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

Dear Rick,

I wear a very happy face most of the time!! But I am falling apart on the inside.

I'm taking the dogs out in an hour, across the fields. At least I hope I can walk there. The ground is so boggy in places! Wellingtons and waterproofs are what I shall be wearing!

Polly

Rick, I need some more advice, please! I have got an outside water tap. There is something tatty wrapped around it. I have got no sacking, which I believe is the best thing to wrap around outside taps. What else could I use? What about bubble-wrap? Would that be insulating enough? Or should I find a sack?

Hi polly,if your tap outside has been fitted properly there should be a stopcock inside the house that isolates that tap,if you find it turn it off,it may be a "T" shaped tap or an inline isolator which is chrome coloured with a small slotted screw in the centre if its the latter turn screw a half turn only.

If you fail to find an isolator then wrap the tap and anyother exposed piping with plenty of bubble wrap and tape,selotape if you've got no other leave the old stuff on and wrap the new on top.R.

Thanks, Rick. I'll take a look later. I've got to go out now.

Polly

Hi Polly,if you do turn off a stopcock make sure your other taps are still working.

I would look in the oppposite side of the outside tap where the pipe to the external tap goes through the wall if there's an isolator there that's probably it,if it is the leave the outside tap slightly open before you wrap it up for the Winter. Goodluck.R.

Oh crumbs. It's quite complicated!

Hi Polly,any luck with the tap?

Hello Rick.

Well I took everything out from under the sink, in order to see what is what and where it is!! No luck. It would have been too good to be true had there been something to turn the water off!! There is also a heater of some sort, under the sink(near the ground), on the floor, which doesn't work. It's a DIY nightmare!

Hope your day has been a good one, and that you haven't go too wet. I walked the dogs for an hour in the beech woods. I got soaked but it was still lovely.

Hi polly,as long as the tap's not leaking,just wrap it up well it will be OK.
If the heater looks like a long tube(grey?)they use this low energy type of heater to stop the pipes freezing in the winter,you can buy pipe insulation(its tubular foil covered split all the way down one side so you cut it to size and just clip it over)anyway Im sorry if Im doing your head in with al this waffle.R.

It's not 'waffle' Rick. It's just not up my street!

Thank you, though, for your advice. I can make a great meal, sew any kind of soft-furnishings, play the piano well....but the water-pipe defeats me.

Polly

Life is like sand in your hand
While you sweat it lingers
Then one day you'll understand
Nothing's left between your fingers.

If I could reach up to heaven (sigh)
For the lips that I miss
I'd still have time to say goodbye
And seal it with a kiss
Yet Im not going to cry
Recalling every happy day
Still I ask the question why
I feel so empty in every way
Though I toss and turn each night
In this semi empty bed
Your memory burns so bright
As always in my head.

(Hi Polly,I seem to have upset you on the other thread?)

Im standing here
With yet another bouquet
This floral tribute
Is not really my way
I must,confess, admit
The flower's have scent
Its so intoxicating
Truly heaven sent
I have a stained cuff
On my best white shirt
Where a lily touched
Yet its not really dirt
Yet I am so nervous
Standing at your door
With this offering
Yet what is more?
If they can buy
Just one little kiss
Then I'll buy some more
For you again miss

Hello dear Rick.


Another gorgeous poem.


No, you haven't upset me. I'm just too sensitive.


I do hope you are well and happy.


Polly

Tonight's rehersals went well. I'm hungry now so I'm eating a ham sandwich!

Goodnight. Sleep well.


Polly
x

Hi Polly I first read this message at 03.30am when I got up for work(Im travelling from Brum to Bath a few days this week.
N.B.always remember the scout rules:"late night sarnies and too much telly,always expand your belly"

Hi Rick.

Poor you-up at 03.30.


Thank you for the warning! I'm just defrosting some bread for another sandwich(21.52)!

I used to spend so much time in Bath. I had a friend who lived in Box-just up the road from Bath. I found a wonderful old book shop , just out of the city centre, where I came across a book on Swinburne that I had been searching for.

Bath is a beautiful place. I also used to go to the Pump rooms to hear Chamber music concerts. Lots of very happy memories.

Have a happy time there, Rick. Take care.

Polly

Hi Rick.
Just in case you have a lap-top computer, and you can read this--I hope you are having some 'quality' time in beautiful Bath. Take care on your journey home to Birmingham.

Polly

Sometimes I feel my life's been in vain
A massive thunderhead, filled with rain
Yet I today Im nimbus floating by
Head aloof in a slate grey sky
Showering all with heavens gold
Every drop to lend to a fold
In grass and leaf, river and lake
With my sweat a forest can I make
Each precious drop forms a mighty flow
So all tears can help the flowers grow?

There can never be
Enough hours in the day
For me to say
I love you
As my finger traces
The outline of your lips
My memory slips
Into fantasy
When I look into your face
My feelings I cannot disguise
The pools that hide beyond your eyes
Hold more than a thousand dreams
Still as darkness envelopes
I roll my eyes in search of hope
That my ageing body will always cope
With your expectaions of me.