A Wood of My Own!

Contemplating investing in a wood. Figuring there's not much space left on our precious little planet and we have to look after what we have a little better than we have been doing. Its a Big Step! However, it would be nice to put a few theories into practice and in the process create some kind of legacy for future generations to follow in our footsteps. Responsibility of this kind always comes at a price but what nobler goal than the co-creation of a 'safe space' for all species (humans included - under careful supervision) to work towards solving the pressing problems of the day. So, watch this space and keep an eye on a Real World analog! :)

Wood Forsaken

There's a lovely stretch of woodland nearby. Plenty of animal friends call it home. Unfortunately it is already marred by a dump of noxious waste of some kind, something to do with the old mining industry that used to be nearby perhaps? There is also a beautiful ramshackle old building. Ok it is derelict but with a little imagination could be quite spectacular. Apparently it used to be a tile factory? A little pocket of our industrial heritage where nature is trying her (?) best to reclaim the land. However, there is a proposal to build up to 100 houses here. You can see people's objections. Great care would have to be taken to rehouse all the local wildlife were this to be given the go-ahead. The local parish council voted in favour of the development. I personally just wonder if I'll still be able to walk the neighbours' dog. I also do wonder what happens to all the habitat of that wildlife. It seems to be a natural corridor - I've even seen a heron (I think?) there. Massive bird! The green areas around the village are slowly disappearing and traffic is notably increasing in the area as new houses are built. Whilst it is true that people need places to live it is also true that the neighbouring city of Stoke-on-Trent badly needs 'regenerating'. Why not build there? Is it really worth sacrificing so much nature just so that people can live on the edge of a city rather than in it? Isn't this a short-sighted practice as ultimately the city is spreading and spreading forever outwards whilst its core becomes stagnant at best or maybe even derelict? I can't quite decide if this proposal will be 'good' or 'bad' though I don't feel entirely comfortable with the 'democratic' 'consensual' processes usually brought into play in such circumstances. So, I'll be keeping an eye on this one...

Its Tricky Doing a U-ey Down a One Way Street!

Local Environmental Atrocity

This 'footprint' is a photo of the strata of a local environMENTAL catastrophe. The locale is an ex-mining district of a Northern English provincial city. At the bottom of the photo you can see the lowest sub-layer (at least to where I was able to dig with a stick!) which looks like spent lyme ash. Next up is a burned version of the former - sorry, I'm no Geologist. After that is a burning organic matter which seems to be layered upon what the local people commonly call a "slag heap". On top of that is a less destroyed layer of organic matter consisting of twigs, etc. Then finally the top layer consists of leaves.

The two videos below demonstrate the effect of this deadly combination. The smell which exudes from this monstrosity is close to sulphur, which wouldn't surprise me. However, a proper analysis needs to take place of the burning mess.

Unfortunately, for some of us, we have to live down wind of the smoke. Certainly when walking past the heap if I am walking in the prevailing direction of the wind then I always cover my face with something as the smoke makes me cough.

I also noticed that some of the facing trees seem to have been stripped of their bark by something. I'm not sure if this is connected.

There is some local action to try to fix the problem although its quite obviously of limited impact so far. The problem has been around for some time now and nothing has happened. Meanwhile we continue to cough and splutter. I have no idea how the local wildlife is affected but it can't be pleasent for them either?

Making Wind Power, er, Sexy?

Windpower Prototype 2.0

This is the second prototype of my wind power project. The first version was based upon an old, scrounged DC motor with the props constructed from balsa wood. It flew very well but produced little power due to the size of the motor. This version uses an improved stepper motor design (not yet wired up) which I purchased from Ebay. Although it still retains the original balsa wood/cain tail fin and the main vertical strut.

The main prop is now scrounged from an old room cooler thingy I found lying around the woods, believe-it-or-not. It spins quite nicely in a light breeze when just placed loosely on a dowel but now I'm awaiting a strong breeze to test this rig. There's a little resistance and quite a bit of weight on the prop (which may improve) so this version will require stronger winds than the previous prototype. This is a good thing though since, due to the plastic props, it should be capable of spinning pretty quickly and sustaining high winds. Should. As ever, the proof of the prototype is in the testing!

So, wish me luck - I'll make further posts as no doubt the design improves as bits drop off and others are added!

Cheers.

Blair Witch Project!

came acr0ss this old wreck in the woods
it was better off than good
in the hood
pud pud pud

needy are greedy
seedy

;-))