#solar system maitland

[audraenergy]

Solar Hunter Valley - Low Cost Housing, Renewable Energy, and Skiing

Whether you're looking to be off the grid or simply want to save money, the Solar Hunter Valley in Australia offers the perfect solution. A combination of a low-cost housing, an abundance of solar and renewable energy, and proximity to some of the world's best skiing, makes this a place you'll definitely want to visit.

Off-the-grid

Off-grid solar systems are a sustainable form of electricity generation that allows homes and businesses to reduce carbon emissions and generate their own electricity. While off-grid systems require more components than conventional solar systems, they are generally more effective. They have the potential to provide more stable power in the summer, and can work even in light and cloudy conditions.

Off-grid solar systems are a more expensive option than regular solar systems, but they are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. The use of solar batteries allows you to store the excess power generated by your solar panels during the day.

An off-grid solar power system consists of solar panels, an inverter, a battery pack, a charge controller and a management unit. It requires a careful assessment of your power needs, and ongoing management of your power consumption.

Crowne Plaza

The latest tidbit from the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is that their new shindig has a

fully functional solar farm. This is a feat that was accomplished by the aforementioned hotel owner. His company has a whopping thirteen thousand power generating panels. With the right mix of sunshine, the hotel will be well on its way to being fully self sufficient.

The Crowne Plaza also owns the crown of being the first luxury hotel in the city to achieve 100% renewable energy. Their co-generation plant consists of a number of technologies, including the aforementioned solar farm and a slew of small scale wind and solar powered systems. It is no wonder then that their energy costs have declined to the point where they are currently offering discounted rates.

Hydrogen Valley

Energy Estate, a renewable energy advisory firm, has proposed a large-scale hydrogen project for the Hunter region of New South Wales. This project, dubbed the Hunter Hydrogen Network (H2N), would cover the production and export chain and would unlock the region's potential as an emerging energy hub.

The H2N project would allow for the production of green hydrogen with renewable energy. It will also serve as a transportation network and export facility. AGL Energy, APA Group, and other partners have been brought on board to support the proposal.

According to the plan, the first phase of the H2N project will be completed in 2024. The second phase would build a hydrogen pipeline from the hub to Newcastle and connect the valley with a clean energy industrial precinct.

Solahart

When you are looking for a solar power installer in Newcastle or the Hunter Valley, you want to find the best in quality and service. One of the leading companies in this field is Solarhart. This company has been helping Australians lower their energy bills for over 65 years. With a wide range of options available, they are able to meet your needs.

Solahart offers a number of solutions for homes and businesses. These include solar hot water systems, heat pumps, and solar-smart electric water heaters. They also offer battery storage. The company's solar PV systems are some of the most efficient on the market, resulting in big energy bill savings.

To save on upfront costs, they are able to combine various financial incentives. This includes the Energy Savings Scheme and the Australian Government Small-Scale Technology Certificates. Each of these offers a financial incentive for switching to an energy-efficient appliance.

Empowered Offgrid

Located in the Hunter Valley north of Sydney, Empowered Offgrid is a selectronic accredited integrator specializing in battery storage solar power hunter valley systems. If you're interested in going green and saving on your energy bills, consider installing a system like this.

 Adding a battery storage system to your solar powered home can make a huge difference in your overall energy consumption. You'll have the freedom to turn off your lights and appliances, reduce your carbon emissions, and cut your power bill by as much as 2 percent. And if you're in the market for a new home or are looking to upgrade an existing one, this is a great option.

Empowered Offgrid specialises in off-grid solar systems, but it also offers other services including a battery management system to reduce your energy consumption. For a free quote on a new system or to find out if your current one is eligible for the NSW government's interest-free loan scheme, give them a call today at 1300-795-327.

[cpandg229]

Expert Plumbing Services by Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd: Serving Lake Macquarie and Maitland

At Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd, we understand that plumbing issues can arise at the most inconvenient times. Whether it's a leaking tap, blocked drain, or a more complex plumbing emergency, our team is committed to providing high-quality plumbing solutions to ensure your home or business operates smoothly. Serving the Lake Macquarie and Maitland regions, we have established a reputation for delivering reliable, professional, and affordable plumbing services tailored to the needs of our valued customers.

Who We Are

Plumbing Services Lake Macquarie is a family-owned business that prides itself on offering exceptional plumbing services across Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and surrounding areas. With over 15 years of industry experience, we have built our company on a foundation of trust, integrity, and customer satisfaction. Our fully licensed and insured plumbers are equipped with the latest tools and technologies to handle a wide range of plumbing challenges, from routine maintenance to urgent repairs.

Our team’s philosophy is simple: We believe that every customer deserves the best possible service. We listen to your needs, offer expert advice, and provide solutions that not only resolve the immediate problem but also prevent future issues. Whether you are in need of or reliable plumbing services in Lake Macquarie, we have you covered.

Plumbing Services Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie is a beautiful and bustling region, and as a homeowner or business owner, you need to ensure your plumbing systems are working effectively and efficiently. Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd provides a full spectrum of plumbing services in the Lake Macquarie area, including:

1. Emergency Plumbing Services

Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, often causing significant damage if not addressed promptly. From burst pipes to severe blockages, our emergency plumbing team is available 24/7 to provide fast and reliable solutions. When you call Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd, you can count on our professionals to arrive quickly and assess the situation. We aim to resolve all emergency plumbing issues in a timely and efficient manner, minimizing damage and reducing stress.

2. Blocked Drains and Sewer Repairs

One of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face is blocked drains. Whether it’s a clogged kitchen sink, shower, or toilet, a blocked drain can cause major disruptions in your daily routine. At Residential Plumbers Maitland, we utilize advanced drain cleaning technology, including high-pressure water jetting and CCTV camera inspections, to accurately identify and clear blockages. If the problem involves sewer lines, we offer expert repairs to prevent backups and unpleasant odors from entering your home or business.

3. Hot Water Systems

There’s nothing worse than running out of hot water in the middle of a shower. Our team at Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of all types of hot water systems, including gas, electric, and solar-powered systems. We ensure your hot water system is running efficiently, saving you money on energy costs while keeping your home comfortable.

4. Gas Fitting and Plumbing

As specialists in gas fitting and plumbing, we provide a wide range of gas-related services, including gas appliance installations, repairs, and safety checks. Whether you need a new gas stove, hot water system, or gas leak detection, our qualified plumbers will ensure your system is safe and functioning correctly.

5. Plumbing Maintenance and Inspections

Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding costly repairs in the future. We offer comprehensive plumbing inspections and maintenance services to keep your pipes, fixtures, and systems in top condition. Regular inspections allow us to identify potential issues early and address them before they become major problems.

Residential Plumbers Maitland

At Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd, we know how important it is to have a reliable residential plumber in Maitland. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable plumbing services for homeowners in the area. From minor repairs to full-scale plumbing renovations, we offer a wide range of services to ensure your home’s plumbing systems are always working optimally.

1. General Plumbing Repairs

Whether you need help fixing a leaking faucet, repairing broken pipes, or addressing low water pressure, our expert residential plumbers in Maitland have the experience and tools to handle any task. No job is too big or small, and we pride ourselves on offering prompt and efficient solutions that meet your specific needs.

2. Bathroom and Kitchen Plumbing

Renovating your kitchen or bathroom is an exciting process, but it requires careful planning and execution, especially when it comes to plumbing. Our team can assist with all aspects of your renovation, from installing new fixtures to ensuring proper drainage and water supply. We work closely with homeowners to achieve the perfect outcome while adhering to all local building codes and regulations.

3. Pipe Relining and Repairs

If your pipes are old or damaged, they can cause a range of issues, from leaks to low water pressure. Pipe relining is an innovative solution that allows us to repair damaged pipes without the need for disruptive excavation. Our team uses advanced technology to line your pipes, restoring their function without causing damage to your landscaping or home.

4. Water Filtration Systems

Clean, safe drinking water is essential for every household. Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd offers professional installation of water filtration systems for homes in Maitland, ensuring your family has access to pure, healthy water. We can recommend the best filtration system based on your needs and the quality of your water supply.

5. Leak Detection and Repairs

A leaking pipe can cause significant damage to your home, but locating the source of the leak can be challenging. Our expert team uses advanced leak detection technology to quickly and accurately find the source of the leak, whether it’s hidden behind walls, under the floor, or underground. Once identified, we’ll repair the leak efficiently, minimizing disruption and preventing further damage.

Why Choose Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd?

When it comes to choosing a plumbing company, it’s essential to select a team you can trust. At Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd, we stand out for several reasons:

1. Experienced and Qualified Plumbers

All of our plumbers are fully licensed, insured, and highly trained to handle any plumbing issue, no matter how complex. With years of experience in the plumbing industry, we have developed a deep understanding of the plumbing needs of both residential and commercial clients in Lake Macquarie and Maitland.

2. Customer-Focused Service

We take pride in providing exceptional customer service. From the moment you contact us to the completion of your plumbing job, our team is dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction. We take the time to listen to your needs, explain your options, and deliver a solution that meets your budget and timeframe.

3. Transparent Pricing

We believe in offering fair and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Before we begin any work, we provide a detailed quote, so you know exactly what to expect. We strive to offer affordable solutions without compromising on the quality of our service.

4. Emergency Availability

Plumbing problems don’t always occur during business hours, which is why we offer emergency plumbing services 24/7. Whether it's a burst pipe at midnight or a blocked drain on the weekend, our team is ready to assist at any time.

5. High-Quality Workmanship

We are committed to delivering the highest standards of workmanship in every job we undertake. Whether it's a simple repair or a major installation, we take the necessary steps to ensure the work is completed to the highest standards, giving you peace of mind that your plumbing systems are in good hands.

Contact Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd Today

At Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd, we are here to provide expert plumbing services in Lake Macquarie and Maitland. Whether you need a routine maintenance check or have a plumbing emergency, our team is ready to assist. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, we are the plumbing company you can trust for all your residential and commercial plumbing needs.

For professional plumbing services in Lake Macquarie and Maitland, contact Contemporary Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd today. We look forward to working with you and keeping your plumbing systems in top condition for years to come.

[onsiteairconditioning]

10 Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips to Save Money

We all have air conditioners in our homes, offices, and even public places. But unfortunately, not many understand how to maintain an Air Conditioning Service Newcastle. As a result, we suffer high energy bills and frequent repairs. Let’s put an end to it now and learn the ways to take care of our air conditioners. It saves much on your bills.

Here are 10 tips that anybody can implement for their air conditioning maintenance in Maitland. Some of these may seem unique, but they work, so give it a try. If you need further help, you can discuss more with your technician. But let’s get started for now:

1. Add Some Shade Around Your Home

Most of the heat inside a house comes from the sun shining directly on the roof or through windows. So, experts suggest planting tall trees on the south side of your property and broad trees on the west and east sides can help block the sun and keep your house cooler. This strategy helps reduce the amount of sunlight entering your home. Spending extra money on a tall tree can be a worthwhile investment if planted in the right spot.

2. Cover Your Windows

Approximately 30 per cent of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through windows. To combat this issue, expert air conditioning services in Newcastle suggest two methods.

●       Installing solar screens or mesh-like window screens can intercept sunlight before it enters the house, especially on east- and west-facing windows. This approach stops solar energy before it passes through the glass, proving more effective than interior solutions.

●       Another cost-effective option is window films—metalised sheets that reflect heat before they penetrate through the glass. Using reflective materials like white or silver can maximise efficiency.

3. Optimise Your Thermostat Usage

Consider upgrading to a smart or programmable thermostat if you have not already. These devices can adjust your home’s temperature at specific times of the day, and many can be controlled remotely via your smartphone. 

4. Choose Your Thermostat Location Wisely

The thermostat’s location is crucial for its efficiency. It should be on an interior wall, away from direct sunlight, drafts, skylights, and windows. You should also ensure that furniture or curtains do not block AC vents.

Additionally, set the AC fan speed to high, except on very humid days when it should be set to low. This slower speed will remove more moisture from the air, enhancing your home’s comfort.

6. Upgrade to a Modern Cooling System

If your air conditioning system is outdated, it is likely less efficient and more prone to breakdowns. So, get an air conditioning service in Newcastle and upgrade to a new unit with a high Energy Efficiency Ratio. It can significantly cut your energy costs.

However, consider your local climate before purchasing a new AC system. For instance, evaporative coolers are more economical than central AC units but are unsuitable for humid climates like Florida. They work best in hot and dry locations.

Alternatively, you can also choose a heat pump, which cools your home by transferring heat similarly to a refrigerator. Mini-split heat pumps, which don't require ductwork, are particularly energy-efficient.

7. Seal Air Leaks

A drafty house is inefficient in terms of energy use. Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, and openings where air can escape. While windows and doors are common culprits, also check where the foundation meets the exterior.

For a thorough assessment, consider hiring a professional air conditioning service in Newcastle and get an energy audit. They can identify leaks you might miss and recommend where additional insulation is needed.

8. Minimise Indoor Heat Generation

Your air conditioner works harder when major appliances like stoves and ovens generate additional heat. To reduce this strain, use these appliances at night when it’s cooler or consider an outdoor kitchen to keep the heat outside. Additionally, use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to help dissipate heat. An old-fashioned clothesline can also reduce indoor heat by drying clothes outside instead of using a dryer.

9. Utilise Your Basement

Since heat rises, basements remain cooler, making them ideal spots to stay comfortable during hot weather. Avoid opening basement windows on humid days, as warm, moist air can cause condensation and increase indoor humidity. For added comfort, consider hiring an air conditioning service in Newcastle and explore installing a dehumidifier in the basement.

10. Strategic Ventilation

In climates where temperatures drop at night, turn off your AC and open windows to let in cooler air. This strategy is less effective in consistently warm regions but can help significantly in temperate climates. Additionally, close off unused rooms by shutting doors and vents, directing cool air only to occupied areas to reduce cooling costs.

Final Word:

There you go!

With the above 10 strategies, you can enhance your home’s energy efficiency, reduce cooling costs, and maintain a comfortable living environment. Follow them consistently and you should be able to see great savings in the future.

For more professional assistance, you can reach out to Onsite Air. For Air conditioning maintenance in Maitland, their expertise can be very helpful.  

[kempenergy]

Installing a Solar Panel System in Newcastle

If you are considering installing a solar system in Newcastle, you will want to choose a company that offers tailor-made solutions. They make sure that their systems are built with the highest quality materials and will last for years to come. HCB Solar is a local company that has been helping people power their homes since 2007. The company only uses trusted products, so you can rest assured that you are getting the best value for money. Quality is more important than price, and they believe that quality should never be compromised.

Maximum system size allowed for a solar panel system in Newcastle

The maximum system size allowed for a solar panel system can vary, depending on your electricity retailer and your local network. Some networks will allow up to 10kW, while others will not. Some networks will count the capacity of your battery inverter as generation, while others will base their limit on the peak capacity of your solar array.

Most solar panels fall within 260 to 310 watts, although there are some premium panels that can reach 360 watts or more. SunPower's X-22 model, for example, has a 360 watt capacity.

Feed-in tariffs for solar panels in Newcastle

If you've been thinking about installing solar panels on your property in Newcastle, you're in luck. Australia is known as a land of extreme sun, and Newcastle receives 5.3 hours of peak sunlight per square meter per day. This is the kind of concentrated sunlight that solar panels need. In Newcastle, a five kW solar system can generate up to 7,330 kWh of electricity per year. The average household in Newcastle only uses about half of this energy, but if you sell any of it back to the grid, you can receive hundreds of dollars in feed-in credits each year.

One of the great things about solar panels is that they can help you reduce your energy costs. Using solar panels will reduce your dependence on mains electric power, which will in turn help the environment. Of course, your savings will vary based on several factors, and a solar system calculator will help you estimate how much you could save.

Cost of solar panels in Newcastle

The cost of solar panels in Newcastle, California depends on many factors, including the cost of electricity in the area, available incentives, and sun angle. If you're planning to go solar in Newcastle, California, a $0-down loan may help you start saving right away. However, the savings you'll make in the long run will be less than if you put down a significant amount of money.

For a more accurate cost estimate, you can use solar comparison sites. You can also call one of the leading solar companies in Newcastle and request a free solar consultation.

HCB Solar is a local solar installation company

HCB Solar is a family-owned, Newcastle-based solar energy solutions company that also offers industrial electrical services and system maintenance. Operating in the area for over 60 years, HCB Solar has a background in solar energy and a passion for local business.

HCB Solar specializes in solar energy solutions for both commercial and residential buildings. They are a leader in solar energy system design and installation in Newcastle, and they also offer repairs and maintenance for existing solar panels.

Charge Around Australia

A team of researchers from the "University of Newcastle" in Australia plans to travel across the coastline of Australia in September with an 18-metre-long solar panel system. The team is hoping to dispel range anxiety about electric vehicles and demonstrate the efficiency of solar technology for car charging. The project will also see scientists visiting 70 schools to teach students about renewable energy technologies.

The team used commercial printers, originally designed for printing wine labels, to create solar panels. The panels are made of lightweight PET plastic laminated together and cost just $10 per square metre. The team hopes to inspire Australians to switch to electric vehicles and they plan to visit at least 70 schools in their 84-day journey.

Optimisers

Optimisers are solar panel components that track and optimize the output of solar panels Newcastle. They are especially useful for homes with complex roofs and small objects that can cause shading. The optimisers track each cell's efficiency and adjust the system to increase output from cells receiving the most sunlight.

These devices are attached to each solar panel and optimise the power output of each module. The power generated by each panel is transmitted at high voltage DC, typically 200-600VDC, through the system. A single string inverter then converts the DC into AC.

[hvsolarau]

Become a Solar Installer

Become a certified solar installer by earning a NABCEP certification. This certification lasts for several years, and if you do not maintain this certification, it will expire. PVTS, PVIS, and PVIP certifications must also be renewed every three years. Additionally, each of these certifications requires additional continuing education. To become a certified solar installer, you can find accredited solar training courses at community and four-year colleges. You can also enroll in specific degree programs that focus on specific aspects of the industry, such as solar farm management or development. Some solar training organizations offer hands-on training for their members, as well.

Work environment

If you have an interest in a rewarding career as a solar installer Central Coast, this occupation is one that you may wish to pursue. As the solar industry continues to grow, job opportunities for qualified installers are expected to be plentiful. Qualifications for this career include a solid understanding of electrical systems, reading blueprints, and being comfortable working with tools and climbing ladders. Work environment for solar installers is also highly varied. This career requires a high school diploma or the certified equivalent.

Unlike other occupations, solar installers are primarily outdoors. In addition to being exposed to the elements, they may be required to lift heavy equipment or carry heavy materials. They are also required to use power tools and safety precautions to avoid electrical shocks. Work conditions may also include working overtime and exposure to inclement weather, so it is important to consider your physical and mental well-being before beginning your career. But no matter what your level of physical fitness is, you should be aware of the work environment.

As a solar installer, you'll interact with various people, including employees, contractors, and customers. As such, you'll need to be very precise in your work. In addition, you'll have to repeat the same physical and mental activities several times. As an installer, you'll have to make decisions quickly and may consult with supervisors or fellow installers. On average, solar installers work 40 hours per week.

Certification requirements

When looking for solar installers, one of the first things to consider is certification. Solar installers in various states are required to have specific certifications. Some require that installers have a certain number of classroom hours and on-the-job training before they can begin working. Other states offer flexibility in the learning process. For solar installers in Florida, the only certification required is for PV Solar Installation. In addition, many states have certifications for solar installers in other fields.

Solar installers must undergo a specific certification process to become certified. NABCEP certifications are valid for several years and must be renewed periodically. PVTS, PVIS, and PVIP certifications are required every three years, and each certification has its own continuing education requirements. Renewable energy professionals can take accredited classes at local community colleges or 4-year colleges. Some degree programs are dedicated to specific aspects of the industry, such as solar farm development, management, or maintenance. Additionally, some colleges offer online courses and hands-on training through solar organizations.

The certification process is quite rigorous, but it is worth it. For example, in the state of Pennsylvania, a qualified installer must be certified by the NABCEP. These certifications can reduce the amount of stress that homeowners may experience, and lead to a smoother sales process. There are also several benefits for solar companies seeking to hire qualified employees. For example, NABCEP certified professionals can display a certification badge on their website and have better access to government incentives.

Job satisfaction

A high level of job satisfaction is vital to a solar installation career. Not only does the solar industry offer a lucrative career with a promising future, but the solar industry also contributes to a more sustainable environment. This field is rapidly growing and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years, which means that more people will have the chance to benefit from it. Job satisfaction can be based on a number of factors, including the fact that the work is rewarding and a person feels a sense of pride in their work.

A solar installer can expect to spend between 45 to 90 minutes driving from one site to the next. Some positions require longer distances, while others require driving more than two hours to reach a rural location. Even those working in metropolitan areas often must make multiple trips in a day, and this can be tiring and unappealing to many people. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to increase job satisfaction in this industry without putting off your career development.

A solar installer's job description includes preparing the site for the installation. Before the installation process begins, a full audit of the structure must be conducted, including a survey of the existing electrical system. Then, a job layout is developed based on the characteristics of the structure and the type of solar system that will be installed. Once the layout is finalized, permits are required. These permits can be federal or local. Because solar installers often work on sites in unfamiliar environments, it's crucial that they become familiar with the area and the location where they will be installing their devices.

[himbowashington]

Big Brother Beej Headcannons:

The noogie kingg

Lots of arguments about who gets what “I call shotgun” “I called it first” “no you didn’t” “yes I did”

Definitely levitates to rest his arm on Lydia’s head just because he knows she hates it

school projects

SCHOOL PROJECTS

beej wakes Charles out of a dead sleep, frantic, dishelved holding a paint brush and a tiny styrofoam sphere “Charles where the fUCK is Jupiter I’ve been trying to figure out this shit for an hour” “ask Dehlia she’s the astrological one” “I’ve already told you you’re a Gemini”

They all eventually gain the courage to wake up the Maitlands. Adam is ecstatic. He loves crafting small miniatures so a solar system diarhama is right up his alley.

“Why is this one labeled Libra?”

“Where’s earth why did you put it all the way in the back with Pluto?” “Holy fuck that’s what earth looks like?”

They manage to figure it out before Lydia wakes up

after she gets an A+ she comes home to bear hug beej, he pretends to be annoyed by it bc that’s what older siblings do

[hoganhotwater]

Hogan Hot Water is offering Repairs, Servicing and Installations of efficient Solar Hot Water Systems in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Central Coast.

[untitled5071]

Maitland Kids AU Part 2

@blind-band-geek Oliver says Yee Haw

---

“Oh Adam, look at them! They looked so sad a moment ago, they all look like they’ve aged a year! Oh, my poor babies!”

“I can’t believe Fuzzy was fake! Why didn’t any of you tell me! I thought I was humoring Oliver, it shouldn’t be the other way around!”

Adam and Barbara Maitland stood on the attic staircase, watching as their children bustled inside of different rooms as they packed their own belongings and a few of their parent’s, stepping over wallpaper and paint cans that would sadly never be used. Adam adjusted his glasses as Barbara nervously slid her hands in and out of the pockets of her dress. She looked over at her husband and frowned. 

“Oh for goodness sakes, our children are grieving and all you can think about is a fake spider? And it was so obviously fake, for the love of Pete he bought it from YOUR hardware store!”

“I don’t keep track of EVERY Halloween decoration on sale! I just-”

Barbara cut him off by placing a hand gently over his mouth. Adam looked at her and waited for her plan. 

“Adam, we need to focus! Our children have returned home for the first time in months, and this very well may be the last time we see them before the new family comes in! If you don’t help me find a way to communicate with them then I’ll do it myself and I’ll let them know that their father is too preoccupied over a Halloween decoration to talk to them!”

“Okay, okay. What do you propose, darling?”

Barbara pushed her lip out as she concentrated. The Handbook was absolutely no help in the matter, and what few skills they HAD acquired would do no good if the people in question couldn’t see the ghosts. Adam looked at his wife fondly. She always looked so cute when she was scheming.  

“I don’t know. I really don’t. But whatever happens, we HAVE to make them see us before they leave. I can’t let our children keep living like this, without knowing that we’re still here!”

“But Barbara, we’re not really still here…”

Barbara huffed and gestured to Oliver, who had just come out of his room wearing a ridiculous cowboy hat from Halloween a few years prior. 

“I know that, Adam. But we’re here in spirit, and ghost parents are better than no parents at all!”

Adam still looked unsure, but Barbara gently took his face in her hands and kissed him gently. 

“We have to at least tell them we love them. One last time.”

Adam melted under his wife’s touch, and when he composed himself, a new fatherly determination filled his eyes. 

“You’re right as always, Honey. One last time.”

As Adam and Barbara composed a plan, Delilah finished up the box of her stuff from her room and took it downstairs, putting it on her favorite window seat. Grabbing a new empty one, she jogged back up the stairs and steeled herself. Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself, 

“Okay, here we go. For Mom and Dad.”

Closing her eyes, she pushed open the door to her parents' room and instantly was hit with a monsoon of memories, all of which hit with a new intensity as she looked around the room. She saw her parent’s old wedding photos, their houseplants, their quilt, and she could have sworn that she felt her parent’s presence with her in the room. Setting the box on the bed, she took a long look at the room that her parents had shared. 

“Oh, boy…”

She picked up one of her parent’s old wedding photos and smiled. They looked so happy, so fulfilled, so…

Alive. 

Delilah stroked the glass of the picture frame with her thumb and began to delicately place them in the box, one after the other. She then moved to their wardrobe. Everything in their closet displayed her parent’s personalities, to the point where Delilah couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed as many of her father’s shirts and sweaters and her mother’s dresses and blouses as she could before dropping them in the box and going for another armful, until eventually the box was filled with clothing and quilts, with just enough room for some smaller objects. 

And Delilah knew exactly what they would be. 

Walking over to the wardrobe next to her parent’s bed, Delilah opened her mother’s jewelry drawer and sucked in a breath. Her mother’s favorite jewelry laid in front of her, the necklaces and rings that she and Amanda used to put on just to strut in front of their parent’s mirror in a child-like fashion show. She picked up a favorite necklace of her mother’s; a simple pendant with a heat charm attached. The locket contained a simple design; a heart with the letters A and B printed and intertwined, with the smaller letters D, O and another A surrounding them. It had been an anniversary present from Adam, and Barbara had cried when she received it.

Delilah was crying looking at it. 

She clasped the necklace around her own neck, looking at the gold engravings and sniffing. Composing herself, she gave the jewelry a slightly gentler treatment than the clothing as she scooped all of the jewelry into the box, including a few of her father’s rings and watches. Once all the precious items were secured in the box, Delilah looked around for anything she missed. She caught her breath when her eyes swept over the corner of the wardrobe, where two small glass bottles were sitting. An idea struck Delilah and she called out. 

“Oliver! Amanda! Come in here!”

Her siblings rushed into the room, eager to see why their sister was so adamant. 

“Come here guys, I had an idea.”

Her siblings came closer as Delilah took a bottle in each hand. 

“Hey, is that…”

“Mom’s perfume and Dad’s cologne? Yeah, it is. Give me your wrists, ‘Manda.”

Amanda held out her wrists as Delilah popped both the bottles open. She sprayed Adam’s cologne on one of Amanda’s wrists and Barbara’s perfume on the other, and then she did the same to Oliver and finally, herself. Upon seeing her sibling’s confused looks, she said, 

“I used to do this when I was little. You remember how Mom and Dad used to go to those town parties that we were too young for? I used to sneak away from the babysitter, come in here and put on Dad’s cologne and Mom’s perfume. That way, when I missed them, I could just wrap my arms around myself and it would be like a hug from them. I figured it would help a bit.”

In unison, the three living Maitlands put their wrists to their face and inhaled. Delilah was right, it did make it seem like their parents were there. 

“See, I told you! Hey, look at what I found..”

Delilah was about to show her siblings the mountain of clothes and jewelry that she had collected when all of the siblings stopped dead in their tracks. For a second, they weren’t sure if they were hearing it, but after a while, it could not be denied. The rich tones of Harry Belefonte were resonating throughout the house, and none of the siblings were anywhere near a record player. 

“Shake, Shake, Shake Senora, Shake your body line! Work, Work, Wo-”

The three looked at each other. 

“Where on earth is that coming from?”

After a second of careful listening, Delilah spoke up.

“I think it’s coming from...the attic?”

Delilah crept out of the room, Amanda and Oliver close at her heels (Oliver had grabbed a bat for self-defense). The three of them crept up the stairs to the attic, the music steadily growing louder the closer they got to the top. Once they reached the door, the three looked at each other in confusion. Oliver raised his bat in preparation. Rolling her eyes slightly, Delilah creaked open the door to the attic, and all three gazed around the room at the same time. 

The attic remained just the way it always did, with their father’s fourth child- the model- standing front and center in the room. Amanda looked at the record player in the corner while Oliver crept around the attic, looking for any kind of wild animal that could have set off the music while Delilah examined the model. 

“This is so weird. I didn’t set this off, but this record definitely wasn’t on the player before. Shake Senora is the third track, so there’s no way it could have just started here..”

“And there’s nothing up here that could have set it off. No racoons, no bats...well, except for this one.”

Oliver dropped his bat as he and Amanda looked at each other and shrugged in unison, as twins do. They looked at Delilah to ask her opinion, but stopped when they saw the intense look of confusion and concentration in her eyes as she examined the model.

“Guys….you didn’t sneak up to the house without me, did you?”

“No, why?”

“Because I’m pretty sure that no one else would have carved our parent’s gravestones or put a realistic hole in the bridge.”

“What?!”

Oliver and Amanda looked at where Delilah was pointing, and sure enough, there were two photo realistic headstones in the graveyard, the same that the kids had buried their parents under, and a hole in the bridge that rivaled the real thing. The craftsmanship was obviously their father’s but…. 

“What the…”

Just then, the electric stars and solar system above the model flicked on, causing all the kids to look around wildly. Upon realizing that none of them were anywhere near the lightswitch, the kids were all about to mildly freak out when they heard some all-too familiar voices.

“Oh, do you think it worked? They don’t seem to be reacting!”

“I’m not sure Barbara. They seem to be in shock.”

All three children turned simultaneously to the corner of the attic and the source of the voices. And there, standing and fretting, were their parents. Ghostly and pale, but there. Neither of them could speak. Delilah seemed to regain herself first.

“M-Mom? Dad?”

Adam and Barbara ceased their fretting and looked at their oldest daughter, and then to the twins, who were looking right at them, against all odds. Barbara shook herself off and took a small step forward, grabbing Adam’s hand for support. 

“Delilah? Ollie, Manda? Can you...see us?”

The children’s moment of stunned silence ended in a millisecond, as all of the children tore up from the ground and barreled towards their parents, tears streaming down the faces of the living and the dead alike. Adam and Barbara wrapped their arms as tightly around their kids as they could manage, and the kids ignored the freezing temperature of their parent’s bodies in their elation. For a second, everyone was able to forget that they existed on different planes of existence, and for a moment the family was reunited. The kids laughed in disbelief as Adam and Barbara peppered them with kisses and rocked them side to side, letting them cry out their feelings and confusion.

After what felt like forever, Delilah sniffed and pulled away from Barbara, being held at arm’s length by her mother. 

“Oh my God, oh mY GOD! You’re here, you’re here! But...how? You guys are dead! We were at your funeral! HAve you been hiding from us? Have you-”

Barbara wiped the tears from her eldest daughter’s face and smiled softly at her, both mother and daughter crying softly while Adam cradled the twins. 

“Oh Darling, we’re so sorry. We’re still not entirely sure what happened either, but don’t worry, we haven’t been hiding. But darling, we are dead. But we’re here, too.”

Delilah was still crying, but now her tears of elation were mixed with tears of confusion. But in one second, she understood.

“You guys are here, but dead. But that means you’re…”

Adam and Barbara looked at each other, then nodded and said, in unison;

“Ghosts.”

They laughed off the little moment and Adam continued for Barbara. 

“Yes, we’re ghosts. Don’t worry, we were as confused as you were. But the point is, we’re here and we love you kids so much. We’re sorry we didn’t tell you sooner, but we didn’t know how! We can’t call anyone, and the handbook says the living usually won’t see the dead.”

Oliver pulled away from his father and looked at him.

“Handbook? You guys died and all you want to do is read?”

The entire family laughed, and Amanda pressed herself into her father’s chest. 

“Yep, definitely ghosts. You guys are colder than Jane’s heart.”

Adam and Barbara rolled their eyes as Delilah and Oliver groaned.

“You’re telling us. She didn’t even wait until after the funeral to sell the house! And she sent us to group therapy after the accident to help us ‘sort out our feelings’. Honestly, it made everything even worse.”

“Oh my goodness. She needs to be stopped.”

“You’re telling us! She came to therapy WITH us, and afterwards she just tried to lecture us about the importance of getting over grief quickly in order to be efficient, and how we can’t grieve too hard or we’ll start hallucinating and go crazy.”

Oliver stopped for a second and looked suspiciously at his two ghostly parents. 

“Wait...you’re not hallucinations right?”

Adam and Barbara smiled and grabbed each other’s hands, pulling all their children into a hug again. 

“Nope. Definitely real ghosts.”

Delilah sniffed and wiped her tears away. 

“I have never been happier to believe in ghosts in my life.”

The family chuckled and held each other closer. Barbara planted a kiss on Delilah’s forehead and said, 

“Us too, darling. Us too.”

And the Maitlands stayed like that, in their old family home, together again. 

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.23

811 – Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I plunders the Bulgarian capital of Pliska and captures Khan Krum's treasury. 1319 – A Knights Hospitaller fleet scores a crushing victory over an Aydinid fleet off Chios. 1632 – Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe, France. 1677 – Scanian War: Denmark–Norway captures the harbor town of Marstrand from Sweden. 1793 – Kingdom of Prussia re-conquers Mainz from France. 1813 – Sir Thomas Maitland is appointed as the first Governor of Malta, transforming the island from a British protectorate to a de facto colony. 1821 – While the Mora Rebellion continues, Greeks capture Monemvasia Castle. Turkish troops and citizens are transferred to Asia Minor's coasts. 1829 – In the United States, William Austin Burt patents the typographer, a precursor to the typewriter. 1840 – The Province of Canada is created by the Act of Union. 1862 – American Civil War: Henry Halleck takes command of the Union Army. 1874 – Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos is appointed the Archbishop of the Portuguese colonial enclave of Goa, India. 1881 – The Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina is signed in Buenos Aires. 1903 – The Ford Motor Company sells its first car. 1908 – The Second Constitution accepted by the Ottomans. 1914 – Austria-Hungary issues a series of demands in an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Serbia demanding Serbia to allow the Austrians to determine who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Serbia accepts all but one of those demands and Austria declares war on July 28. 1919 – Prince Regent Aleksander Karađorđević signs the decree establishing the University of Ljubljana 1921 – The Communist Party of China (CPC) is established at the founding National Congress. 1926 – Fox Film buys the patents of the Movietone sound system for recording sound onto film. 1927 – The first station of the Indian Broadcasting Company goes on the air in Bombay. 1936 – In Catalonia, Spain, the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia is founded through the merger of Socialist and Communist parties. 1940 – The United States' Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles issues a declaration on the U.S. non-recognition policy of the Soviet annexation and incorporation of three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 1942 – World War II: The German offensives Operation Edelweiss and Operation Braunschweig begin. 1942 – Bulgarian poet and Communist leader Nikola Vaptsarov is executed by firing squad. 1943 – The Rayleigh bath chair murder occurred in Rayleigh, Essex, England. 1943 – World War II: The British destroyers HMS Eclipse and HMS Laforey sink the Italian submarine Ascianghi in the Mediterranean after she torpedoes the cruiser HMS Newfoundland. 1945 – The post-war legal processes against Philippe Pétain begin. 1952 – General Muhammad Naguib leads the Free Officers Movement (formed by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the real power behind the coup) in overthrowing King Farouk of Egypt. 1961 – The Sandinista National Liberation Front is founded in Nicaragua. 1962 – Telstar relays the first publicly transmitted, live trans-Atlantic television program, featuring Walter Cronkite. 1962 – The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos is signed. 1962 – Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 1967 – Detroit Riots: In Detroit, one of the worst riots in United States history begins on 12th Street in the predominantly African American inner city. It ultimately kills 43 people, injures 342 and burns about 1,400 buildings. 1968 – Glenville shootout: In Cleveland, Ohio, a violent shootout between a Black Militant organization and the Cleveland Police Department occurs. During the shootout, a riot begins and lasts for five days. 1968 – The only successful hijacking of an El Al aircraft takes place when a Boeing 707 carrying ten crew and 38 passengers is taken over by three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The aircraft was en route from Rome, to Lod, Israel. 1970 – Qaboos bin Said al Said becomes Sultan of Oman after overthrowing his father, Said bin Taimur initiating massive reforms, modernization programs and end to a decade long civil war. 1972 – The United States launches Landsat 1, the first Earth-resources satellite. 1974 – The Greek military junta collapses, and former Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis is invited to lead the new government, beginning Greece's metapolitefsi era. 1980 – Phạm Tuân becomes the first Vietnamese citizen and the first Asian in space when he flies aboard the Soyuz 37 mission as an Intercosmos Research Cosmonaut. 1982 – Outside Santa Clarita, California, actor Vic Morrow and two children are killed when a helicopter crashes onto them while shooting a scene from Twilight Zone: The Movie. 1983 – Thirteen Sri Lanka Army soldiers are killed after a deadly ambush by the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. 1983 – Gimli Glider: Air Canada Flight 143 runs out of fuel and makes a deadstick landing at Gimli, Manitoba. 1988 – General Ne Win, effective ruler of Burma since 1962, resigns after pro-democracy protests. 1992 – A Vatican commission, led by Joseph Ratzinger, establishes that limiting certain rights of homosexual people and non-married couples is not equivalent to discrimination on grounds of race or gender. 1992 – Abkhazia declares independence from Georgia. 1995 – Comet Hale–Bopp is discovered; it becomes visible to the naked eye on Earth nearly a year later. 1997 – Digital Equipment Corporation files antitrust charges against chipmaker Intel. 1999 – ANA Flight 61 is hijacked in Tokyo, Japan by Yuji Nishizawa. 1999 – Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-93, with Eileen Collins becoming the first female space shuttle commander. The shuttle also carried and deployed the Chandra X-ray Observatory. 2005 – Three bombs explode in the Naama Bay area of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, killing 88 people. 2010 – English-Irish boy band One Direction is formed by judge Simon Cowell on The X Factor (British series 7), later going on to finish at third place. It would go on to become one of the biggest boy bands in the world, and would be very influential on pop music of the 2010s. 2012 – The Solar storm of 2012 was an unusually large coronal mass ejection that was emitted by the Sun which barely missed the Earth by nine days. If it hit, it would have caused up to US$2.6 trillion in damages to electrical equipment worldwide. 2014 – TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crashes in Xixi village near Huxi, Penghu, during approach to Phengu Airport. Forty-eight of the 58 people on board are killed and five more people on the ground are injured. 2015 – NASA announces discovery of Kepler-452b by Kepler. 2016 – Kabul twin bombing occurred in the vicinity of Deh Mazang when protesters, mostly from the Shiite Hazara minority, were marching against route changing of the TUTAP power project. At least 80 people were killed and 260 were injured. 2018 – A wildfire in East Attica, Greece caused the death of 102 people. It was the deadliest wildfire in history of Greece and the second-deadliest in the world, in the 21st century, after the 2009 bushfires in Australia that killed 180.

[hlbestsolars]

3kva hybrid inverter 24kw on board This inverter you can running television lights Wi-Fi fridge Redio cell phone No power no stress get a free quote now Shops Address Wynberg Shop address main road 263 Maitland voortrekker Rd 233 opposite pick n pay Robertson ngubela st 45 Contacts FFor more info Call only 0672883355 WhatsApp Or call 0678841009 Website www.hlbestsolar.co.za WhatsApp group join https://chat.whatsapp.com/GQQTZGaLfVBBHiPpQHJtLX if you want to budget your money call HL Best Solar for installation you get good price visit to shop you can have a look fix & Supply off-grid system backup system Also we're doing lay-bye 2 to 3 month (at Wynberg Centre) https://www.instagram.com/p/COtKZsWpl-r/?igshid=1g9pz95zb4wnr

[audraenergy]

Solar Companies in Newcastle | audraenergy.com.au

Solar companies in Newcastle are available for you to choose from. You can find solar panels of various brands in this city, such as Nexa Solar, HCB Solar and Captain Green Solar. All of these companies provide top quality products, as well as affordable prices.

HCB Solar

HCB Solar is a Newcastle solar Companies that offers a full range of solar solutions. It is a family business that has operated in the region for over 60 years. HCB is proud to provide local customers with high-quality and reliable products.

The company uses the best quality materials to ensure that their products will not only produce the maximum amount of electricity, but that they will also last longer. As a result, a HCB solar system can save you money and help the environment.

They are a family owned business that is committed to providing quality and reliable solar services. With over 60 years of experience in the area, they know the ins and outs of the solar industry. Whether you're looking for a commercial or residential solar system, HCB will find the right one for you.

Captain Green Solar

A large number of solar companies are in operation in Newcastle, NSW. Many are targeting people looking to install solar panels. These solar installers are claiming to be the best in the business. However, before you jump into a decision to invest in a new solar systems newcastle, you'll want to investigate your options and make sure you're not paying more than you should for your power.

 Captain Green Solar is a well-known solar panel installation company in Australia. The firm was founded in 2009 and has since installed more than 250,000 solar panels. It is an Australian owned company and offers a number of services to its customers.

The firm's social media strategy is based on building brand equity and promoting renewable energy advancements. They have also been able to attract a slew of new leads through their blogs.

Nexa Solar

If you are looking to spruce up your home or business with solar power, Nexa Solar is a company you may want to consider. Not only is this firm a leader in the field, but they are also one of the most reputable companies in the country. As such, they offer a plethora of energy saving solutions.

One of the best aspects of having a solar system is that you will be paying less for your electricity bill. This is especially true for Newcastle, which has a temperate climate with lots of sunshine in the summer and a chilly winter. However, this doesn't mean that you have to settle for subpar quality.

There is no reason you can't go solar in Newcastle. With the help of the experts, you will be on your way to energy independence in no time.

Solarhart Newcastle

One of the leading solar providers in Newcastle is Solarhart. They are a trusted local company that also operates in Maitland, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. It's no wonder why they're the go-to solar provider in the area. As such, they are offering a solar health check for $99 until the end of July. This is the most important and most cost effective way to make sure your solar panel system is working its best.

For example, they're offering a free on-site assessment that includes a number of things. Most importantly, they're offering a special interest free finance deal on Silhouette panels. If you're considering installing solar, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to recoup your investment. Plus, you'll be one step closer to a cleaner environment.

Cost of solar panels in Newcastle

The cost of solar panels in Newcastle has dropped significantly over the past few years. This is attributed to increased module supply and efficiency improvements.

However, it is still important to compare quotes from various solar installers. There are many solar companies in Newcastle that offer solar solutions. To ensure you get the best deal, you need to find a reliable company.

If you are looking to save money on electricity, a solar power system is a great investment. In addition to saving money, it will also increase the value of your property.

The initial cost of a solar panel installation can be expensive, but in the long run, it will pay off. Solar panels will reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. It will also provide you with reliable feed-in tariffs.

[harriselectricalandsolar1]

Harnessing Solar Power for Commercial Success: The Role of Harris Electrical and Solar in Maitland, NSW

By partnering with Harris Electrical and Solar, local businesses can confidently make the transition to solar energy, knowing that they are working with a trusted and experienced provider. Whether you need a reliable Electrician Near Me for solar panel installation or are seeking maintenance services to ensure your system remains in top condition, Harris Electrical and Solar is the go-to provider in Maitland, NSW.

[theroseandcrown]

The Rose & Crown: Chapter Fourteen (Part One)

Rating: M Chapters: 14/24

Summary: The Doctor explains the concept of a bootstrap paradox and sends the TARDIS to a very familiar place.

Read this story on another platform: Archive of Our Own Fan Fiction WattPad

“Has it always been this cold in here?” Clara asked as the Doctor led her through the threshold of the TARDIS.

He raised his brow at the question, concentrating all of his energy on delicately guiding her towards the seat as if she would shatter at any moment. “Ah, yes. I’ve been meaning to fix that,” he lied. He helped to situate her on the cushioned chair then headed through the door into her flat once again. “Make yourself at home, I’ll only be a minute!” he called from outside.

She took this momentary time to herself to scan the familiar room for anything that might have been out of sorts since the last time she was on board. So many memories, this place, she thought as she reminisced every encounter both within the ship and wherever it had taken her. It had become a part of her heart, the missing piece to the puzzle that was her existence. She couldn’t imagine what her life would’ve been like had the Doctor not shown up on the doorstep of the Maitland household that day. She wouldn’t even be alive if it weren’t for him. Her consciousness would have forever been lost inside the digital world for all of eternity without him there to pull her out of it. The woman she used to be was consumed by the never-ending desire to travel the world, filling the pages of her scrapbook with her extraordinary journey into self-discovery and exploration. He offered her the universe.

Upon her observations, she noticed the work table, normally reserved for engineering all of his oddly structured gadgets and inventions, had been repurposed as a drawing board for several dozen different sketches and mathematical calculations. Her curiosity got the better of her and she stood to gain a better look at his project. Sifting through the pages, she encountered numerous models of planets and solar systems charted throughout the galaxy. Each location had been given a precise numerical equation and symbol beside it. “What have you been doing in here?” she called to him.

After a few moments, he re-entered through the door holding a travel bag full of maternity clothes and the warmest throw blanket he could find. “I wasn’t sure what you would need,” he gestured to the articles in his hands. “I hope these will be sufficient.” He placed the bag on the floor and began unfolding the blanket.

“What is all this?” she asked, holding the drawings up to the light.

“Ah, I see you’ve discovered my battle plans,” he answered, gracefully placing the blanket over her shoulders.

“Have you been scheming to start a war I don’t know about?”

“We’re already at war, and I intend to stay one step ahead of it.” He moved to the table and spread the pages out in front of him. “According to the charts lining the walls of Quynn’s battle-room, these are the exact locations of her bases of operation.”

“Wait, hang on. Did you seriously memorize all of this from just one glance?”

“Of course I did. What else did you expect me to do while she tangentially rambled on about herself, make tea?”

“What are you planning to do?”

“In order to gain an advantage over her forces, I’ll need to disrupt the inner workings of her infrastructures. Even if it means I have to take them out one by one. The weaker her hold on the planets she controls, the easier it will be to bring her down.”

“And this is what you needed my help with? To go into battle with you? Have you seen me lately?” she gestured to her appearance.

“No, no. Your job is much more important. And far less dangerous,” he assured her.

“What did you have in mind?” she asked. He reached into his pocket pulling out a pair of small audio devices and held them in front of him. “Let me see if I’ve got this right,” she began, hesitantly taking one from his open hand. “You want me to stay here on the TARDIS while you charge straight onto the battlefield, alone?”

“Precisely, I need you to be my eyes and ears. We have no idea what could be out there, what dangers we may face. This is the best alternative we have for keeping you safe.”

“And what about you? What if you end up getting yourself killed out there?”

“The TARDIS safety features will be activated in the event of my death. She will take you back home and dematerialize, hiding herself away so that she doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

Clara sighed and brought her fingers to her temples in mild frustration. It certainly wasn’t the first time she considered his reckless plans to be positively suicidal, and it wouldn’t be the last either. “And what about the TARDIS, isn’t she still being tracked? Won’t they know we are coming?”

“Ah, I’ve thought about that.” Heading to the console, he pressed a few buttons on its interface then grabbed a handle-like apparatus and pulled it towards him. The time machine suddenly began to shift its power as the emergency lighting activated and flashed all around them.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m switching off the safeguards, turning off the navigation computer.”

“Right, okay. And why are we doing that exactly?”

“If I had to guess, I would say Quynn has been tracking our movements via a tracer attached to the nav-com. It must be broadcasting our time vortex signature directly to her and she’s been using it to follow us through the wake we leave behind. I’m simply interrupting the broadcast. The TARDIS is equipped with certain safety measures to ensure that flight is still possible in the event the navigation computer became damaged. Remember, we’ve done this before. We plugged you into the TARDIS telepathic interface.”

“You mean the squishy thing?”

“Clara. This is the most advanced ship in the entire universe, equipped with more scientific technology than any other race in the galaxy will ever possess. She’s a living breathing machine able to psychically translate millions of languages directly into your mind. The sheer complexity of her very existence and capabilities would take me an entire lifetime just to explain to you.” He removed a panel from the console revealing the gel-like material that formed its telepathic interface. “And yes, the squishy thing.”

“Doctor,” she started as she watched him head to the table and proceed to look over his plans. “Exactly how do you intend to take out her forces? We’ve seen their defences, their weapons. We know how powerful they are. Let’s just talk this out a bit. Do you honestly think you’ll defeat them all by running straight into battle armed with only a screwdriver?”

“Every army has its weakness, the key is simply finding it before they discover yours.”

She sighed concededly and began to accept that his mind had already been made. “Are you sure about this? What if Quynn is there waiting for us? What if this plan of yours doesn’t work? What then, Doctor?”

He sighed and turned around to face his companion. The emotions he protected inside himself had begun to bleed out. The more he tried to bandage them, the larger the wound had become. The greatest truth he had always been haunted by was the fear of failure both in himself and anyone who had ever counted on him. The fear of failing his title when challenged by the never-ending threats that seemed to find him at every turn. And yet, there wasn’t a single thing that could compare to the fear of losing the one person he loved most of all. The fear of not being able to protect her from the dangers of the universe, nor even himself. As she looked upon him with considerable apprehension in her gaze, he couldn’t help but feel defenceless against each passing moment as if it would be her last. Attempting to raise her spirits with calming conversation seemed even more irrelevant the closer they came to fighting back against the unknown dangers they now faced.

“I wish I could tell you there is nothing to worry about, that I could guarantee our success. For all I know, this could very well be the single most devastating risk I’ve ever had to take. As hard as it has been for me to admit, you were right. Whatever your fate may be cannot be avoided nor can it be predicted. But that doesn’t mean we have to sit here and allow it to happen without a fight.” He approached her slowly, suddenly breaking free of the petrified state that kept him bolted him to the floor. His words became more intense as he drew closer to her. “I will not allow the mistakes I’ve made define who I am or what I am capable of. There are people out there suffering and it is all because of me. The universe is being torn apart. History as we know it is being rewritten. It all comes down to one small moment, one fixed point in time occurring over and over again. Every action that has been taken, every word that has been said, even this very conversation. It has all happened before. A continuous loop. An infinite amount of scenarios all leading to the same outcome.”

She suddenly felt so small in front of him as he towered over her, trapping her between himself and the console. “I don’t understand,” she started, almost too afraid to speak. “What do you mean this has happened before?” She could sense the tension rising between them at their closeness to each other. She felt both cornered and protected all at the same time, a strange combination of uncertainty.

A grin formed on the Doctor’s face at the question. It had been far too long since he was last able to explain the laws of time and the universe to anyone. He removed himself from her personal space and quickly headed to the upper platform. The thoughts in his mind were bursting their way out in all directions. “Every causal loop is caused by an unchanging self-originating constant, some thing that must exist simply because it has to. Time travel can be a very tricky, very dangerous thing if you don’t know what you’re doing.” She watched as he hurried along the railing and stopped at the familiar stone bust of a man which sat on a small table near one of the bookshelves. “Take, for instance, Ludwig van Beethoven here,” he employed her, delicately placing his arm around the shoulder of the bust as if they were long-time friends.

“The composer?” she asked with mild confusion.

“No, the astronaut. Of course the composer! Now, let us also imagine there is a man who has a time machine.”

“I’ll give it a go.”

“Up and down history he goes getting into scrapes. Another thing he has is a passion for the works of Beethoven. And one day he thinks to himself, ‘What’s the point of having a time machine if you don’t get to meet your heroes?’ So off he goes to eighteenth-century Germany before the very thought of a musical masterpiece was even a figment inside the composer’s mind. But when he gets there, he discovers Ludwig has fallen upon dark times and refuses to ever compose another piece again. This didn’t happen, by the way. I’ve met Beethoven. Nice chap, very intense, loved an arm-wrestle. No, this is called the Bootstrap Paradox. Google it. The time traveller panics, he can’t bear the thought of a world without the music of Beethoven. Luckily, he’d brought all of his sheet music for Ludwig to sign. So he copies out all the concertos and the symphonies then promises to give the composer back his inspiration if he passes off the music as his own. Ludwig accepts and history continues with barely a feather ruffled. Until one day those copies reach the time traveller’s future self which prompts him to travel back in time to meet his hero. A never-ending loop. But my question is this, who originally put those notes and phrases together? Who really composed Beethoven’s Fifth?”

“You’re doing that thing with your face again,” she informed him through her puzzled expression.

“What ‘thing’?”

“That look you give when you’re trying to explain something that makes my head go fuzzy.”

“It’s called a smile, Clara. It’s what people do. Or so I’ve heard.”

“Right, wouldn’t want anyone to see passed your clever disguise. Anyway, what exactly does Beethoven have anything to do with us?”

“Nothing, and everything!” he exclaimed, heading down the stairs towards her. “All this time I’ve been blaming myself for picking up the phone, for believing myself to be solely responsible for what has happened. But I’ve realized my focus has been concentrated in the wrong place. In the end, it doesn’t matter who wrote the music. Only that it exists.” He felt himself being pulled towards her as he approached. The force that bound them together was unmistakable. The connection shared between them could never be simplified to emotion alone. They were two parts of the same mixture. No matter what they had experienced in the past, there was an unbreakable trust keeping them bound together. A trust he could see in her eyes even then as he stood as close to her as physics would allow it. “Whatever has happened to us may never have a true beginning nor an end. The only certain thing is the existence of the constant that binds us together. A constant which now rests between us, quite literally.” He smiled and peered down the length of his companion to where her body met his own.

“So you’re saying all of this is her fault? That she has trapped us in this loop, or whatever it is, forever?” she asked, placing a hand on her middle.

He snickered and rested his hand atop her own. “Not even born yet and already a trouble maker,” he teased, maintaining the grin on his face.

“She must take after you then,” she replied with a smirk.

“If we ever make it out of this alive, I’d expect we’re going to have our hands full.” He made his way towards the console’s telepathic interface.

Clara felt her smile begin to fade at his words regardless of how harmless his intentions were. There was more truth to that statement than she even realized. A great cloud of doubt arose over his hubris in their success of this potentially suicidal mission. What if he was right? What if none of what they were trying to accomplish would even matter in the end? There was no way of knowing if this plan of his had already been tried and failed a hundred times before. No way to know if they would be altering their daughter’s future or simply allowing it to happen. What if there was no way out?

The Doctor rubbed his hands together in preparation for their departure to the first location on his list, then hovered them over the interface as he looked to her for support. “Are you ready?” he asked nervously. The reluctance in her nod was as transparent as the room they stood in. He couldn’t help reminiscing over the liveliness she once displayed towards him whenever they found themselves embarking on a new adventure. It was as if the fire inside of her had been left to die out. He took a deep breath and slowly lowered his hands towards the gel-like interface.

“Doctor, wait,” she spoke, freezing him in place as she placed her hand upon his forearm. “We’ll do it together.”

He braved a smile her way, then closed his eyes and dipped his fingertips into the cool substance below. He concentrated all of his thoughts towards their destination, allowing his mind to focus on a singular image. His senses began to paint a picture of the tangible dampness of the controls, the feel of its material on his bare skin, the grip of her fingers around his arm, the rhythm of her heart beating through the palm of her hand. He tried to ignore the distractions surrounding him and his concern for his companion’s wilted form. To land safely at the correct location, his mind must first be completely relieved of any attachments he held inside of his aching hearts. The gel forming around his fingers connected to every fibre of his skin as if they were the same being. He thought about where they needed to go, what they needed to accomplish, and above all, the importance of being successful in their mission. As he focused on the image of the planet in his mind, sending it through the interface like coordinates on a map, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the strong vision of his fetal daughter calling to him through her mother’s touch. His mind was redirected towards the love he shared for her and his determination to save her so that one day he would be able to hold her in his arms.

His eyes flew open at the sound of the time rotor starting up. The mechanisms inside the centre chamber began to ascended and descended back into itself. A look of concern passed over his face at his lack of concentration during the interlinking process. There was no way of knowing if the destination had been correctly received by the interface. The only certain thing was that the TARDIS began to materialize into action as her signature time-travelling clattered chorus sounded all around them. He hastily shifted his focus toward his friend. The look of surprise confined in his expression at their departure was matched only by her uneasiness of what they were about to encounter once they had landed. “I’m suddenly having my doubts about this,” he admitted.

“Well, the TARDIS seems to think she knows where she’s going,” she countered, trying to remain positive.

“One can only hope.”

[ishouldreadthat]

Image courtesy of Bionic Book Worm

TBR Thursday is one of my favorite weekly posts from Bionic Book Worm’s lovely blog, so I thought I’d try my hand at it.  If you aren’t following her yet, well, you really should be.  Not only does she do great reviews and bookish posts, she’s an all-around lovely person.  You can find her blog here!  All credit for this idea and the stunning TBR Thursday graphic go to her!

  I’m starting up a ‘read everything in the flat before you go out and buy more books, you fool’ initiative, much to my fiance’s delight.  I definitely have a book-buying problem and starting this blog has definitely made it worse.  So I’m hoping that TBR Thursday will help me sort through my shelves and get me excited to read some of my older books that are gathering dust.

  Fantasy

  Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

In the tenth book of The Wheel of Time from the New York Times #1 bestselling author Robert Jordan, the world and the characters stand at a crossroads, and the world approaches twilight, when the power of the Shadow grows stronger.

Anyone who knows anything about the Wheel of Time series is chuckling at me from behind their hands at this.  A 14-book series and the granddaddy of modern fantasy, reading the series is a huge undertaking.  And, of course, there’s the dreaded book 8-10 slump.  If you thought A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons were disappointing, Wheel of Time fans scoff at you.

I’m at the very tail end of that slump with Crossroads of Twilight, which is according to Wheel of Time fans, one of the worst in the series.  I struggled so hard with Winter’s Heart, the ninth book, and I’m so not looking forward to reading Crossroads.  I desperately want to finish the series though because it apparently improves dramatically, so I need to buckle down and just read it.  Ugh.

  Science Fiction

  Abaddon’s Gate by James S. A. Corey

Humanity has colonized the solar system – Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond – but the stars are still out of our reach.

Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for – and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.

Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to the Scopuli and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything.

Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations – and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.

You may notice I’ve taken the copy from the first book, Leviathan Wakes.  I didn’t want any spoilers for the first two books here because it’s such a great series and you should seriously read it!

Abaddon’s Gate is the third book in The Expanse, an amazing series of science fiction novels that have been turned into a TV show by SyFy.  I loved the first two books and have had this one sitting on my shelf for ages.  I have a tenancy to not read books in a series back to back because I burn out really quick, but of course this means that I get distracted and it takes me ages to finish a single series.  I really do love The Expanse, so I need to get back to it!

  Historical Fiction

  A Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

The year is 1348. The Black Plague grips the country. In a world ruled by faith and fear, nine desperate strangers, brought together by chance, attempt to outrun the certain death that is running inexorably toward them.

Each member of this motley company has a story to tell. From Camelot, the relic-seller who will become the group’s leader, to Cygnus, the one-armed storyteller . . . from the strange, silent child called Narigorm to a painter and his pregnant wife, each has a secret. None is what they seem. And one among them conceals the darkest secret of all–propelling these liars to a destiny they never saw coming.

I absolutely love historical fiction, but haven’t been reading much of it lately.  You may have seen me mention this book several times over the past couple of weeks – my lovely co-worker lent it to me months ago and I haven’t read it yet!  It’s one of her favorites and I trust her opinion, so I’ve got to get going on it.  It sounds absolutely fantastic!

  Non-Fiction

  Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the War of the Roses by Sarah Gristwood

The events of the Wars of the Roses are usually described in terms of the men involved; Richard, Duke of York, Henry VI, Edward IV and Henry VII. The reality though, argues Sarah Gristwood, was quite different. These years were also packed with women’s drama and – in the tales of conflicted maternity and monstrous births – alive with female energy.

In this completely original book, acclaimed author Sarah Gristwood sheds light on a neglected dimension of English history: the impact of Tudor women on the Wars of the Roses. She examines Cecily Neville, the wife of Richard Duke of York, who was deprived of being queen when her husband died at the Battle of Wakefield; Elizabeth Woodville, a widow with several children who married Edward IV in secret and was crowned queen consort; Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, whose ambitions centred on her son and whose persuasions are likely to have lead her husband Lord Stanley, previously allied with the Yorkists, to play his part in Henry’s victory.

Until now, the lives of these women have remained little known to the general public. Sarah Gristwood tells their stories in detail for the first time. Captivating and original, this is historical writing of the most important kind.

I love British history and women’s history, so Blood Sisters is pretty much the perfect book for me!  The War of the Roses is absolutely fascinating period in history and I love learning as much as I can about it.  This has been sitting in my TBR pile for awhile because I am always tempted by shorter, faster reads.  I need to pick up this and more of the history books I have sitting around the flat.

  That’s it for this week!  Have you read any of these books?  Do any look interesting to you?  Let me know!

  *All book copy is courtesy of Goodreads

Looking at what's already on my shelf: TBR Thursday #bookbloggers #bookreviews TBR Thursday is one of my favorite weekly posts from Bionic Book Worm’s lovely blog, so I thought I’d try my hand at it. 

[kempenergy]

http://www.kempenergy.com.au/

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