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

So, Roymondo organised a meet in Thanet. Being Roymondo, of course, he didn't show up to his own meet, but c'est la vie!

I arrived in Broadstairs by train at around 7:30 pm. I'd received a text earlier in the day from Mazin' Mad Fiddler (MMF), but crucially I hadn't seen the message on the Fanit meet thread, so knew nothing about the lack of reception for his mobile...as I walked down the hill to the beach, I kept trying to ring him and received no answer. Eventually MMF texted me and we managed to establish a conversation, to find that I'd just walked past the pub in which he was ensconced.

There I met the remaining participants in the meet - Evadne Cake, Sarah The Absent, and...er...that's it. Introductions were made, we had another beer in Ye Olde Crown, talked about insurance (yes, really), heaped abuse on Roymondo's head, then wandered down to the seafront and found another pub (the Dickens? Possibly...not paying enough attention at this stage), and settled in for...more beer! STA managed to attract the attention of the bar staff without having to expose herself, and we carried on in true h2g2 meet style, we talked of cabbages and kings. Hair straightening and male pattern baldness were included in the conversation, I recall.

Feeling a bit peckish, we decamped to an Italian restaurant, where MMF and STA had chicken (STA had pollo con funghi, allowing me to do my old favourite "fun guy to be with" joke, to universal ), Evadne had a Calzone, and I, having eaten earlier, had a plate of scallops. All this accompanied by a substantial amount of red wine.

MMF and STA, meanwhile, had started talking to the lady at the table next to us, and observed her dessert of tiramisu. After much "couldn't possibly" and "no no no" and "nothing for me, thanks", we ordered one tiramisu and four spoons. It wasn't bad.

We then went further in search of more alcohol, dedicated researchers that we are! Unfortunately the first pub MMF took us to was closing (it was past 11 by this stage) so he took us to a hip, trendy bar where all the kids hang out instead - of course, we fitted right in. We said "good luck Ruth!" on the way. There we had a couple of further drinks (I was on the whisky by this stage), and, after taking a couple of photos, a member of the public volunteered himself to take a group picture or two, which I'm sure will be published in due course. Oh yes, and we all said hello to Bill. He looked somewhat bemused to be greeted by a bunch of strangers, but, after explaining that we were all weirdos off t'internet, he...remained bemused.

At around o'clock we decided to call it a night, and Evadne very kindly drove me back to my parents' house in Sandwich. And that was about it. Meet over. Jolly good fun had by all, a shame that more researchers couldn't make it (it was about the size of your average London mini-meet in that respect), but better luck next time!

RF

I think the next meeting you go to will go something like this:

*RF stands up*

Hi, my name is Reddyfreddy and I'm addicted to meeting internet wierdos!

Sounds like it was a small, but perfectly formed meet to me!!

What happened to Roymondo?

Great you had a good time
>>after taking a couple of photos, a member of the public volunteered himself to take a group picture or two, which I'm sure will be published in due course.<<

What, do you think is 'due course' ? I'm still waiting for the photos of the last mini meet

You don't ven sound , so I bet you just exaggereated about the amount of alcohol you had

,wah> wens the nxt one?

We had an amount of alcohol, yes...about 5 pints, then MMF & I mostly demolished a litre of red wine, then I had a couple of whiskies. MMF and STA had started substantially before I turned up, as well (Evadne didn't drink as she was driving).

So, no, not completely cabbaged, but fairly merry!

When's the next one? 8th July rings a bell...

RF

the case for the prosecution rests, m'lud

Where is this 'Case of Prostitution'? Sho...


I knew I was tired... Right, I'm off out for some fresh air, and I'll be back in anhour or so.

BTW, you could always attend the next one, Sho. I know where I can get the accomodation, and it won't involve a guest house!!

I'd love to,but I have the Gruesomes tied to my legs...

which means the rest of the world is Gruesome free... you should be rejoicing and dancing in the streets (possibly of Thanet)

I'll be dancing in the streets of London, if that's ok *rubbing it in *

...and sadly, I won't be. Dancing in the street of London on 8th July, that is.

Due to a complex series of events too mundane too explain here, I won't be in England for the Summer meet. You'll all just have to muddle along somehow without me.

RF

No, that's impossible -you must be joking

you sure you're not stalking me in blackpool for the weekend RF?

Last time I looked, Blackpool was still in England... Just.

Blackpool was still in England last time I looked...

RF

Great minds think alike

























Fools seldom differ

Now you smarty pants' just look silly, because I didn't say are you going to be in Blackpool, I said are you sure you're not going to be in Blackpool. Clearly implying that you might not be fleeing the country at that time!

So it didn't matter where I said I was going to be!