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

Two weeks of not having to go to work. Lovely! Shame it's also day 3 of a stinking cold The dogs want to go for a walk but I don't want to go out sneezing, coughing and dripping into the cold. They usually get their way though. I read somewhere that the common cold should last about 2 days. I wonder why mine always seem to last at least a week and a half. I get one about every 3 years and I get flu about once every 10 years - usually for the xmas/new year holiday Should be grateful I suppose. One of my partners claims to have flu every few months. No doubt it's just a coincidence that these bouts of his always follow hot on the heels of a night of heavy boozing. Ah well. Mustn't be a hypocrite. I'm just thinking about having a medicinal splash of whisky myself

The Merry Christmas issue of The Post is up and it's absolutely choka. There are 8 Earthling poems, 2 Vogon poems, 5 seasonal stories, an environmental article, a couple of games, 6 cartoons and 4 news-related links. The poems, stories and environmental article are in a competition and you can vote for one item from each category. I agonised over which to vote for - terribly torn, but eventually made up my mind. My Yule story is in the prose section of the competition. I was surprised to find it there. It doesn't stand a chance of winning, but as there can only be one winner, it'll be honoured to be a loser in very good company

When this nasty virus loosens its grip on my ears, nose, throat and lungs, I might think about writing a little story about 'cold'

Season's greetings to all

hot drinks and keep warm pain killers can help with muscle aches headaches

Much improved today. Head's not so leaky. Your sound advice appreciated.

Merry Christmas to you dear oldrustbucket

you too xx