Martyn

I like to run up hills and surprise the view. I lookup things I don’t understand. I go on long walks. I like hills, trees, open spaces. I enjoy natural navigation. I prefer books to kindles and I read carefully. I always have a pen knife and string.

Perihelion: The northern hemisphere is closer to the sun in winter

On The Front Line, Travel, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Dec 232011

winter solstice pivato Perihelion: The northern hemisphere is closer to the sun in winter

Winter Solstice Northern Hemisphere

In the early 70′s I went to Belmont School near Abinger Hammer, Surrey. Major Irwin took us for history, geography and for those of us with parents abroad took us orienteering on weekends while others went home. On one trip he explained Earth was closer to the sun during the winter solstice for the northern hemisphere.

Over the years I lost the detail in his explanation (that lesson took place more than 40 years ago) and each time we reach the winter solstice I berate myself for not looking up the facts and reacquainting myself with the magical story of how nature balances life with seasons.

Today, Tristan Gooley posted The Cloud Compass on his blog which includes a brief explanation of Perihelion (the closest point) and Aphelion (the furthest point). These words triggered the missing details from Major Irwin’s explanation so now I have something to search for in Wikipedia.

Major Irwin did not go in to detail, I was 10, but I do remember on a freezing cold morning doubting we could actually be closer to the sun than in summer. The following abridged text from Wikipedia explains Apsis.

An apsis, plural apsides, is the point of greatest or least distance of a body from one of the foci of its elliptical orbit. In modern celestial mechanics this focus is also the center of attraction, which is usually the center of mass of the system. Historically, in geocentric systems, apsides were measured from the center of the Earth.

The point of closest approach (the point at which two bodies are the closest) is called the periapsis or pericentre, peri, around, and kentron. The point of farthest excursion is called the apoapsis, apocentre or apapsis (the latter term, although etymologically more correct, is much less used). A straight line drawn through the periapsis and apoapsis is the line of apsides. This is the major axis of the ellipse, the line through the longest part of the ellipse.

How to batch render and stretch in Sony Vegas 11 Pro

On The Front Line, Sony, Sony Vegas Scripting, Vegas Pro, Video, Video Editing, Visual Studio No Responses »

Dec 212011

batch render 300x195 How to batch render and stretch in Sony Vegas 11 Pro

Selecting batch render in Sony Vegas Pro

If you have prepared regions in a video which you wish to output as individual files Sony Vegas Pro has a simple script called “Batch Render” that will do the dirty work for you. However it won’t stretch to fill video for you and if this is a requirement then you need to change the script.

Research reveals Vegas Pro versions before 9 would handle stretching to avoid letterboxing too. However the default installation no longer does. This is how you do it:-

Locate the script directory (usually C:\Program Files\Sony\Vegas Pro 11.0\Script Menu)
Make a copy of “Batch Render.cs” and call it “Batch Render Stretch.cs”
Open the new file in a text editor and find the two lines that begin “args.OutputFile =”. You will find them around line 97 and 106.
Create a new line below them and add “args.StretchToFill = true;” (without the quotes (see below)
Save your changes, refresh the script listing in Vegas and use the new script to render files as before but use this new script instead

After your changes the code should look something like this:-

if (RenderMode.Regions == renderMode) {
	int regionIndex = 0;
	foreach (Sony.Vegas.Region region in myVegas.Project.Regions) {
		String regionFilename = String.Format("{0}[{1}]{2}",
				filename,
				regionIndex.ToString(),
				renderItem.Extension);
		RenderArgs args = new RenderArgs();
		args.OutputFile = regionFilename;
		args.StretchToFill = true;  // <------------ Add this line
		args.RenderTemplate = renderItem.Template;
		args.Start = region.Position;
		args.Length = region.Length;
		renders.Add(args);
		regionIndex++;
	}
} else {
	filename += renderItem.Extension;
	RenderArgs args = new RenderArgs();
	args.OutputFile = filename;
	args.StretchToFill = true;  // <------------ Add this line
	args.RenderTemplate = renderItem.Template;
	args.UseSelection = (renderMode == RenderMode.Selection);
	renders.Add(args);
}

If programming’s not your thing you can download a copy of the script ready-made by clicking here.

If you’re interested in programming Vegas this is a good starter video:

A hike from Brookhill Woods Foxhall to the Maybush Pub Waldringfield, Suffolk

On The Front Line, River Bank, Suffolk, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Dec 112011

The weather report said ice so I decided to start my walk from my front door. Fortunately I live in the suburbs and less than two minutes away from a Footpath sign. I have walked this path many times but because of its location, beside the largest municipal tip in Europe, I’ve not been encouraged to do more than a couple of miles.

SDC12767a 300x225 A hike from Brookhill Woods Foxhall to the Maybush Pub Waldringfield, Suffolk

Saltmarsh on The Deben

Today I decided to walk past the tip, cross the dual carriageway, and beyond. All the way to Waldringfield where I would stop for lunch and then back along part of the Deben I have not yet walked.

That was the plan and it all worked up to the pub. A couple of miles down the river from the pub a signed warned that anyone continuing on the path would have to return the way they came because land erosion had claimed the path.

As I walked along the small country lanes around the lost river-paths I considered why the paths have suffered from erosion. The Deben moves fast and shifts a lot of sand at its mouth but inland its muddy and tidal. By the time the tide reaches Waldringfield there is little energy and the river flow itself is not fast. It is natural for a river to change course as it seeks the shortest route to sea but as it changes can we not walk around it? Perhaps that’s Naïve.

Suffolk Coast and Heaths are restoring the saltmarsh which will reduce energy from waves and help protect the remaining paths.

Distance: 12 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 120 feet
Weather Check: Bucklesham, Suffolk
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Brookhill Woods Foxhall to the Maybush Pub Waldringfield
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

Bromeswell to Gobblecock Cottage a Circular Walk Through Rendlesham Forest

Forest, On The Front Line, Sport, Suffolk, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Dec 042011

I didn’t see a UFO, or indeed the lighthouse beams from Orford Ness lighthouse, and the only attraction in the forest is Gobblecock Cottage.

gobblecock hall Bromeswell to Gobblecock Cottage a Circular Walk Through Rendlesham Forest

Beyond the name Gobblecock there is little of interest (the cottage owners have chosen not to display the name, but the hall next door fortunately obliges should you be using it for a waypoint).

I would have liked to add this post to the Ancient Woodlands category but the area I walked was plantation all, but for a few scraps along the way. In woodland terms there is little to learn except for any natural event that collides with unnatural which in my case was to step aside to let a Land Rover Discovery pass.

A few vehicles were collecting north of the airfield where preparations for a motorcycle rally had begun. As this is a plantation I whole-heartedly approve and see no reason they do not open the entire forest to free vehicle access. Nothing within its boundaries bares any resemblance to ancient Britain and is a haven for non-indigenous creatures that have already replaced what was once here. Not a red squirrel to be seen. Why preserve something meaningless?

Dog walkers fill this forest, along with dog-shit, which is more damaging than motorbike and off-road vehicle tracks which at least do more to cut disease than spread it.

Other parts of this public area are reserved for activities such as shooting and archery. As these are not fenced off a different set of warning signs are used to scare off would be passers-by, although the chance of being hit by a bullet or arrow are enough to keep me away and I think they should allow them to be fenced.

“Smart Water” is used to protect against theft but theft of what? Wood? Surely hunters and archers take their kills and targets home with them? A Smart Water sign only proves there must be something worth nicking then, and I think I would admire any thief who tries to strip a hunter of his gun!

On one public footpath a “Members Only” sign is displayed but members of what is not clear. I suspect it’s an old sign as following through the path revealed nothing but a path through woods.

I detect an air of greed in plantations. Yes we need wood for practically everything we do (the chair and desk I use to write this for example), but do we need “KEEP OUT” signs, barbed wire and electric fences to protect them? These are tools used to define ownership and a desire for exclusive use. Without these delineations few would venture onto the land anyway, the plantation having destroyed the lands value for ordinary people already.

Distance: 14 Miles
Elevation Range: 3 to 100 feet
Weather Check: Rendlesham, Suffolk
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Bromeswell to Gobblecock Cottage a Circular Walk in Rendlesham Forest
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

How to disable the annoying audio warning to clear cache

Annoyances, Google Software, Google Toolbar, Software, Utilities 2 Responses »

Nov 292011

1951881 blog 300x219 How to disable the annoying audio warning to clear cache Do you keep hearing a voice message warning you to clear your cache and cookies? I don’t, but my father experiences it and when he described it I could not believe it. Why would such a pointless and stupid message be played every time you opened the browser?

At first I thought it was something wrong with Internet Explorer but removing the Google Toolbar solves the problem. Further investigation results in problem with Google’s data gathering process (surprise surprise).

If you wish to keep the Google Toolbar this is what you need to do:-

1. Click the Toolbar’s wrench OR the dropdown arrow beside the search .
2. Click Manage.
3. Click Privacy.
4. Then select Turn off features that send information

However this has not worked for everyone – with some claiming they disable it and it automatically enables itself again later.

On the subject of People have said….

Some think this is a ploy by Microsoft to stop people using or supplying information to Google. No one has suggested that it might be Google trying to get people to switch from IE to Chrome which is a more likely result (Google Toolbar does not work in Chrome!).

I think it is more likely a programming error and the issue, apart from being extremely annoying, Google are taking so long to fix it.

As for whether this is a Microsoft or Google problem IMO it is Google at fault, if they want to offer their Toolbar on IE then its up to them to get it to work properly.

Roudham Heath to Thorpe Woodlands Circular Walk

Norfolk, On The Front Line, River Bank, Sport, Suffolk, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Nov 272011

Distance: 12 Miles
Elevation Range: 45 to 140 feet
Weather Check: Thetford, Norfolk
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Roudham Heath to Thorpe Woodlands Circular Walk

Ironically to reach the unbeaten track you sometimes need to get close to fast roads. Last week crossing the M25 and Mll over bridges and through tunnels ensured my path was a lonely one. This week the A11 through Bridgham Heath provided a barrier between occasional walkers and ardent hiker. A little patience is needed to get across safely.

The footpath also crosses the railway at Roudham Heath (Or Anfield Road, L4 Liverpool, according to a sign beside the Union Jack). I took extra care after reading a tragic report of yet more life lost. Fortunately there is a good view in both directions so felt little danger as I walked across.

There was some confusion after crossing the bridge at Thorpe Woodlands into Suffolk. I met some people trying to find their way back to their camp site. A sign warning them away from the land between them and the site meant they were going to have to return the way they came. They saw I had a map and asked if it was possible to compare and find out where they had gone wrong. Their map was part of a brochure but did seem clear enough for the walk they were taking.

The land is (at least in part) a nature reserve and access land. This I confirmed with my OS map and I offered to guide them to the footpath back to their campsite as I was going in the same direction. They showed me the sign and I think it might be incorrectly placed. Its grid reference is TL 945 841 beside the stand of trees and after the track.

As the entire area is free access anyone with an OS map can easily negotiate around the area the sign protects however a good path with footpath posts appears just after the sign. If the sign was moved about 5 metres people using the nature reserve map would not have to worry where they walk. Alternatively OS and the nature reserve should adjust their maps accordingly.

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

Download the Roudham Heath to Thorpe Woodlands Route Card
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

Epping Forest Circular Walk Via Toot Hill & The Moletrap

Essex, Forest, On The Front Line, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Nov 202011

Distance: 12½ Miles
Elevation Range: 85 to 365 feet
Weather Check: Epping, Essex
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Epping Forest Circular Walk Via Toot Hill & The Moletrap

I didn’t take my Camera on this walk so these are from my phone. Not Pulitzer material but it was a bright day, bright enough to produce good pictures under the circumstances.

I have wanted to visit Epping for a while and the chance arose without warning or time for proper planning. I want to walk the tunnels and bridges across the M25/M11 motorways. I decided to leave them to the end of the walk knowing it would be dark by the time I arrived. This may seem foolhardy however there are two attractions to the dark. The first is the tunnels will be creepy and secondly the land around motorways offers interesting navigation. If the dark freaks you out and you are considering this walk in the winter then I suggest you do the walk in reverse, and bring torches.

The sun is winter-low but bright enough to keep the air warm enough for me to walk wearing a T-Shirt and shorts (changing to longs before walking through brambles – and for decency’s sake before Lunch in the Moletrap pub).

Download the Epping Forest Circular Walk Via Toot Hill & The Moletrap Route Card
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

Circular Walk of Culver Down on the Isle of Wight

Coastal Walks, Isle of Wight, On The Front Line, Sport, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Nov 172011

Distance: 5¼ Miles
Elevation Range: 10 to 322 feet
Weather Check: Bembridge, Isle of Wight.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: A Circular Walk of Culver Down on the Isle of Wight

A hot sunny day in mid November, a reminder we are closer to the sun in winter and the low angle of the sun the only clue it’s not summer, made this an extraordinary walk.

Trees and plants not fooled continue preparations for cold weather yet gleam in momentary stasis. A red squirrel sat on a bench in the woods eating, carefully I backed away to avoid disturbing it planning to take a photo but alas the boot-up on my camera produces an unnatural *ping* and in the same second the squirrel disappeared.

A short two-hour walk. It begins from the public car park at the top of Culver Down and ends in the Pub next door.

Take care on paths in Whitecliff Bay where land erosion has left them damaged or missing. In one place car tracks fall over the edge but careful examination from a safe position proved these were old and unlikely recent misfortune.

Download the A Circular Walk of Culver Down on the Isle of Wight Route Card
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

How to change text size in chm help files

Annoyances, Help Files, Microsoft No Responses »

Nov 092011

I am experiencing a problem with fonts in help files. As you can see from the picture the font used for the Index is readable. The font used for the content is too small.

read using magnifier Custom 150x150 How to change text size in chm help files

Read with the magnifier

Once so desperate and in a hurry the only solution I found was to start the Magnifier which proved awkward and intensely frustrating but that had as much to do with the useless information in the help file as the sheer stupidity of not being able to read it. I remember swearing if I ever found out who was responsible it would take an army to stop me from blinding the bastard.

A little research resulted in a suggestion to change the Accessibility options. I felt a little resentful at the suggestion my eyesight was in some way to blame but I gave it a try. Here’s what you do:-

Open the CHM file.
-> Options -> Internet Options -> Accessibility -> Ignore Fonts Sizes on specified Web pages

Presto! You can read the help file but don’t get too excited, now go to Internet Explorer and visit your favourite website, what do you see? In most cases it will be a mess with silly font sizes.

I was crushed.

Further research suggests CHM Authors set font sizes but all files were using tiny fonts. Either the entire help file writing fraternity had gone bonkers or something else maybe wrong.

Clearing cache, using various mouse and keyboard combinations changed nothing. The fonts remained too small in the content area.

Forums, Microsoft and Yahoo Answers and other searches were not coming up with any results so I loaded Sysinternals Process Monitor, set some filters and nosed around the registry to find a bizarre call being made to some default entries buried deep under ‘International’ settings for Internet Explorer. It’s not surprising it has been difficult to fix, anyway, this is how you do it:-

How to change text size in chm help files

Easy way

1. Download this .reg file unzip and double-click fix-font-in-chm.reg and follow instructions to change your registry.

Not so easy but less risk as you are in control of the changes

1. Open regedit
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\Scripts\3
3. Change IEFontSize to 03,00,00,00

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

Essex, On The Front Line, Sport, Walking Hiking Navigating No Responses »

Nov 062011

Distance: 12 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 119 feet
Difficulty: Easy but be ready to backtrack or find alternative routes due to mud.
Weather Check: BBC Weather Mistley, Essex.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

Hundreds of swans and sea birds crowd into Mistley and show little fear for people or vehicles alike. When I drove through a couple of weeks ago traffic halted while three Swans strolled from Lower Park to the river.

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

A large coppice tree looking like a monster from the Never Ending story sits high on a mound in Furze Hills on the eastern leg of the walk. I have seen pictures of similar aged more than 1,000 years; I like the idea this tree may host memories that date beyond 1066. I like to imagine how people have used the tree to shelter from the sun or rain over the years, the conversations held and the politics of the day. Could the tree hold a grisly history too? Lightening appears to have struck it and due to its size and place may have been involved in punishment. With so many years it is likely to have many interesting stories, perhaps science will find a way to unlock these one day.

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

Despite the misty wet weather the walk was full of colour, checkout more of the photos here.

mistley bradfield walk A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

Those who enjoy navigating will note there is an aerial and water tower visible from almost anywhere on the walk allowing easy positioning.

Download the Mistley & Bradfield Essex Route Card
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

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Martyn Walker | Software Architect | Hiker And Hacker

Martyn

Perihelion: The northern hemisphere is closer to the sun in winter

How to batch render and stretch in Sony Vegas 11 Pro

A hike from Brookhill Woods Foxhall to the Maybush Pub Waldringfield, Suffolk

Bromeswell to Gobblecock Cottage a Circular Walk Through Rendlesham Forest

Roudham Heath to Thorpe Woodlands Circular Walk

Epping Forest Circular Walk Via Toot Hill & The Moletrap

Circular Walk of Culver Down on the Isle of Wight

How to change text size in chm help files

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

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