Phew! Survived again!

It's an odd moment when I flop down in bed on Christmas Day and realise it's all over and somehow it has arrived, happened and gone by and I have survived for another year. I measure this in terms of several levels of success, as I am sure do many others these include:
How many have I upset by failing to send cards too which will require an abject apology and grovelling letter in the New Year? and as a rider to this is this fewer than last year?
Did the presents arrive on time?
Have I received all the gifts I might have expected?
Have I obviously upset a member of my close family or circle of friends by some kind of omission?
Did the festive season pass with adequate supplies of tissue, toilet tissue, headache or other pain relief remedies and antacids?
Did I manage to cook the dinner, on time, with ALL its intended constituent parts included?
Did I manage to not give anyone I served with this repast food poisoning?
Did I manage to steer clear of the washing up? NO! stop being ridiculous that's just fantasy thinking!
Is everybody still talking to everyone else?
Where did I put my drink?
Why are my feet hurting so much?
and finally which idiot ever called this a holiday? they need to check on the definition of same and alter this accordingly because I for one am kn...exhausted!

Its been like a combination of the UN having important diplomatic meetings with every warring state we can think of, against bickering for what's on TV and groaning over eating too much... and it's all over in one day...well there is Boxing Day but nobody ever really seems to know what all that is about. I know there's the underlying Christian message, or the Pagan one depending on your theological point of view but really!

Well survived again! All parts still standing, all family members still speaking, all food consumed, yes even the turkey....only went for something small this year. So as I prepare a salad and jacket spuds and feel a bit healthier than this time yesterday and the relief washes over me in waves, all that matters is...will be going through it all again next year. What fun! Wouldn't have it any other way! How about you?

Goodwill to all and a shamelessly poor poem

Twinkle, twinkle Diggingstar,
How they wonder who you are?
Writing words in cyberspace
A soppy smile upon your face
As the Christmas star so you should shine
Light their faces with a rhyme.

Happy Christmas one and all,
Peace, joy and goodwill says it all,
Don't care what your faith might be
That matters not a jot to me
Just you be happy, warm, content
Accept my good wishes sincerely meant.

So much angst divides our world,
Pain, distress, despair unfurled
War and famine, flood or drought,
Earthquakes,winds, volcanic doubt,
What we need and we want it quick
Love, hope and shelter will do the trick!

No matter who or where we are,
Our needs and wants don't stray too far
We crave our safety, health and peace,
Shelter, strength and food to eat,
Enough to drink that's clear and pure,
Laughter, justice and friendship, sure.

Not much to ask I hear you cry
The Diggingstar who floats on high,
From here the world is small and round
Like a ball which spins around
All looks smooth and calm to me
If only that's how it all could be!

Take Care and strive to be safe and happy.

Kicking through leaves

There's something truly satisfying about a huge drift of autumn leaves. I don't know if this stems from the subtle colour variations of the leaves, the smell, the rustling sound and papery quality, or the formation of drifts beside roads and embankments and their scattering across lawns of verdant green grass.

Whatever it is I am filled with an urge which I've had since childhood and which has never dimmed despite the passage of time...to run through such a drift scrunching and scattering the leaves and sending them gambolling and scurrying. The sound is music to my ears, the thrill edifying, the joy insurmountable. It is such a simple thing to do and yet it fills me with such pleasure and the years fall away. I am the child I once was, naive, innocent and full of wonder. It makes me so happy and yet is so simple. For a few brief moments cares and woes are forgotten and give way to the simple sensation of glee.

Perhaps everyone should do this at least once a year so they release their inner child and remember what it was to enjoy pure fun for fun's sake. Then go and jump in a puddle and do the same! Magic!

Less of a rant

Something had clearly rattled my cage last time. Blame it all on hormones and a head cold, it works for me. Sometimes it seems as if there's a grumpy old git inside me anxious to escape and wreak vengeance on an unsuspecting world. This is not like the usual up beat me at all, I am generally far more jolly and for the last tirade I apologise. I don't try to be hopelessly optimistic, because that can't ever happen either, but I also try not to let the world get me down too much either. It strikes me it's a very odd place and a difficult balance to get right.

I do seriously begin to wonder if every decision we make and every situation we face sets off a parallel universe somewhere else. Some even suggest it can be as mundane as deciding whether or not to have tea or coffee... and when you think about it why not? I mean the choice of whether or not to skip breakfast, nip to the loo now, or even combing your hair can have huge implications when you stop to think about it. How I hear you ask? Well, for example I remember combing my hair hurriedly one morning, wrenching at a tangle and ending up on Ibuprofen for several days and in need of a surgical collar for neck strain as a result! With my head tilted to one side, swollen muscles and what looked like a sports injury following a particularly nasty game of rugby, I couldn't turn my head, drive the car, putting clothes on and off was a nightmare and all because I combed my hair!

I guess if one opts for tea instead of coffee there are other implications, tea is no good if you are queasy and delicate of stomach for example, coffee allegedly wakes you up better.....in my case although tea is meant to be the diuretic coffee has more of an effect that way..... and whilst we're on that subject I also find if I don't go to the loo I almost invariably get stuck in a traffic jam on a motorway for hours......need I say more? So yes, perhaps there is some justification for even the most mundane of decisions setting off a totally different chain of events. I guess that's what chaos theory is all about. Me leaping out of bed and stubbing my toe on the bed post causing stock markets to crash in Europe and the Far East....no surely not, that can't have been my fault can it?

It makes me wonder what all these alternative 'me' characters are up to and more to the point, what are we all actually like? As individuals various social scientists allege we are each the result of everything which happens to us and it affects our personal characteristics traits and flaws. Would I therefore recognise anything of myself in these other 'me' people or would they be entirely different? It would be interesting as a test, to see if nurture and experience did affect personality as many suspect or to be able to conclude despite everything life had thrown at us no obvious alterations had been caused.

It begs the question though, am I living in the best possible version of my own life, in the worst or somewhere fair to middling? Is an alternative me a captain of industry, a mother of ten, the wife of a diplomat, a famous actor, reporter, world traveller, writer, geologist, or 'wealthy farmer'?   Are they more fulfilled, contented, calmer, or stressed, bewildered and care worn? Are they living in the same place, town or country as I do now or somewhere completely different? I have no idea! I do know one day there might be a novel made out of my 'what ifs?' and perhaps for one of my many 'me' characters it will be autobiographical and not pure fiction! I shall have great fun pondering the plot(s) but of course, will never know the truth.

Less is more?

It suddenly feels as if the world is in turmoil. There's so much going on out there and nowadays we seem to hear about it all so quickly. Everyone is asked for their opinion so fast before even all of the facts are in. If there's a natural disaster there are experts about it and I've noticed never the same ones twice. If its an experiment they call in as many scientists as possible to debate it, before there's any information even published to be examined then tested! I know in my own fields of expertise, no matter how limited, because everything is done in such a hurry its often told inaccurately at best or completely incorrectly at worst. There are economic guru's who comment on the crises which are sweeping the world in an unprecedented manner and for which no two appear to have the same answer. There are political and religious upheavals which strike at the heart of many societies and those who comment tread a fine balancing line between bias, accuracy and sentimentality. With so much today the emphasis is on speed and not doing things properly. It isn't just news gathering, it seems to emanate all through society and every job. Get it done now, hurry up, deadlines, time is money etc. then when it all goes awry the legal suits start flying and 'compensation' has to be paid. It makes me wonder if they all hadn't been in such a tearing rush in the first place, if they weren't all so overwhelmed and overworked, driven near hysterical by targets and mandates then just maybe mistakes would never have been made in the first place. There's a lot of truth in the adage 'a stitch in time saves nine' which tells us to attend to problems quickly but also 'more haste less speed' which informs us that doing it properly in the first place is more efficient in the long run!
More care, more patience, more tolerance, more understanding, more faith, more concentration, more attention to detail, more scrupulousness, more endeavour, more achievement, more genuine commitment, more respect leading to more fulfilment, more pride, more happiness and more contentment. Surely that would be better?

Not So Fast

We have been having an extremely warm and dry spell of weather here, after a particularly cold and wet one. This is causing havoc in the natural world and for the domesticated animals too. One minute they are too cold, wet and thoroughly depressed. I keep goats and believe me they can do 'depressed' better than some humans. Constant rain and wind really gets them down. They look out at you with those strange slitted pupils (which alarm many people) and give you a look of both rejection and boredom combined. I say 'look out' because they do this from the vantage point of a warm comfy field shelter whilst I am standing outside in the rain, clad from head to foot in waterproofs and gumboots looking like a reject from a nasty experiment as the clouds wring themselves dry on top of me. You get the picture. Not a happy bunny. I am standing there getting damp checking THEY are alright and they are looking at me with such pugnacious belligerence you'd swear they were blaming me for the inclement weather! Honestly everyone is a critic!

Then when it suddenly went very hot and dry they became confused, along with many spring plants round here, hoodwinked into believing spring had sprung and we were all up for round two! So they started head butting and sorting out who was head of the herd, which they normally establish in the spring...so once 'good friends' in the goat houses are suddenly turning a cold shoulder and no longer speaking in their 'goatish' way to one another....Oh this bodes well for an extremely peaceful winter - I don't think.

One interesting sight was a slow worm on the stone farm track soaking up the rays. I have seen them before but never so close and I was able to really look closely. It was a beautiful bronze colour and fascinated me. If there had not been so much early warm sun that day I probably would never have seen it. I never realised until I bothered to look it up, these are lizards 'sans' legs and not snakes at all. Sadly they are persecuted because they are confused with snakes and more especially young Adders which are the only venomous snakes in Britain. The slow worm is entirely harmless and does not deserve to be killed needlessly through fear. I felt very privileged to have seen it and I share this with you.

I have no idea what the winter will bring or how beautiful the autumn colours will be, but I wait with anticipation to see.

No laughing matter

I have been out today, helped by my daughter, both delightfully clad in our bee suits and what stunning fashion outfits they are - to see how the new bees are getting along. I was quite proud, I made up a whole load of frames for the honey comb to be built on, all by myself and despite the use of a hammer and nails (teeny tiny ones) I still have all my fingers and both thumbs! The bees were busy, but quite happy and working as industriously as ever. We chatted to them and told them we were giving them a bit more space to fill up with honey and eggs for more bees. They seemed quite relaxed at having an extension added and didn't bother us at all. Clearly they were making the most of the good weather too.

I did a load of washing and got it line dried and I mowed the lawns and all because today it is dry and tomorrow.....it probably won't be!

I've noticed a lot of the trees are already showing signs of autumn colours. Its only the start of August, that's a bit early surely? Conversely, friends of mine who have bees too have told me they are still collecting swarms (normally associated with May or June) so that's a bit late as are the primroses flowering in my garden!

What is going on here? Now I've no idea what all this means, but I bet it is an indication of something and I have a very nasty feeling it won't be good.
As if it isn't quite bad enough that our cities are fast becoming a war zone and its open season for thugs and criminals. Are they picking up on some environmental factor heralding catastrophe?
I surely hope not.

Tragedy in Norway

I, in common with most humane individuals was horrified by the events which unfolded in Norway and sickened by the cost in human lives. It is impossible to guard against such extreme behaviours but this seemed so barbaric if some of the reports I've seen or heard are to be believed the perpetrator went back re-shooting the victims to ensure they were dead. Everyone will have a theory as to why this happened and doubtless there will be much resultant brow beating as people ponder if the 'clues were there' and 'what happened to precipitate this action' and 'could it have been prevented?' The simple answer is probably "no" because none of us can see directly into another person's mind and know what truths are lurking there, no matter how well we think we know them. We are all individuals and are fallible. We all make mistakes from time to time, bad decisions and have to live with failure. On the flip side we all make things go right, do something useful and helpful sometimes without even realising it and make positive steps forward too. It is the essence of being who we each are. I doubt there is a person who has never or will never do something completely out of character at some point since the synapses just do not fire correctly all of the time. Check out any computer....they all need a reboot from time to time and people do too. Fortunately such extreme behaviour is rare.

It is not only the victims, but also their families and friends who deserve our help and sympathy. How can they ever begin to understand why this had to happen to them when they were just having fun or going about their daily lives. We cannot bring back those who have been lost, we cannot refill the gaping holes their loss leaves behind, but we can express our heartfelt sympathy to those who need it and show them that in this crazy world genuine, humane, kind and understanding people still exist and still empathise and care.

I have been lucky enough to visit Norway more than once. It is a beautiful country and its people are justifiably proud, resilient, helpful, hard working and honest. If any nation can pull together and rise above this tragedy it will be Norway. However, in a way because of this, the tragedy of this weekend seems all the more misplaced and unfitting.

To all those who have been effected, you are in my thoughts.

Bees Return

It's so exciting because I have just taken delivery of some new bees. I used to have several hives and one by one they all deserted me. The last lot even left me brand new honey as they left as if they were saying 'thanks for looking after us but we're off now'. It's lovely to have bees back. They make me feel very humble. They work so hard and human communities could do much better if we studied bees and saw how their communities work. They are fascinating to watch, all those comings and goings and how they cool the hive down if it gets too hot inside by fanning their wings, dance to communicate, specialize jobs etc, etc it's amazing. We all know bees deserve our respect and we rely on them for so much, including our own survival. I've been to tell them how great it is to have them here with me, to let them know they are welcome and wanted....I am told this is what you should do....I just hope they choose to stay this time!

Old head and young shoulders

I have just accompanied my daughter on a trip to view a potential university! I mean it already is a university where she is considering becoming a student! It took me back to when I went to university all those many moons ago when we used libraries full of books, microfiche readers (remember those anyone?), card indexes, journals in stacks and those film readers for newspapers and other documents! We never saw a computer in a library in those days and to use one in the university at all you had to have a proper user name and log on to the 'mainframe' for which there was always a queue.

I spent many happy hours looking for books which someone else had beaten me to borrowing, or in perusing journals before writing copious notes. University life was exciting. It was the first chance to stand on one's own two feet, to be responsible for one's own life, actions, food preparation and even washing! I learnt about the subject I was studying which would set me up in work (well that was the plan) for the rest of my life and also social and interpersonal skills! It was a hugely important experience and set me up for an independent future.

I found myself checking out the toilet facilities as my own late mother did for me (and which my English teacher reliably informed me her mother had done for her when she had gone to uni too!) because it's what we do isn't it? I found myself silently tutting over leaky pipes and damp patches. I had to know if this place was going to be good enough for MY daughter, who naturally is far too good for them! 

I know she will enjoy this, she will come of age, learn to look after herself and not need me anymore! So of course, it has to be exactly right. Only now do I truly understand why my Mum did this too. It's a dramatic and life changing time for us both and soon nothing will ever be the same again. It is a physical manifestation of this change, the last time I can inspect before my 'little girl' is gone for good and is her own boss and in charge of her own life and choices. I'm not sure I'm ready or ever will be. I am certain this has come around far too fast as I now appreciate it did for my Mum too. I know I'm not the first and I won't be the last who feels this way but it has to be as perfect as possible for both our sakes and the future beckons to us. 

Sadness

I've just said goodbye to a friend of mine, who left too soon before her time. She was warm, kind, friendly and fun to be around, she worked very hard, was generous with her time to all who needed it, had a determined streak, a deeply spiritual side and as we grew up together filled my life with laughter. She had a bright disposition, sparkling eyes and was brilliant to have on your side in an argument! She was loyal, honest and amusing. We found pleasure in silly things, we shared a love of history, reading, sharing novels, knitting and so much more. I shall miss her more than I can say but I am so thankful to have known her and grateful to have shared time with her. The world will be a greyer place without her, but despite the sadness I carry in my heart there is so much joy and pleasure in remembering her. I will always be calling her to mind when I laugh and I know that is exactly how she would wish me to remember her, always young, full of fun, a dependable friend who loved laughing.

It is June isn't it?

I just checked and it is still June, which in this hemisphere means we should be thinking about summer. Yesterday, they issued a proclamation, parts of Britain are officially in a drought. So it poured down here, thunder, lightning, hail stones and the mountain I live on was so covered in the white stuff it even drifted! So I ask again it is still June? Chap told me this morning a hail storm on the beach in Swansea caused it to all go white temporarily! How much closer to sea level can you get than a beach? This is crazy what is going on? Please tell me after such a long dry spell we're not going to go back to ridiculous weather again. 

How British can I get? the world economy is in crisis, people have been made homeless by earthquakes, volcanoes are erupting, half of the world seems to be under some form of cruel dictatorship and a whole lot of the rest are rebelling against it and here I am talking about the weather. All I need to do now is go out and join a queue.

I rest my case.

Not being lazy

I am not being lazy, honestly. I know I haven't written much on my blog but it's been very busy. I spent a lot of time preparing stuff for a presentation doing the research and what have you and then going and giving it! Had to figure out how to use the new sat nav in order to get there as part of this performance. See, one thing after another. Modern technology just moves on apace, just when I got used to the last one (before it went wrong that is) so now nothing is the same and even that comforting voice telling me to 'turn around at your earliest convenience' is different - this one sounds everso slightly unhinged! No, perhaps it's just me surely the sat nav can't be making comments about my driving can it? Typical everyone's a critic these days.

I've still managed to mow the lawns, do all my usual chores and keep walking and swimming. I'm sticking to my diet but sadly the superfluous flab still appears to be sticking to me too! Oh well at least something likes me and wants to hang around. Actually reading that back the 'hanging around' was perhaps a somewhat unfortunate choice of words! All far too apt.

At least with the spate of showers we've had recently all the greenery is looking more refreshed and energised. It gives the animals something to eat and lays the dust. Mind you it's the devil if you've got washing out on the line drying! I can un-peg socks like a machine gun going off now I've had so much practice and all because I'm trying to be greener to match the environment round these parts! This is going to have to be my lucky colour of the week.

I've even managed to compose some more of my first draft novel and thankfully the creative juices still seem to be flowing. For the time being at least, before I have to start re-decorating the house and so on.
So, I am NOT being lazy, honestly.

Swimming and walking

I have to say I love swimming, I'm not sure I have a particularly good style but it gets me from one end of the pool to the other! I can recommend it as an exercise regime and I'm not particularly sporty! I regularly swim 1800m which is just over a mile and I try to do this twice a week if I can. It's a low impact exercise and doesn't make all my joints complain. Years of digging on archaeological excavations can make the joints - particularly the knees I have found - ready to complain about ill-treatment. Also I'm really not built to be a jogger...I'd soon have a pair of black eyes if you catch my drift. I don't look or feel good jogging. So when I'm not swimming I walk. This works, it clears the head when I've been hunched over a computer, it opens up the airways and there are often people to chat to en route. Try it out. It might surprise you!

Silbury Hill

Archaeologically there has been a fascinating new development today since it has been proven that Silbury Hill in Wiltshire is no longer unique! For so long archaeologists have been speculating about this amazing huge circular flat topped hill which is all completely articicial and trying to decide what it was for. They've dug tunnels into it and all manner of stuff, but let's be honest they still don't know. Now it appears there is a second such hill in Marlborough and they have just released the date as being prehistoric! Mega-monuments like this don't come to light so very often these days so this is big news. I hope it's right! Now we need to see if this one can tell us what they might have been for! Are there more lurking out there confused with medieval castle mounds (or mottes) for instance or thought to be entirely natural? It's so good when new discoveries set everyone thinking again and re-assessing what we thought we knew about the past. There's always the danger we will become complacent about our heritage and think we know it all, when we don't even know the half of it!
I often wish I could travel back in time and see what really went on! I would also take the hand of the person who invented knitting and thank them for giving me personally so much pleasure over the years puzzling over complex patterns and motifs! They could never have realised what they were letting loose on an unsuspecting world! What a brilliant invention, all you need is a ball of yarn, two needles and the possibilities are endless!
I'm less sure I want to meet the person who thought that ironing was a great idea...but that's just me!

Mowing or moaning?

Like a lot of other people I've been trying to shed a bit of excess weight by eating more healthy food - and less of it - and doing more exercise. I've always been quite large, statuesque is a kinder phrase. If you say you are 'big boned' everyone just falls about laughing as if it's the weakest and most feeble excuse in the world for being heavy...but when it's true it isn't funny! When you have been blessed with such a thing, the flesh hangs happily on it and you cart it around! I wouldn't mind so very much, I've been walking every day doing at least 3km and when I'm not doing that I'm swimming and I now regularly swim 2 miles a week! Which may not sound very much but feels like it! I've lost 2 stones in weight not by crash dieting but by lifestyle and dietary changes cutting out the bad stuff and doing more of the good. So I'm doing everything right....today I mowed the lawns in extra quick time because A) rain was threatening and B) I'm feeling fitter I think, but do you know what galls me more than anything? I've given up all those bad things and lost all that weight so far and nobody can tell!! They all say I look EXACTLY the same. Now either I am the world's leading cover up artist and dress brilliantly to conceal extra pounds (which I seriously doubt) or like I said at the start when you have a huge foundation you just don't seem to get any smaller! So I guess I'll just have to keep on mowing those lawns, swimming and walking until one day I turn sideways and disappear. This could take some time......

Space Archaeology ?

The BBC have been running stories under the banner heading of 'space archaeology' which isn't strictly accurate since it involves the study of the earth from space i.e. satellite imagery and not the other way around. Don't get me wrong, this is brilliant, it's like aerial photography with a bigger lens I guess, but it's not exactly new... we've been doing that for years! In some circles they call it 'remote sensing' but I guess that is even less sexy as a concept or a banner heading! I secretly suspect somebody has been reading Von Dannekin (is that how you spell the guy's name?) or 'were our ancestors influenced by alien visitors' for the uninitiated. The idea that brilliant innovative human beings were unable to come up with inventions and new technologies all by themselves is quite frankly insulting to every one of us. The human race is brilliant, can wrest success from the jaws of defeat by ingenuity and pragmatism and can make something out of nothing by sheer tenacity and perseverance. It's one of the reasons why I became an archaeologist, because I can really appreciate how brilliant that is as a concept! If we can't do things by our own hands then we invent something which can help us to do it better: from the humblest bone needle to make clothes; knives and weapons to feed ourselves; shelters to live in; receptacles to cook and store things in; right through to items purely for adornment or pleasure and even to space travel....I'm not saying we're alone in the enormity of space...logic suggests this is unlikely, but it didn't take astronauts from other planets to get us going. Who knows, maybe it IS actually us that are the most intelligent life forms out there and the rest will look to us for guidance. If so, they will have a while to wait and I dread the responsibility this places on us but I suspect if it's possible we'll get there, eventually! 

There really is a certain feling of deja vu about this Icelandic volcano. Looking on the internet for a while it was clear some were predicting this eruption back in November! I've seen the lava flow from the biggest eruption and the same volcano is credited with causing the deaths of up to 20% of the population of Iceland through starvation and destruction of farmland. It must be hell with all that dust. I visited last year when the 'other' volcano - which I can actually pronounce but can't spell- went up, well just after it actually. Everything was cloaked in black dust. Its an amazingly bleak and beautiful country, spectacular but those who live there have my greatest respect. Farmers who can produce food and tend to their animals in such conditions are a rare breed for sure and must be working like slaves right now, having just come through winter. Spare a thought for them, just as they thought it was safe to let everything outside again. How can this happen to them again so soon? To all those who moan that they can't have their holidays just remember there are always those who are worse off....

Some rain and the cup that cheers

I never thought I'd ever say it, being on the western side of Britain where all those Atlantic winds laden with rain usually wring themselves out right overhead, but lately we've been a bit short of the wet stuff. Not any more, it arrived yesterday and recharged the rivers which are now fairly gurgling by. It has refreshed the grass and washed the leaves clean! I know there's a weird name for the smell after the rain. I cannot recall what that word is right now but there's a lot of it about...and it's terrific! You can almost hear the plants sucking up the water and giving out a collective "ahh!" as if they've just had a cup of the most refreshing tea in the world! Hmm that's not a bad plan...think I may just go and join them!

Spring becomes summer

It's a truly beautiful morning today, full of promise and sunshine. The trees are so verdant with their new leaves, the sky peppered with clouds, the sunshine now has some significant heat and the hedgerows are coming alive with flowers. Have had a wander amongst the bluebells today and seen a red kite in flight and a heron on the riverbank. The animals are contentedly chewing the cud in the fields of lush green grass. It's just one of those mornings when it is possible to push away all the awful things, the worries, the fears for the future and stresses of life for a few minutes at least and just concentrate on simple pleasures. That's what I call bliss and for a few minutes just listening to the cuckoo call and hearing the gurgling water splashing in the river this is heaven on earth. I'm right by a road and people have sped past this spot in their cars and missed it all, they will never know how close to my version of heaven they came or what simple beauty they missed.

A sense of place

Have you ever noticed some areas seem to have their own special resonance, a feeling which cannot be explained but which seems to linger there when you come across them? Is it just down to a splendid view perhaps or is there really a sense of peace or possibly something more turbulent? Some would say this is complete balderdash, but others hold strongly to the view that a place can record, hold and repeatedly replay past events. Some factors which determine where we chose to stop or set up permanent residence are constant: how damp somewhere is, how exposed to the elements, whether there is adequate shelter, how accessible it is, does the surrounding area grow food well, and is there sufficient drinking water for example. Looking at past settlements, now in ruins with the builders and occupiers long gone it is still appealing to speculate what they thought of the view, what attracted them to this spot in the first place and to try to pick up on any thoughts or fears they might have left behind. If only the walls could truly talk!

Archaeologist discovers 21st century

Hi there,

I'm new to all this modern technology and this is proving to be both an uphill struggle and a steep learning curve for me. It's an odd thing that as I sit here now, I cannot for the life of me think of anything important to say. I guess the contestants on various game shows felt the same as the answers disappeared from their minds just at the wrong moment. It seems really strange to just be speaking randomly to nobody in particular, but knowing the whole world could be listening. If you see what I mean? I love all things historical and archaeological and have produced and grown a lot of my own food for years. I guess that makes me a tree hugging hippy on the quiet and certainly a bit alternative. I'm attempting to write my first novel and looking after a farm at the same time. It makes my life busy. I have a teenaged daughter who makes technology look easy (give me a flint tool any day) and I'd like to think I'm kind, gentle, have a free spirit and a good sense of humour. I know I work hard and I love swimming and country walks....see, told you I'm a nature lover. If you want to find out more concerning my random thoughts just watch this space....