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

OK, I didn't intend to write a journal, and there are a few meet journals you've probably read anyway, plus there'll be a meet report or two in the next .
But then I haven't written any meet journals for the last two meets, and I guess I should at least tell you a bit.
The meet was fantastic, as always.

On Sunday, I met Gnomon at the V&A where we saw the exhibition on maps and art and a few more things. I was particularly impressed by some huge month tiles:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1487_renaissance/highlights_labours.html

Unfortunately, I had to leave after about two hours to catch my plane back. Time was going by very fast and I'd not have had any problems spending much longer in such wonderful company.

All my friends - old and new - made my stay in London so magical that I feel it would be unfair not to tell them about the 'brief encounter' the Saturday afternoon attendees were all so curious about.

On Saturday morning, I walked over to the Premier Travel Inn where lil, Pete and VV stayed. Although it's not far from where I stayed, it took me a while to find it, cause I hadn't paid attention which way to go when I went there a year ago.
I eventually arrived and sent lil a text message asking if she was up. I had sat down in front of the Anchor (the attached pub), in the sun. It didn't take long and a young-ish man (beginning to mid-thirties) with a German shepherd sat directly beside me.
There was lots of space, but apparently, he had a question. It took me a moment to understand that he asked me about the Shakespeare fair. I knew I had read about some events at the nearby Globe Theatre, but didn't remember what it was. So I told him I didn't know, and he'd best go over to the Globe and find out there.
He then gave me a picture postcard and insisted that I should keep it.
I was a bit puzzled, so he went on and asked about Shakespeare plays next. Again, I advised him to just go over to the Globe to find out, pointing in the direction of the Globe.
Next he wanted to know if I had been to the Globe, so I said I had, but not on the day.
When I got a text from lil saying she'd need a moment still, and that Pete and VV had gone out, I jokingly told her to take her time because the sunshine was nice, and I had an admirer.
Ha, I was closer to the truth than I had guessed, because my 'admirer' asked to see what text I wrote. I told him it was private and withdrew my hand.
Followed a lot of questions about where I came from, whom I was waiting for (a friend) - male or female? Female.
Did I live on my own - no, with my family etc, etc. I tried to make my replies as brief as possible, but he was undeterred, he even started to complain that the wind blew my hair in my face such hiding it, and got hold of my hair.
I politely but firmly said: Don't touch! and he let go. He tried to engage me in a conversation for a while longer, but eventually got the message and left.
I've never been 'chatted' up before, so I was really completely clueless as for how to react. However, I didn't feel threatened at any moment, or else I guess I'd just have walked away.

That was only one of the very many 'firsts' I experienced this weekend.

Another slightly worrying 'first' was on landing in Frankfurt: with the wheels only inches away from the ground, the plane suddenly speeded up and took off again. I couldn't help it, but this immediately came to mind:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7343176.stm

Apparently, there were some whatever winds which would have made the plane come to stop too far behind the point where it should have stopped, so they had to repeat the manoeuvre.
AS you can see, all went well, so you can stop worrying now.

Oh Bel,iwouldn't have had anyone trying to "chat me up",so no problem there,but i would have been hysterical on the plane
I'm always nervous when we fly,so i would have been a wreck!!!
So glad you landed home safely though

Both were very strange experiences, <I mean, you'd have thought I have now reached an age where nobody would try to chat me up, eh?

They didn't take long to explain what happened with the failed landing, and I got to see Frankfurt from an angle I've never seen it from before, which was quite nice.

Masher!

If I'd have been there I'd have bashed him with my

You're too nice B'Elthank goodness it wasn't a o who didn't like the word "No"

Glad you landed safely too

It was in plain view of lots of passing tourists, so I was just slightly bemused and amused.
As I said, if I had felt threatened, I'd just have gone into the Travel Inn.

*IS* there an age when you can't be chatted up any more?

Enjoy the compliment, Bel!

I don't think he was trying to chat you up, I think he was a WEIRDO and that you had a lucky escape.

Can you tell I don't have any experience with weirdos and/or strangers

You do.

You talk to me!

Well, being chatted up doesn't usually involve peering at your phone, or touching (not until after a few anyway.

Well, *he* had a can of something (beer?) he was drinking from.

He might have been a wierdo who was trying to chat you up, the two are not mutually exclusive. Fir instance I'm weirdo and, assuming I've drunk enough, I do occassionally try to chat women up.

Oh well, whatever. I didn't tell the husband, he'd not let me go again if he knew.

Lots of things it's best not to tell husbands B'El

It was a bit odd, but as you say you were in a very public place. If you didn't feel threatened why on earth wouldn't you be chatted up. You obviously give off nice vibes Enjoy

Websailor

Nice vibes, eh? I guess I should try to do something about them.

Bel! Choleric's right - you could have been in danger

Glad you're still here to tell the tale.

And the aborted plane landing too!

Someone up there's looking after you!

I was more worried about the plane landing - or rather not-landing.

Here,B'el, for your own future safety here's some tips for the next time you come to the UK, dye your hair blond and act french, i.e. put on a french accent, act obnoxiously and arrogantly and stop bathing at least two weeks before you're due to get here

I could certainly reply in French, but as for the rest: that's impossible.

And now for something completely different:

The photos are up.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TheBelana/H2g2LondonMeet2008