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

I just read your very kind offer on Gnomon's journal, that would be fantastic if I could stay over! As I said on G's thread, I'm still not sure if I can make it, but I really hope I can. Incidentally, I have no idea about London, the size of it boggles my mind - how far out from the centre do you live? I was hoping to go to the Natural History Museum on the Sunday, because I've never been while old enough to appreciate it!

If you're sure you can handle this in your house http://skankyrich.fotopic.net/c947209.html it would be great to be able to stay if I can make it - thanks again!

I'm about 20 miles out from the City, which sounds worse than it is. If the meet is in the same pub it's a short walk to the main station, or a 10 minute tube if we're in Holborn, then about 40 minutes on a train. I don't have a sofa big enough to kip on, but I do have a camper which you can sleep in outside on the street, or drag the cushions indoors into the living room (which you may have to share with two dogs), depending on how you feel!

If you've got a sleeping bag that would be helpful, although I do think I've got spare duvets somewhere.

It's certainly close enough to go back up on the Sunday to the museum, that's no problem.

Looks like flipping bad news, I'm afraid - F4745996?thread=3267755&post=41542107

I should know either way by next Thursday, but it doesn't look good. I'm really sorry, it was so nice of you to offer

Maybe another time then! I wanted you to see some of the stuff I've done in my garden as you are into wildlife gardening as well. It's been neglected for a year or two though, and I can't clear it up because it's coming up for winter so I don't like clearing at this time of year. I can't use my compost heap anymore as my clematis is growing all over it so I'm trying to get hold of some pallets to make a new one. My boyfriend offered to cut the plant back for me, but after I stopped being horrified and explained that there might be things living in it he gave up and said it's something he's got to get used to. Even when it's dead there will be insects in it. Only another wildlife gardener would understand that.

If it's ok with you, I'd like to abuse your hospitality and take a look at your garden

I've managed to convince someone to do extra hours on the Sunday, and was actually given Saturday off without asking! As long as I'm on the 12:57 from Paddington, I can get back for work at 6pm. This does scupper my plans for the NHM on Sunday, but if I get a train before 8am on Saturday I could either go to the Wetlands or go to NH and meet everyone at the Meet later - the 0752 (ugh) would get me in at 1122. Not sure which to do yet as I'm a horrible navigator in London - stick me on Dartmoor with a map and no features and I'm fine, but the Tube baffles me.

Let me know if it's still ok and what your plans for the day are - I'd really like to go to the NHM as I've been meaning to go for years, but if you're going to the Wetlands and could meet me somewhere I'd probably go for that rather than try to wander London alone! Ideally I need to book tickets tomorrow if poss to take advantage of the seven day advance offer, sorry to hit you with this suddenly

Hurrah! Yes, it's still ok. I'm intending to get there for the Wetlands, so let us know what time you will be in and I can meet you if you want to do that. If you really want to do the NHM I can point you in the direction of that while we go off to the meet thing. If it's raining I don't think I'll be doing an outside activity unless my other half *really* wants to, and I don't think he does so we'd probably head for a museum in that case anyway.

Right, I've booked my tickets and arrive at London Paddington at 10.05, which should give me ample time to get to anywhere I need to be via a good solid breakfast Meeting you somewhere would be great, as I only ever go to London for flights or Meets! I need to be back there for 12.57 on Sunday to get back in time for work in the evening.

I'll probably come along to the Wetlands Centre after all, because it would be a shame to make all this effort and not spend the day with h2g2 people as well. I was planning to get a slightly later train, but it takes a bit longer to get up there and I'd probably just end up wasting half the day. I'll just have to find time for the NHM another time; it's just a constant nag to myself that I haven't been at an age when I could actually appreciate it

Do you want us to come to meet you at Paddington station? If you don't know London well I don't want you wandering around getting lost. I've still got your email address, so I'll email you my mobile number later on today or tomorrow.

I'm not sure we could make it bang on 10am but we should be able to get there not much after.

That would be great if you could! If you can't make it for 10, don't worry, as I'll need to get something to eat anyway. I seem to remember there being a few cafes around Paddington station, so I can kill some time. I'm not too bad at navigating around London, but I do feel like the only one who doesn't know what he's doing