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

Aha! Found you, Poll!! I do hope you are well and enjoying the sunshine - if you've got what we have today

Good to see you all again now I'm home from a delayed return from Spain - long story - involving agonising over what to do for a couple of days, cursing insurance policy which doesn't cover acts of God, being ripped off by Hertz for a car back to Calais, being ripped off by P & O on a pedestrian passenger to Dover on a Fright ferry, being ripped off by South East trains for an unbooked journey to London. Apart from that, the company of a Dutch couple from Freisland (in the north near the Friesian islands - interesting to hear about the place) in the hire car was most welcome - a lovely couple whom we hope to keep contact with bearing in mind my Dutch ancestral connections. Some paseengers on the ferry had more horendous stories and, for a while in the ticket queue it got a bit like an 'Any story you can tell I can better' contest - a sort of 'Shoebox in the middle of the road - 'You were lucky!'

Finally, not being able to get through to Ryanair to claim refund for cancelled flight - something they have promised but are making it incredibly difficult to achieve.

Now I have a huge amount Parish work etc so I must get on

Have a good day eveyrone

Your journey home, Folly, actually sounds like fun! I love adventures. I have travelled twice to Turkey in a car- taking in all the countries between here and there. It was a bit scary in places - such as at the communist check-points, but it was marvellous. But that was in the past. Sigh! Now the ferry crossing to the island seems to be all the adventure I need.

I meant to say - '....the ferry crossing to the island seems to be all the adventure I need OR GET'.

Yes, Poll, there are those times when situations appear dire but can be actually enjoyable - or at least, interesting.

We camped beside the river at Bedgalleart (sp?) in Snowdonia whenthe kids were young and it was awful weather. We found ourselves singing and joking as we bailed out the tent and our son dug a drainage ditch around the tent. And it wasn't just 'Singing in the rain', we had a mini competition to make puns on the rain. Can't remember the jokes or songs now - anno domini has taken them away

When I and my little family stayed in our cottage in Perthshire, we often had very bad weather. Yet it was lovely. It never bothered us. Nothing did. We often had to hide from biting midges, or chase after stray horses very early in the morning, or get soaked in heavy rain. But it was such fun. My dear brother was full of fun and turned every impossible situation into magic and romance. We had little spare money but lots of laughter and wonderful memories.

Simple pleasures are often the best, Poll - but I know you know that.

That's why our extended family can't stop camping for a week at Golden Cap - I've just booked 4 pitches again for this year. It is really basic, cheap fun - playing rounders, going for walks galore and, well, just camping. Who needs Disney land or whatever - The thought of it makes me feel ill

The Dorset camping should be lovely, Folly. I do pray that you will all have lots of fun. I'm sure that you will.

The thought of places such as Disney World leaves me cold. I couldn't bear it at all. I guess it is nice for children, but my dear daughter didn't go to any such places - and I am certain that she still had a happy and fulfilled childhood.

Have you watched that Indian railways programmes? I have a feeling that I missed one last night ( No, I can't access i-Player on my ancient computer!). If I could go anywhere in the world, I know I would want to see India. I have a love for the Indian people, and for the African nations also. Last week, the programme was about a medical train. Folly, it was so fascinating and touching. What beautiful-hearted people.

A sad day today. My daughter and son-in-law are cleaning their sweet cottage. All their respective belongings have been moved out. They are no longer together............It is hurting me so much. I am helpless - except for prayer for them. Tomorrow I am hopefully meeting my daughter in Lymington for lunch and coffee. The clouds have gathered in the sky - which matches my sad mood.

Not much we can do about it, is there, Poll. Our youngest split with her long term partner about a year ago, and although she now has someoen else, we're sure she is still not sure and, at a time when she is highly stressed anyway doing her PGCE year and going for job interviews, she can do without extra stress.

I pray for her, of course and will pray for your family too

Hi Polly, that Indian train thingy is on after the snooker at nine tonight

Hi Polly,here's an old Eagles song.

I like the way your sparkling earrings lay
against your skin it's so brown
and I wanna sleep with you
in the desert tonight
with a billion stars all around
'cause I gotta peaceful easy feeling
and I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing on the
ground
And I found out a long time ago
what a woman can do to your soul
Ah but she can't take you anyway
You don't already know how to go
and I gotta peaceful, easy feeling
and I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing on the ground
I get this feeling I may know you
as a lover and a friend
but this voice keeps whispering
in my other ear, tells me
I may never see you again
'cause I get a peaceful, easy feeling
and I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing on the ground
'cause I'm already standing...
on the ground
oooo, oooo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqOU2ox_tk8

Ahhhhh.

Hello my Dear Rick.

Thank you for the song. The words are sweet - just like you. I have been listening to Tallis this evening - with my Laphroig. But now I am listening to Blue!! Honestly! There are a few tracks on the 'Best of Blue' that I love so much. I don't suppose that you own such a cd!!

My head is aching a bit - probably due to the whisky. But, hey ho. Maybe just a tiny drop more.

Love and hugs,
P&P

xxx

Hi Polly,I hope your burns are easing off,I have missed you very much,then again I know life is like a candle,once burned it cannot burn again.so... I guess we all have to be economical with our flame.so... burn slow sweetie until we are aflame

Rick, that makes me smile because of my own personal burn! I have mentioned it in passing on the other thread. It's a chemical burn. I hope my skin isn't still slowly burning without my realising it.

I saw a beautiful Barn Owl last week. It was sitting on a post beside the road.

Hi, Rick.

How are you? My kitchen is horribly cold. Last night I couldn't even bear to do the washing up because I felt so unwell in the cold kitchen. I left it until today.

Just having a small glass of whisky. It makes me feel 'mellow'! I do wish that you could join us (all your friends) at Sin's site. Stout is there, always saying daft things. And us lovely girls - Sin, Toots, Lily, Skylark, are there.

I hope you are keeping warm. I invested in thermal leggings. They are marvellous! How did I manage without them!

Have a happy evening.


xx

Hi Polly,lovely to hear from you,my house is cold too the frost hasn't lifted here for weeks,we keep waking up with frost inside our windows,I went to dunelm mill last week and bought some lining curtains(thermal)they do help but what you really need at the moment is a good electric blanket,they are far cheaper to run than any heating system.
The weather forecast for next week I think shows an end to this prolonged wretched spell,still it is Winter now,doesn't the Summer seem a long time ago now?

Rick, I have got an electric blanket on my bed. As long as I remember to switch it on, it is lovely getting into bed!

I actually love the winter. The skies, the birds, the silhouetted trees, comfort food, soup... Just a few degrees higher and my kitchen becomes habitable.

Poor you with the rotten cold in your home. My last house was similar until central heating was installed. I do have CH here - but it makes little difference as the old building is full of holes etc! I have hung a blanket up at the kitchen window tonight (there are already lined curtains there). And I have put a blanket up at the door (there are already TWO curtains sewn together there!).

The best place to be is on the settee or chair with huge Pixie lying on me. He generates so much warmth!

Hi Polly,my curtains are lined too but thermal liners have a three inch header tape (with draw strings)already attached and clip over the existing curtain hooks behind your curtains and make the three layers thick.

Dearest Rick, I hope you didn't mind my suggestion elsewhere. We women tend to be rather sentimental! We adore the very thought that someone we love has bothered to get us a card! It may seem very daft but it is a reality!

Have a wonderful 2011 together. The years seem to pass so quickly. I lost a sweet friend a few days ago - a similar age to me. It has been such a shock. Life is fragile. Make the most of your loved one(s).

Hugs and kisses to you.

xxxxxxxxx

When we hold someone
That feeling goes two ways
The closer we hold them
The more intense the feeling stays
Dearest heart I wish
I could eliviate your gloom
That I could be that someone
To bring sunshine into your room
If only for a moment
I could show you a smile
That could really show you
You are still so worthwhile
Although you are far away
My thoughts are with you still
I will always think you are
My bestest friend until....

I've only just noticed your last post, Rick.

Brrr, it's rather chilly today. I do hope that you and yours are keeping warm and 'flu-free. Have the windows defrosted yet? I jolly well hope so.I remember, when a child, tracing pictures on frosty windows. The thought of such a person as Jack Frost was rather scary. I think that opinion came from my reading 'The Snow Queen' - a story that I loved yet it frightened me. Now I realise that stories can never harm me! Only human beings can!

Keep warm and safe during this continuing cold weather. I know that you need work but I truly hope that you are not having to travel and work at such awful hours as you have done in the past.

From W.H.Davies-Collected Poems: 'Winter's Beauty' :

...Now winter's here and rivers freeze;
As I walk out I see the trees,
Wherein the pretty squirrels sleep,
All standing in the snow so deep:
And every twig, however small,
Is blossomed white and beautiful.
Then welcome, winter, with thy power
To make this tree a big white flower;
To make this tree a lovely sight,
With fifty brown arms draped in white,
While thousands of small fingers show
In soft white gloves of purest snow.

Time for a hot drink methinks.

Hugs,

-X-

Love your last poem.