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

Scores of researchers and readers descended on Manchester for the first official Meet since h2g2 has been under Not Panicking Ltd management.

Many researchers arrived a day or two early to start the Meet weekend in the traditional manner, that is, at a pub. Twenty-five researchers met at the Port Street Beer House (A87726937) in Manchester’s fashionable Northern Quarter February 17th. The number of researchers attending the pre-Meet gathering exceeded the total attendance figure for any meet in recent years.

Saturday’s Meet drew 51 intrepid researchers to Manchester. Festivities began at the Cask (A87726054) and soon moved to the Museum of Science and Industry (A87743596). After the museum’s closing time, researchers found their way to the Font.

Researchers, accompanied by inflatable antipodeans and a knitted Dalek, indulged in the Font’s version of the Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster , an intoxicating concoction whose full recipe and creation can be found here: A87738565. The Font also served a unique, locally brewed ale, Don’t Panic!

As the evening progressed, Pastey unleashed h2g2’s first PhD level pubquiz, held simultaneously live at the meet, on h2g2, and Twitter. Team 43 won the quiz. Each Team 43 team member, Robbie Stamp, Dr and Mrs Zen, Malabarista, and Ictoan, received the fabulous prize of an original smiley artwork. (Rumours that Mala intimidated Pastey with her impressive array of weaponry are entirely unfounded.) There was also a supplementary question, the winners of which were Pegasus and J'au-aemne. Pegasus received an ultra-exclusive copy of the h2g2 book and got it signed by everyone there. J'au-aemne received a Super Exclusive h2g2 towel from Robbie Stamp himself.

Minichessemouse proved her artistic skills by winning the badge competition, and received a copy of the h2g2 book. Honourable mentions went to Titania and Phil, each of whom received a copy of the very exclusive h2g2 book.

Robbie Stamp congratulated and thanked the whole h2g2 community, whether in Font or not, for their work keeping the site running and keeping DNA’s vision alive. This was met with a lot of cheering and well-deserved drinks. Robbie also delivered the traditional h2g2 meet toast: ‘To Absent Friends’

The following morning, some 17 dedicated revellers returned to Font for breakfast, a few drinks and farewells. The breakfast crowd dwindled as the time to catch trains, planes and buses approached all too soon for some. For others, breakfast turned into lunch, and it wasn’t until 5pm that the students, goths and hipsters were finally able to reclaim the Font.

Now that the hangovers have cleared and Researchers have made it home, all that remains is to thank everyone who made the Meet such a success. Please enjoy these photos (A87743848), add your photos to the entry by emailing them to artists AT h2g2 DOT com, peruse <./>ThePost</.> for researchers' reports on the Meet, and help Bluebottle craft a collaborative entry on the Museum of Science and Industry (A87743596).

Sad that I couldn't make it.

Next year.

Amen to that Clive. To next time!

That entry on Cask Bar is so far off the truth, by the way.

"The jukebox is also one of three in the city that can claim to be the best, with the nearby Knott Bar, and Bar Fringe being the other two."

Bollocks. The best jukebox in town is in Corbieres.

I wish to make it *absolutely clear* that I am merely repeating an oft-quoted quip...

Q. Where do you get the best view of Manchester?
A. In the rear view mirror from the M62 motorway.

There would be nobody in agreement then? Thought not.

Glad you all had a good meet

*hic*


Those who didn't attend missed out on a good time


lil xx

Thanks lil. That's not rubbing it in at all.

Can I do me Sssssilla impreshun now?

It sounds great, I'm sorry I missed it! I've only been to one meet so far. Oh well, next time!

and in equal measure.

Well done, all of you. And thanks for sharing pics, reports, anecdote and poetry with

I'm quite amused that despite being there for the shortest time, I've written the longest meet-up report for .

<BB<

Well, if you'll all write up your meet reports, we can have a grand retrospective for the 12 March issue.

Crap I didn't make it. Hopefully next time...

We'll brings sporks...

<BB<
I'm quite amused that despite being there for the shortest time, I've written the longest meet-up report for .


[BB]
That's why you can remember the details

True. Bald Bloke's meet report might consist of lots of me talking crap at him.

"Those who didn't attend missed out on a good time" it was only Manchester (foreign lands)

but sorry to miss the folk

I have been threatening for years to go to a meet, nearly made two of them! so i'm going to try for the next

it's always nice to put a face to a tag name of a friend