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

Hi Unc! I noticed that the subjects of messages folk left on your page were a bit samey, so I thought I'd inject a spot of colour. One of the disadvatages of putting one of those new-fangled messagebox gadgets on your PS, I suppose (I'm doing this the old-fashioned way ). There's no hidden meaning to the subject by the way, though I'm sure that Freud fellow would have disagreed.

There is however an ulterior motive to this lame attempt at livening up your already far-from-drab page. I was wondering what you'd say if I suggested an informal Beeston mini-meet? A suggestion I make partly because we've been chatting on and off for the past year or so but have never met despite (probably) living within 15 minutes walk of each other, but mostly because you're the only person I (sort-of) know in Beeston who appreciates real and I haven't been to the Vic for *ages*

Seriously though, if you're game I reckon it'd be worth a laugh. If you're not game... I'll just crawl back into my hole, shall I?

The subject headings certainly have been getting monotanous, I used to change it every now and again but I really can't be bothered anymore.

Funny you should mention that as I was thinking exactly the same thing. I am however almost out of time, term ends Friday and then I'm off camping, though I'll be back in Beeston for a little bit afterwards. The Vic's only a 5 minute walk from my house and yet I've only been there once in the last few months, and the Ark tonight ran out of Black Sheep so I only had one pint .

Time wise I can manage Friday or after various trips (around the 22nd June)

Hmm. Great minds, or fools, I wonder?

I have a vexingly open schedule at the moment but I don't like to rush things, so let's leave it 'til after your trips. Besides, if your results are coming out on Friday there're better people to celebrate with (or commiserate with) than some bloke you've never met and only communicated with via a nerdy web site

Incidentally, where is the Ark? It's not a name I'm familiar with, but then neither is the area near the train station (apart from said station, and the Vic of course)

Or just not enough good ale.

I then suddenly realised that I have to actually pack at some point too, so Friday night's become an impossibilty anyway. My grandparents have decided I want to visit them as well now, so that leaves Thursday or Friday the 24th and 25th June. Wednesday is hopefully free too if I manage to escape a bird watching trip with people 60 years my seniour who try and donate me their old clothes.

The Ark's the student union bar. It's a dark dingy place but does normally have one or two real ales on tap at a very reasonable price.

See, it's a good job I didn't rush on in there, else I'd be disappointed already. Pencil it in for June 24th then, with an option on changing at the last possible minute to whatever suits your schedule (and your grandparents' ).

If the Ark is a Union bar, then it's no wonder I've never heard of it. I'm only slightly more familiar with the University than I am with Beeston around the train station. Swansea Uni used to have claim to a bar that was in the Good Beer Guide, or so says an ancient legend passed down through generations of real-ale drinking alumni. These days you can buy a pint of coloured water there for £1 that gets called Tetleys, Carlsberg or Strongbow depending which nozzle it comes from

Will be back on the 24th even if I don't escape the bird watching trip, so that's a good day to set. That just leaves a time

The Ark only normally has Landlord, which is alright but nothing special.

Right, it now looks like I won't have any internet access for that week, as the server computer's going home with its owner. Conceqently I'll make a time of 8pm outside the Vic on the Thurday, hope you agree with it and will try and hijack one of the uni computers just in case. My grandparents have internet access as well so I might be able to borrow theirs.

Eight in the evening, outside the Vic... I can't see that being a problem for me. I'll email my mobile number to that MSN addy on your PS (look for a message from Rob Lievesley ), so you can contact me in the event of any last minute difficulties at your end. On the other hand, if I'm struck by lightning at 19:59 on the Thursday, I apologise in advance

Enjoy all your various trips and travels, and I'll see you when you get back

My mobile number's on the web on the ramsoc website under the committee section in case I don't get it.

Thanks

Didn't get a message, but then my msn address is a little random (I used my univeristy user name as I got fed up of everything else I thought up being taken). It's [email protected] or [email protected], though the chances of me being able to check my email before the end of the month now are very minimal.


Anyway, mine's written under Laura Bamford at http://www.su.nott.ac.uk/~ramsoc/about/committee.htm

This is one very garbled message

me, I did get your email, it's just that stupid 'flu meant I didn't notice it (well, that's my excuse anyway )

Hey yeah, flu gets me like that too. Honest. Of course, that one garbled message above was doubly confusing 'cause I'd just collected my emails and read your reply to my "missing" message...

A week should be long enough to get over the infectious stage, don't you reckon? Otherwise, I might find I've got a pressing appointment in Swansea! Get well quick

Unless something's in the middle of the screen I simply can't read it at the moment . Shame it's impossible to delete posts really. However, you seem to have figured it out anyway

Oh I expect so, 'flu only lasts a week and I've had it three days now. Not getting any better yet however

Was a good trip to the pub though, and very needed after the events of the day before . I never did finish the parsnip crisps.

A splendid excursion indeed; having now revisted for the first time in years, I reckon the Vic's even better than that place my mate and I found in Yorkshire. The score as I see it:

Marton Arms Hotel (Thornton in Lonsdale): 14 ales , 1 real cider and six squillion malt whiskies , ~£2.20 per pint , 150 miles away .
Victoria Hotel (Beeston): 13 ales , 2 real ciders , 6 draught continental beers and three squillion malt whiskies , ~£2.00 per pint , 1 mile away

The Marton Arms doesn't do parsnip crisps though, as far as I'm aware. I'm not sure if that's a point for or against

The distance is the key point , a very good pub to stumble across is great, but not so useful if you just want to nip down the road for a pint.

I still can't make my mind up. Had roast parsnips today for lunch, they were definitely better than parsnip crisps.