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

Been back in Belfast for a few days now, after an absence of 3 1/2 years, and the following things have struck me:

It is easy to find my way around - OK I did live here for 16 years! Although I do have the odd "Sh!t, I forgot there was no left turn there!" moment.

It rains every single day.

The over-use of the adjective "wee". I can cope with "Just a wee minute" or "Where's that wee bit of paper?" But "What's yer wee surname?"

Ahhh...customer service! I know, not unique to NI. But so lovely to order (actually, demand!) a new phone from O2, and have it delivered the next morning. And to have pleasant, helpful check-out staff in the supermarket.

Mmmmm...the sea.....

Tayto Cheese and onion crisps

pleasant, helpful check-out staff in the supermarket...are you sure you've not travelled back in time?

Ah, ya wee thing, you're worrying yer wee head about nothing at all, at all . . .

Sounds like a wee bit of reverse-culture-shock.

But I'm shure you'll be finding yer wee self feeling quite at home before too long . . .





az

Hi, Lucky , I'm glad you made the move okay.
Wildcat

Thanks

The supermarket thing - we were standing at the checkout, realising we hadn't bought anything to drink on the way home in the car, when the young lad on the till pointed out a soft drinks cabinet just behind us

This weekend, I have the joys of meeting the other half's mammie...

Actually, I'm not too worried - he texted me a few weeks ago "I've just been telling my mother how wonderful you are - she can't wait to meet you!"

Bless.

Job's a bit strange though

It's a scientific organisation, so there's greehouses with odd plants , chemistry labs , and a small creatures division .

Or, as I like to call them, Herbology, Potions, and Dept of mythical Creatures.

Not to mention He Who Must Not Be Moved....

I'm sure someone will be along any day now with a job description. Or some work for me to do.

I got plenty of work fr you to do, have you seen the pile of ironing in the kitchen, and here's me just put another load on.......

Those greehouses are lovely and warm arent they? Welcome back. I can almost taste stout thinking about belFAST. (That is a poor attempt at local pronunciation)

The is indeed lovely! As are the locals.

It is strange being a stranger in your home country, isn't it darlin'? But good to know you are well.

You'll find yourself missing the forn parts too though - I mainly go to IKEA for the cloudberry jam and the - well - Swedishness of it all. And I love Aldi and Lidl for their Germanity.

Ben

Ironing?

my sympathies honey

I don't mind a bit of ironing. I'm not doing it every day, mind!

I'd also forgotten just how beautiful it is here - if you saw "Coast" on Sunday night you'll have seen the sandy beaches where my parents live, stunning Strangford Lough where I'm currently living, and the cranes of the shipyard that built the Titanic, near where my new house is.

2 weeks in, and it's either depressingly or reassuringly familiar

'Twas lovely to watch an open air theatre performance on Saturday night at the local castle, and be able to nip home during the interval for a pee and to grab another bottle of champagne.

Don't think the cast had ever had to stop a performance while an Orange band marched past before

Visit to a different castle (Carrickfergus) to meet some new friends. Admired the new development round the marina, enjoyed the sparkle of the sunshine on the water.

Home via Lush in downtown Belfast to stock up on some of my favourite magic potions and lotions , much missed while abroad.

And back to work, where some of the names and faces are familiar (ah yes - these people don't "do" career development!) and I have to re-acquaint myself with the current TLAs.

Reassuringly familiar - the omnibus edition of the Archers on a Sunday morning

Depressingly familiar - not being able to find anything decent to watch on telly on a Sunday night

Welcome back!

Didn't realise you were back here until I saw you on the Researcher Map just now.

Oooh, sore point at the moment! Having major problems selling my old house. I'm even considering moving back in there for a few weeks, although I really don't want to. Lot of hastle with reinstating phone and electricity supplies, moving furniture and boxes in only to move them out again (hopefully) a few weeks later.

But it's more convenient for schools and work

And this better not interfere with my trip to the Red Sea to learn how to dive at the end of September!

Sounds like a headache! Is that your old house over here or in Lux?

That's the major plus renting has over buying. It's not half the hassle when it comes to moving.

Nah I kept a house here in Belfast and rented it out. It was "sale agreed" over 2 months ago - now I find the survey hasn't even been done


Anyhoo.

Delightfully familiar - the pleasant and helpful staff in the Health Centre and the bank.

Annoyingly familiar - little white haired old ladies who shouldn't be allowed behind the wheel of a car!

Had a rather lovely bank holiday weekend, and encountered all sorts of "familiars", as well as a few surprises...

Tediously familiar - ex-husband's inability to come up with a plan

Bracingly familiar - the biting wind at the beach at Newcastle, skimming the sand and ruffling the waves.

"How come I've never seen that before?" - the coastal drive from Warrenpoint round the back of the Mournes. Wow!

Irritatingly familiar - office politics where I'm over-ruled on decisions behind my back, and my boss asks "What do you want that for?" when I request a copy of the Corporate Plan

Flatteringly unfamiliar - meeting new friends who've obviously been given glowing reports about me

Deliciously familiar - Pear Pickin' Poky ice lollies from the garage

"Damn it's good to be home!" moment - sipping a pint in the sunshine outside Daft Eddys.

How lovely to be living in Killyleagh these days - home town of new NI deity David Healy.

And, spookliy enough, home town of the previous NI footballer to score a goal against England back in 1972.

So the TV cameras were out in force yesterday with a special 6 oclock news edition from the town, interviewing passers by in the street.

Aawwww. Don't it just warm the cockles of yer heart.