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

. .. ...graciouly takes the tool from tartaronne then turns and hands it to the now beer guzzling mechanic.. . .


. .. . .


oh dear . ... .sheepish grin to tartaronne. ... .

i think he is on a break right now...

s in with big turkey sandwich and an apple. .. . .


here, Lester, i thought you might like this to um help you with the work.


coming along okay, are we?

*Enjoys the view - and a sandwich - while the mechanic fiddles with...tools and stuff *

*Rummages in her backpack and takes out a red thermo with hot and a blue one with cold mineral water.*

A drink while we are waiting?



When I was young I took pride in fixing my own motorised bike. Now, however I'm not sure what's what under the bonnet of my car. Sig. S. is a skilled machine worker (I think it is called). He built motors for fishing vessels when he was young.

In this very little town, where I live, we have four garages with skilled auto mechanics working. One of them has just expanded, and as an opening session they arranged an evening: 'Woman, know your car'. A very good idea although I couldn't go that night. But the next time. I hate to be helpless, without initiative - and possible or probable solutions.



*Closes eyes and takes in the rich, salty smell of sea*

. ... .cleaning the carburator, that Lester has handed me, with gasoline and a stiff brush.. . . .

yeah i had the great 'fortune' of being married to a shadetree mechanic once... learned how to do this.. .

ugh, the fumes!

you know... . .sipping . ... i rather gather why Lester is having trouble fixing this bus...
http://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/upload141104/Tappins-old%20bus%20-%20K%20P%20Stevens.jpg i imagine it is hard to find parts for...

A shade tree mechanic? I can figure it out halfway, I think. But can you explain nevertheless?

I imagine Lester has to make his own parts for the bus.

sorry this took so long...

a shadetree mechanic is someone who fixes cars under a shadetree beside the road as opposed to having a business garage where you take your vehicle. a shadetree mechanic can get paid for the work but if they do they usually dont charge very much. shadetree mechanics, in my experience, are usually exceptionally fine mechanics with a bonus of actually being human.

i want to apologize for bailing out on this bus tour... up until 7 years ago i had lived elsewhere but returned to the carmel area to help my aging and failing dad. The circumstances leading up to and surrounding his death were pretty awful and i didnt realize i had not fully recovered from all of it... this being a year later. So what happened is ,as i was taking this virtual tour of my hometown, 'it' all came back... though i didnt realize that that was what was the reason for being upset. Anyway, i do now, and i am sorry for reacting badly up there after the first few posts. and sorry i can't continue this for now.

ohhh and thank you so much for your gracious welcoming of me into The Circle