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

Hi, Fb,

Just realised I hadn't seen a post from you for a day or two so though I would drop by and ask how you are doing with the awful weather that has been dumped on Scotland lately?

It is beautiful here today but very windy but the sunshine makes such a difference

I bet you are counting the days till you to warmer climes.



Websailor

Hello Websailor

Nope, not blown away, thank goodness. But it was mighty windy last night

Just now it looks like butter wouldn't melt in the weather's mouth As calm as it can possibly be. Sun shining benignly on us.

I've just stored a new journal entry about my move...

How are you?

Fb,

I am so glad you are

I am fine except for a stubborn cough left over from the 'flu or whatever at Xmas. Went delivering leaflets today so had a good blow - hopefully cobwebs gone.

I am so looking forward to hearing from you in Australia. I have a young friend in Melbourne, an aunt in Perth and a good friend in Witchcliffe, WA. The latter also has connections with the Millstream Country Park up Northern tip of Western Australia. If you are ever heading that way let me know. The aunt is 87 and was dancing till after midnight New Year's Eve!

It will be sad seeing you go. Re. packing - suggest you take more knickers this time - only four prs? It sounds as if you have a busy life ahead, with plenty of variety - the spice of life - which suits you, along with the herbs.



for now,

Websailor

Who is - see, I can do it if I concentrate

Fb, I liked your Herbs in History. Most interesting. I come from country stock and still use herbal medicines wherever possible. I have a passing interest in Rainforest plants in medicine too, and it is fascinating how many of our medicines originated from plant remedies.

This being the case, I wonder why we allow swathes of forest to be cut down, fields of wildflowers to be destroyed etc. when we have barely scratched the surface of these resources?

At least it appears that the world is waking up to it at last. Better late than never, I suppose.

Websailor

Dad used to pack us off outside for brisk walks when we had coughs and snuffles. He was dead right; it usually cleared up I hope that your leaflet delivering did the trick too.

Do you really think the world has woken up to rainforest destruction? I don't think I'm so optimistic Parts of the west may have tumbled to the importance of the rainforest ecologies, but those in developing countries (which are the ones that support rainforests on the whole) are so desperate to achieve the standards of living that they see we have, they're relentless in their pursuit of the mighty dollar

43 years old and a died in the wool cynic.

Fb

Hi, Fb,

Oh, you poor old thing . Yes, you may be right, but as a conservationist and doing the voluntary work I do, I cannot afford to think that way, otherwise I would give up.

Every time we have a success, large or small it is a step forward and we have to stay positive. I have a huge file on our successful campaigns, and the result of these which gives me hope.

It is not surprising they want our lifestyles, but if we can help them learn from our mistakes it might make a difference. I watched a TV programme the other night, where an explorer is living "native" with various old tribes for a few weeks. This particular tribe lives as it always did, but is now having electricity, TV and telephones installed. I bet no-one knows it will cost them their way of life and probably their land! It is such a jump from their primitive way of living to our ways, I wonder how long they will survive.

See, we do agree, so am I a "died (dyed?) in the wool" cynic too - and what colour would it be . Wouldn't want to die in wool, I'm allergic, but then it wouldn't matter would it?

Websailor