'From My Window' in Teachers World

[Moonraker]

Fully agree John Pickup! Although I am not a "morning person" that description makes me want to get up extra early to witness the dawn.

You don't need to get up early to see an orange moon - we saw a fabulous, large, orange moon in Gloucestershire the other evening:

[Anita Bensoussane]

That looks wonderful, Nigel (Moonraker)!

Wouldn't it be fun if Enid herself could see that we have a community of her long-term fans still reading and discussing her works! I wonder what she'd think, and what she'd say to some of the controversies that are still going on about her?

I often think the same.

[Boodi 2]

I saw the full moon a few nights ago, but unfortunately it was not orange here! However, I read in the local newspaper that it would be in alignment with two planets (Jupiter and Saturn I think) and to my surprise I could actually see that with the naked eye and was most impressed.

[Anita Bensoussane]

That's interesting, Boodi. I remember how excited I was to see Halley's Comet in 1986 and the solar eclipse in 1999.

[Boodi 2]

I did not see Halley's Cometin 1986, but I have vivid memories of the solar eclipse in 1999!

[Boatbuilder]

There were two other comets that were more spectactular than Halley's, both in the 1990's There was Comet Hyakutake in 1996 and Hale-Bopp in 1997. I certainly remember the 1999 Solar Eclipse as I watched it from outside my place of work late morning.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I must admit that Halley's Comet made more of an impression on me than the others. After all, it's legendary and I first heard of it when I was very young, while reading about the Battle of Hastings and seeing a photo of the embroidery of Halley's Comet from the Bayeux Tapestry.

[Boatbuilder]

As I have been intersted in astronomy since I was a child when I collected picture cards on the subject out of PG Tips tea packets, I had been looking forwad to 1986 but when the time came I have to say that I found it somewhat of an anti-climax to what had been expected.

[Courtenay]

I do just remember everyone talking about Halley's Comet — I was still below primary school age at the time — and Mum in particular pointing out to me that the next time this comet came around, I'd be 80-something and she'd be dead, which was a sobering thought. But as far as I recall, we didn't actually manage to see it from our place. Possibly the night was too cloudy, I can't remember!

[Anita Bensoussane]

Halley's Comet was visible for quite a while (a few months, I think?) We used binoculars to get a better look at it. Incidentally, my mum pronounced it "Hayley's Comet", as did a teacher of mine at junior school in the1970s, so I grew up thinking that was how it was pronounced - until I heard the extensive news coverage in 1986!

I've read Enid Blyton's account of making a "window-garden" before (link below). The "smoke" incident is quite amusing!

Unfortunately, the Nature Lesson ('Along the Sea Shore') is missing this time.

https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/bly ... &perid=195

[Boatbuilder]

Incidentally, my mum pronounced it "Hayley's Comet", as did a teacher of mine at junior school in the1970s, so I grew up thinking that was how it was pronounced - until I heard the extensive news coverage in 1986

Maybe they were big fans of the Rock 'n' roll era's Bill Haley and His Comets, Anita.

There's a mention of the influence of Halley's Comet in the renaming of the band on the Wikipedia page about Bill Haley and His Comets. It's in the 'Early History' section here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hale ... ly_history

[Anita Bensoussane]

Ah yes - it seems it's not uncommon to pronounce Halley's Comet the way my mum and teacher did.

Halley's Comet is named after astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley (1656 - 1742) whose name was apparently frequently spelt "Hawley" (spelling was more fluid in those days) so maybe it ought to be "Hawley's Comet"!

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/mo ... ond-halley

[Boodi 2]

I think it is interesting that Enid mentions the visitors to her "window garden" as that is a big issue here and we are encouraged to plant flowers and not to mow the lawn too often in order to provide a pleasant environment for bees and insects, as their numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.

[Boatbuilder]

Ah yes - it seems it's not uncommon to pronounce Halley's Comet the way my mum and teacher did.

Halley's Comet is named after astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley (1656 - 1742) whose name was apparently frequently spelt "Hawley" (spelling was more fluid in those days) so maybe it ought to be "Hawley's Comet"!

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/mo ... ond-halley

You could well be right, Anita. As Halley was English, and the word 'Hall' is pronounced 'Hawl' not 'Hal' then it does make sense.

[Kate Mary]

There is a lot in the news now about bees and pollinating insects being in decline, so 96 years on Enid is bang up to date with her window garden. Very amusing incident about Hugh and the hot pokers making drainage holes in the window box. Loved it.