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

This weekend, my girlfriend and I visited the Saltee Islands, a small archipelago just south of Co. Wexford. It was a marvellous day, as we came up-close and personal with a large gannet colony. They seem to be completely oblivious to humans and human contact. The German for Gannet is Toelpel, which I am reliably informed is "Idiot". Maybe their fearlessness in front of humans was a distinct liability in years gone by.

The islands are also home to huge colonies of guillemots and razorbills. Puffins are there too, but we didn't see so many. There are also a large amount of black-winged gulls, notorious for their aggressiveness.

It was a marvellous place to visit. You can see some pictures of the place here.

http://woodpigeon01.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/a-trip-to-the-saltee-islands/

Dear Woodppigeon.

What a wonderful account of your day, and for taking those marvellous photographs.

You really made me very very envious. but unfortunately I do not thini that a wheelchair would be very practical there.! Did you take a picnic lunch as you were on the island for five hours? but you both had a wonderful day and thani you s.... much for making it possible for me to visit it with you.

With many thanks and great affedtion

Christiane
alsoRan80


Tuesday 7th July, 2010 12.09 BST

Dear Christiane,

Yes, we took a small picnic with us but we were in a bit of a rush so it was nothing special. We had to wait until we got back to the mainland before we could eat something more substantial.

It was a fantastic day. Thanks so much for your comments.

Cheers,

C
Woodpigeon

Nice to hear from you again Woodpigeon. I hope things are going well for you these days. I read your account of your last few years. They have been eventful! It does not seem five minutes since we chatted about your twins, and of course your Dad.

Take care,

Websailor

Hi Websailor - yes, good to hear from you too! Sorry, I have been much quieter on this site now than I was in the past.

Yes, a lot of water under the bridge in the past few years. It's incredible that my father is dead over 5 years now, and so much else has happened. Still, it seems it all has just sped by in an instant.

I hope you have been keeping well too.

Wp

As well as can be expected Wp, - I have to be i have acquired a granddaughter since we last spoke which is rather nice

Websailor

Congratulations! The speed my kids are growing up, I'll be there myself in no time! How old is the little one?

Four and a half months If you still have the same email addie I will send you a pic. Don't put pix on net on instructions from parents

Websailor

Yes, same address! I won't do it, don't worry!

Wp, I should have said 'I don't' Thanks for photo.

Websailor

not to worry! A friend of mine was lamenting mistakes she had made yesterday and my only response was that almost everything in life is a mistake, the successful events being the mistakes that just happen to come right.

There are quite a few hootooers on Facebook now, and I'm working on getting my mum on ever so gently. Have you an account there?

W

Is it easy to do Woodpigeon?
I seem to be getting less and less involved in this marvellous website. I have been a member for such a long time. I seem to remember that it was a mutual friend of ours who introduced the two of us. Am I right? And I no longer have any contact with her and cannot remember her name.! She also came from the same country I did and it is in the heart of Africa.

She got married and perhaps has movd away. I wonder, as she knew the girlfriend of my son and it was quite a link.

Go well,

Christiane
AR80
Saturday 17th July 2010 9.10

Yes, Woodpigeon I do, but to be honest I don't have time to use it much. I check now and again, that's all. You should find me easily enough. I prefer h2g2 for most things

Websailor

Hi Christiane, you have a better memory than I do, and I'm just a slip of a lad, as they say! I've been on H2G2 for over eleven years now - imagine that. Africa is one continent I have no real knowledge of, to my shame.

Facebook is easy to get set up with, but it can be hard to navigate. Great for photos though.

W

Yes, Facebook is quite different - it's more useful for staying in contact with friends and family. I tried to find you but no look. Are you using your real name, or your H2G2 name?

Colm

Real name. Will send you a link later, not that there is much to see. As I said I use it very little.

Websailor

Hi Woodpogeon,

So you must have become a researcher eleven years ago - whilst our founder was still alive. I think that my "official " entry was around the year 2000, but that entry disappeared goodness knows why.

No, I am not on Facebook and I have absolutely no intention of going on it. I am getting slow at editing my work, and find it takes me all my time to write correct English on this one site.!!

Go well my dear friend,


christiane -my real first name!!)
AlsoRan 80.

Wednesday 21st. July 2010 14.43 BST