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

And was it good?

Well we stayed in the pub all day and didn't waste precious drinking time going to the science centre or things like that.

One of the pubs had a menu of 50 weird beers. Real 5% ginger beer is lovely, but peach is dodgy. Pity they didn't have the banana beer in stock though.

There's some pics via

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A532568

but you'll have to register if you weren't on Yahoo during the shutdown Sorry, but I don't know of any other pics

How many pubs has this Alton Towers place got then?

....and are you allowed to shoot any kids within screaming distance of the bar? --->

A meet with no drawbacks then. Sounds my kind of thing. 50 weird beers... well someone has to sample them... all in the name of research...

Haven't investigated the pub situation yet, but there is a convenient campsite, which makes it convenient for bringing your own cheap booze.

I wasn't here during the downtime, because my PC was also down. For nearly six months. But I'll go look for the pics...

So how's about this mini-meet next week then?

Okay... so I've joined but 'the moderators have not approved my membership yet' or something.

*drums fingers impatiently, waiting to see the pics*

Believe me, I do a good line in drumming fingers.

WHAT!!!!
How can you suggest a place, especially one that's full of screaming kids, without investigating the pub situation?
*slaps forehead in a theatrical and, owing to the brick he was holding, painful manner*

I never ever thought you would be so irresponsible Pegasus. You'll have desparate researchers wandering around picking all sorts of fungi and smoking juniper bushes. I just hope it isn't in November or there will be a few squashed poppy sellers.

Don't think I'll be able to make Thursday. The loss of midweek drinking functionality is one of those aging things they never tell you about, like Billy Connolly's grey pubes. Gone are the days when I could happily down a bottle of vodka, get two hours kip, go to work, then start again. Now it takes about two days to recover from a drink. It will definitely be a spur of the moment thing if I do turn up, so I'll keep my eyes open for the details.

There are that many meets going on, it might be an idea to centralise them in one forum with a link from the main page so people can check them out easily. Is that too sensible? Apologies, I think I need a I only stumbled across the Leeds one by accident.

Sorry about the pics, I seem to neglect my photographic duties more and more with each passing meet. I only took 24 at that one, compared with over 100 at Edimbra. My photography is so good that out of 24 pics I'd expect to get at least a quarter of a good one...thanks Spiny.

Geez, six months without a PC. I don't think I could take that. Tell the truth, did you start watching TV again? Oh, you poor horsey.

Are you oh dear... this calls for Pegasus. Just lie down and put this thermometer in your mouth... I'm not sure it will do any good, but at least it will keep you quiet while I go and... um... consult my textbook. *grabs a *

I am investigating the pub situation in the vicinity of Alton Towers. I can't remember if they have them on-site. They close for the season at the end of October, so I think the poppy-sellers will be safe this time.

Well it will be a pity if you don't join us on Thursday. I'll have to drink a few extra on your behalf. Only two days to recover though? That's not so bad.

Your idea about collecting the meets onto one page does indeed sound sensible. *retrieves thermometer and reads it* As I thought, delirious. I only heard about the Leeds one by going to the Oxford meet at the weekend. Don't think I'll make it to Leeds this time though. Let me know when you've set that page up then.

And yes... I did start watching the goggle box again... well, more specifically, worked my way through my video collection several times. I'm even thinking of watching TV/video tonight, for a change. Six months was a very very long time.

Well the thermometer certainly worked! Then again it may have been the sight of that nurse's uniform. --> Yes I finally got round to ploughing through the mess on my home page created by that caption competition and found this thread.

Don't count your Edimbra s before they're drunk, Thursday is still threatened as I don't want a good sleep that night now that Leeds is on the Saturday. If that makes sense to you, you'd better get higher strength valium.

I found that there was an announcements page for meets in The Post, but they were all abroad the last time I checked. I mean we don't want the glamour of Leeds to detract from the meets in Australia do we?

I don't know that I could just sit down and watch TV (television, before you say anything) anymore. From Monday until the football on Saturday afternoon I watched a total of 15 minutes worth of TV....and still managed to fall asleep! I think it would really have to be something special like reruns of Count Duckula before I'd give it fool attention.

hey don't knock it, it's as close as I could get.

I'm not counting my Ed at all at the moment. Things are not running to plan.

However, if I do make it to Edimburgh, I will almost certainly be going to Leeds too on my way home (now the date has changed).

But don't worry... nothing you say makes any sense to me. I rarely get a good nights sleep, so if you can point me in the direction of a cheap and plentiful supply of valium, it might be worth a try. It may not help me sleep, but at least I won't care any more.

Not watching TV sounds good to me. Which is probably why I rarely do. Being on here is just coincidental.

Just as a matter of interest I checked out the fares to Amsterdam. It's only £6.20 dearer to fly there and back from Glasgow than it is to get a train which may or may not deposit me in Leeds. Is it just me who doesn't make sense?

OK here's the valium plan. Buy a second thermometer and become a RL --->

Alternatively, just go to your Doctor and say you're a housewife, that usually works.

Thirdly there's the old folks home plan. Get yourself admitted as a resident, act up, and the staff will dope your porridge quicker than you can say, "I think I've had an accident". The problem with this one is that you have to enjoy "nice cups of tea" and talking about your operations. "Well Ethel, after my colostomy, I had the sex change.....my this is a nice cup of tea isn't it?"

As for Edimbra, you know what Burns said, "The best laid plans o' flying horses and men, aft hit the fan". I'm more into the Claire Rayner school of philosophy, and just winging it.

I believe it has been a long accepted fact that train companies do not make any sense. It was different in the old days of course... when folks travelled by steam... oh wait, they still do.

*hides uniform* For now...

Does telling the doc that work for you then Wumbie? I expect the basque fools the every time.

I think I'll give the old folks home a miss for a little while longer... maybe til next week. oh thankyou... I'd love a nice cup of tea...

*stretches wings and wonders how long it would take to fly to Edinburgh* ~A~

Getting set for Leeds now then? While you're there, don't forget to sign up for Alton Towers! I'm sure you can find an Internet cafe to pop into on Saturday night, whilst you're in the mood.

Interesting... um... picture of the gents. A hobby of yours? Are the pics are to see yet then, or are you going to away for the weekend, and leave us in SUSpense?

Yes I'm just packing my bag:-

Bottle of whisky
Bottle of Buckie
Bottle of Cassis
Bottle of Peach Schnapps

Well that about deals with breakfast , a Wumbeevil Variety Pack....
....and don't think I'm joking, all of the above ARE in my bag!

I wouldn't mind a camping trip, but I do mind places full of screaming kids I'm afraid I wouldn't be responsible for my actions at Alton Towers (not that that's anything new )

*continues packing*
Large camera for good pics
Small camera for one-handed toilet photography
5x Zoom lens....no don't think I'll bother

Yes, I find that pictures of gents toilets are a much under-rated artform - Tracey Emin eat your heart out.

I'm keeping the Edinburgh pics on the card until after Leeds in case anyone wants to see the world's most horrible sinks. Will see if I'm fit to post them at Yahboo on Sunday. Meanwhile, I'll have that drink to missing researchers.

*sneaks in and pinches the bottle of peach schnapps*

You joking Wumbie? Perish the thought. Wish I could have made it to Leeds... Remember to raise a glass or two in my name... and go round randomly hugging people from me too.

I have discovered a pub very close to the campsite near Alton Towers, so the screaming kids will no longer be a problem. I am, however, not prepared to be responsible for your actions either.

Come to that... I'm just not prepared to be responsible...

*with an amazing show of restraint, refrains from commenting about the zoom lens*

Right then... better go out and get some to hold a virtual meet tonight, to make up for missing Leeds.

Aha! Caught you just before you dropped off my homepage, nae luck.

Wow, that was an amazing show of restraint, are you feeling OK?
That's just popped a question into my head....come back!

Well you know that Puppetry of the naughty bits? Well I was just wondering if they did a show like that before video screens came along, did the audience demand mega-powerful opera glasses on cold nights? Oh dear. I'm never going to see those library pics of 50s theatre audiences in the same light again.

The first pub in Leeds I thought I was in heaven, Kronenbourg at £1.80. However they called in the fire brigade to cut my chains and free me for ventures outside the station.

Help yourself to the peach schnapps, I crashed out after a cunning plot involving a car theft movie, and didn't touch it.

How close is "very close"? I've heard that phrase in the country before and you usually end up asking Captain Scott for directions three days later. "Oh it's only ten minutes away", is another. They always forget to add "by Concorde".

It was quite amazing wasn't it? I have no intention of making a habit of it though. A question in your head?

You didn't touch the peach schnapps? I'm appalled. I dunno... you Scots only like to pretend you can drink.

'Very close' = 200 yards. 3 mins walk. Within staggering distance! Don't tell me you didn't sign up while you were at Leeds? I think you should make a point of motivating the Scotch contingency... or you'll be thought of as 'weak northern Jessies' (to paraphrase a certain hedgehog)

OK Pegasus here comes the bad news. Sit down and have a or

Yesterday I'd have said there was no chance of me making Alton Towers. Last night I spent 2 hours checking out options and got the fare down to £56.60 (which I'd no intention of paying), or £25.50 by bus (which I'd no intention of taking both ways). I mentioned it in work today and the Bro in Law said Alton Towers was brilliant and..... he had a tent.

Back I came and extended the rail search, now I've bought a £9 Fri-Mon return from Glasgow-Stoke. So now I've just got to find my way from Stoke to the campsite and I'm there.

Mark me down as "almost certain" to get there, but knows how I'm getting back on the Sunday. I might have to get that bus return ticket which is cheaper than the single

Call me a Jessie wid ye? Ye'll never dae that again...well at least until I throw up my creme de menthe.

If you want to motivate anyone into going, I suggest you keep this quiet. .....or shift the date/venue ya big southern softie

Now, necessities - how far to the nearest shop with alcohol?

Be afraid... be very afraid... Wumbie and a place full of screaming kids *the words 'what's the difference' float past*

I've 'volunteered' to do a run or two from the station, depending on when people arrive, so I'll have to persuade them all that Stoke is the station to arrive at now then. There's a shop on the campsite of course, but a trip into Stoke or similar may be the answer for aquiring food/drink for Saturday.

Out of interest, what date is your ticket for? £9... pretty good.

*finally sits down and has a few *

I have never denied being a grossly inflated Peter Pan so there ;-P

Down Friday 28th, back Monday 1st. It's a Virgin Value 14 day adv return, but I don't think you can get them for Saturday and Sundays, which is why I've spent about three hours just watching a little clock go round and round looking for trains. I also have the feeling that today is the last day of Virgin's half-price offers which is why I went ahead and bought it. It's an extra pound off at Virgin's own site, £10 at trainline.

To let you know what to avoid, I get into Stafford at 17:23 and then it's a bus to Stoke arr 18:15. Nice time for the pub at Alton towers even if I miss you. Putting up someone else's tent when you're drunk is great fun. Memories of camping on top of a cowpat surface.

OK, I'll shut up now, as there are only 2hrs 40 minutes left for the train offer I think

Waits patiently for midnight and Pegasus to say she's switched dates........

Oh dear... you didn't really believe that bit about changing it to the following weekend did you?

My route may take in Stafford on the way, so if you're gonna be there that early, I may be able to pick you up en-route. *imagines picking Wumbie up* Or give you a lift. I'll let you know in due course...

Um... are you sure you qualify for a 'virgin value' ticket?