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

Considering my little 'escapade' on Friday morning, I was determined not to make the same mistake.

Saturday 12th july 2008.

So up at 06:45 on Saturday morning , knowing that my bag was largely packed , and my 'brunch' made the night before , I prepared myself for heading into the wild, untamed, hostile landscape known to we Southerners as ' Norf A Watford Gap' or 'Up Norf'. My train was booked for 09:30 which meant, allowing for engineering works, leaving around 08:00, which I duly did, leaving behind some bits but nothing essential, thankfully. Due to the weight of my case, and in deference to the staff of the 'Premature Bodge' and other guests, I didn't take the fiddle!!!

The arrived fairly quickly, and on to Hammersmith for the Piccadilly line to King's Cross. This is where the kick in. If I missed that train I would have a really long wait until the next. Luckily I made it on time but then panicked as there was no platform listed with 10 minutes before departure. And when it was shown, my carriage HAD to be at the far end of platform. I made it with minutes to spare, and I didn't spill my either.

Now for the 3.5 hour journey to ... to Hull. A newspaper, paperback and 150 Meet photos titled, the train pulled into Hull, where I knew Scorpio_witch was waiting. And so she was along with Tabitca, a new Hootooer for me to meet. Scorpio, thankfully, had offered to drive us all to the PB, except I was chosen to navigate. Thankfully I'd travelled the route before and remembered most of the route,and we arrived with no major hiccup.

Booking in wasn't for at least 30 minutes on arrival, so time for . I had a mooch to see if any others had arrived (they hadn't) and discovered table 42, so commandeered it. Jimcracker then appeared from the depths... well... Reception. I then saw a suspicious character, dressed in a black kilt, leather jacket and a black hat and guessed he was attending the Meet... Welcome another Hootooer (first time meet for me) namely T.B. Falsename (who had actually arrived the previous night, from Scotdland). GB was next(I hope I have the chronology right here... but probably not) then the girls went to book in, and on their return, I went off to book, bumping into Prof, being his normal inimitable self with the reception staff. Went and unpacked and changed and, upon my return Lil, Pete and VV had arrived, so more s and es around. where then passed around, when ST, (or Prof's Father as reception called him) appeared. Hoggy, Mrs Hoggy, Hello Kitty and Cheeky Monkey arrived. I won't describe what Hoggy was wearing, but imagine a cross between Superman, Dangermouse and Mr Whippy on uppers... .

The Meet was now officially on, with attendees from Ireland, Scotland, England (yours truly) and the locals . Lil had Sultry Sophie and Delboy in tow, while I had bought along absent friends, namely B'Elana, Roymondo, 2Legs and The Sisters!!! More were then passed around. Unfortunately, at this point Tabitca had to leave and the first of the evening... Around 16:30ish we had to vacate the table, as it was pre-booked, so most went off to change and/or rest, and VV decided it was time for a shower. I did ask her if it was her Birthday, but the reply is not for printing here!!! I was back downstairs within half an hour, being joined by Scorp and TBF. Time to change tables, and s the numbers grew, until eventually, around 19:30 we adjourned to our tables, after having been joined by Gnomon. A very pleasant group of friends, indeed. VV also finally graced us with her presence, which did beg the question, how long can a young lady stay in a shower without coming out looking like a wrinkled prune?... After much 'hassle' from the Waitress, we had finally decided on what to order! A miracle in itself. The food was very pleasant, with most opting for starters and main course (I was the only one who had meat that , intentionally, this time) follwed by dessert, or in my case, the cheeseboard.

During this, due to certain cravings for some, and the surprising warmth of the evening, the lure of outdoors became too much for some who headed outdoors. The numbers indoors gradually depleted so the bill was paid, and everyone adjourned outside. Unfortunately VV had introduced GB to Chardonnay, which we discovered she had an allergic reaction to so, after a heavy bout of sneezing, she adjourned to gradually the numbers dwindled until just VV (who was and enjoying the Chardonnay ), TBF, Prof, Scorp and I were left. And like all good things, the evening had to end, so brief goodbyes and a check on the morning's meeting times, and it was off to for most... Some decided on further nocturnal adventures, bu more of that later...

Sunday, 13th July, 2008.

After a very uncomfortably hot and sultry night(and no, Sophie was not with me ) I surfaced at 08:00, had a quick shower and was downstairs for breakfast at 08:30 where Scorpio had already arrived. Prof also arrived at that point, closely followed by the 'Nightwalker' aka VV who had decided to get intimate with a fire escape, and had the bruises to show for it. . She felt very tender, and we all felt for her. Gradually others drifted down and partook of the day's sustenance, whilst the males went to do a Top Gear survey and chat around, or was it about, ST car. Unfortunately GB was still feeling the effects of the Chardonnay, so was feeling delicate. Fairly soon, after Hoggy and family had arrived, we were one happy family again, and time to decide on the day's plans. VV felt that, if she were to get home under her own power, or rather her car's, it was best for her to leave early, in case her bruises stiffened. This meant more goodbyes This time it was Lil,Pete and VV's turn... Someone mentioned "This is the worst part of Meets" to which I replied "No! That is tomorrow, when you wake up tired exalted, but also have that hollow feeling of knowing another Meet has passed!" (or words to that effect.)

Now a decision was taken on what to do for the rest of the day. As most had visited The Deep previously, it was decided to visit the Old town, following Hoggy's car. Especially as it was such a lovely Sunny day. We went to the Car Park, near 'King Billy's Statue', The Great Defender... which was closed. Time for Plan B! Luckily Hoggy knew of a Pay and Display around the corner, and there were just enough Parking spaces too. Hoggy then led us towards the old town, past a beautiful Pub, called the 'Manchester Arms' and Dirty Nellies,a probably so named after VV's extended shower last night, and causing a drought. When we reached the Museum... it was closed. Time for plan B! So we headed to a Pub we had passed called the 'Sailmakers' Arms' which had a very surreal garden, with rea l and plastic plants, African masks, of various sizes, and lots of other ephemira. Quite . After a and other sustenance, Plan C was hatched.

We'd head towards the Marina!!! So a slow walk in the sun towards the river front. When we arrived, it was noticed that there was only 20 minutes of parking left, so the drivers went off to collect the cars, while the remainder waited eating ice-creams. Upon their return we headed for the Marina proper, and a visit to the moored 'Spurn Lighthouse'. First we had to cross the lock to the Marina and, whilst heading there, we met a troupe of Cheerleaders, one of whom just happened to be Hoggy's Nephew. After after a brief chat we reached the lock, which was in use, so we couldn't go that way, so decided to cross at the rear of the lock, which was open for ages. Time for Plan E? Not quite. A yacht arrived and they closed the lock gates, allowing us to cross. All around the centre of Hull is the fish Walk, with fish emblems embossed in the pavement, as well as a variety of sculptures commissioned by the Town. Some are quite while others just weren't my cup of .

On over the lock, where Gnomon was trying to point out the rubber seal, while all I was trying to do was stay on the path and retain breakfast. Once over, we wandered around, heading for the lightship. GB, ST, Hoggy and Mrs Hoggy and the children went aboard while the rest stayed landlubbers. By now the weather was turning and it was getting cloudy and a little cool, so time for lunch and a drink. So back to the cars and a Pub called The Minerva. Here there was a reasonable menu, although no Ploughman's and reasonable prices. The service wasn't bad either. It was here that Plan E was hatched. What to do with the rest of the day, considering it was around 15:30. GB and Gnomon wanted to head for Hessle ad fossicking, Jimcracker had a train booked for 17:00ish... TBF had to get back to the Hotel for his bags before departing, while I had ages to wait for mine.

Conclusion? Scorpio would take me to the station, and the rest would head for Hessle, then points various. I said my goodbyes before departing for the station where I said goodbye and expressed my thanks to Scorpio for all her taxiing etc. Because I had time I headed into the Shopping centre for a Sunday paper for the journey, with no joy, so just a couple of magazines and some Two large later, and I decided to wait on the platform... The train wasn't due to leave until 18:45. At 18: 30 i embarked, and it was pretty empty. That was about to change. At Doncaster, due to the engineering works on the tracks, and the reduced service, loads of people piled on board, none of whom had reservations, so we just sat there... for a good twenty minutes. Around now, Lil sent a text to say she was home safelyI I also had three attempts at using the loo, which was a case of treading over bodies everywhere. On the fourth attempt I made it , only to find, as Ieft the cubicle, that the train was pulling into king's Cross, so I had to fight past all those who were getting up from their seats for their bags as well as those who didn't have seats... Made it though. And the train was only 5 minutes late. Off to the Underground, and the second leg of the journey, which was uneventful, and to Hammersmith and the home. Here I had a twenty minute wait, at which point I received a call from Scorpio who was concerned I hadn't checked in. Explained the scenario, at which point the arrived. I eventually arrived home at 23:40. Not the last, but almost tail-end Charlie.

Would I do ite again? You betcha. I had a fantastic time. Met some old friends, and made some new ones. An d had some lovely cuddles, and no Glums!!! Lil!!! And VV, get in touch if you want

Thanks to, in no particular order, Cheeky Monkey, GalaxyBabe, Gnomon, Hoggy and Mrs Hoggy, ,JimCracker, Little Kitty, Lil, Pete, Prof,Scorpio-Witch, T.B Falsename, Tacbitca, ST and VV for being fantastic company and good friends... Here is to the next one!!!

as appropriate.

and meet again soon.

MMF

a magic read MMF

ps:receptionist told ST that HIS dad had booked in

throws bottle of Grecian 2000 away

I shall have to go and do my proper meet journal entry, now that I'm home. I've already done one about my journey down.

It was very nice to meet you in person and I hope to do so again at a future meet.

hi mmf
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was also nice to meet you and the others for the first time, i did a small jerno myself, but as at the time only a few had me on there friends, it went into no where lol.
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its on my space,or was.maybe some kind ones will find it in the goodness of time.
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my trip down was uneventfull so nothing i could say, now coming home another story lol
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hopefully next year we meet again, jim

MMF
F1926355?thread=4613378&skip=0&show=20

you could have done a bit for me and Lil as you passed through Donnie

Oh! If only I'd had the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch!

I would have... believe me!

And I wasn't the only one!!!

MMF

glad you got home ok my friend

So am I Mate... although, strangely, I detect a minimum of one damaged soul that may need your

No tags, no Hootoo, but a general humerous round-robinmay perk up said sparrow?

And you are the best perker-upper I van think of!!!

**VV wash your mind out!!!**

MMF

who ever it is, let them have a gibber at my PSthat'll warm the cockles of their heart a bit

hi mmf
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my fun was on the train from hull to leeds, about a mile past selby
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the trans peninne came to an abrubt halt, and a few went sliding on the seats lol
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aparently the signalman had not locked the rails in, and if we had gone another few feet, the train would have probably left part of the track,
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as we where near a level crossing, a man, with a red light, (not lit) was waving it, and the train driver thought it was a car that was the problem coming up, so slambed all on.
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all the tanoy said was, sorry for the 20 min delay a problem on the singnals lol, and off we went to leeds lol , jim

Indeed, a read MMF hopefully only 3 months til we meet again

I wish I could make a meet before next year.

if there's anything worse than post-meet depression, it's non-attendance malaise

They're both bad.

hi all
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im still out od sinc, i got up at 8-30am, and im still half asleep
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my bio clock as gone haywire for now lol . jim

Please don't have the glums... Just remember, we shall all get together again soon!




lil xx

lil
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if the invites there, and the pennies, and within travelling distance, i would love to do it again lol <dragon. jim xx

Count me in

*giggles*

I think Hull is just about able to cope with us!


*s GB*

*keeps tight hold of lil and waltzes around the room*