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

Paul, I was unaware of the Caribbean monk seal. What a shame.

Yes, it's very sad.

Seals are pretty intrepid. They share with bats the honor of being the only indigenous mammals in the Hawaiian Islands. It's mind boggling to think how far they would have had to swim to get to Hawaii. It's also a long way for bats and birds to fly....

Indeed it's sad to think that the Carribbean Monk Seal is no longer with us ...

If I might risk a bit of topic drift, here is a very interesting article about seals - in this case, the Baikal Seal, which is a species that lives in Lake Baikal in Russia, the largest freshwater lake in the world - and over a thousand miles from the ocean. So how did they get there?

Here's the article and discussion:

http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/06/most_inconvenient_seal.php

That is Tetrapod Zoology, a blog dealing with all four-legged backboned creatures, not to mention their winged and/or legless (like snakes, dolphins and whales) relatives. It's a fascinating read and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in animals.

Christiane, you earlier asked me how I knew so many things ... well it's because apart from reading lots of books, I also regularly read blogs like this one on the Internet!

That is a wonderful piece of advice paulh.
|I have aremoved the foot pads from my wheelchair and I am certain that that is why I am as well as I am. I propel myself along with my feet. The only problem now is that my poor old hips have totally degenerated and although I have no 0ain and no medication, there is no way that that they could possibly hold me up with the ridiculous tiny little marbels which are now my head of femurs. but |I have no pain.
I have just had an Xray to my pelvisl. I looked at it in amazement and burst out laughing. Not a pain, and no hi0 joints. fascinating. Thank goodness for wheelchairs. they have really saved my life. !1

Thanks paulh with the explication of the various space staions.

With affection

Christiane
AR80
Thursday 17th June 2010 `7.20 BST

I was writing about what freedom my wheelchair has given me Paul.
But something went phut and I lost everything and changed to another thread.
I shall write tomorrow when there is not a jinx on my computer or me. !!

CME
AR80
Thursday 17th June 2010 17. 39 BST

Hi, Christiane. There are wheelchair marathoners who propel their wheelchairs with their hands. There is probably some kind of pedal arrangement that could be worked with the hands. I think you would be exempt from foot pedals in any case.

Thanks but no thanks. !!

After seeing that initial xray of my hips, it is a wonder I am even able to sit upright! and I wonder for how long that is going to be. Goodness knows how I am going to write on my computer.

Thank goodness I have an angel caring for me who is really very computer literate. I shall just have to to dictate to her.I am of course presuming that I shall not lose my power of speech. !!
I seem to remember someone saying to me

"Never presume. !

CME
AR80

17/VI/2010 20.24 BST

Mary Poppins said, "Practically perfect people never assume anything."

Hi paulh

Why don't we all start a tricycle (with big wheels) and ricksha campaign? We could cycle everywhere and then have some sort of ingenious pulley system up hills which could be operated by prisoners instead of incarcerating them. !!


Mind you that might cure them of their anti-social ways of living. I would include fraudsters as well in the operating of pulley systems!

I suppose this idea wull probably just remain an idealistic dream.!

Go well on your tricycle with big wheels, and I shall continue using my pollution free wheelchair operated very slowly by my unfortunate arms which does horrid things to my neck as I lean forward in order to go faster. !!

Wretched speedster that I am......!

However I have found a solution to this. I go everywhere backwards. !! Much to the consternation/amusement of pedestrians and drivers of cars.

Very often passers-by offer to help, but I always say that this is the only exercise that I get. I am sure that I am right, although my doctor would not agree. I think she thinks that I am a thoroughly undisciplined Eighty-two year old who needs to be put down and taught her place in the hierarchy of peoplekind. !!

Ah well! It adds a little excitement to life.!


What a long epistle - I wonder if you have the courage to read it.? But don't worry if you do not. They are random thoughts which explain how I keep happy in my four wheeled, human-operated method of locomotion instead of polluting the air surrounding me. !!

Go well dear inventor-friend of mine,

Christiane
AlsoRab80
Friday 18th June, 2010 6.47 BST

"I would include fraudsters as well in the operating of pulley systems!"

But what if they pretend to be operating the pulleys, but actually sit and goof off?

"Wretched speedster that I am......!"

I think speeding is justified in your case.

"I go everywhere backwards."



"What a long epistle - I wonder if you have the courage to read it.?"

You must be kidding, right? Your post is a total delight from beginning to end.

Hi paulh

Thank you so much.

You lifted my spirit right up to the sky...

All this doom aand gloom about the standard of play.

I am so glad that I was a swimmer, and never had to have that crtiticism levelled at me....

Have a marvellous weekend.

Sincerely,

Christiane
AR80
Saturday 18th june 2010 17.45 BST