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

I've read about the Japanese tea ceremony, and how to make Attaya tea, which sounds as a ceremony in itself - but I had never heard about the East Fresian one!

Did you experience it in person?

Yes - we spent our holiday there this year and, among other things, visited a tea museum where we learnt some interesting details. The hotelier where we stayed was quite militant about making us drink the tea that way.

I enjoyed this immensely. I had never associated the German nation, any part of it, with tea, let alone a tea ceremony. I am educated as well as entertained. Thanks

Re: the Frisian islands: if you haven't already done so, read "The Riddle of the Sands" sometimes called "The first Spy novel". It's very good on fog, and flatness, and wetness, and sandbanks!!

and extra congratulations for making it to the front page of the main bbc website. OK Its the "wierd and wonderful" bit, but very well done nonetheless.

The good news: Fascinating article.
The bad news : Please dont encourage people to put sugar in drinks without offering a sweet free alternative.
In North Africa mint tea is a curse, now East Frisia may be on the avoid list.

Yes - that is one of my main gripes about the stuff. I hate sugar in my . Cream is even worse.

You will always be assured of a good cup of coffee anywhere in Germany, james.

But Frisians usually get very old, and when the local newspaper asks the 100-year old grannies their secret, they more often than not say: five cups of tea each day (with Kluntje, of course). In fact a proper Frisian would have tea five times a day: breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon, and dinner. The anti-oxidants in it are very good for you!

That reminds me of the old song



I like a nice cup of tea in the morning
Just to start the day you see
..
etc
etc
And about this time of night, what goes down a treat - you're right!
It's a nice cup of tea!

Fascinated by this article, I took the liberty of referring to it in one of my little stories. It is away being moderated (I included an external link - at least I presume that is what was wrong) at the time of writing, but it should appear in a few days as "The Dilemma" in the AWW. See what you think, should you have either time or inclination.