Posted: 11^th January 2010

Winter

First of all, we want to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Second: it is winter! Most of Europe is currently covered in snow with temperatures well below zero. For some countries, like mine, this isn't too much of a problem, we often have snow and low temperatures in winter. Other countries, like the UK, are not used to it, so they're neither prepared nor well equipped. I know that lots of people are freezing - their central heating has given up the ghost. Add to that that gas is in short supply because the UK is practically immobile, and the situation is really bad. I really hope that the worst is over now and things are starting to look up! However bad your situation, though, please spare a thought on the wildlife and don't forget to feed the birds.

There are lots of things to mention, so I'll try to keep it brief. I'll start with Rich and Lanie who are getting married in the Gambia on this very day. Our best wishes for a very happy life!

Our contributors have been busy, and I'm happy to be able to present you a wonderful first issue of the year. Things were a bit hectic towards the end of last year, and so we missed to notice that The Return of the Unmentionable Marauding Pillowcase should have been rewarded his Post Reporter Badge quite some time ago. I've emailed the eds to rectify this. Congratulations! This isn't all the good news, however. You'll find below the article of an expat in Japan. I'm very happy that he was pointed to the Post by fellow Researchers. It is a great first article, and more are to come.

Enjoy!

B'Elana

Thank you so much to everyone who took part. The competition entries were of high quality and so it came as no surprise that the voting results were close. We have, however, three winners, which you'll find below. Congratulations to all who took part!

• 
  Poetry winner - While Shepherds washed their socks by night
  by Bluebottle
  

• 
  Prose winner - The Librarian's Tale by Dmitri Gheorgheni
  

• 
  Vogon poetry winner - The V Factor by Beatrice
  

FOR THE EARS, THE EYES AND THE DARING

• 
  Musical Notes


New Year's Concert in Vienna

• 
  Gheorgheniplex


Michel and the Pope

• 
  Rear View
  


Dai 'prepares' for Calum's Road

WONDERFUL WORLD

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  New Worlds here on Earth


Amazing Discoveries

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  Websailor's Wacky Wildlife World


Penguins

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  Babe Among the Stars


A Look Back Over 2009

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  Around the Day in 80 Worlds


Twilight on Hadrusepta Minor

• 
  The Reluctant Gaijin in Japan


The first in a new series of articles

• 
  Platypus Dancing


Meanwhile, in a closed meeting...

• 
  The h2g2 Poem


'PTSD' by Smudger

• 
  The h2g2 Poem


'Poem for the Heroes' by JimCracker7

• 
  The Post Wordsearch 53
  


The Solution

• 
  The h2g2 Post Christmas Anagram Quiz


Solution

• 
  Announcements
  


Meets, sites, events etc

• 
  Email the Post Team
  


For submissions and editorial feedback

• 
  The Post Readers' Forum
  


Chat about The Post with other readers and the Team