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

We performed Handel's Messiah last night in St Patrick's Cathedral. I didn't get home afterwards.

I set out from work at 4, intending to go home on the tram, eat, change and come back in for the performance at 8. Somebody put a block of ice on the tram tracks and a tram was damaged, so they cancelled the service. The snow on the roads was so bad that there was no chance of me getting home and back in time. So Mrs G walked the 10km from home into Dublin, carrying most of my dress suit and an overnight bag.

She couldn't manage to carry everything, so I had a dress suit jacket, fancy shirt and bow tie but no trousers. I had to wear my jeans. But in the middle of the 100-strong choir, nobody noticed.

Messiah went well, but the audience was very sparse, which is a pity, as the concert was for charity and it's now likely that the charity will actually lose money on the event.

After the performance, we went to a local hotel rather than trying to get back home. Mrs G didn't want to walk that journey in the snow twice in the one day.

This morning it was only a 30-minute walk to my work.

Mrs G is indeed one very impressive Lady. Not often you find someone willing to go that distance, let alone in such inclement conditions as you folks have lately. I am sure you have found, or will find, a suitable way to express your appreciation

And a shame the 'turn-out' was so sparse, probably also weather-induced.

Yes I was talking to a number of Dublin colleagues who were badly affected, especially by the LUAS being cancelled. Another blizzard heading east at the miinute - wrap up warm!

I think the Irish are the biggest grumblers about the weather.

Wow Mrs G! what a star! Walking that far in snow is hard work anyway - but carrying a bag. You're a very lucky man Gnomon

I hope the weather lets up for everyone pretty soon.

10K in the snow Hats off to Mrs G. Sorry to hear that the performance was so poorly attended - this is pesky weather.

That's dedication! How long did it take her to walk in those conditions?

I hope she didn't catch a cold.

I think it was about an hour and forty minutes.

Which ain't bad

That's an impressive walk.

TRiG.

Lots and lots of and and and special thanks to Mrs G. I wouldn't even dream of asking my husband to do that. He wouldn't know where to find my clothes for a start.

She deserves a spa weekend for that.

As a matter of practical interest, how did she actually transport a full-blown suit jacket? She can't have shoved it into a backpack, but nor will she have walked all that way with the hanger over her finger?

>>She can't have shoved it into a backpack

Oh yes she can!

She had problems folding it to get it into the backpack until she removed the obligatory chorister's pencil.

Teehee.

The pencil is surely superfluous anyway, after you've sung the Messiah so many times!