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

I'm there with the three of you in spirit. Since my Army days I've not had to work holidays like that, but has and it is a thankless task - one that isn't noticed by the people enjoying themselves until something goes wrong - and then (since it is supposed to be their "special" time, they blow up more than usual)

You're both exactly right there. I'm not sure if I'm inside a very small goldfish bowl or outside a very very large one

Ask Wonko the Sane. He'll know.

This time I am really, really almost there

Today's split shift marked the last really busy period. It was pretty full-on, with the attendant New Year hangover, and I spent the whole time between shifts sleeping. For the first time, it felt like a job well done as well; after Reindeer Racing () I got a good round of applause, and several guests came up to me afterwards and said how much they'd enjoyed their break. Looking back, it's all gone quite smoothly, though it didn't feel like it was at the time. The real measure of it is when people leave.

Most of them are off tomorrow; I do a short 8-1 shift, and by the end of it we'll only have 40 residents left. They depart the day after, leaving me to recuperate and get on with the serious business of booking a holiday to get over it all.

I'd like a holiday too

A week at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Cumbria doing nowt but drinking draft Old Peculier sounds like a plan to me - when are you free?

to both of you for giving people a good holiday period and staying (relatively) sane

oh and you could probably use some or

Thanks Sho

The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Gosho? Now that sounds like a plan. I'll pack E off to Lanzarote and meet you there. Although I'll have to insist on a hangover-shaking stroll up to the top of the Langdales each lunchtime; that should leave most of the afternoon free for the OP.

In fact, what a great place for a Meet that would be

are the and providers invited?

damn right they are If Gosho is planning to drink the place out of OP, we'll definitely need someone to help with reviving brews!

Tell you what 'rich. You head off up the Pikes and I'll wave at you from the (relative) comfort of a settle in the bar. When I see you coming back I'll get the first round in

Suits me fine. If I don't even have to wait for my pint to be poured, I'm even happier

I get all Wainwrighty when I think about the Lakes. I start using words like 'amble' a lot and start getting wishful about mist. It's a bloody good job I'm going up on the Moors on Saturday, and even better that there's snow forecast.

My ambling days are behind me, and I don't mind that one bit. Neither my hips nor my knees will stand up to much in the way of ambling any more. I'm not averse to a gentle stroll every now and again though.

*puts hand up*

oh me me me memememememe Pick me!!!

I love ambling and even yomping!
I definitely don't want to be making and all the time

That'll be my job then

I can't imagine having to give it up, Gosho. I get knee problems every now and then, but I don't know what I'd do if I thought I'd never get to another mountain-top or tackle a hard day on the coast path. Well, I sort of do; I knackered both my knees coming down Helvellyn a couple of years ago, and I was hell to be around in the recovery period, particularly in the early stages when I feared that I'd done permanent damage.

Sorry, Sho, it sounded like you were volunteering So we'll do the wistful yomping, and Gosho can handle the catering, yes? Sounds like he's in for a busman's holiday...

I think I'd like to take some milkshakes with me. Half a dozen probably, of various flavours...

<--- and you don't see one of those very often from me on a food-related subject

I've been to the Lake District only once - in 1976. While the rest of the country was basking in that wonderful summer, it came down in stair rods over the Lakes We had maybe three fine days out of the two weeks we were there. I think all we managed was Blencathra and the Langdale Pikes. We drove past Helvellyn plenty of times but never actually set foot on it. As for going up on't moors in January, I think I'll just sit by the fire and work on The Independent crossword with a pint by my side