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

Hello,

I was just "bouncing" from link to link, as I often do, and I found your "Space". Welcome to H2G2.

I've been a researcher for about a year and a Scout for six months. But I'm far from an Ace or a Guru. Never the less, I might be able to answer any questions you have.

Glad to hear you're having fun and beginning to find your way around.

Ausnahmsweise, wie ueblich.

Super to hear from you consistently inconsistent. Are you beginning to feel the cold? I've been to Canada once to visit my brother and his family in London Ontario (where they were then ) and I thought I would freeze it was so cold. I am finding it extremely bewildering finding my way around. As soon as I am pointed in a direction, (generally by Amy(akaPaper Lady) or the Lurcher,) I then find myself totally overcome with all the other wonderful things to look into. At the moment I am very nervous because I wrote in French and I am not allowed to do it!! Will I ever learn? I am sure that you will be able to help me in many ways and thank you for your offer. I see that you have had something accepted. How do you set about doing that? Well I must say bonne nuit. AK1 the aged

We're having an amazing mild spell in Southern Ontario right now. (London is one hour's drive west of where I am today.) But that could change anytime.


I once wrote in German and had an entry "moderated". It's only because they (the BBC) don't have the staff to check everything written in every possilbe language and to check that it's not breaking any rules.

How did I set about writng my entries? They are all on topics that I know quite a bit about. So it was fun to share my knowledge and do any necessary additional reseach. When you think an entry is ready you submit it to Peer Review. You do that by posting a new entry (conversation) on the Peer Review forum. They are picky about the format of the title (it's described in Peer Review)and an entry will get "sin binned" if its title doesn't comply. Once in Peer Review, people just come out of the woodwork and give critique. Usually very constructive and friendly. If you go here... http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F48874 you'll see what is currently being discussed. The newest entries are at the top - but there are some gems deeper down too.

Hi Mr. consistently inconsistent, You will obviously be interested in the windsurfing article which is appearing this week. Particularly the one on kitesurfing which I knew nothing about. I wonder if I know enough about anything to write about it!!! I have had a great time this morning learning about the wind instruments in an orchestra. I so admire people who have the courage to climb because I am really scared of heights. But rock climbing fascinates me. If I was young I am sure that I would like to sail - which I have done once in a catamaran in Stanley Bay Hong Kong. It was fascinating gliding amongst all the little creeks and all the entrepreneurial enterprises such a small fish farms etc. which the Chinese had developed. What sort of boat(ship?) do you sail? I must go and do some work. Regards AR1

Good Morning Also Ran 1,

I enjoyed the Woodwind Instruments entry too. Very good.

I'll look out for the windsurfing entry.

Our boat is a Tanzer 22'. I share it with another couple. Something larger would be nice, but it's fine for Georgian Bay. It sleeps four in theory, but two is the practical limit for trips of more than a few days. We have been as far as the North Channel and Killarney.
I owned a Hobie 16 for a while. That's a very fast catamaran.

I too should do some work.

Regards,
Awu

Dear Awu, Thank you for your reply. What on earth is a Tanzer? And as you can sleep on it so it is MUCH bigger than a Hobie Cat 14 which is one my son took me sailing on in Hong Kong. Actually looking back, that was one of the most beautiful and memorable days of my life. My daughter in law and I were sitting on the sand at Stanley Bay and my son sailed up and asked me if I would like to sail. I replied enthusiastically and so he sent me up to a local market where I bought jeans, a warm jersey and sneakers. I changed in the car and away I went for two hours of blissful sailing in the Bay. My poor daughter in law was very patient, but they both gave me a memorable day. Thank you for reminding me of it. I wonder why I never sailed in my youth. Was too busy swimming in the water I guess. What sport do you do in winter? I must go and get on with my Christmas shopping as my carer has just arrived. Have a good weekend. Kind regards AR1

Tanzer means "Dancer" in German. They were built in Quebec by an Austrian boat builder. (Strange that land locked Austria would produce a boat builder.) It's 22 feet long. With length comes more "depth" and "breadth" - so yes, it's quite a bit bigger than a Hobie 14. There are four bunks, and a small galley. But for long trips, two people is enough. I can't stand when below deck.

We are lucky to have a large body of water - Georgian Bay - so close. We often go out for an hour or two after work in the summer. My mother (78) still enjoys sailing with us, when she visits.

In the winter I cross country ski and wheather permitting, run. We got our first signif. snow of the winter last night.


Have a good weekend,
Awu.

Correction:

My mother ( 78 )

The 8 ) got turned into a smiley face. 8)

Awu

Dear Awu, Will you go to the lighthouse bar and drink a toast of to the good health and happiness of my beautiful granddaughter Phillipa and her super husband-to-be Greg. They are getting married at 14.30 GMT today in a garden wedding. Your wonderful mother is still able to sail. Lucky girl. She is only a little bit older than I am!! But the problem is that those very important hip joints of mine have decided to erode with a strange sort of bone erosion and so I have nothing to move. Very annoying and very confining. Still I have my computer and lots of friends - both old and new. Lots of good wishes. AR1

Dear Also ran 1,

I missed the 14:30 GMT deadline (has to do with where I am located on this planet and the fact that I worked too long today). But I'll certainly do it, belatedly.

Congratulations.

More later.

Awu

Hi Awu, I was watching a documentary on TV about the annual Boat race from Sydney to Hobart, and the story of that most dreadful cyclone in 1998 when so many ships foundered and many lives were lost. I remember seeing it on TV but this was about the rescues. Those helicopter crews are incredibly brave. Apparently the waves are six stories high in the Bass straight during such a storm. How can any boats survive.? I hope you sail in calmer waters. I also watched some crosscountry skiing. My brothers also do it. It must keep you very fit. Greetings. AR1

Hi AR1,

Yes - I think I read about that in the Reader's Digest. The Search and Rescue helicopter was almost out of fuel. The Great Lakes are not to be underestimated, but we don't get weather like that. I was once sailing back down the Bruce Peninsula when a lady in a cottage saw our boat apparently disappearing beneath the waves (they were 2 meters perhaps). She had alerted the Coast Guard. We only found out when we docked at Lions Head.


Greeting,
Awu

Hi Awu, I had not realised that there could be such storms in the Lakes. By the way I do hope that you had a very happy Christmas and that you were able to have snow to do some cross country skiing later. We had a lovely day but we naturally overate!! We are now getting ready for next week when we have New Year. I've been very lazy today and have just been watching TV. And a dear friend came to see me. I shall stop waffling, and wish you and your family well. Greetings. AR1.

Hi Awu, Just to tell you tht I have been watching the Olympic Games and watching the cross country skiing. Is that what you do?It is exhausting!!. Regards. AR1

Hi Also ran 1,

Sorry I haven't written for a while.

Yes - that's the kind of x-country skiing that I do, but I go at a slow shuffle compared to these athletes. There is clasic (sliding in machine made grooves - or the grooves from a previous skier). Then there is skating, on a nicely prepared, flat and wide surface. There are special skis and boots for skating, but you can sort of do it with the old classic skis too.

We (that is, everyone in Canada!) here were very disappointed at the judges' decision to give Sale and Pelletier silver and not gold. You may not have seen that yet as it was late last night our time.

More later,

Awu

My dear Awu, You must have been pleased with the change in the heart of the judges!!. But I have seen so many wonderful skaters from Canada. They really seem to have it taped. I have started a new course so am going to have stop looking at TV so much and also spending so much time on the computer!!. It is a real challenge and something which I think I need at my time of life!!. It is a glorious day today and I am hoping to go for a drive with a friend when she returns my car to me. Kind regards AR1

Hello Also ran 1,

Everyone in Canada was suddenly an expert at judging ice skating. I can't really tell who was better, but Sale and Pelletier definitely didn't stumble once. For days it was the top news item on the radio and TV. In some ways it might be better to keep quiet and preserve the image of being good sportsmen and women. But is does seem that something was "fishy" with the judging. Now the Russians are upset. Partly becaue of this, and the refereeing of a hockey match (which they won anyway).

You didn't mention what the course was. An academic evening class?

We had a mid-winter thaw, and even some rain. But yesterday the temperature dropped and it snowed again overnight. Today is bright and cool. Very nice.

Awu.

Dear Awu, Well, I have just watched the closing ceremony of the 19th Olympic Games. Some wondeful words were said - that for 17 days 70 odd nationalities were welded into one. And that each athlete must go back to their respective country carrying this thought of being good competitors,; which I suppose includes knowing how to win with humility and lose with dignity. I think that on the whole that spirit prevailed. I know that I had the greatest difficulty keeping myself together when, after training for three years to gain a place in the S.A. OLympic swimming team for the 1948 Games, the selectors decided not to send a women's team. I honestly thought my world had ended. but it did'nt!!Life went on. That is one of th reasons why I call myself also ran. I know what it feels like!!.
You ask about my course. It is actually a course modelled on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He founded the Society of Jesus about which I know very little. This is being run as an ecumenical course, by an Anglican priest, and we are a mixed bag of religions. Which should make it very interesting. I liked the first introductory discussion so much and I hope that I shall enjoy it to the end although there is some considerable soul searching to do. Not a bad idea at my time of life!!. Go well, and enjoy you first days of Spring. When will you be able to go sailing again? Very sincerely, AR1

Hi AW, I wrote to you on another page asking you how one could become a memeber of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. But I do not think that you have got it. Please do let me know. As I said, I am a tremendous admirer of his and would love to know his current news. How are you. enjoying your spring/summer? Regards. AR1

Hi Also Ran 1,

Sorry - I did see it and then forgot. I was in California for a week. Today I'm also away from home. I have the address at home. It may only be a Canadian chapter. Not sure if they do international mailings of the newsletter, but I'll look into it.

More later,

Awu