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

*It is dusk. Matina has been attending to the barbeque and setting up a table of salads and rolls and baguettes, Number Eleven has set up a wet bar, and a bonfire is ready to light. A large red and white tent has been set up nearby, open to the ocean and a wide swath of sky*

*Sol saunters up in her best beachwear, something lightweight but essentially long sleeved, long legged, and big floppy hatted.*

Well, this looks just fabulous!

I'll have two of everything.

Good morning Sol, all

The weather is still unusually warm for the season... I think I might go for a swim - to work up some appetite, you know...

*Regards Ti with horror*

I'll be waiting for you right here, guarding this

*shrugs out of her light, colourful, flowing beach dress to reveal a swimsuit shimmering in colours from dark green to turqoise to dark blue*

Yes, better watch those drinks...

*runs down to the water's edge, composes herself for a moment, and then dives in*

*Eyes up the shrimps on the barbie*

*Walks out onto the beach wearing black swimming trunks and gray tank top.*

You know, I do believe that Ti has the right idea!

*Walks out to the surf and splashes Ti*

*Kelli strides up the beach from the sea in the style of Ursula Andress, the effect only spolied by the manky bit of seaweed she hasn't noticed stuck to her forehead*

A please!

*Ahh good to relax*

Sorting out 1s and 0s is getting tiring.

All is under control.

Arrives at the top of the beach dragging a kayak. Donning a black drysuit and faded ,but much loved, brown hat. Jumps on the kayak and slides down the beach entering the water with an almighty splash;a faint whiff of mouldy lugworm left in his wake.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY56WNLeigs

* knowing his shape is not conducive to beach enjoyment by others, and a horrid fear of waters, sets about putting up chaise-lounges, simple canopies for shade and just doing manual puttering things ... *

*splashes back at GDZ, then disappears beneath the surface*

*Barefoot and wearing a linen shirt and shorts Mr. D looks somewhat more like a hobbit than he'd intended.*

I think I'll have a please.

* mini appears wearing pink slip on sandals that look great but leave nasty blisters the first few times they are worn each summer, a hot pink swimsuit covered by board shorts with a baggy t-shirt. There is a bucket hat on her head and a towel over her arm. a faint whiff of sunscreen emanates from around her.*

Hmm, a bit warm for sitting in the sun, *reads label on sunscreen* 'factor 50+ water resistant hypo-allergenic children's sunscreen' I might go for a little swim.

*plonking her towel on the beach to reserve a flat-ish spot under a parasol leaves her bucket, spade and sandals by the side of the towel and heads for the breakers*

mini

*surfaces and swims to the shore*

*grabs a towel and drapes it around herself*

OK, now I'm hungry *eyes the buffet table*

* flips the few burgers on the BBQ, and gives an untrusting eye to them toffu patty things, unsure what to do with them ... *

Dressed in a tankini with shorts, SC walks along the waterline toward the party, noty noticing the larger swell sneaking up on her...oops!*

*sputters* Well, I guess that decided it -- I'm going in!

*leaves her now drenched towel and flipflops by the chairs and dashes back in*

*Lil arrives in her usual beach attire under her harkonnen, of black Victorian costume, covered from neck to ankles and topped with a wide-brimmed hat. She has only varied her attire in that her stockings sport black and white stripes instead of the usual all black*

*Chloe follows, carrying two rather full carpet bags filled with Lil's necessities -- sunblock, a netbook, a small notepad and pen, a kindle, slippers, travel wipes, comb and brush, passport, running away money, a fistful of flash drives, a digital camera, a change of clothes, all her prescriptions, a nice fluffy towel, and other stuff not so worth mentioning*

Oh good, Matina remembered to make a potato pit. The spuds should be nicely baked.

*uncovers a potato with a handy spade, unwraps the tinfoil and plates it, then adds grated cheese, butter, sour cream, salt and pepper, and some veggies* Ah, breakfast!

*Comes up out of the surf*

Did someone say ?

Number Eleven will serve you.

It's sinking in. This is a party for a tombstone.

*grabs a folding beach chair and sits down to watch the surf* Rather be here than on a folding chair in an empty salon, though.