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

How many do you think there are?

... a bunch! Bluebottle is the official wrangler. What do you reckon, BB? There weren't that many when Doctor John first brought the herd to the Aroma Cafe.

*lets Rimshot's reins go loose and the horse drops his head and begins munching grass immediately*

They're beautiful animals! *dismounts, lets shamrock graze* Can I touch one? Are they friendly?


Is that the magic forest?


C

Yes, you can touch one, and these gnus should be very friendly.
If not, I'll soon sort them out

Looks like you've got at least 40 of them here now.... More than I expected.

<BB<

*the gnus were some distance away when our group pulled up, but came trotting up and are now about 50 feet away, looking friendly and full of curiosity*

Pretty healthy-looking bunch, too! I was wondering if their legs were strong enough to handle rodeo appearances, but the bulls are really big!

BB, have you thought about how you want to handle your wrangling job? Do you plan to leave them completely free-range, or have them penned in at all?

Yknow, I have had it niggling at the back of my mind that there is something especially nice about this area, and looking at the gnus makes me realise what it is -- there are no flies!

No gnats on the gnus!

Pen in the gnus? Of course not! I believe in free range!
Unless there is danger from any predators I don't know about....?
I could, perhaps, build a shelter in case of violent storms to protect them in emergencies... but apart from that, they should be happy outside being free.

<BB<

And being free will make them better at bucking when we bring some in for rodeo work!

*looks thoughtful* As for predators... Well, you now as well as I do what sorts of things have happened in the Magic Wood, as well as Moxon Wood, for that matter. But I don't think there are any large carnivores on the loose, specially not any fast enough to catch a gnu. But we could ride on a bit further, and see what sorts of tracks are at the pond, before we go back.

True.... Better to be safe than sorry.
Okay - when everyone's ready, hopefully on we'll go.

<BB<

*Gandalf looks up from grazing, ready to go*

*Cookie is displaying no interest in anything save filling her stomach as fast as possible.*

The gnus are interesting animals. I like them very much. This forest is enchanted? Are we going into it?

I thought we might stop for a bite to eat when we get to the pond -- a groombot gave me some saddlebags of food while we were tacking up, and the water in the stream feeding that pond will be pure... and then we'll decide what to do.

The forest we just came through is the edge of the Magic Wood that Bluebottle generated (for lack of a better word) by the Aroma Cafe. It's quite beneficent as long as you respect it, as certain villains have found to their cost. But the stuff on the other side is virgin forest. I was in there once on Ferrari, when we were scouting out land for the Equestrian Center. It's a bit dim, and there is no undergrowth except for flowers and vines and short little plants... and the most extraordinary moss.

And there were animal trails, too. Ferrari wasn't too bothered, so I wasn't afraid, but I didn't want to go far cos I didn't have my GPS. I do have it today, though. *Pats saddlebag behind cantle*

Hmm... a picnic by the pond is a great idea, methinks.

So, to what extent have you explored this area, Lil?

<BB<

*Is really impressed with Bluebottle creating the Magic Wood!*

The picnic sounds fine to me too! How nice of you to think of it, Lil.

A handful of magic acorns, it was, right off the back porch of the Aroma Cafe! Next thing you know, we had a whole oak forest.

*the party are now heading toward the pond, letting the horses amble on a loose rein. The gnus part to let the riders through, then follow along*

It gets quite a lot of usage, too, the Majic Wood, to use Irv's spelling. Campfires, storytelling, kite-flying, swimming, and lolling about on grass. I've made a few walking trails in it, mainly between the cafe and CLI.

Now that we have trail horses, it will be interesting to explore that forest on the far side of the valley. I've only been there once, as I said, with Ferrari -- don't know as I'd go there with this mount because Rimshot has these frisbee moods where he just looks for things to be scared by.

An adventure! goody!!

*arriving at the pool, everyone dismounts, and those with tacked horses remove saddles and replace bridles with head collars, with just enough lead rope to ground tie the horses*
*the horses wander a short distance -- Rimshot has a thorough roll and back scratch -- and set to work muching bluegrass*

Titania, we'll give you a leg-up when it's time to mount up again!

Bluebottle, how do your legs feel? You'll be stiff tomorrow! Actually, I have an idea. When we go home, I'll take us via the farm. Then you can see what Mr. Featherly is up to, and if Bluebottle is all used up he can get a lift back on the wagon with Amos.

Meanwhile, let's see what the bots packed for lunch.
*Lil opens the saddlebags and finds half a dozen chicken and PNB sandwiches, and a roll of chocolate chip cookies*

*Helps Lil, spreading a tablecloth on the grass, and bringing out candlesticks, a bottle of champagne (non alcoholic), and strawberries.*

*noticing there aren't any ants in this place, either*

Well, Amy has thought about riding, but she hasn't found the right horse. Truly, ants have ethical standards here that they don't have IRL! Amy's lot wouldn't be caught dead stealing somebody's picnic.

mari-rae, you really know how to add a bit of class to a picnic!

*sampling a PNB sandwich* You know, I wonder if we should raise a few Perfectly Normal Beasts on the farm?

*Looks at her sandwich.*

I thought this was Pea Nut Butter!