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

It's also wonderful that your Mum, despite her problems, talks of you in such a way. She was obviously always aware how clever you are, and this is still very present in her thoughts.

I'm 100% better thanks Webbyand so glad to be back in the swing of things.

I still have the rash, but it's healing, and way beyond the itching stage. It's almost like burns - growing the new skin takes time, but it's getting there. I can't believe March is almost over

Hi TC, Mum gets very excited when I answer questions correctly, she giggles like a schoolgirl.

My Mum always watches University Challenge, although nowadays she can't answer many questions. She's always amazed when I get one right .. "How do you know THAT?" Of course - lots of it is thanks to hootoo!

I have learned a lot of obscure facts from sub-editing, things I wouldn't ordinarily have known.

Hi Icy

Would you like some to go with your ?

I'll take that with some paracetamol, please - I've just done my back

they're no good, been saying it for years, you'd be better off doing piles, according to the BBC News this morning, I think they meant "pilates"

Take care Icy, backs are a pain in every sense.

Websailor

Thanks Webbie. Unfortunately because of a big fire in Central London today I had to shuffle a couple of miles back to the station. The back hurts like hell now.

do you have a large plywood board around ? to put under your mattress for lumber support ? it can help

I'll be ok when I lie down, thanks. I just don't sleep long enough for it to ease off. Only one more day until the long weekend, though.

just take care mate ok and rest where ever poss' even for 10mins or so

Ah, so that Holborn fire thing is for real, then, not an April fool's joke...

Yes. it's real all right. Right outside the Shakespeare's Head, too.

Oy! Hope "the head" will be unscathed!

If it's any consolation I've got back trouble myself these days, but it feels a little like getting better

I thought Icy's comment was a nod to this article:

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-32132377

(Paracetamol no good for back pain - don't know if it was an April fool's thing)

I combo of these two may be helpful:

http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/09/acetaminophen-vs-ibuprofen-which-works-better/

today's Chase... wish Ian had been on my team

and a Hitchhiker's question - and astronomy questions