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

Had hoped to beat some of the garden into submission today but the very wet weather has put paid to that.

Got a quote for the dent in the car today - not as bad as I dreaded. The garage thought I should do it on the insurance, but as I have a high excess (to bring the insurance cost down, not because I'm that difficult to insure) I'm not convinced. Will think about it.

Also went into town to get money out of the building society to pay for the kitchen, gulp. Managed to find some light fittings for the kitchen in BHS. My mother always goes on about BHS being good for lighting and, as is often the way with mothers, she's right.

The shower is finished, yippee, so I've spent most of the afternoon cleaning the bathroom. So much dust. I tried out the shower this morning - a lot quicker than the bath. Think they've set the thermostat control a bit low - I know I can get hotter water than I got (not that it was too cold, it's just I know it could be hotter). The instructions for resetting it don't look too bad so I might give it a go myself.

Off round to a friends for the evening in a bit. Apparently we're having salmon in filo pastry - she's in a cooking mood! Staying over so that I can have a couple (or more) glasses of wine.

On the way in to town this morning I noticed a stretch of Kirkstall Road roped off with police tape and several policemen standing around. Having looked on the West Yorkshire bit of the BBC news it seems a 17 year old, on his way home with friends was the victim of an unprovoked attacked by a group of teenagers who chased him and beat him up with a lump of wood. He's in a critical condition in the LGI. It just seems so senseless. Cannot begin to imagine what makes people do such things.

yes, it has been rather grey and damp today, hasn't it.

Awful news about that attack. Not having a car I miss the things that take place around me.

I used to have a car - I bought one from one of my practical theology lecturers at Aberdeen, quite a famous chappie actually, John Drane. It was his daughter's car. But it was too expensive to insure - my area (LS6) is notorious for car insurance expense. And I have Burley Park station just over the road, the bus stop is near, and everything I need is local: chemist, PO, co-op, laundrette. I didn't really need a car, so I got rid of it. I only paid £250 for it and it got me from Aberdeen to Leeds nicely, and it was costing more to insure than it was worth.

Richard

LS6 in notorious for all insurance..... Luckily I'm no longer LS6 (though I'm not sure my postcode is that much better for insurance). I need a car for work - couldn't get there without it (or not without taking hours and hours), and have to use it at work as well. Would like to think I could give it up if I didn't need it for work, but don't think I would have the willpower to do so. Lived in London without a car quite happily though.

I forgot to wish you a pleasant evening with your friends!

Richard

Well Hebe I have to confess that your journal entries have had an unexpected result. I can not live anymore with the bathroom as it is and it's going to be done (restrained certainly, chic if I can afford it) for the summer holidays. I said to myself: she's doing it, why can't we? And there we are. So thank you.

I am so used to nice polite students that I forget how demonic some young people can be. I always have that vision of Clockwork Orange.

Blooming wet Sunday here now! Yesterday was quite nice so the rainclouds must have packed their bags and moved North.

I'm enjoying reading your journal and the latest on your redecoration. I'm at the stage where I'm applying for 'proper' jobs and when (if) I eventually get one then I'll start looking for a house/flat to buy. Added complication of TomCat (as usual!!) - if he gets onto a PGCE course in a different place then won't be abel to afford rent & mortgage, but whatever happens a mortgage & own home are looming in the forseeable future. Anyway, I'm dead keen to decorate a place to my own tastes, and really jealous that you are doing so!

Cat x