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

Still feeling rather blue (my lads laughing at at guy describing, in detail, what it's like to lose a child to a car crash hasn't helped) so I'm pulling out one of my big guns. It probably won't solve my problems but hopefully it'll give a period of grace where I don't feel quite so lousy.

The big gun in question is remembering and talking about my favourite places in the world.

1) The ring of stones at the top of Ilkley Moor, particularly late in the afternoon or at sunset. There's no easy way to get to these stones so you're always nicely tired and the views from them are spectacular. It's so peaceful up there it's unreal.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=632929797065&set=a.632922945795.2330579.61410264&type=3&theater

2) Goredale Scar near Malham Cove in North Yorkshire. This place has to be seen to be believed, photos can't do it justice. It's mind-boggling huge and yet completely accessible. It was also the inspiration for Helm's Deep in Lord of the Rigs and you can see why

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=782819082735&set=a.782813264395.2450877.61410264&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=782819092715&set=a.782813264395.2450877.61410264&type=3&theater

3) Plage De Marquisats in Annecy. I'm not normally a beach person but the couple of days I spent there were some of the happiest of my life: relaxing in the sun, going for the occasional swim when I wanted to and going wandering around the beautiful streets and markets of Annecy itself and losing myself in the sights, sounds and smells of a foreign country.

4) Venice. Nothing will ever compare with the night I spent in Venice, sitting outside the youth hostel with one of the most beautiful blokes I've ever met and talking all night, cuddling and watching the sun rise over the city.

5) In my sort-of foster dad's conservatory, just drinking and chatting about all kinds: the warmth of his house, the purring of the cat that usually plonks itself on my lap, the good whiskey and the smell of his cigars. Closest thing I have to home and family.

they all sound loverly

p.s those photos are showing as epxired?

Drat, it must be because I'm logged into facebook. If anyone knows of a way of permalinking them I'll do it

I assumed it was only because I'm not on Facebook that I couldn't see the images...

But I like the sound of Ilkley Moor. One day soon, when I'm well, I must go up on the local ridge again - I can see for miles from up there, and if I face the right way (west) I can't see any roads or buildings. Bliss.

note to self - read more of Iago's journals