h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am Kittykat and I am new - only two days old! Glad you like mountains - something we share. I live in upstate N.Y. on the side of one but was born in Manhattan and grew up on Long Island. This home for many years was a weekend retreat but now I'm here full time (for a myriad of reasons). Do you find it difficult to return to the "Big Bad World"? I frequently did but the city is still magical and I miss Broadway, museums, and those fabulous restaurants. While on L.I., I ran on the beach with my dog Cass all the time except in the summer. Too crowded . No sand or waves around here! Hope you're having as much fun as I am!!

Hi KittyKat.Yes ,like you I love the great outdoors and mountains in particular.Where I walk ,in Wicklow,some people say they are not real mountains ,just hills[the tallest is 3000ft.]The range is 30miles long by 10miles wide.Thats plenty for me.At this time of year they are covered in beautiful yellow flowers, that grow on thorny bushes.I don't know what they are called but can still appreciate them.Later in the year they will be covered in purple heather and moor grass.Parts of the range are very boggy and sometimes it can be a struggle to make headway.A mist can come down very quickly so you have to have a map and compass and the proper clothes.The nearest part is only 10miles from Dublin so they are easy to get to.But you don't have to travel far into them and you could believe you are the only person on the planet.But there always trouble in Paradise.The Irish army have two military ranges in Wicklow and you can't walk there.I was brought up in a city and would love to do what you did but it's not possible at the moment.Hopefully,in the future. Sorry to hear about the trouble with your neighbour but it sounds like he is running a commercial enterprise.Is that not against the law?Get him.I'm impressed that you have your own mountain.Is your name Walton?Did I see a television programme about you and your family?Will talk again soon. Keep the world green and clean.

Your treking sounds beautiful - the universe is SMILING upon you and you're wise enough to "get" it! So many people don't - hopefully the future will educate them. You are quite correct that this is a commercial operation but he also lives there! When these people moved in 2 years ago, not a soul even thought about it. (This is very rural territory). The assumption was that these folks, like most of the rest of us, wanted to be communing with nature, inhaling her, embracing her, and most of all LOVING HER! Not the case!!! His plan was basically to surround his house with approximately 1-2 acres of intact forest and mow down whatever was left. Legally, he has the right to do whatever he wants to on his own land. (By the way, and I want the world to know, this miserable, reprehensible, nefarious excuse for a human being's name is Michael Blanchfield. We have dubbed him "Osama Mike, Local Terrorist"). His only motivation is greed. When he and his cronies are done they will move on. (There is a long dubious legal history behind his acquistion of this property).As you can see I am outraged. What is occuring here is being duplicated all over this planet . Unbelievably awful consequences with untold longterm ramifications for us, our children and theirs. Yet no one seems to care. As a firm adherent to the theory of Divine Providence, there is no doubt in my mind that this a mission was given to me as an integral part of my journey. I accept this challenge and clasp it close to my heart. And I thank the Powers that be for the opportunity. I shall now descend from the soapbox and thank you for your reply - it was lovely and I thank you wholeheartedly. And, one more thing, as you're gazing at the heavens have a for me! Merci beaucoup, muchas gracias etc. etc. etc.

Hi Kitty,I have some idea of the problems you are facing with the destruction of the forest.It happened in Wicklow.Before laws were introduced anyone could chop down trees.As a result,there are only small pockets of native trees left.Vast areas are covered by Sitka Spruce[from Scandinavia I think]and are run commercially.They are state forests but contracters fell them. They look quite nice but not when they are the only trees you see.When contracters clear an area it looks like there's been a nuclear explosion--stumps and rubbish everywhere.Not a pretty sight. The state appears to have woken up at last.They are now planting some native trees throughout the range so hopefully future generations will be able to enjoy something more than the ubiquitous Spruce.It will be too late for us unfortunately.But as you say we are only minders anyway. The destruction of a natural habitat is always disgusting.It's effect is not only immediate but future generations are being robbed of something that is not always replacable and should be their right to behold.I don't know how strong your laws are but you should pursue this odious character to the limit.We were lucky that the state intervened just in time but if your neighbour and his like are let operate freely it may be too late to prevent the damage. Have a drink for me on top of your mountain------------Sparky

Hi Kitty,I have some idea of the problems you are facing with the destruction of the forest.It happened in Wicklow.Before laws were introduced anyone could chop down trees.As a result,there are only small pockets of native trees left.Vast areas are covered by Sitka Spruce[from Scandinavia I think]and are run commercially.They are state forests but contracters fell them. They look quite nice but not when they are the only trees you see.When contracters clear an area it looks like there's been a nuclear explosion--stumps and rubbish everywhere.Not a pretty sight. The state appears to have woken up at last.They are now planting some native trees throughout the range so hopefully future generations will be able to enjoy something more than the ubiquitous Spruce.It will be too late for us unfortunately.But as you say we are only minders anyway. The destruction of a natural habitat is always disgusting.It's effect is not only immediate but future generations are being robbed of something that is not always replacable and should be their right to behold.I don't know how strong your laws are but you should pursue this odious character to the limit.We were lucky that the state intervened just in time but if your neighbour and his like are let operate freely it may be too late to prevent the damage. Have a drink for me on top of your mountain------------Sparky

Hi Kitty,I have some idea of the problems you are facing with the destruction of the forest.It happened in Wicklow.Before laws were introduced anyone could chop down trees.As a result,there are only small pockets of native trees left.Vast areas are covered by Sitka Spruce[from Scandinavia I think]and are run commercially.They are state forests but contracters fell them. They look quite nice but not when they are the only trees you see.When contracters clear an area it looks like there's been a nuclear explosion--stumps and rubbish everywhere.Not a pretty sight. The state appears to have woken up at last.They are now planting some native trees throughout the range so hopefully future generations will be able to enjoy something more than the ubiquitous Spruce.It will be too late for us unfortunately.But as you say we are only minders anyway. The destruction of a natural habitat is always disgusting.It's effect is not only immediate but future generations are being robbed of something that is not always replacable and should be their right to behold.I don't know how strong your laws are but you should pursue this odious character to the limit.We were lucky that the state intervened just in time but if your neighbour and his like are let operate freely it may be too late to prevent the damage. Have a drink for me on top of your mountain------------Sparky

Hi Kitty,just me again.I've triple posted you[I'm always doing it].Sorry,I always blame the computer.Talk to you soon-----Sparky

Hi Sparky, Thanks for all the encouragement - it makes me feel terrific! Sometimes I think that the enemy is winning ( and in one sense they already have as the trees are irreplaceable ) but then I'm sent kind fellow souls to bolster me. It means a great deal. I'm rather concerned about this upcoming weekend . Two weeks ago (St. Pat's weekend) I was visited by 4 men on ATV's across the road from my house. They were friends of Blanchfield and were running roughshod over small saplings etc.. When I yelled at them to get off my property they told me to go F--K myself and then said they'd do it for me. This went on for a while as I am taking pictures of them! I document as much as possible but they don't care . The usual threats are : we'll burn down your house, we'll get your animals, we'll blow up your car and we will get you. Believe me when I tell you there has been a lot of trouble here and unfortunately it is very simple to accomplish any or all of the above. THEM! God is on my side and I am NOT caving. The State Troopers have been wonderful - they're on my side. But I'd be a fool not to recognize I am vulnerable and against bad odds. The other people around here basically are environmentally concerned but many don't want to tangle with these morons as their homes are basically weekenders and left unattended during the week. And Blanchfield has managed to hire a bunch of the lower strata to work (off the books) chopping down the trees. These are lowlifes who are thrilled at picking up a few bucks . And they would surely burn down a place for five hundred dollars! So this Easter I will be wearing a "mike" with a pocket recorder. This way the evidence can be collected for harrassment, criminal tresspass etc. We have a lot already but this will cinch it. But I would like to enjoy the holiday without all of this !!! Thanks again for the support and hug a tree!