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

Malabarista was flying back from Germany on Sunday night, returning to Northern Ireland where she lives and works. Her flight was coming into Dublin Airport late on Sunday evening, so by the time she got the bus to Belfast, the local trains would all have closed down for the night, and she'd have to find a taxi to bring her to her car and then drive home. It would be very late, and she'd have to get up early on Monday for work.

I volunteered to collect her from the airport and put her up for the night. She could then make her way home on Monday morning in a more leisurely fashion, although she'd miss work - something she didn't mind doing at all.

I'd never met Malabarista; I knew roughly what she looks like from photos, but I have an inability to recognise people's faces, so I wouldn't necessarily spot her. And I didn't know whether she knew what I look like. So I found myself in the airport, carrying a sign that said 42.

She spotted me straight away. I'm about 30 minutes drive from the airport when there's no traffic, so we were home soon and sitting by the fire which Mrs G had nicely lit.

We sat up talking until about 2. We've a lot in common - her interest in architecture and mine in ancient cultures overlap in a lot of places; we both love linguistics and are fascinated by a huge range of things. I find her Viking interests a bit strange - she showed me her goatskin jacket and told me about her sword. But I'm sure she finds some things about me strange too.

We got up early on Monday, which was a Public Holiday, and had a long breakfast in which we continued the conversation. Then it was time to drive her into the central bus station in Dublin (Busáras), where she could get a bus to Belfast.

Good to know she made it back home without more travel disruption, and that she had such a warm welcome

Well done Gnomon for looking after our Mala

It's great that Gnomon has now met Malabarista - two great stars in our midst!

I had hoped for a London meet this year, but nothing seems to happen in the meet thread.

Glad Mala had such lovely hosts.

We are lovely, aren't we?

You certainly are.

If my flight back to George Best on Saturday morning gets diverted to Dublin can you come pick me up Gnomon?

Although hopefully I'll have an easy time as I'm only flying out on Friday...oh the joys of work

If you land in Dublin on Saturday morning, DD, you'll have plenty of time to get a bus to Belfast the same day.

If you're stuck, I'll collect you.

A blue bus goes direct from Dublin Airport to Belfast now, doesn't it?

Yes, the blue Aircoach goes from Dublin Airport to the centre of Belfast. The Bus Eireann bus from Dublin to Belfast also stops at Dublin Airport.

That's a nice story.