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

We're very sad to announce that Mark Moxon has decided that he can no longer resist the call of the open road, and as a result he's resigned from his position as Editor of h2g2 and DNA, and is going travelling for a year.

His last day in the office will be 20 September 2002, and you can find his message of thanks in his Journal at F13393?thread=192280 if you want to say goodbye.

Aw, don't Amy. I'll still be around for a while, and it's not like my account is going to be closed.

Change is a positive thing, I reckon!

We''ll still miss you though. Africa is a big target. Can you narrow it down a bit?

*has some and to recover from the shock*

I'm planning to fly to Dakar in Senegal, from where I will meander through The Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d'Ivorie, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin and Niger. Hopefully I can get a flight across to Kenya, because the middle of Africa is a no-go zone, and from there it's a well-worn path down through Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

And if I manage to fit that lot into a year, I'll need another holiday!

Not that he's got this all planned out or anything!

That should keep you busy. Of all those places I've only been to Kenya, which was brilliant. Best wishes.

Thanks Amy.

If you happen by the Embasy in Harare when you're there and need help from the Embassy just mention my name, I've got a mate who's a diplomat there!

Not sure if he knows me as Orcus though

If I'm in Harare, I think I'll definitely need help... especially if they discover my shady past as a journo for the BBC!

I'd keep quiet about that then.

Ironically, he decided on a diplomatic post in Africa rather another offer in New York as he though it would be more interesting.

I think he'd have had some year in either case

Too right. It's hard to know which one would have been the more interesting, if that's the right word...

Will you be canvassing for H2G2 - would really liven the place up to have some African researchers. There are a couple of South Africans, but I don't know of any others.

No doubt... I think I've got some business cards round here somewhere I can shove in people's faces!

well we expect regular updates in your journal whenever you go by an internet cafe.....

have a great time

FABT

African researchers? *raises hand, bows low* Not native, but she said I'll do, in a pinch.

Hey Mark, drop me a line when you're passing thru Kenya, eh? We'll grab a bottle of Tusker Lager and some roast Eland! By then, you should have some good stories to tell.


GTB

Think of all the guide entries you can write. While writing an entry on "Countries of the World" i was shocked how few African nations have entries even mentioning them.

One word of advice - buy the Rough Guide to Africa, but keep it hidden, it's the best resorce there is south of Egypt and noth of South Africa, but most local Police / Security will confiscate it because it is so usful to the and better than any of the indigenous local resourses.

I sure will, GTB. You owe me a pint, as I recall!

It'd be great to see you.

Handy advice - thanks autist. As for writing en route, I certainly plan to do that, but most of it will remain unpublished until I return. I may have plans for it...

I'm sure you'll have fun... no doubt this will make the meet in July even louder and more raucous than ever. I will see you then, of course.