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

Even better! I'm back now,so let me know where you want me to send you some lovely dough to

I'll send them off on Wednesday, as its the only time i go anywhere near a post office. They came to even less after discount £17.99.
I've put a letter in with the seeds, it has my address on it.
Hopefully you'll receive them by the weekend.

Fantastic! You're an absolute , you know that?

It makes me feel good that i've helped out m'dear

There is a scheme being started by our local parish council, to make the village i live in and surrounding areas more wildlife friendly. It involves planting new trees, clearing existing ponds, monitoring the wildlife population etc etc.
I'd love to get involved, even if its only collating the data (whatever that means) So i will be filling out the form and see where it leads.

Wow, that sounds incredibly exciting! Don't just get involved with the data, though - get yer wellies on and dredge that pond

Wellies??? I'm sure i used to have a pair of them
I would love to do some of the physical stuff, but i know it could lay me up for weeks. I have rhumatoid arthritis, it's reasonably stable just now - which is more than can be said for last year. After 10 years remission, it came back with a vengance. Now i have to be careful how far i push myself. If i overdo things, (which quite often happens) I know about it for up to a week afterwards 'sigh'
Ah well, such is life eh! I can still do my bit for the project.

Rheumatoid even!

Well, in that case it's even better that you're willing to sort the data out How about getting out and photographing thngs as they happen? In my experience, people get so bound up in doing things that they forget to take really good pics of events as they happen - just a thought!

Thats a great idea The first meeting is'nt untill the end of October. I think they will be concentrating on the common, as thats the largest natural area in the village. I've never really had a good look round the common, i reckon its time i made a visit to see what exactly is there.

Sounds like the place is ripe for a little surveying, too - why not head out there with some field guides and get recording? Your part of the country would be a fascinating place for surveys - birds, plants or mammals!

Err..I've never done surveying, so i don't really know what kind of things i'm meant to be noting. I do know that the common is a place you don't spend too much time on alone. In the past its been a haven for junkies, joy riders, young couples and flashers
There are several organisations getting involved in this project, they are experts in this field, so i would say they have already done field survey's and such.
If the weather is dry tomorrow, i will take a walk there and have a look.

You go out with a map or a list of birds and a friend, and make a note of all the birds you see or hear. Then you can send them to the County Records Officer or just enter them on the BTO website http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/ It's a great way to get to know what's about, and surprisingly good fun to boot

Oooh i can do that. I have a bird book small enough to fit in a bag

Sorry, cooking curry and chapatis!

Curry.... As you know i can't make curry, so if ya wanna send some over this way....

I have some left over; I'll pop it in a Jiffy bag for you

A refrigerated jiify bag of course?
Do you know anything about the Cerne abass giant? I want to do an entry on it and rather than just the usual history, i was hoping to find some more interesting stuff. My web search has'nt come up with much aside from the history.

Of course! The chapitis might not travel too well, though

I don't know an awful lot about Cerne Abbas myself, to be honest, and I'm not sure what info there is apart from the history If I get chance, I'll do some digging, see if I can find a good page or two for you

Eeuuwww soggy chipatis Not one of my better ideas eh!

I saw a programme about him a couple of years back, i'm sure it had more going on, than just its history
I'll work on what i have for now, and keep looking for more stuff.

Good news and probably bad news, too

I got the seeds through today , but the envelope had come open in transit and I think some have been lost I've got the honesty, primrose, corn marigold, ox-eye daisy and wild pansy packs, plus the bulbs, but that's all... I'll send you a cheque up tomorrow, anyway - thank you so much for sending them down!

Thanks for the sand tip by the way - I've heard that before but not had it described so clearly, I didn't really get it before.