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

Yes, we had a great New Year too, lots of Geordies, well my nephew and great nieces, and local kids who behaved themselves impeccably at my place but one young lady spent a night in the cells cos she got into a fracas after she left us! Just high spirits really, they didn't charge her! My band is still limping along, we did a great gig at the main London Shelter in between the holidays, it was like the San Quentin concert I kid you not! I'm really enjoying the Acoustic Ballroom, I still do that every month, my main thing at the minute is my teaching which now I've got over the nerves is really inspiring, I'm back into the academic world big-time, when I thought I was finished, I'm doing the Nursing degree teaching and I start A level Health and Social Welfare soon, I hope it leads to a bit more work cos I really enjoy it, it's the show - off in me I'm afraid, and Kevin's back and I'm very happy, and POinky's back, my cup runneth over!

Hi Ham,thankyou ,as always for your msg..and,San Quentin happens to be one of my favourite dvd's and cd !! Wish I could have been there !! I feel somewhat deprived !..I know your really concentrating on your teaching at the moment,I can understand that (We DO enjoy a challenge don't we ? Must be the N/East air or something ? I'm not sure !!)Goes without saying,I know you will pass all exams,with flying colours.Top marks ,top of the class and if you come second,then I want to meet the guy who beats you OK ? I'll knock him out hahahahahaha Well,no good news to report from sunny Blackpool.Actually, it's quite a wet and dismal Blackpool at the moment ! However,spring isn't that far away,it always brings hope for a brighter year ahead,I always think ! Hopefully better weather too ! I confess,it does seem to be a million miles away right now,the rain is beating against the lounge window as I type ! OK,I'll get a move on and send Lots of Love as always with this msg xxxxxx You take care xxxxxxx Pinky xxxxxxxxx PS pleased to hear Kevins back X

Heyup Pinky, you know this is supposed to be the most depressing time of the year, and I don't think that's too far wide of the mark I'm ready for a holiday and I'm giving up my local job which I should never have started, but I was grateful enough to have it at the time, it's just turned out that I'm much busier than I ever thought I would be, it's come as a bit of a shock to me to be honest, I have to work I'm psychologically dependent, and I hate it at the same time. Still, I should have a couple of days a week off come March, and I'll keep going at that as long as it lasts, I haven't been out on my lovely new bike for months, just haven't had time. The Thames is awesome at the moment, flooding everywhere, it has to be seen to be believed, Wallingford is quitelucky in that respect, properties don't get flooded much, touch wood, Abingdon really gets a hammering. Apparently it was snowing in Newcastle last night, my mother in law went back, we had her over Christmas, she got back for a hospital appointment, she phoned us to say that her appointment had been put back a fortnight, if only she knew, she could have stayed another two weeks. You know that saying ignorance is bliss? Well it's never been more true! Your pal Ham.

Hahahahahaha,your Darling mother-in-law stayed for Xmas,New Year and quite a lot of January too then Ham ? hahahahahaha Bless ! Yes,I do believe they have had quite a bit of snow up home lately !! Still,she has escaped the flood waters ! We must be grateful for small mercies !.....I know,and I completely agree with you ,this IS the most depressing month of the year ! I also understand the love/hate relationship your having with work ! I hate going,but once I do actually get there,I love it ! Everyday !Never a happy medium Ham,it's how life is I suppose ! All or nothing ! A couple of days off in March may just give you the chance to enjoy a bike ride,the weather will be better too ! Hopefully ! I have not got one piece of good news to report,infact I could write the most depressing msg ever sent in h2g2 EVER ! Would I ? Well,no,I wouldn't ,not to you Ham .....your obviously feeling the winter blues as much as I am ,so I'll keep this only halfway depressing OK ? The bad news is,I will return to depress you more very soon ! hahahahaha Keep smiling,you look good when you smile hahahaha Take care Lots of Love always Pinky XXXXXXXX

Well that's a bit ironic, I've been in college all day talking about diagnosis of depression in the elderly, which demographically includes me! I'll write soon, Love, Ham.

Hahahahahaha,mmmmmmmm,you've been discussing depression I've been living it !! hahahahahaha There are the lucky ones, then there's me Ham hahahaha ! Are you still here ? Live ??? Suddenly my depression feels better ! I'm posting this now,just incase Love,always Pinky XXXXXX

No,it's just how I thought it would be,we missed each other by minutes !!My luck is as useless as ever ! One day ! I never give in !! Hope all is well with you Ham ? I have to say,I would have enjoyed sitting in on your talk today ! I may just have been able to enlighten everyone even more !! Who knows eh ? hahahhhahaha Hopefully speak to you soon ! Lots of Love Pinky XXXXXXXX

Just my luck, missed the chance for a live session, well I've been neglecting you shamefully, I started to write Saturday morning then got distracted, my granddaughter stayed over Friday, then off to stage school Saturday morning, (the bairn not me, I'm a big enough poser already!) Had my Neighbours around Saturday night, nice young couple with a seven year old daughter, always something interesting, he's a really highly qualified head gardener at a big private estate around here. Working Sunday morning, (preparing Alzheimer's session, the shape of things to come!), but got up the club for the start of the meat draw and won the steaks! There is a god! I've put my notice in at the Housing Association, I'm not paranoid I promise but they're not sorry to see me go. They're unqualified, and I'm no snob I promise, I wasn't after anything, I just want an easy little number which it certainly is, but there's a lot of jealous people around I'm afraid, I made my manager a bit insecure, they've actually managed to get themselves decent jobs and fair play to them, but it's all within their little pond, they wouldn't get senior positions anywhere else, and they see a well-qualified professional coming in and they close ranks, they wonder what you're after, sad really. Never mind, I'm out of it soon and Buckinghamshire have promised me at least 6 months work and the college thing is going nicely. Well Pinkness, off to Henley to doss around all day, see you soon, Love Ham.

No,I'm not having it Ham...I personally think 'real life' is currently making us both very neglectful ! It's not your fault and it isn't mine either (Valentines Day,getting ever closer ,I rest my case)I also understand exactly what your saying about unrest,jealousies and downright hypocrisy in the office..I worked in the civil service longer than was reasonable for any human being,I know just how very petty and pathetic it can all become ! Besides,like you ,I like all of the glory ,why should some jumped up little pen-pusher have any at all ? hahahahahhaha The quicker you work your notice,the better it will be if you ask me !... The weather has been monstrous here,you'll have heard ,no doubt ,about the 'Riverdance'ferry being ashore right on my doorstep ! The very nerve !!! The traffic is unbelievable,sightseers arriving from everywhere ! I can't get the car parked for love nor money ! I mean,you'd have thought the Captain could have gone a bit further south wouldn't you ? Anyway,the salvage team has been aboard today,if they manage to pump off the fuel,everything should be fine ! It could have been a lot worse ,lives lost ,spillage causing pollution to the wildlife etc etc ,very lucky really !... Not much news to be honest Ham,all boring stuff from my end.Just work ,lousy weather and wishing my life away as usual,willing springtime to be here ..No change there then ....I'm not sure when you and your wife leave for your holiday ? If you have left already,I hope your having the best time...if your leaving soon,I hope you have the best time and the sun shines everyday for you ! Hope to catch up with you very soon ! And 'live' would be such a bonus xxxx You take care Ham xxxx My love as always Pinky xxxxxx

Did they dance right off the boat? The mind boggles. You know that whole Riverdance thing was the daftest thing I ever saw in my life, it used to make me crack up, and apparently Michael Flatley slept with all the women, which made it even funnier, I wondered if they ever stopped jigging about long enough to achieve anything meaningful! Yes, fresh back from Madeira, with a sprained ankle, not gained falling over inebriated but in true enthusiasts fashion on a long hike into the interior of Madeira, not too bad but I went out again on Sunday and we did quite a rough hike, I thought it was better but it swelled right up again, my ankle that is, so I'll rest it best I can. I won't be riverdancing over the next few days anyways. Yeah I'm working for the next couple of weeks and then I'll actually have some free time, my college stuff is coming to an end for this session, though I've got three sessions on A level Health and Social Welfare, and maybe something more permanent will arise, it's good for me as it's got me back studying, you can't just walk in cold, I actually find that with typing etc it takes me a day's preparation for each session, though I'm getting a bit better at preparation, I do find it quite stimulating. Actually on Thursday I've got to round off and I'm going to set a little exam, just to see how much they've actually taken in. Don't want to moan but it's not like when I was at College, I used to practically live in the library but these so and so's don't seem to open a book between sessions! Just joking, they're all part-time and have jobs to do and keep homes running, it's not easy. Anyhow, I suppose you're working hard this morning, the flowers in Madeira are stunning, right through the year there is a lovely display, my favourites this time were the Morning Glories, I try to grow the darn things and I get about six straggly plants, there they grow wild, the deepest blues you ever saw in your life, blankets of them all over the place, anyhow, I'm rambling more than a Morning Glory, actually we've talked about Morning Glories before haven't we? Ah the joys of old companionship! Love, Ham.

Your home !! YEY !Welcome back.I missed you Ham XXX Pleased you had a great holiday,sad to hear about the sprained ankle of course....No riverdancing for you for awhile then ? There IS a God !!.... Well,the 'Riverdance Ferry'is still beached ,the sightseers are still sightseeing,it is becoming nigh on impossible to even drive down that particular part of the promenade at all now..week-ends are espiecally crazy..personally,I do think Blackpool council has planned this ,a tourism operation that has actually worked, exceedingly well in my opinion...most locals (hoteliers ,pubs and the odd florist) are praying they arrange the same spectacle every year Ham.It wasn't this busy during the illuminations to be honest ! Trade is blooming ,Blackpools never had it so good !Lets hope the Riverdance never ends .......Madeira sounds as wonderful as ever,the flower displays sound astounding ,espiecally the morning glories...such a captivating plant and the colour,amazing.We have discussed your efforts at growing them before Ham,and as you know ,practise makes perfect,each year your display can only improve ! OK,sorry about this,it has to be discussed at some point ..so,here goes ..work...I am busy at the moment,trying my very best to make the course of true love on Valentines Day ,run as smoothly as possible...it is very trying ,to say the least ! Inexperienced young men wanting to know what to put on cards to their Valentines ,no imagination these days whatsoever.I have to agree with you Ham,in our day at college ,books and the library were vital...I asked one lad if he'd every read any of Byrons works ,he seemed very enthused to have something extra romantic on his card 'Which band does he play in ?'was the reply ...I of course resorted to the old favourite Roses are Red,violets are blue,I'm so lucky,to be loving you ......'God thats brlliant' he said 'Can you write it out for me ?' BLESS !!!!!True love eh ? The lucky girl !!! I'm actually beginning to look forward to Mothers Day now Ham,there is only so much ,even I can take in the name of love ..........So,your work,only two weeks then some free time ! I hope you take advantage this time,and enjoy many bike rides and time doing what you want to do Ham ! I just know next session at college will be a busy one for you with an increased work load.How can they possibly want to miss out on your obvious dedication ? They won't want to,I have the feeling your going to be kept pretty busy ! Make sure you enjoy every relaxing moment ! This is now a thesis,I will close for now sending you all my love as always,looking forward to hearing from you soon Pinky XXXXX

Hi Ham,just a quickie to let you know,I have actually survived Valentines Day ,and to tell you ...although it is impossible...believe me,the most beautiful rose,with just the sweetest the card ,a meal of your choice ,with the drink (or two even)of your choice, would have been yours today ,had it been at all possible ....All in the name of friendship,with love from me to you XXXX Pinky XXXX See you soon XXXX

PS Hows the ankle doing by the way ? XXXXX

Pinky, it's all swollen and painful, but the good news is my ankle's better! Eee I'm sorry I haven't written for a few days, I've had a housefull for the weekend yet again. My daughter is a teacher and we've got half term this week, my great niece is going away with her for a week and her Dad brought her up from Aldershot, along with her big sister, plus my granddaughter stayed on Saturday, so it's all been a bit hectic. I've just been rudely interrupted, ooh er, I'll write again later.

Yes, so I'm on the last lap at this job and I've got less college for a few weeks so I'm retiring again so to speak, but I'm doing two days duty in Bucks, but I've had fair warning that this will be the last six months so I'll be keeping my eyes open for the next few months, but I'm not panicking this time. My band is in the recording studio the Sunday after next, actually we're doing nowt but we've got some big stuff lined up if it all comes off. We need a decent recording to promote us but we've got a chance of a real big gig in Oxfordshire, and we're playing on the famous 'Krinny' in Wallingford in a big charity event which should be great. How's your lad doing? Age is on his side and I'm expecting great stuff from him! I'm getting dafter as I get older, I love playing, more enthusiasm than talent but I enjoy it. I've had to fill in an 'exit interview' form and I've spilled all my bile and spite out in it, but I'm so darned angry with the way I've been treated but life's too short, fortunately I don't have to work for them and that's a nice position to be in, but I love the clients and it's a shame. I could still see me managing a community project but it's got to be where I feel comfortable with what I'm doing and the people I work with, which simply isn't the case here. Anyways, enough of my moaning and groaning, actually, it's nice to still be ranting, old Rockin Chair won't get me........ yet! Your Pal, Ham.

OH NO ! Not painfull AND swollen Ham ? Now thats bad right ? But,I'm thrilled to bits your ankles mended hahahahahahaha Hahahahha,your gonna get us banned from the BBC hahahahaha Now that would be something eh ? The bonding of our friendship,we got banned together hahhahahaha Your hilarious hahaha.... Hey,don't worry about not being able to write for a few days Ham,honestly,I know how hectic life can get,no problem ! Hope you all had a fabulous week-end ?...Well,what can I say ? Another bout of retirement coming up for you soon ! So much happening with your music,which all sounds very exciting to say the very least ! Wonder if the Krinny gig will be televised ? You never know ,keep me posted OK ? Our Zac is doing well at the moment,just one or two disputes with other band members,you know how it is ? Never a happy medium,he's got plenty of the N/East blood in him Ham so he holds his own and gets to play the music he likes hahahaha I just leave them to it,they take notice of me anyway,whats the point ? I will tell him you were asking though,he does ask about you and if you know anymore 'old' artists he can read about,and torture me with the music ! Come back,Barry White,all is forgiven !.....OK,so you fancy yourself managing a community project eh ? Somewhere comfortable ,nice people ? I live in a community Ham,I can be nice and I am very comfortable around the right people,when can you start Bonnie Lad ? haahahahahaha I'd LOVE to read your exit interview form then hahahahaha Hey,one day,you never know !!! I am now preparing for Mothers Day at work,the busiest time of all for me,then,hopefully,a holiday,somewhere warm,a visit to London,then I'll be back to normal Ham,well lets not get carried away here,as normal as possible for me I mean hahahahha OK,I'll sign off for now,sending my love as always.You take care Pinky XXXXX

I'd take care of you anytime! I'm currently looking at Tennessee Ernie Ford, your mum will remember him, I've copied his version of Mule Train almost note for note, very influential in getting authentic country music into the mainstream in the pre-Elvis era, and a truly great singer, Zac could do worse, contemporary bluegrass/skiffle is the coming thing, I'm never wrong in these matters, but it has to be rooted in authentic country, it's got to be real! Like you... Ham.

Hi Ham,thankyou for the informative msg..I have heard the song Mule Train,many times,but I confess,I haven't heard of Tennessee Ernie Ford..However,I have informed our Zac,he is,as ever enthused by this wonderful revelation (he's seeking all info as I type).So ,as you can tell ,my ignorance will soon be rectified ..infact,I'll know more about Tennessee than even Tennessee knew about himself ! Make no mistake ! Our Zac has told me to tell you,he is in complete agreement with you ,if the music isn't authentic,then it's not worth listening too in many cases ! He also tells me to tell you,his Mam is not real at all,she's out of this world (I think he's after something ,money springs to mind ) I've told him,your a Geordie,you knew this already hahahahahaha OK,thats my secretarial bit over for today PHEW !! How are you ? How is the family ? Hope everything is well with you all ! Everything is OK here,even the weather ! My garden is in bloom,crocus,primroses,even a few daffodils are beginning to open their sleepy heads ! The snowdrops are still asleep however,but are beginning to show through.For some reason,those and the hyacinths always appear late in my garden.Planted too deeply I suspect ! Even florists get it wrong ,sometimes hahahaha ! I watched the Brit Awards earlier ,our Zac went out,he could stand no more hahahaha I have to say,if this is the best we can produce ..bring back hanging ,thats my only solution to the problem ! OK,before this gets into the boring stage,I'll sign off for now....Speak to you very soon.My love as always Ham,take care Pinky XXXXXXXXX

I wrote a long missive yesterday that didn't get posted somehow, anyways, I bet you have heard Tennessee Ernie, he did the original of 'Sixteen Tons', great booming Bass-baritone voice, his biggest hit was probably.'Give me Your Word', a lovely pop song. Oh, I must tell you, I was up in Oxford yesterday, courtesy of my bus pass, and I was looking through the folk CD's in HMV, and 'The Complete Jake Thackery' was there for £30! Not even reduced, I reckon Zac has started a trend! Ive got a couple of weeks off college, and I finish my local job next Tuesday, and I'm a bit shattered actually, I've been working seven days more or less, what with the prep for college, I had two sessions as soon as I got back from holiday, it is a lot of work but it keeps me going, anyway I've got some free time now so it should be easier. I spent last night putting tracks on my MP3, which my girls bought me for my birthday, (61, which is only 16 backwards when you think about it), I've got to show willing with the darn thing, like the leather stetson they bought me for Christmas, I'm walking round Wallingford like John flippin Wayne! Anyway, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, the Grateful Dead, and Lester Flat and Earl Scruggs feature prominently, oh and Emmylou Harris, I love her I do, and lots of others. Yeah, my lot are well, my daughter returns from hols today with my great-niece so I'll have a housefull again tonight. Better than being old and lonely I suppose but sometimes I wonder! We're in the recording studio next Sunday, that's when reality kicks in, but it should be a laugh. I can't wait to see the young recording engineer's faces when we're belting out 'Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's flavour on the Bedpost Overnight', but we'll be laying 'Mule Train' down, and that's a bit impressive if I say so myself. I've just learned Alabammy Bound, the original Leadbelly version, and that's great, talk about authentic, Leadbelly's the man, he inspired Lonnie Donnegan, Donnegan started skiffle, which is where the Beatles started, no Leadbelly, no Swinging Sixties, just a little black guy with an acoustic guitar and authenticity! Eeee listen to me, get me on about music and I've not half got some chop! I'll bore you again soon, Love, Ham.

Hi Ham,well,what can I say..? Our Zac is going to be a very busy lad for a few months (keeps him out of trouble,thankyou) The info is rushing in on Tennessee Ford now (Born in Bristol,Tennessee,1919,died 1991) And yes,I do know the song 'Sixteen Tons',very well to be honest.My dear Dad sang that song to me often during my childhood..he always said it had been espiecally written for him ..he mined in the Durham coalfield for more years than he liked ! I remember the song very well,brought a tear to my eye actually ...lovely memories,for me ! I'm really surprised to learn they are selling Jake Thackary cd's in HMV mind you !! The songs our Zac has I had to send away from the internet to obtain them.Our Zac is thrilled to bits for the information you have given him,I however,suspect I'll be £30 poorer tomorrow hahahaha Whats a few bob between friends eh ? hahahaha Thankyou for letting me know !...You allowed your birthday to escape me then eh ? Well,happy belated birthday wishes from me XXX Age is just a number OK ? And look at this way,many a good tune is played on an old fiddle right ? Not to mention how much they're paying for antiques these days...your priceless XXXX Hope you had a wonderful birthday XXX... I'd love to hear your version of 'Mule Train',I do love that song ,and I don't even mind a bit of chewing gum being left on the bedpost over night,depends on who's left it there of course hahahahaha You'll have a blast at the recording studio..it's been a few years since I was in one,but,the memory lingers with me still ..OK,I recorded Jimi Hendrix stuff,the experience was awesome.You'll have the time of your life !! Let me know how it all goes OK ? Hope your daughter got home safely from the holiday ,hope they had a fabulous time ? My auntie (the rich eccentric one,me Mams sister ) flew out to Panama early hours last night,she's there for a month ! Long way to go for a hat I thought hahaha ,she's that eccentric it wouldn't surprise me if she brought me one back....beats a Kiss me Quick one I suppose..you in your Stetson,me in my Panama ....good job we're living a good few miles apart Ham,we'd have the neighbours talking,thats for sure hahahahaha OK,I'll sign off for now,enough is enough for even one so wonderful as you Ham....I know I'd test the patience of a saint !! I will however write again soon.My love to you as always Pinky XXXXX Have a lovely week-end X