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

Yep, it's here again! The year before last I forgot! Last year I was & promised that this would be THE year. Hmmph!

I have no kitchen. That's right - nothing, only the washing machine & you can't cook anything on or in that The stove has been disconnected by Transco as it was leaking gas. The sink was dismantled (destroyed) by the other half who has repaired all the plumbing.

Explanation: we are re-fitting the kitchen - the WHOLE lot. The cooker, new fridge & units won't be here until the 24th, but there is alot of work to be done beforehand.

The builder has already put in an RSJ to hold up the chimney so we can fit a cooker underneath. So now it's "just" a case of patching-up & decorating the walls, getting rid of old tiles, cleaning the floor before the new vinyl is laid & sorting out the extractor hood, which we intend to fit so that everything goes up the chimney - well, everything we don't want to eat . One problem is that the entrance to the chimney is not central, so we have to play about with bricks inside - no problem The cooker has to be central because we have a small kitchen & all the units are a standard size - if you can understand that

We are considering cooking the pancakes outside in the road in our campervan - but not sure if the ceiling is high enough that the pancakes won't stick to it - not sure what the neighbours will think

Don't worry - I AM keeping VERY calm

wow that's

really, it's not that bad - washing-up is a pain though, we have to cart it up to the bathroom

I have a friend who keeps a reptile in his bath, so it's nothing compared to that - I suppose

Reptile ??

Not a 1960s Avocado Green suite I hope. No camouflage for a python. But all right for crocs.

Reptiles should be kept in a very warm place and never let out of doors. Bit like prison I guess.

Sorry, I can't remember exactly what the animal was, but no worries, this chap is a real expert with animals - he has a wide variety of them & shows them at schools, etc., (he even brought snakes, a tarantula & other animals to our art society for the members to draw - although most people were either making a fuss of the friendly ones or in awe of the others )

He has recently moved, so I presume his partner is quite pleased that she's got the bathroom back!

He had an iguana (I think that was it) that was just like a dog - he used to scrounge food from visitors!!

Memory on this is a bit hazy - few years back - I keep meaning to take my other half round to see him & the animals ... time passes

I was only joking !

I have my own menagerie here.

I am seriously thinking of getting a goat. I just love them. Something about their eyes, and the way they feed from you hand. All soft and slurpy

They'll eat anything so will fit in nicely

Years ago, when I was with the Civil War Soc, we did a display & living history at the Bath&West Show. They had some rare breed goats & needed someone to look after them - apparently the public quite often feed anything including plastic bags & wrappers. Anyway, I volunteered - My daughter & I had no hats & it was a heatwave. The previous weekend we had been to a battle where everywhere was sodden - our clothes, equipment - everything.

Practically the whole regiment, including ourselves, had the next week off work - we'd all come down with chest infections, bronchitis, etc!!!

However, like you, I still love goats. If I had a big house & garden, I would most certainly get one or two. They have such character

Those Civil War Soc things are great.

Bit rough tho ? You can get really knocked about eh

I was mainly a camp follower . The royalist cavalry did come round once & our pikemen formed a circle round us for protection. Some of the royalists were a real pain in the ....!

I did try drumming, but the drums were so heavy & I think I was beginning the trouble I've got now - so it were not too comfy!

There are many tales of accidents happening to some of the men, but they were/are there at their own risk.

It was good fun, but I couldn't take all the walking & camping, etc., now. There are some stalwarts who have been in it for donkeys years - hardened to it you may say. Or maybe its the When there is a major on & we landed on some unsuspecting village the pubs would be drunk dry Nobody was allowed on the field who had been drinking though - safety & all that.

I made my costumes & my daughters - in the loft in a plastic bag now - what's left, I gave alot away Ah! memories, but loads of photos

Sorry, Shirps, didn't see this one
Must get rid of some clutter

It's a long time since I saw a display, but at the time, I thought it was really great.

I did know this chap who was into it in a big way, but he was a real thug. Or, dead butch at least

It must have been a real fun thing for you all. And a good social life. Can't imagine you all dancing though

yes !

Oh yes we did! Not just folky type dancing, but also - all in Civil War costume We used to go in supermarkets to buy food, etc., pubs, walk everywhere, dressed in costume - it was great fun.

Once my daughter, L, & I went to the Tower of London to hand over some sponsored money we had collected to save alot of armour from going to the US. Our regimental major worked there. We arrived - asked a beefeater where we could find him - he phoned through & escorted us past the queuing tourists to the chap's office. He then asked L if she's seen the crown jewels - "no". He made a phone call, we were collected by another beefeater & taken into the jewel house - lifting ropes to bypass the queue again!!! We were both dressed in full costume & everyone was staring & pointing at us To this day, I think of the Japanese tourists who have photos of us in their albums

It was a good social life - there was a complete assortment of people: lawyers, doctors, teachers, dustmen, families (including babies), students, a few thugs (mainly on the Royalist side, ahem!) & I did rather miss it when I couldn't go anymore, but it all came at the right time as L had loads of school work to do & I had to have a physical rest. I have albums to look through IF I want to be reminded!

I do not miss camping in the foul weather though

That is really an interesting story !

Sounds great fun. But not the camping. Shudder.

Hope you are feeling better, take care, have a lovely week-end,

love and s

U2, have a great weekend - hope the weather gets milder!

back

Thank you
x

Rotten weather - if you wish for good, then it's bad & who'd wish for bad?

Absolutely

Looking forward to hearing about your visit to Bristol

Had a friend who once lived there

She hated it