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

Morning - or is it afternoon? all...

All this talk of veg and toms is frustrating for me. Our allotment group that started in Feb still hasn't acquired any land. I think we're being too particular - some of the group are insistant on having a good view, for heaven's sake! I suppose we'll get something eventually, but I despair at times.

Driving today - first day back since I did my leg about 10 days ago. It was OK this morning but I can tell that another couple of hours driving this afternoon will make it ache a bit. Perhaps I should have offered just a half day for the first few days. I'm down to do tomorrow morning and all day Friday. But then most of next week MOH and I are going on days out so she or a train and/or bus driver will do the driving.

A bit blowy here but sunny at present. Keeps threatening though, with dark clouds. Fingers crossed

Have a good day, all

Fol

Here we are preparing for the weekend and the weather! Thunderstorms incl lightning overhead at lunchtime today - knowcked out my power and I was afraid it might have damaged the pc, but it seems the power surge sockets have worked, thank goodness.

How is it all for you lot? Haven't heard from Frank or Toots for ages.

I expect you're getting excited, Polly - First Night tonight!!

Hi, Folly. Yes, we have Birmingham weather here as well now. It's forecast to clear up later, but I hope it's not too late, as Grace III's scout troop are supposed to be having a bbq tonight.

Frank seems to have disappeared again. I hope it's nothing serious. Damn it, of course it's serious: the poetry threads are bare without his input.

Toots is around, just doesn't want to talk us, I reckon.

Hope the promenaders don't get too wet.

Hello dear W4aT, Folly, Rick and Toots.

It's the First Night tonight. Yes I am looking forward to it, Folly. It's a very mixed programme :
Stravinsky, Chabrier, Tchaikovsky, Poulenc, Elgar, Brahms , Bruckner. I shall watch it on BBC2 8pm.

Lots of rain here. I got rather wet today. I was worried that my kitchen floor might be wet but it wasn't.

I'm so headachey all the time. And my head burns. I've been like this for months.

I do hope that Frank is keeping well.

Have a happy weekend.

Hi Poll - your headachy things, have you told your doc? I have great faith in GPs to sort things out. Though sometmies I feel I am alone in that respect as some people I know have had, shall we say, unfortunate experiences.

Have a good weekend everyone, and enjoy the weather whatever it's like. Even thunderstorms are magnificent, I think,

Hello.


Did any of you watch or hear the 'First Night' last evening? I thought that Alice Coote's singing and interpretation of the Brahms was just so beautiful. It was so lovely that it made me cry.
And the Elgar was terrific as it always is.

We had the big birthday party this afternoon at church (A****'s). I was there at 10am to help set things out etc. We had about 40 guests (mostly folk from church). The food was great ~ lots of salads, quiches, rice dishes, pizzas, pies, roasted chicken legs, ham, new pots........
And the selection of puddings was so yummy ~ fruit trifles, chocolatey trifles, strawberries, meringues, fruit salads, melon, ice cream......

We had plenty of cheese and biscuits for afterwards (which were hardly touched) and lots of lovely cold drinks as well as tea and coffee. We finished clearing up by 4pm. It was a very happy 6 hours amongst kind friends. Now it's just me and darling Pixie.

Anyone listening to the Haydn tonight (Prom 2)?

Hi all, I am around, sort of, usually I only can do this sort of thing at work and it has been a bit mad just lately. Still can’t complain I love my job and I am very grateful to have one in these turbulent times. Usually in the evening the most I can do is lob a snog into the mix . As I get older I must confess retirement looks very attractive but as I have to go another 4½ /5 years to go I can’t get too excited. After 32 years in the same house you’d think that the mortgage would be paid off by now – but that’s what happens when you marry someone who works for himself .

Mum (91) had her second cataract op last Monday which appears to have gone very well. She can see better now than she has for years. This is going to make her more independent and her confidence about going out is already returning. Last night she got the sewing machine out and started to alter some clothes that are too big now since loosing a lot of weight when she broke her hip 18 months ago.

Thanks for the offer of Bridport Fol but the end of July beginning of August will find me in another stadium watching more cars go around in circles. I knew what I was letting myself in for 39 years ago when OH took me to a race meeting on our second date – no one can say I wasn’t warned. I, too, am looking forward to a friends wedding on 15 August; yours isn’t in Chichester by any chance Fol?

I would love to be able to sit and watch the Proms but I can just imagine the comments; the best I can do is to record the last night and watch it whilst ironing. I miss the poem threads it opened up a new avenue of reading for me which I find difficult to continue with. Must try harder.

Had better go for now, virtual hug to all.

Toots.x.

Hi Toots, good to hear from you and your news. No, the wedding we're off to is in Leatherhead - which was part of my old stamping ground when I was about 18 - 20. So it will be strange to have awalk around there again. Haven't been in that neighbourhood since the early 70's when my parents moved down to Dorset.
Just got in from a wasted time at a course for my Parish Council work, all about Bisiness Continuity. It turned out to be from the viewpoint of large town councils with premises and dozens/hundreds of employees: we have 7 councillors and me, the only employee. So I'll complain to the organisers as it wasn't what they said on the tin. I don't really feel justified in claiming mileage for a 100 mile round trip to Cheshunt (about £40) out of council tax money. But I will at least claim a couple of gallons. (Can you see my halo?)

Hello dear Toots, and the gang.

I've been playing the piano all afternoon at church.

I had a beautiful Comma butterfly in the garden all morning. It sat on the Marguerites perfectly and I took several photos.

Toots, it is great to see you here again. That's good news about your mother. I have a dear friend who had both eyes 'done' and he says he now has marvellous vision. So I pray that your mother will have the same.

Oh dear ~~ there have been about 5 lots of sirens racing down the street (sirens as in police cars etc. [not the sexy kind!]) as I write this. It always make me feel very sad that here I am, about to make supper as it happens, and someone nearby is suffering.

Have a happy evening, each of you.

xx

Hi Poll. I dare say if it was POLICE sirens then you need only concern yourself with any victim of whatever the crime was, not the perpetraors that the police are after. It might have ben a so called victimless crime - if there can be such a thing - like speeding.

Just got back got from our first meeting of the Exhibition committee of our art group. We 're only 18 months old and have decided to have our first Annual Exhibition in November and I got roped in to help plan it - I must try and sit on my hands more when volunteers are asked for. Quite exciting actually, although I doubt my stuff will sell - I am a novice really compared to some of our group.

Now I must get on with the minutes of our Parish council meeting of last week. I'm away all next week and I must get them sorted before I go away.

'Night night all

Hi Team,nice to hear from you again toots.

What an awful day again weatherwise,I have got rather a busy week this week(at last)Monday I was in Matlock today I have been to high Wycombe after getting stuck for ages on the M40,I have got a night job tomorrow in High Wycombe starting at 22-00hrs,Friday I'm in Pinner and Sunday in Malvernso at least I'm getting offmy harris for a while.

BTW tickle,how is Mrs cut-out's arm?

Folderol,I am glad that your hoof is getting better,I am still trying to get used to those special instep supports I received from the orthapeadic hospital but when I'm walking now I'm back to my full height just a tad under 6'-2" but I feel like I'm walking like John Wayne who's left his horse behind

Isn't it funny how we picture people we haven't seen? I never for one moment imgained you, Rik, as a 6 footer. More a sort of 5 foot tenner at the most. Don't know why.
Now, if we're on the subject, I immagine Poll as 5'6, greying - but very distinguished, of course - hair, and reading glasses on a chord around your neck.
Tickle, because of all your exercise, a very fit, and quite tall, athletic bloke, showing a bit of wear due to having the three Graces
Toots is like another Toots that I know who works with MOH. Shortish and very slightly (whisper it) overweight, but with a bubbly look about you.
Haven't formed a picture of Frank but if he returns to the fold, I'll think about that.
Now I sit back and await the brickbats and derogatory remarks about how you all see me!! It's all good fun

Off to London for the day - Nat Gallery and Iti meal this evening with tow of our brood.

Have agood day, all

Hello all,
Well Fol, spot on, 58, 5'4", underneath the light brown hair dye v. grey, and lets just say day 2 of the new diet today - already sick of fruit and veg!

Well, I haven't really tried to picture any of you, perhaps my visual imagination is stunted. I'm not very tall by today's standards, about 5'9" - Grace III, who's 13, is almost as tall. Fit and athletic, of course , but it is possible to have an unhealthy mind in a healthy body.

Picture me now in the computer room of the Food Sciences block at Reading Uni, with a cannula in my left forearm. There was one in the fold of my right arm earlier, but the blood stopped flowing through it - and they're taking some every hour. All I've had to eat since 9 o'clock last night is two pieces of unbuttered toast and a spoonful of raspberry jam. Along with the toast I had a mug of fish oil shake, which was truly revolting. I have been allowed a couple of mugs of black tea: no dairy products allowed, as the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of fish oil consumption on blood lipids. Reminds me of those cod liver oil capsules that my dear old mum used to make us take - they repeated on you, as well.

Time for them to squeeze one last drop of blood out of me, so I'd better go.

Have fun,

Looks like I may have another funeral to go to. Auntie Doll died this morning. Mind you, I haven't seen her for years and even then she didn't know who I was. Used to visit her and uncle Bill quite a lot when I was young, though - particularly when there was football on TV (we didn't have one). I particularly remember the England v Portugal game in 1966. And my uncle's cry of 'Pudding' whenever anyone missed an 'easy' chance. Anyway, she had a pretty good innings: 98 she was, I think.

I reckon the problem with my tomatoes is lack of sunlight. There has been plenty of it round here, of course (though not so much recently) but not in our garden, on account of the sycamore tree. I did consider putting them on the garage roof a while ago, but didn't quite get round to it. Now that they're ten feet tall, of course, they are starting to flower, but I think it may be a bit late in the day - or year.

The MiL is doing ok, thanks Rikii. Takes up a lot of Mrs T's time, of course, but she does that anyway.

Took Grace II to Bristol today for a guided tour of the university area. Afterwards we had a nice walk across 'The Downs' to Clifton Bridge. As we contemplated the majestic structure from a viewing area, a kestrel sat perched on the barrier just two or three yards away from us.

The weekend is almost upon us. It's forecast to be quite nice here after a wet Friday.

Have a good one.

Posted by Folderol2 :

'I immagine Poll as 5'6, greying - but very distinguished, of course - hair, and reading glasses on a chord around your neck.'

Ha ha, dear Folly! Wrong! I am 5' 3" (used to be 5' 4"), and as I have hair that is the colour of ripe corn on top mingled with various blonde bits (all natural) one cannot see the silver hairs that I have got (no grey ones though). My underneath hair is a rich auburn. It looks as though I have paid money to get it this way (as seems to be the fashion with certain women), but I haven't. I must have a very strong hair colour and I have never coloured it.

It's funny that you should mention a spectacle-chain. Until yesterday I didn't own one. But every time I visit my disabled friend I lose my spectacles ~~usually either down the very big chair or under the chair (as well as in the kitchen or garden). It has become a standing joke. I even lose them, find them, and then re-lose them. So last Wednesday he pressed a five pound note into my hand and begged me to buy a spectacle-chain. I manged to get one yesterday in Winchester. It's pink, sparkly, and lurid. But hopefully it will do the trick when I next see him (which is this afternoon).

I am surrounded by books , and classical music CDs. And I often look very flushed due to hot flushes. Pixie follows me everywhere so he is my fluffy appendage. So, that is me in a nut-shell.

I hope you are all well and happy. Love to each of you.

XXXX

Morning all!

Off now to Dorset for week camping in a field so no contact I'm afraid.

Hope you all have a good week - and that the weather - partic in W Dorset! - is good

Hugs all round

Fol

Well, Folly, you may have tempted fate with your enigmatic posting of "Rain Rain Rain". Certainly the weather forecast is not particularly promising, but then it seems to be more often wrong than right, so fingers crossed. Mind you, if our weather doesn't appeal to you, have a look at this http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/news

Rikii, I hope you've stockpiled some good weather up there in B'ham ready for the next Test.

Bon weekend.

Hi team,I have'nt been around much for a week as I've been mega busy,although I dont have much work on in August at the mo'.

tickle,July here in Brum has been an absolute washout,I dont ever recall a Summer with a month of such constant rain,that stupid person who predicted the heat wave reminds me of the berk and the hurricane's in the eighties when we lost all those poor trees,I was working in London at the time and the wind was so powerful it was knocking over trees like ninepins as they were all in full leaf,even tne metal scaffolds around the building sites many had collapsed lost roofs,boards and poles.

Still,all we can hope for is a little respite

Anything happening out there and has anyone heard from Frank?

Ah, the Great Storm of '87. I remember it well. "There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily and fell in floods." We awoke to unaccustomed darkness, because the windows of our house were plastered in leaves. I was due to go to Bournemouth that morning on my first ever golf weekend. Had to circumnavigate a few trees on the way and, when I/we got there, the golf course - surprise, surprise - was closed, although we did find a municipal pitch n putt course on which to while away the afternoon (and the golf course did reopen on the Saturday, albeit with a few extra obstacles).

Luckily, Eldridge Pope's Royal Oak survived the hurricane, although it has since been swept away by the winds of economic change. I think it may be brewed under licence by someone somewhere else now (the EP brewery closed some years ago) but I doubt if it's the same as it was then, perhaps the finest ale I've ever sampled.

Our house survived the hurricane as well, but, given its current state of repair, I dread to think what would happen should we have another such storm. I get very nervous whenever the wind approaches anything like gale force.

The weather here has not been as bad as it seems to have been in Brum, but it has not been wonderful these last two or three weeks. We could have done with the recent rainfall earlier in the year for optimum growth conditions. I wonder how the weather has been at Folly's campsite. Camping? Folly!

Frank seems to have disappeared without trace, I hope he's all right.

Have a good weekend, everyone, hope it stays dry.