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

Hello Neal,

I'm sorry to hear your new glasses are so expensive, but then I guess that's about the amount you'd pay here for comparable glasses. I always ever take the basic version, which is dire enough. This time, I was lucky as I found a smaller frame with the same shape, so they could fit my old glasses into the frame for just € 39 (that's £26 for you).

If I decipher your code correctly, that is 16° to 18°C?

Not really warm, but not too cold, either. I had braced myself for snow and ice.

I know what you mean about the in the tummy, I'm exactly the same. I'll only calm down once I am on the plane.
You're better off than me, because you don't have to pack a suitcase, and worry about what clothes to take, you can just decide on the very day.

As for the battery decharging so quickly: go and get the camcorder changed, because it's an indication that it's faulty. I know, because we've experienced the same with two! cameras now. Don't agree to having them 'fix' it, either, we had that with one camera - to no other avail than that the warranty was much shorter because it took them so long.

I would have loved to stay at the same hotel as Chris and Pete, but it's too expensive. However, I managed to find a hotel close to theirs, which is good, because it's
a) central
and
b)well, close to the other hotel - and close to the pub we'll meet in on Friday.

I guess I'd better go and do some cooking now, it's getting late.

Have a good evening.

Give my to your mum.

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

I hope you are enjoying the same weather that we are ... It has been lovely here , and yes, you did decipher my weather information correctly.

I've had a lovely day in Kew Gardens, and I managed to get some lovely photos as well. And the Camcorder worked with the original battery, but I am still trying to find out why it will not work with the spare!!! . It appears to be fully charged. Oh well... I guess it is just my usual 'Technology ' striking...

My new spare 500Gb hard drive arrived today so I'm hoping all my photos will be made secure now. And it is plug and play for the Mac, so no formatting or loading software either! Just drag and drop... Even I should be able to manage that...

As I have got most of the domestic bits out of the way, I'm hoping to go to the London Wetland centre tomorrow, if I get up early enough... and somewhere in Central London on Thursday. The main thing I need to be careful of is that I don't tire myself like last time... I definitely don't want to go through that again!!! I just need to shift this Even my boss noticed I wasn't well last Wednesday... That's a first.

I'd better get some supper now. Take care and I'll speak again soon.

And Mum just popped around with a book 'I Never Knew That About London.'

http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/catalog/book.htm?command=Search&db=main.txt&eqisbndata=009191857X

It'll give me some more ideas. and of course she sends her as always, and hopes you have a good weekend.

<hug. and from me,

Neal x x

Hello neal,

that book sounds really interesting. I'm sure you'll get some good ideas for future 'outings'.

K has an external harddrive, to be connected via a USB port. I got some of my lost photos from there. It disrupts my internet connection, though, which I think is odd. I guess that's because I have such an old and feeble PC.

I still have quite a few domestic bits to be done, but I'll ask the boys for help.

I'm sorry you're having a , I really hope you'll be better soon.

You're probably right, don't cram too much into this week, or else you'll be exhausted come Saturday - and we can't have that.

As for the battery for your camcorder: are you sure you put it in the correct way round? It sounds stupid, but with those flat batteries it can be very hard to see.

Enjoy your supper and the Wetland Centre if you go there.

Give my to your mum.

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Good afternoon Claudia,

How are you today? Well and rested I hope. I'm fine, and the is streaming through my window, although it has been very wet overnight, but now much improved. I am trying to decide what to do... Washing, tidying , connecting up the hard drive, or wandering over to Kew again . I have a Maintenance meeting this evening, at 20.00 and need to get some food in, but otherwise nothing planned.

I have spent a couple of frantic hours hunting for my HooToo badge... and it was where I thought I'd left it all along... Never mind. Must be one of those moments.

I have a Contractor outside installing a handrail on the stairs leading up to my flat which I hope will make life a little easier for me. The lights have been out for few days, so it was getting tricky at night. They seem fixed now.

I have a question, which I am sure you'd know the answer to. There is an entry here - A2345393 - which is a bit thin and sketchy on fact. It is not edited and the writer has Elvised. I wondered, can I write an entry of my own, based on more fact, different traditions and three generations of knowledge, or do I have to do a re-write of the original? What is the preferred method. I did start writing a precised version for the `we have to work out what being English is" thread, but lost it! when cutting and pasteing. I'd be interested in your help...

I had a productive day at the Wetlands, and may write a brief Journal on it, although it would be rather boring to someone who a) isn't into wildlife and b) hasn't been to the Wetlands... I guess it depends on what I decide to do today!

Other than that, all seems well with the in general. Do you know what the final plans are for tomorrow evening, apart from meeting at The George? Has a time been set yet? I hadn't seen one but then I may have missed it! The weather looks good with and 18&#730;C Friday, and and 19&#730;C Saturday, so you may not need to dress too warmly... but then again... it is England.

And I've modified my PS to show how many hours to go, so I'll see you in about 31 hours time...

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow... How lovely that sounds!

Special s and es until then...

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

we're having typical April weather here today: heavy rain, sunshine, thunderstorm and lightning, followed by sunshine...

From what I recall, we agreed to meet at the George at about 20.00, which will give GB and Titania a chance to get there after the Tut exhibition (I think they'll only go there relatively late), and everybody else to have had their dinner before, cause if you remember, finding a good place to have dinner with a larger crowd has proven to be quite difficult before - it was fra too late for my taste last time.

I'm glad you had a nice day at the Wetlands - were they wet?

I've done lots of laundry, now hoping to get it dry in time for tomorrow.

As for the entry: I think the usual way is to cut and paste it, add your bits, then submit to PR and credit the original author.

Just one more day.

See you tomorrow

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hi Claudia,

I hope you got back safely, and you are not too exhausted! It was just so lovely to see you again! I just hope it isn't so long next time.

Did you have a good time this morning? Gnomon did invite me, but I wasn't sure whether I'd be up for it, so I'm here doing the ironing, having written up the afternoon meet Journal.

I hope you had a good time, and had a chance to catch up with everyone. It was so good to see everybody again. It is just a shame it all goes by so quickly!

I did enjoy myself, and I am looking forward to the next, whether it is the Hull Meet, the German Meet or both, permitting.

I am just so pleased to have met you again, and thanks for coming... You definitely made my weekend.

Take care and I'll speak again soon.

Big s and es



Neal x x

Hi Claudia,

Thanks for your Journal, and the photos. I haven't mine, but if you want copies I am to forward them. I didn't actually take that many... That walk around Camden actually took more out of me than I had realised, and I apologise if I appeared a little subdued!

Why is it when a Meet ends, all the things I want to chat about surface?

I want to thank you for giving me the pleasure of your company, the lovely mug, and more importantly a RL hug! I know how we run ourselves down, but you are a very special person in my life, and I feel very privileged to know you and if the Cologne Meet takes place I'll do my utmost to be there!

Please loo after yourself and, if I appear to be talking it's because I've been on E-Mail duty today and I'm seeing

well, and I hope to catch up with you sometime...

Restful and

Neal x x x

Hello Neal,

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you any earlier, but there were so many things to do - the flat was a mess, no shopping in the house, work, etc,etc...

I, too, wanted to thank you for the lovely cup you gave me.
It is gorgeous, and reflects the spirit of 'our' little hootoo community - I can't help but thinking of Fizzy (bubblicious - fizzy).

I'm slowly getting back into RL, although it's a bank holiday here tomorrrow, so I'll go and meet my friend for breakfast - I didn't reach her on her birthday about two weeks ago, so we agreed to meet tomorrow instead.

The meet was fantastic, and it was great to see you again. Is it just because I know all the people by now (or nearly all), or did we have an especially good crowd this time?

I very much enjoyed the V&A - if ever you get a chance, the exhibition on maps and art is really interesting and not too large to take in.


>>Why is it when a Meet ends, all the things I want to chat about surface<<

Same here. I guess there are just too many distractions, and then we talk about other things when meeting people in RL - and once we're back, we remember what else we wanted to ask/talk about. I think it's just normal.

Give my to your mum

s & es

Claudia

Hello Neal,

just a quick post before I'll go and have my tea.

I eventually remembered who took care of the photos: it was Gnomon. I guess he thought that they were Annie's, and she had already left, and there were a lot more people leaving at the time. I'm sure he'd not have taken them had he known they are yours.

Oh, and it would be great to see your photos.

Must dash now.

Have a good evening

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hi Claudia...

Don't worry about delayed replies... I'm surprised you had time, and haven't taken a week off from w*rk! After all that you packed in. I was after an evening and a full day... Although I did stay with the boys until 01.00 when the Pub shut... And I caught the right as well

When I saw that it just appeared to have your name all over it! I just had to get it... Yes, I know I bought you something similar when I came over to Frankfurt, but this was a little smaller and more civilised with the saucer... hence more you. . And the wording seemed appropriate as well.

It didn't really matter about the photos, as I can always duplicate them for another Meet anyway. I just never saw where they went! And yes, I'll e-mail the photos to you, or I can put them on a CD and them if you prefer, although I didn't take that many this time, and on a few the flash wasn't on, so there are some rather dark ones.

I am just it was worth you visiting. It is not the same without you. I now have to save the for Hull and possibly Koln, depending on the date, as well as my holiday! I'm sure I'll manage it somehow!

It was a late evening at work, and I didn't finish until 20:00, which I don't mind, although I was meant to finish at 19:00. However it is very wet outside, and tomorrow I must get up early to vote for the farce of the 'London Mayoral' elections, as well as local 'Government' elections. More wasted Tax-payers'

Anyway, I must check my e-mails so I'll leave you to a evening.

well, and special and , and from Mum.

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

I had the Monday off work, which was very convenient. And don't forget that I only work in the mornings, so I have the afternoons to recover, too.

I know I did a lot of things again this time, but it was all so relaxed, no long, exhausting travels on the tube involved, which made a huge difference.

I know what you mean about the cup, and as it is so lovely, I'm flattered.

I think what you could do with the photos, is put them up on flickr but set them to 'private' and not to public, then send the link to those you allow to see them. Failing that, you could email them to me, splitting them to maybe three or four emails (I can never do anything much with thumbnails, I prefer to look at the original version).

I'll be off for my breakfast in a couple of hours.

Have a good day, and give my to your mum.

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

How has your day been?

Mum didn't feel up to going out, so I went to the V and A by myself. The exhibition you visited was finished, so I just had a relaxing mooch about. I did wish I'd eaten though! I was really after the Musical Instrument room, as it was locked last time I went, but the room that gives access was undergoing renovation. Beaten again. Still I had a good time, and re-took the photos of the Edward Poynter room, which has some beautiful tiled walls, depicting the Months and Seasons, as well as blue and white Dutch tiles depicting such goddesses as Andromeda and Venus, and Dutch landscapes.

I will endevour to increase my Flickr account soon, and then I can upload them.

I bought some food to cook, but settled for a sandwich. Now to do the ironing, as it is meant to be sunny tomorrow, so time to get some photos for the plant entries!

Have a good evening, and thanks for a good TG word... at least there are no X's in it...

Take care of yourself.

and

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

sorry your visit to the V&A wasn't so successful, and that the exhibition on maps and art was no longer on display, it was really interesting and not too much, so good to take it all in.

Did you see the month tiles I put the link to in my journal? They are really beautiful.

I have started the editing, so far there aren't too many submissions, but I expect at least three more by tomorrow, and I still have to write my own column, which will be the hardest part.

The weather is brilliant here, so I may go for a walk later, depends on how far I get with my work and how tired I am.

I'd really love to see the photos you made, any chance of emailing them? haven't seen any of lil's photos, either, except for the two Hoggy posted the link to.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait.

with taking photos of plants!

Have a good weekend - hope your mum is better again!

Give her my

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

A bit late today! My Journal explains...

I had a good day, in the main, and I hope to have the same tomorrow, weather permitting, although I did burn my supper.

Rather than e-mail the photos, I'll burn them to DVD and send them to you, then you can keep, use or delete, and not overload your download time. It won't be difficult, or expensive! I took photos of all the Luca della Robbia tiles of the Labours of the months. I wonder what they did the rest of the year? But then it was in one of the Medici's properties, so I'll leave that to your imagination. . Now the weather is improving, I intend to get one day out a fortnight, going to somewhere different that I've never been to... as well as at least one day a month going somewhere with Mum. Just so I can keep an eye on her. We're going to the Cinema next Thursday, if she is up for it.

I hope you aren't overworking on the Editorship. And I'll look forward to your column, as always.

Right, must go. well, and take care... Don't stay up too late, even if you are one of the lucky ones that doesn't need to get any beauty

Speak again tomorrow...

s and es

Neal x x

Good morning Neal,

I got up very early today, thinking it was Monday.

We have a very fast internet connection (the fastest on offer here) and it's unlimited, no idea about yours, though. So downloading photos you send would be much quicker - and if your internet is unlimitesd too - cheaper than burning a CD and sending it. I could still burn my own CD here, but I'll leave it to you to decide.

>>I wonder what they did the rest of the year?<<

I guess those tiles have gone missing, I'm sure they had one for each month.

with your plans of going somewhere different once every two weeks, and I hope you mum will be well enough to go to the cinema with you. Which film do you want to see?

I haven't been to the cinema for a long while now, the last time I did, I went with C to watch the Golden Compass.

Have a good day

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

it has been a bit frantic, to the extent I've not even done a Kew follow-up, mainly becaus Mum had a turn, which has had me rather worried... I am now starting to think, as there is a two bed flat below her that has become vacant, of suggesting we apply for it. I do not want to lose my independence or impair hers, and cetainly I don't want to uproot, but I have to look to the future! Difficult, especilly when my sister moves as then it is just Mum and I!

Enough!!! Life is There are others worse off!

How are you? A good weekend? Did you manage to do anything exciting?

I certainly wore myself out in Kew, and ache, even now but it was worth it. Twenty potential photos for entries out of an expected fifty, and maybe ten I am fairly certain of getting soon.

Anyway, this heatwave and possible hayfever is me, so I'm off to .

Speak again soon, and stay well...

s and es

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you'll find a solution with your mum. I can imagine that you're very worried, so I hope you'll find a way to make things easier for the two of you.

I'm glad to hear that your visit to Kew was so succesful on terms of taking photos.

I didn't do anything exciting over the weekend, but then I did lots of exciting things only the weekend before, and I don't feel the need to go out all that often.

I'm enjoying the warm weather, I just hope it won't be over again next week, then to be wet and cold for the rest of the year.

Sorry about your hayfever, I'm lucky, I don't suffer from it.

Have a good evening

s & es

Claudia xxx

Hello Claudia,

I hope you are well , and enjoying the warm spell? Or are you tucked indoors avoiding it? It is not everyone's choice. I can only enjoy it if I am doing something, like or the flat, but I can't in it... I get and bored!!!

It is very hot here, and I'm about to make some sandwiches and head for Kew, with my camera, and hunt down those elusive photos. Mum is in Kew doing her cleaning job, and is running late, so she has telephoned to say that she will probably be too for tghe cinema today... But we have booked next Wednesday to go to the Chelsea Physic Garden, as we haven't been for ages.

http://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

It is a very special place, and only open on certain days. In fact, they've extended the days, as it used to only be wednesdays and Saturday afternoons. If I get a chance, maybe I'll get to take you.

My day out with Teuchter has been put on hold. Her other half is in China and has had a serious fall, so she's flying out to see him... I hope he is so hopefully we'll meet up in June.

I am really, really I can't get to the German Meet You know I would if I could, but that week is my annual holiday, and is sacrosanct. It is the only week I really do something I enjoy...and hopefully Evadne Cake will turn up for a day out too. Plus being August it is the height of the holiday season so flights are as you know... BA wanted 73 Euros each way, while Lufthansa wanted 108 euros, both also charging 13 Euros online booking fee. Now I understand the complexities of you visiting London. I'll have to convince you to stay at Mum's next time, to save on the cost of Hotel accommodation. I will definitely come to the next one. I will be thinking of you all. And it looks like a reasonable group as well... You'll soon be competing with London. The German takeover of HooToo???

I enjoyed the parts of I have read so far... Looks like I'm going to have to take some time out, from somewhere to read it...

talking of time out, my local had it's first true jam session last night. It went reasonably well... two guitars and a fiddle, and there is a possibility of it becoming a regular 'unadvertised' event, as it is such a quiet night... except next week there is Oh well. and tonight I must practice some for saturday night . never a dull moment.

This seems a long post! You can wake up now. I'm finishing, only because my fingers arew tingling and I must get out.

Look after yourself, and don't get too sunburnt if you do go out... It is lately.

Mum sends her as do I,

and

MMF

Claudia,

I must beg your forgiveness, as the following sentence was not written the way I intended it!!!

>>I'll have to convince you to stay at Mum's next time, to save on the cost of Hotel accommodation.<<

It was meant to read:

I'll have to convince you that between us, Mum and I would be pleased if you stayed at Mum's to save on the cost of Hotel accommodation.<<

Part of the sentence got lost in the Cut and Paste...

I now have a proper aerobed to on:

http://www.johnlewis.com/6536/Product.aspx

So I can on that, while Mum has my bed, which she's used to...

At least consider it?

for any confusion, upset or other caused... It is something I didn't mean to do... And wouldn't do to anyone!

and

MMF

Hello Neal,

don't worry about that sentence, it read perfectly well to me, and I appreciate the very generous offer.
However, I think I told you before that I won't have any of it, especially since your mum isn't well so often. I could never accept that she'd leave her flat just to accommodate me.
Plus, I'm getting older, and staying somewhere central in London has proved to be a huge bonus these past two times, as having to do this long way to Brentford several times a weekend just would wear me out nowdays.

I mean, nothing can beat a hotel which is just a few tube stops away from the pub on returning late in the night, as you'll certainly agree.

I'm sorry you'll not make the German meet, but I'm sure you'll again have a fantastic time at your folk festival, and we'll meet again, I'm sure.

Plus, you'll be going to Hull, which will be great if last year is anything to go by.

Good to hear your jam session went well, and that you managed to take so many photos at Kew.

The weather here is warm; I guess this is our summer now, so I intend to enjoy it while it lasts.

I won't get any sunburn, because I never expose myself to direct sunlight if I can help it.

Have a good weekend and enjoy your gig on Saturday.

Give my and thanks to your mum.

s & es

Claudiaxxx