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

We slept in late as PC had to work quite late the night before. Of course the actual waking up part was rough because the hotel was checking the fire alarm. I remembered they were doing this but PC didn’t. Seeing him bolt out of bed and run nekkid for a robe then almost to the door before I could stop him was worth the rude awakening though.

We got an umbrella from the doorman at the hotel and made our way to Covent Gardens. It was wonderful just meandering around there, snacking at one of the booths and buying a few items. We then headed back to the hotel and had a late lunch there, in one of the restaurants. It was nice because the restaurant overlooked the front door and turnaround so we spent quite a while in there.

Of course PC had to be on a teleconference so we went back to the room late afternoon. After his teleconference we took a brief nap then got ready for dinner. One of the local M$ s had recommended this place out near Chelsea I think, called the Blue Elephant. Very nice Thai food in a wonderful atmosphere.

It was a wonderful dinner and we went back to the hotel while others, who were staying in London for at least another day or two, went out to party. We had to get to sleep because we had to set out at about 6:30 for the airport. We hopped the Gatwick Express from Victoria Station and very quickly made it just in time to wait in queue after queue after queue before getting on the plane.

We of course had the mandatory nasty airline food, then watched a few movies. Unfortunately I seemed to be working quite prodigiously on a migraine, whilst my pain stuff flew happily on below in the luggage hold. This of course wasn’t helped by the mandatory shrieking baby.

Don’t get me wrong. I love kids. But there is something about a baby’s cry that, when you have a whopper of a headache going, can reach you even if you were in a soundproof room, wearing noise cancelling earphones and had your auditory nerves severed. By the time we reached Charlotte all I wanted to do was take a long hot shower (not nearly as good as the wonderful shower at The Savoy) and a couple Goody’s headache powders. I don’t know how long I was in the shower. I sat on the floor of the shower and let the water pummel me until it turned cool and my legs and gone numb from being crumpled up in the shower enclosure.

Anyway. Here I am.. back in the US and planning to rest up for a new week.

hope your feeling better, and I'm glad you're back safe and sound

Sounds like you had a lovely time in London. Covent Garden is fab ... did you get anything nice?

I hope your migrane has gone and that you have a nice relaxing day before a new working week and a new challange.

I wondered what your subject line meant by "Blue elephant," Batty.

I was thinking, "what a strange place England is, with blue elephants and cars that go the wrong directions on the streets, and Kings like Henry VIII who aren't into monogamy.

Strange but wonderful Paul! And who told you about my driving?

Actually how can a country which tried to turn the sea into Tea call another strange

Paul!

Are you saying that American does not have blue elephants?!?!?!?!?

*giggles* in Light's car was the only time I was on the right side of the street.

Ah - never in the wrong me

It sounds like you had quite a trip there I would LOVE to go outside of the country again, though this time I would rather it be more than just a jump But I am glad to hear nobody died lol.

It was a fun trip. I think I should go back just to make sure though..

"Actually how can a country which tried to turn the sea into Tea call another strange" [Lighthousegirl]

It was our first attempt of a cleanup of Boston Harbor, you see. Samuel Adams had had a few beers too many, and figured that tea would be an improvement over what was already there. Throwing some tea over the edge of the boats was easier than trying to filter the dirty water.

(Waits to see if Light is buying any of this ).

Okay, okay, you have a point.

Very dear Batty,
somehow I appear to have lost all my "original" friends when I first joined.

I am so sorry that I did not give you a virtual welcome when you were here. Sadly my second brother was very ill, and he died on the 18th December.2006 I seem to remember that you actually did write to me and offer your condolences. If f I neglected to thank you let me say how much it was appreciated.

I hope that on your next visit here we shall be able to meet. How about coming for my 80 th birthday bash next year? If I am still alive and kicking and have my marbles. That terrifies me, the thought of not knowing who and where I am!.

Hope all your ills are gone. Again I seem to remember that all the results were clear.

Do you have any news of Pandaora,Lurcher, Michelle, Paul H? You were all my first group of "virtual" friends on this site and I often think with much happiness of the various interests and interesting threads and those amazing virtual games of golf which we played on the Derbyshire hills with you all.

With much affection

Christiane AR1

"Very dear Batty,
somehow I appear to have lost all my "original" friends when I first joined".


I know exactly how you feel AR1, In fact Batty was one of the very first people to welcome me into H2G2 way back in 2002

Despite that I'm still here (only kidding Batty, How are you keeping these days anyway?
Smudger.

Hi, Christiane.

I'm still here. Or here again. Or whatever.

There is no doubt in my mind that you will still have all your marbles for some time to come.

Yes, I too wonder what has become of Michele and Lurcher.

Darling AR1 not to fret. PC and I enjoyed our trip quite a bit too. What wasn't spent working anyway. And somehow I can't imagine you not being alive, kicking and with every single one of your marbles. If PC and I can get away I'd love to visit for your 80th birthday.

Believe it or not I just heard from Michele tonight! She IMed me to inform me she had lost her access to our group so I added her again. I hope she will also wander about the site a bit and say hello to everyone. I haven't heard from our darling wolf though, and he has been on my mind.

Hi Barry big

Lovely to hear from you. How strange that Michelle and I both contacted you!!. I must write to her. I am really worrried about Lurcher. He had not been well. I sent him a Christmas card last year, and to his wife Shirley. I received one back but this year, because of my brother I did nothing and have not heard from him. I do not think I have his home address unfortunately.

Well, I hope that you can make it for the 23rd May 2008 - if not we shall have a marvellous virtual party. Like we had for my 75th!!.

Happy you think I still have my marbles!! I sometimes doubt it!!.

With much affection

Christiane AR1

Dear Smudger,

How great to find you here!!. I am sorry that I have been so dilatory about writing. I have not even had the courage to look at your Have-a-Laugh thread

Anyway, apart from the fact that I have a raging toothache - which I have had since lunchtime yesterday I feel well.
and will have those wonderful "gnashers" (as you so eloquently called them!!) installed at the end of February. There are still some recalcitrant roots being difficult. and as I cannot have the ususal painkillers it makes extracting them rather dicey.

With affection to you

Christiane AR1

Hi Paul H.

What a wonderrful new homepage you have.

Sorry you had all that trouble with your tyre. You were lucky not to get injured. You sound full of beans and busy. Well done. Thanks for giving me courage about my marbles. Hope you are right!!.

I have just remembered what we found on the 18th hole. they were "gophers".!! What does that mean I wonder?

Sincerely,

Christiane AR1