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

The day dawned bright and , but my mobile was buzzing away when I took it off the charger... Radientjoiedevivre was unable to attend, as her carer was stuck in Ireland... I hoped this wasn't a taster of the day.

Set off for Somerset House, where the afternoon Meet was taking place, at 11:30, giving me plenty of time to get there. Just as well as two trains were cancelled. I had time in hand and reached Temple underground station at 12:30. Taking a slow amble along the Embankment I passed 'Walkabout', a South African drinking hole, and the in me was tempting me to go in, with my England flag flying from the back of my shoulder bag... However the of discretion won. Probably just as well.

I arrived at Somerset House at 12:50, and was the first... which I guess is how it should be, closely followed by Bald Bloke. He went outside to enjoy the and a while I had my inside... Didn't like the look of the steps.

Maybe Rjdv's call had set a precedence, as Evadne Cake contacted me to say she was lost. She was at the Strand entrance, but the courtyard was closed for filming of 'The Duchess' starring Ralph Ffeines and Keira Knightley (and no they weren't there! ) There followed a series of texts to direct her to the Embankment entrance. This was at the same time that Wilma (at Waterloo Station) and Galaxy Babe (Embankment Underground) were also trying to get directions as well as meeting each other. I felt like a juggler. Now this is what Mobile Phones are really meant for...

Eventually, around 13:30 we were all together, and made the introductions etc. and then decided what the plan for the afternoon was, choosing to continue with the original plan, the Empress Josephine's Malmaison Exhibition. A very interesting, if scant, exhibition, which showed her life of luxury in the Malmaison (and yes, it does mean Ill House) given to her by Napoleon when they divorced. The divorce was purely on the grounds that she could not provide him with an heir, and he continued to visit her regularly. She was very much a Patron of the arts and a keen collector, often to the point of extravagance...

Rather than go into detail, here is a link...

http://www.hermitagerooms.com/exhibitions/malmaison/index.asp

Suffice to say it was a small but extravagant exhibition... and my jewel was the paper slippers. So narrow but long, and fragile. The description stated that she had complained about their quality, to which the manufacturer retorted... 'But they have been worn!!!' And the Lapis Lazuli inlaid table was an absolute gem... The workmanship was exquisite. I would have said it was worth the £5:00 entrance fee, but I'd be fibbing...

As I say, it was a small exhibition and was completed within an hour so time for a , chat and photo opportunity but not before GB and I had bought the shop out of postcards... well, at 15 for £1:00, we'd have been not to... GB spent a quid, but I spent £2:00... I win...

Out on the terrace we spied a helicopter overhead towing a huge St. George' flag, sponsored by a well known Sunday paper. Unfortunately the was in the wrong place for the perfect photo, and it was then too far away... After the rest had tried the Plum cake that GB had bought we decided to head to the Courtauld's Institute of Art, which is the other side of the courtyard, so it meant leaving SH and going around the outside (and it is a big place). On route we were walking up Savoy Street when I noticed a very old church to our left. Intrigued, we went to have a look, only to discover it is a unique relic, built in the reign of Henry VI as part of a Hospital in 1512.

http://www.duchyoflancaster.co.uk/output/page42.asp

I'll definitely pay that a visit in the future. Anyway, onto Courtauld's only to find that they, too, wanted to charge £5:00 for entry, reduced to £3:00 as we'd been to one exhibition already... Wilma could only stay for another 30 minutes or do, so we decided it was not such a good idea. However I knew there was a fairly decent church around the corner in the Strand, literally across the road, so we headed there. And finally had the photo opportunity of the helicopter and flag, directly overhead.

Welcome to St. Mary le Strand... One of 50 Queen Ann Churches built after 1711, following an Act of Partliament due to the rapidly expanding suburbs of London... It was designed by James Gibb, who's other famous London Church is St. Martin's in the Field at Trafalgar Square, and is now in desperate need of repair. The windows behind the Altar are a deep blue, and were instaled in 1947, to replace the originals destroyed in an explosion during the war. It is also the Wrens' Service church. The ceiling also need to be seen as well. Beautiful.

http://www.stmarylestrand.org/

It was time to head for Holborn, and take our leave of Wilma, who had to do mealtime duties. It was a real pleasure to see her again. Lovely company. As she headed into the shadows of Waterloo Bridge, we made our way to Embankment, the ladies enjoying the sights of local Boks heading to the Pub for the game that evening... After finding a paper-spitter so that EC and I had for the evening, it was onto the Northern Line for Leicester Square, then Piccadilly line to Holborn. It beat walking.

When we arrived at the Shakespeare's Head, 2legs, Roymondo and Azathoth were already there, so we doubled the numbers. BB kindly did the honours, followed by introductions although most of us knew each other... From there on and chat flowed freely. EC had to leave around 19:30, by which time most of us had eaten, two meals for £8:00... not bad, and we had been joined by Radox as well. EC departed for her coach, and so the evening progressed. I am now going to apologise, as we were joined shortly after by a fellow Hootooer who's name I didn't get, so my apologies Mr Hootooer, and it was pleasant to meet you again. A little later GB headed off to her Hotel in King's Cross, and I am not sure whether that was before or after Lightman had appeared... I also telephoned my local for the results of the Rugby Match, much to their surprise, especially my Mum. She answered the phone as she was helping behind the bar, due to the match...

Oo-er... By that was stronger than I thought... From here on in, I leave it to those of a more solid headed disposition to conclude the Meet.

I do recall getting the right Night to Trafalgar Square and, luuckily, opposite Charing Cross station, my stopped behind the I needed to get home, so I changed and continued, assisting a young lady to get off at Hammersmith, and helped another traveller get to Ealing by advising him to get off at my stop, and continue on a different from that stop.

Suffice to say, I got home safe, and had another very good Meet...

Roll on the next wherever it may be... All we need is a few more bodies next time, please?

as appropriate to all who attended, and I look forward to meeting you all again very soon.

MMF

Thank you for a detailed write-up

Great for those of us whose lives took over and forgot - this time I wasn't 'intending to come but didn't', I simply forgot the date due to being offline for a while in the weeks leading up to it!

I'm somewhat worried by the sobriety 2legs and I exhibited: we should have started on the Westons 7.4% perry several hours earlier!

I think it's hilarious. Were you ?

I thought you had! I was just playing catch-up... maybe a bit too

MMF

I was a little under the weather, and rather tired (I'd spent the previous evening in a vaguely energetic fashion until the early hours), but still, that's no excuse.

MMF, you certainly put your heart into the catch up thing!

Never let it be known that I fail in my HooToo duty!

And no or major the following day either!

(Tahnk Goodness for wearyspoof's cottage pie!)



But then it is a good hour's journey home on the



MMF

I hope you all had an excellent time anyway

I guess most of the attendees had already met each other before?

Four I had met before, and four I hadn't. http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading042.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading043.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading044.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading045.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading048.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading049.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading050.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading052.jpg http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/...=view¤t=EBayandBeading054.jpg Are the photoes I took - and my version of "Events" are in my journal, should anyone want another version.http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F122927?thread=4702238&post=54669538#p54669538 I'll bow to your superior knowledge of the name of the church with the lovely stain glass windows MMF - I thought it was Clement St Danes, but having checked the little flier I was handed, you're right, it was St Mary Le Strand. Look, I'm a heathen - what can you expect! Thanks for organising a good day out - here's to the next one; and lets hope there'll be more attendees - and therefore more new faces to meet - the next time, as well.

Wish I could have joined you all. Pesky ocean.

Well done MMF for the incredibly detailed write-up. Your missing attendee is Radox the Green.

Jules I had met everyone attending before, except Evadne Cake and Radox

The weather MMF ordered was simply superb, I had a lovely time, as always

I miss you already MMF you're such great company and a kindred spirit.


GB

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time.


I'm only sorry I couldn't make it myself.. I was looking forward to meeting you all again.. and Evadne Cake!



*shakes her Matt*