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

Hello AR
Yes , another friend, this time my daughter`s father in law, died suddenly. A lovely man who will be sorely missed.
Sheffield is not too far away, a bit further north. A lively place, from all accounts, and very "down to earth"
Glad you are meeting new people, AR, it`s the place to do it, just takes a little time sometimes.
I haven`t seen the photos yet, I`ll have to get round to it, but I`ve only been coming on-line in short bursts, and by the time I`ve checked the backlog, it`s time to go again!!
Hope you didn`t miss your swimming!
See you soon, take care of yourself.

L

Hi , Just a quick note because I shall be taking the weekend off h2g2 I have to find a certain type of student travel card for Europe for my granddaughter and her boyfriend Was your daughter's father-in-law ill or was his death sudden? It has been quite a week what with poor Princess Margaret going. I think that she had a really sad life. And when one reads between the lines it really seems as if every man she fell in love with left her - and I include Townsend . Somewhere amongst all the reports I heard that after the two year separation he had written to her and told her that he "rescinded" his request to her for marriage. I did get my swim and enjoyed it immensely.Yesterday I went shopping for flowers for my hanging baskets and also dahlias which I love. It was such a lovely sunny day. Well have a good weekend - lots of golf and cavorting around your woods. Affectionate AR1

Caught you on line at last!!
Hello AR, how are you this fine foggy morning ?
No golf for me this weekend, haven`t played for a few weeks now, but hope to start back next week, sometime.
Unfortunately, the death was totally unexpected, he had gone early to one of the local farms where he helped by controlling Pidgeons,rabbits crows etc. It appears that shortly after arriving, he suffered a massive blockage to his heart. He died around 7am, but wasn`t found until 6pm. Tragic for his family, but probably how he would have wished to go, in his beloved countryside.

Good luck with the search for the Travel cards...try Google, Jeeves or any of the search engines, really. If they are available, the Net`s the place to find `em

Have a nice weekend

L

Very dear , Sorry I have been a bit dilatory about replying. Thanks for the guides on the search engines. I did get a mine of information but Cath says she want the details of the French student ticket. I tried to phone my relations in France last night but have not yet got the information. Poor guy. But you know that a sudden death like that is far worse for those left behind. I hope that they find the courage to cope with their loss. He must have been a fascinating man to be interested in such things. I spent yesterday at the eye hospital having another pre-op check. I still have the eye infections so have got more drops. I have the most dreadful mould in my flat and I am now convinced that it is that that is making me ill!!, But the only way of getting rid of it would be for me to have the whole flat detoxicated (is there such a word?)Anyway it means that once again I am missing my swim this morning. It is a beautiful day, blue sky and I hope then when I get outside it will still be nice. One can do anything when the sun (or moon!!) is/are shining. I'm tying myself into knots. Much affection and a big from Ar1

Hi dear , I hope you had a good weekend. I have just met someone new, and expressed the wish to go on a sleigh in Sweden pulled by dogs that I shall "imagine" are wolves and they will take me to see the midnight sun. I think that is a great idea!! However I also want to go round the fijords in a luxury steamer and have glorious Scandanavian food and drink.!One can dream I hope. Big affectionate s AR1

Hello AR!!
Just a quick note to say sorry for not answering promptly, things are a bit fraught at the moment, and I haven`t been around much.
Your wish to travel around Sweden in the old traditional way sounds great to me...one thing I`ve always wanted to do is to cruise down the Canadian coast, then go overland via that famous train they have, can`t remember the name. Don`t suppose it will happen though

Went up into the Peak district today, walked for miles along one of the trails, then circled round through some high woodland. Very few people about, just the occasional hardy soul enjoying the beautiful sunshine, and the odd hail storm!! Things change pretty quickly up there!
I hope you are keeping well, and results of your scans are as you would want them to be.
Am thinking about you, see you soon.

L

PS

Forgot to wish you well for Monday...is that the day you have your eye operated on...I think so.
Anyway, dear friend, here`s hoping it works out well for you


Lurcher

Hi dear , What a lovely surprise to switch on my computer and find your super letters. Glad you approve of my trip to Sweden! I have never been to the West coast of Canada. However some five years ago eldest son and his wife went with some friends of theirs who own a yacht (needless to say they have a lot of lolly) to Alaska. They came back with the most wonderful pictures of bears fishing for salmon etc. Dick and I wanted to go one year but then we found out that in winter there are only four hours of daylight so we thought that we would probably miss a lot.The train journey is also something that I would love to do. Autumn colours are quite breathtaking and I believe tht the Rockies through which the train travels are glorious in Autumn. So many beautiful places to go to aren't there? My op is hopefully on Monday. I am still treating myself for the eye infection so hope that the hospital will think that it is sufficiently mended to go ahead. I will not have the result of the scan for three weeks. They apparently think I now have osteparosis. Really. Is there anything else that my unfortunate body can get I wonder!!I did a fascinating test the other day to compare how one's chronolocial age relates to one's biological age. Well I had to answer a whole lot of questions and eventually after totting up the results found out that my biological age was 13 years more than my chronological age!! I am really 86 years old!!! I went to bed laughing and have been laughing every since!!. Really. And then when I analysed the questions they have based the whole thing on mobility really. And as you know I am not that mobile so hey presto I am nearly a 100 years old.I don't think much of their questionnaire. I went to a super service yesterday morning for the celebration of the women's World Day of Prayer. It was so moving and I met and remet many good friends. It is a splendid day today. The sun is shining and there is a beautiful blue sky., Hope it is like tht tomorrow as my friend Marianna , Keith and I are going to go on a picnic to a lovely garden fairly near here called Bords Place. I do love to hear about your super walks that you do. I used to love walking and even climbed up Table Muntain when I lived in Cape Town. Also many walks in the beautiful countryside of the Cape Province. Dick and I used to go for lovely drives at the weekend to the various wine estates and come back loaded with boxes of beautiful wines which were really very inexpensive. I remember the various winemakers used to say to him "You can put this vintage in your cellar and it will be beautifully matured in five years time. " Dick used to reply that any wine that came home with us would be drunk at the first available opportunity! How true for him, and we certainly had no wine in our cellar maturiong when he died.! Wine is for drinking while you can still enjoy it. I really am taking nonsense so will end. Will write to you when I have a new lens. Hoorah. A very affectionate and thank you for the flowers. Much appreciated. AR1

Very dear , Just a brief note to tell you that initially the cataract op was a wonderful success. Unfortunately my eye has started to swell. I went to the hospital yesterday afternoon and they thought it could be an allergy. However if it was not better this morning I have to return to see the surgeon. At the moment I can hardly see the screen so shall be returning. I just want to thank you for all the kindness and compassion you have shown me since I became a member of h2g2. I am sure that is what Douglas Adams had in mind when he first thought of it. and for me you have epitomised it. I hope I have good news when I next write. Take care of yourself dear friend. With a great big affectionate AR1

Hello AR!!
I sincerely hope the swelling is just a temporary hitch, and that by the time you read this, it will all be sorted out
Let me know how things go, I`ll be waiting to hear from you!!
On a much less important note, things seem to be improving here, infection-wise, I`m glad to say. Early days, but we seem to be getting there at last
I liked the story you told of Dick`s theory of storing wine!!
I must say that I operate a similar system. If you`ve got a nice wine, it`s there to be drunk, and not just looked at
Pretty much the same with money, too. Which explains why we`ve never got much!!
Anyway, AR, must go now, but I`ll be back soon, and hopefully by then you`ll have some good news for me.
Take care of yourself, love.

L

Hi dear , It was so good to get your message yesterday but I was really feeling too mis. to reply. I have had two days in the Casualty section of the hospital and saw the surgeon yesterday. It seems that I am very allergic to the drops. Anyway, they have changed them, and also given me a huge anti-biotic in case of problems and today I really feel myself again - except that I have a swollen eye. But when I lift the eyelid up I can see beautifully which makes it all worth while. So very pleased that they have at last found an anti-biotic to suit you and you ailment. When one reads what the effects are of the wonderful new drugs one wants to run a mile!!. Anyway, I hope tht you will soon be feeling yourself again. We had the same philosophy as you towards material goods. Dick always said that he had never seen a shroud with pockets or a hearse with a trailer!!. He had so many wonderful expressions and I do miss them. Although he only had one eye he was a 4 handicap golfer and in fact one of his sets of golf clubs had been given to him by Bobby Locke who both played golf with him and was a good 19th hole companion!! With a big . You are always so understanding. Much love AR1

Hello AR !!
Delighted to hear that you are making progress, and that beneath the swelling the eye seems fine!!
Allergies are strange things....I used to be allergic to work
In my case, the antibiotics were part of the problem, the last course I had killed off all the "good" bugs, with some odd side-affects as well. First time in my life that`s happened though, so can`t complain.
A slight mis-diagnosis by the doc has led to this thing dragging on longer than it needed to.....shows they are not infallible... but then, who is ? smiley>
Hope your family remembers it is Mothers Day tomorrow, so I`ll add my good wishes...Have a lovely day!!

See you soon..

L

Very dear Thank you for your super news. I am glad that they have at last diagnosed the problem - like you I realise that medics are not infallible. My eldest brother is a psychiatrist and I should know!! I think that as one gets older one becomes more and more allergic and if one that in the first place it spells trouble. My eldest son actually did come out yesterday and as I had received a lot of flowers for having been in hospital he and his wife brought me a bottle of Mumm. Which will be drunk on the 74th birthday on the 23rd May!!. By Me!! It was my daughter-in-law's 50th birthday so I took Martin, my eldest son and Lauretta his wife, Keith my son who lives next door to me, and my friend Marianna out to lunch at a super Thai restaurant in Sevenoaks. They have a little lift for wheelchairs and apart from that, the food is quite delectable. Later Mart showed us the video of their recent holiday in Bali when they went scuba diving. It truly was the most wonderful scenic spectacular video I have seen. The seaweeds were colours which one would simply not believe and the most extraordianry shapes. They held sleeping fish in their hands - who got a dreadful shock when s/he woke up and swam off in a hurry, Truly it was a world which I have never experienced but which was quite idyllic and breathtaking. They also had some wonderful film of various native dances on the various islands which they stopped at. And these were quite extraordinary. As an anthropological memeory it must be priceless. They managed to film a monkey dance when the men were all chattering like monkeys and chanting themselves into a trance when they proceeded to do extraordinary feats with fire and a few other more personal things!! I was absolutely on cloud nine. They are indeed so fortunate to have wonderful friends who share their wealth with them. Well I must go and get ready for my bath lady. A fond affectionate - in fact quite a few s and could I suggest that you take Greek yoghurt to help to replace your blood cells. When Keith was so ill a few years ago and they could not find an antibiotic to suit him the Health Shop advised either fresh yoghurt or an acidophillus which they sell which must be kept in the fridge and is quite pricey. When he went onto Guys for his thorocotomy they let me continue to give it to him so it must be good. Keep well and happy from the aged but mobile AR1 (which is what dear Heyla the calls me)!!

Hello love
Sounds like you had a lovely day!!
The film record of the Bali trip obviously kept you interested, not surprising...must be a wonderful place to visit.
If we had the money to go anywhere we wanted to, the biggest problem would be deciding where to start...there are so many places I`d like to see!
Near the top of the list must be a round of golf at Atlanta, on the full length Masters course, with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino as playing partners. Early morning, no-one else around, now that would be my idea of a proper game of Golf Notice I`ve chosen *old timers*....when they were at their peak they played the game as it should be played, very competitively, but with a smile on their faces!!
Ah well, dream on !!
I`ve never liked Yoghurt much..don`t know about the Greek variety.. but I`ll try anything, so I`ll give it a go
That`s all for the moment, O Venerable and Mobile , take care of yourself

L

Hi dear , What a foursome!!. You do not mention your handicap!!. There is a delightful Frenchman, I cannot remember his name, who plays golf as it should be played. For fun and with amusement. I shall never forget when he, during the British Open, hit his ball into the stream near the golf house. Not bothered, he took off his shoes and socks and waded into the water to hit the ball. The comments of the English commmentators were quite extraordinary., Such as "demeaning" the game of golf. "How could he" etc. etc.
There is only one place that I really want to go to, and I have already mentioned it to you. To see the midnight sun, after having cruised through fiords, and to ride on a sleigh drawn by wolves - preferably all white!!. Otherwise I am quite happy. My son Keith wants to go to Russia.I would like to go to the Hermitage and see all the beautiful works of art.
Try the acidopholus from the Health store if you do not like yoghurt. Did you know that years ago there was an experiment done to see why some people in Georgia (Russia) lived to be over 120 years old, and the result was that they all drank yoghurt - or perhaps it was sour milk. Which I love.!! Much affection and a big from the newly elevated Venerable and mobile AR1

Hello AR
The French golfer who so nearly won the Open in 1999, was Jean Van de Velde. He was leading by 3 shots coming down the 18th in the last round when,as you say, he put his second shot in the water. I think what stunned most commentators is that, had he taken a penalty drop, he could still have won. However,he didn`t, and the rest is history!!
Probably he gained more admirers, and certainly publicity by losing than if he had gone on to win the tournament. He is still doing quite well on the Tour, and is often in contention.
My handicap?///Well it used to be 4 until a few years ago. Nowadays it`s creeping up, and I`m struggling to keep it in single figures. Old age and infirmity.....that`s my excuse
I`m going to try that Greek yoghurt, it might help me keep my handicap down...

Glad you like the new title,Venerable and Mobile AR1 ...quite a mouthful isn`t it

See you soon

L

Hi dear , I knew you would remember his name. Except that Van der Velde is not very French. More like Dutch or Belgian. I am thrilled to be able to say that although my eye has not returned to being completely "normal", I saw the specialist today and he has given me permission to drive,to sleep on my right side without my shield on my eye and altogether is very pleased with my progress. So there is still life in the old girl!!. I am going to try and get on with my writing this w/e. My son has gone to NY and my brother is in South Africa. Today my other son and my friend are doing some special sort of firing at pottery. I think it is called Raku and you get wonderful and very surprising results with it. Have a great weekend. So glad you are feeling better. A fond the Venerable but mobile

Great news AR!! Keep on like this, and you`ll soon be Hang Gliding
Good luck with pottery firing. Years ago I used to build and sell kilns for the heavy clay industry, ie brickmaking. A little less refined than the firing you`ll be doing, I suspect
If the rain keeps off tomorrow, i hope to be out on the course, played on Tuesday and the weather was beautiful, spring at it`s best. The forecast is not too good for the week-end though, showers and a touch breezy, I believe.
Whatever the weather AR, have a great time, and we`ll talk soon.
A big to the Venerable but mobile AR1

L

Hi dear It is a glorious day today and I do hope that you are having the same sort of weather and will enjoy a good round of golf and some excellent McLuchers at the 19th!!. How fascinating to build kilns. In Africa I thought that they just built a huge "building" of bricks and then built a fire around them in order to "cook" them I did not realise that they went into kilns. You are a man of many talents. Keith my son has a real gift for pottery and he is going to not only have an exhibition of his own but has been invited to submit one of his works for inclusion in a National Exhibition of Pottery. A great honour. But I have the greatest difficulty keeping them safe. he takes them and puts them into the garden - where they get broken - and sometimes into the fishtank when suddenly some of the fish are up-ended!! As I can no longer get into his home and garden I really do not know what is happening!!. Have a wonderful weekend dear friend. A very affectionate from the venerable but mobile AR1

Hello AR!!
I hope you are well, and the eye continues to improve
A great honour indeed, to be asked to contribute to a National Exhibition, considering how many hundreds of people are involved. I wish Keith well with his craft
The method of firing bricks you mention in Africa is called "Clamp" firing, and is pretty much as you describe. Just a stacked pile of bricks, including layers of fuel, set fire to it ,and wait !!
Of course, the quality control is very hit and miss, and the bricks produced far from uniform. Certainly not of engineering standard either...but it does the job. There used to be a brickworks in the London area that produced a small amount of bricks this way, I went to see them once, many years ago. No doubt long since gone!!
Clamp fired bricks could be beautiful things, often multi-coloured (due to the uneven firing rate) and were very expensive. Expensive to produce as well... too many came out broken or cracked.

Enough of bricks (used to be what I did for a living..one of the things, anyway)
First Day of Spring today...I was on the Golf course, and beautiful weather it was too Seems like perhaps we might have emerged from the depths of winter at last...or is that tempting Fate??

In any event, the clocks will soon be going (forward?) and the short nights back with us. Which can`t be bad

Keep well Dear friend, talk to you soon.


L