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

Planxty 2004 reunion CD?

I never even knew they did a reunion. I have two old Planxty vinyls - The Well Below the Valley-O and... what is the other one called again? I acquired them both before Mala was born.

Oh, stop it. You're just saying that to make me jealous. Planxty are a great antidote for people who think they like Irish music because they've heard Daniel O'Donnell. Or Sean Wilson!

Ok then, I'll send you it. (There was a good session in Clare we went to, but there were so many accordians and squeeze-boxes I couldn't even hear the piper! He seemed to be pretty good from the bits I managed to hear, which made it more frustrating. )

My daughters gave me an accordian for my birthday, but I can never play it because that darn will sing along from the bottom of her !

This is a pretty cool project that might be up your street! http://www.eol.org/content/page/help_build_eol

Just been reading about it.

Yes, that sounds intriguing! I could perhaps contribute a beetle or two...

It looks like a great project to take part in (and probably a lot more use than something along the SETI lines...). I don't know about sending beetles, but they have a Flickr account for people to send in photographs of every kind of organism. If you've a lot of beetles that might be an idea.

I hear an invitation's been extended to me - very much.

I might have to take you up on it now though, that's the only problem.

Hey, drop by, and welcome! My compost heap's a mess, and so is the rest of the house. Just as long as you don't keep Mala from working!

Nah, I wouldn't do that. That's important.

Mal mentioned that the place was a wee bit untidy with the work being done etc. - she seems to think I'm incredibly fussy. It's easy to see she didn't see my place when she came to Ireland!

A WEE bit untidy?

It's a lot worse, actually. I am the complete opposite of a German Hausfrau!

Me too, strangely enough!

Hey, maybe we're long-lost twins...

I don't think I'm wuschelig enough for that!

You should go back to Ireland some time, you know. I could even introduce you to The Verger.

I would love to go back to Ireland, but I think I'll pass on The Verger!

Whenever I go back there, I know it will be in better company this time!

I certainly hope so - your first trip can't have been ideal, but I'm glad you still have some fond memories of the place.

(What's this I hear about you forcing me to dig ponds, by the way? )

Well, my honeymoon in Ireland would have been wonderful if only I had travelled alone...

... but I can't complain because I brought home a souvenir I am still rather fond of today. And can you tell it must have happened somewhere in the vicinity of Blarney Castle?

And anything about making you dig a pond was said in jest... from your fromer post, I thought you were planning to visit this week, in which case I would have had to find something for you to do, because Mala has to work on her thesis. *toil*

But apparently she still has time to give me a bad reputation...

Alas, no visits to Niedersachsen this week - due to staffing problems I'm doing the work of eight people, with just one colleague to help.

And I agree. I'm quite fond of that souvenir, too. A much better one than a piece of green marble or a plastic leprechaun.

Well, as far as souvenirs go, a beautiful woven bedspread in heathery rainbow colours came in a close second...

... followed by several songbooks, two small wire whisks, and a book of Kerryman jokes...

Just realised I have neglected you lately... have fun with THIS one!

Go ahead, click on it... it's actually quite funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA1NoOOoaNw

Riiight.