pints quickly and eating some peanuts..... ;D ;D


I filled the Land Rover right up and have two places going .....

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/19/habitable_planet_round_near_star/ (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/19/habitable_planet_round_near_star/)
You'll need a couple of books: "The Hitchhiker's Guide" and "The Meaning of Liff". I often look at the night sky, which to my mind is upside down! Orion is very visible in the north east at the moment, with Jupiter in the northern sky. The Southern Cross is now well above the southern horizon. Will look out for you on your journey to Tau Ceti. 8)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Diane Clement on December 20, 2012, 10:29:28 PM
Can't resist:
Will this wind...? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hJQ18S6aag#)

Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 20, 2012, 10:52:25 PM
My son tells me the Mayans didn't account for leap years, so the world should have ended six months ago! 8)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: angie on December 20, 2012, 11:12:19 PM
Well, just incase it does happen I would just like to say its been nice knowing you all. The last few years that I have been on this forum  has brightened my life up  :-*
See you all tomorrow  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Michael J Campbell on December 21, 2012, 07:20:07 AM
I Survived :D :D :D ::) ::) :o :o :o
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: annew on December 21, 2012, 09:44:22 AM
You have a couple of hours yet, Michael.. ::)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: angie on December 22, 2012, 10:47:31 AM
Michael glad you survived but even happier that your plants have, didn't want to lose out on your wonderful pictures  ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: David Nicholson on December 22, 2012, 01:14:08 PM
Floods all over the place down here today. Luckily we live around 350 feet above sea level so not directly affected but many roads impassible and water pouring down from Dartmoor and bringing with it loads of rubble and adding to problems in getting around.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on December 22, 2012, 01:23:04 PM
We may not have witnessed the end of the world, but looking at the TV reports, it seems much of the UK is about to be washed into the sea....... ::)
Glad you're still on dry land, David- Ian was just asking if we knew if you are okay.....
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Michael J Campbell on December 22, 2012, 02:22:46 PM
Maggi, if tonight's forecast is correct we are about to be blown into the sea. I have spent all morning tying down anything that is move-able .
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Maggi Young on December 22, 2012, 02:26:55 PM
Michael, I would be most distressed if my Irish chums found themselves swimming with the fishes
 The storm is building here on the North East of Scotland too -  nasty weather for sure - I'll need to make sure the BD is well- weighed down if he ventures out....... don't want him taking to the skies.
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Michael J Campbell on December 22, 2012, 02:35:33 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 23, 2012, 08:45:11 PM
There's treble in Washington! :o
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: angie on December 24, 2012, 11:42:18 AM
Well, lets hope that the last of the heavy rain has gone. Half my road has been washed away, I am not getting to upset about it as others have had their houses flooded. Roll on the spring time and we can all forget about this miserable year we had in the UK.
Its sunny today   :D :D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 24, 2012, 11:18:25 PM
We've had our first rain in weeks. Hope it doesn't stay around too long!
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Gene Mirro on December 25, 2012, 02:51:07 AM
This Armageddon stuff is oversold.  If you read the prophecies carefully, the world will only end for bad people.  I





 ;)
Title: Re: Natural Global / Regional Happenings
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 25, 2012, 03:56:33 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
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