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

Leaving the BBC today throws a shadow over my 40th anniversary (October 1st 1971 was my first day as a journalist apprentice)

But as others have pointed out this need not be a goodbye to all you nice people w*rking for Auntie Beeb. Join us in our new home - or at least stop by from time to time to say hello and have a nice cup of and a chat

Maybe even a bottle of rum

for now

As I understand it, the disconnect from the BBC will be at the start of Monday now. A small reprieve. Still, I expect it will feel a bit of a shock to some.

Happy Anniversary though, mate.

You're 40 already?

Happy anniversary.

Well done, Pierce

Thanks

@ Nick: Since this is also the first day of my holidays and I have some partying to attend to I won't be around here till some time next week, so for me this is the last day with Hootoo on Beeb

@ Mala: Indeed, but I'm only 17 on the inside

Pierce Happy 40th anniversary of working as a journalist. You must have seen quite a few changes since you started as an apprentice.

Perhaps a cup of tea with a dash of rum added to it.

See you on the new site from tomorrow.

Your title just made me think of this one:

Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and you taste so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I'd still be on my feet

happy anniversary dear

The rest...it'll all come out in the wash

...also, congrats!

happy anniversary, dude.

40 years is a long time to spend writing articles about cute kittens getting rescued from trees by photogenic firemen.

(Just kidding!)

Thanks

You are absolutely right, paulh. I was very lucky to get a job as a sub-editor 25 years ago, so I only wrote about those for the first 15 years

These last 25 years I have edited articles about them instead

Oh aye, Kat, I've seen changes all right!

From handwritten manuscripts and letters in lead to news on the net via smartphones

But hey, I skipped the electric typewriter in the process. Never owned one myself

40 years? How many times during that period have you decided to leave and do something completely different?

Twice a week

and twice a week the Lotto people told me to keep my daytime job

Nah, it wasn't all that bad

Regrets?
I've had a few
but then again
too few to mention

The Lotto people are strangely unforgiving about that.

I have been in media business for almost 15 years and I don't like it at all anymore. Then again, nowadays I only w*rk about 1/4 time or so for them.