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

Hello Frank

I liked your morale-boosting story and would like to see you waltz - but seeing as that won't happen, what about the next best thing - photos? As you probably know you'll be able to upload images with stories from May 5, and that includes stories you have already submitted to the site. Have you got a scanner and any photos from the time?

Sadly, some people have told me that they have lost their wartime docs and memorabilia. It must be devastating to lose such things.

It's a mournful day in the city. I took the whippet for a wet walk, not that he noticed. He's found a fox den and there's no getting him away from it. But it's nice to see him leaping over the bluebells - yes, they still have them in some parts of London.

Hope you are keeping well - I hear you've hooked up with the local library.

Take care,

Helen, WW2 Team

Dear Helen,
For you I could forget the pain and waltz you once more around the floor as if I were a young Hussar and you the lovely lady you are. The mirrored ball would drip starlight beams onto us as we swirled in the diaphanous lights of the coloured spots through the mists of the dimmed lights. Strauss himself would conduct the sensuous Vienese Waltz and the floor would be ours alone as we smiled at each other with the pure joy of it all.
About then I would trip over your dress and rip it, your heel would come off your shoe and we would disapear in a spray of resin under the chairs at the side of the room.
Whippet and Westy would look at each other shake their heads and say "you cannot take them anywhere" lets go get a cat.
If you are anything like me Helen you would still be laughing as you lay winded under the chairs because I think life is fun. I think our kids have grown with the same attitude as the grandchildren certainly have it.

We do have the odd wartime photo's but none of me dancing at that time as flash camera's were beyond us even if you could get any film which was almost impossible. I know there is one of me in Port Said on leave dancing again with the older ladies. It is some sort of parade probably the palaise glide so out of the time remit for this site.
I am looking forward to seeing photo's on the site and will probably post one on my blurb when the time comes.
We are enjoying our walks through the wild flower fields and woods each day Benji and I, that too gives me pleasure.
Regards Helen,
Frank.

Frank

I'm honoured, most definitely - but your toes would be blue and black and as big as potatoes if I had anything to do with it. I once got my grandmother to teach me to Waltz (on a beach somewhere) - she quickly gave up in disgust. Funny really - because I can pogo for hours. Are you telling me it's a different discipline?

Oh yes, whippet is disgusted by the limitations of the human form, not to mention the imagination and 'get up and go'. Westies strike me as more willing to humour us. But we both know (dog and lady) - that you can't beat an early summer day, walking in the woods.

All best wishes to you Frank,

Helen, WW2 Team

Helen My Dear,
Dont mention discipline dancing and my name in the same room please.
Dancing classes and competitions are disciplined. What I did was totally imaginative and lacked the archaic discipline of the modern ballroom set.
Watching those couples in competition with their fixed smiles and drill sergeants precision was not for me and I did turn down the chance to go for competition when younger.
With me the music the lights and the ambience lifted me to a higher plane where it was a pure form of enjoyment.
Not many other activity's can give that pleasure, I shall refrain from listing those that do.
As to black and blue toes I have whisked people who said they could not dance onto the floor and they have surprised themselves so never give up hope Helen.
Westies are a law unto themselves and are always right on the edge of disobedience. Benji lets me know forcibly what his wishes are and tapping his watch means into the fields and woods NOW. We also have a wonderful covering of Blue Bells so he can lose himself in there and watch me amble along, pleasure for both of us.
Regards Frank.