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

I am so sorry your son is having to put up with bullying. I am so pleased he was able to tell you. That is a huge step to solving the problems. I do hope you can help him, as he has more than enough to cope with without all that. Unfortunately the bullies catch on very quickly to anyone who is the least bit sensitive.

A strange thing happened with afternoon. I rang Christiane on her old number, but once again got her message service which said her Inbox was full. I had just put the phone down and was about to file the folder when the phone rang and it was Christiane from her new flat! Such a coincidence. I have her new number and will email it to you. She knows no-one where she is now and I think might enjoy a chat.

Websailor

'Unfortunately the bullies catch on very quickly to anyone who is the least bit sensitive.' Yes, bullying is a real pain - I had that at school so remember how it feels.

I called her this evening, and it was really good to chat to her.

Oh, that was nice of you. I felt that though she loves her new flat she was feeling a bit lonely without her internet and email.

with little . I was bullied too, hating school as a result and having prolonged bouts of 'bilious attacks' for years (horrible words!) which I am sure with hindsight were anxiety attacks.

Take care,

Websailor

Hopefully we'll go and see Christiane in her new flat in a few weeks time. I hadn't realised that she was four floors up, which must mean it's less easy for her to get in and out, but she says the views are great.

Going back to the subject of roots, I've been having some reflections on the subject of the paternal vs the maternal line. I know that some people only seem to be interested in following their surname back; I've been discovering the richness of connections that we have through the female line. So far I have 211 relations in my family tree and only 16 of them have my birth surname ... which leaves an awful lot of other surnames. I've thought back to people in my class at school with surnames on my list and wondered if they were very distant relatives.

I must admit it worried me that C was four floors up, apparently with only one lift. I hope there is another one somewhere!

There seems to be a lot to do where she is, and mostly close by so once she gets out and about, she should begin to make friends. I have a letter written to her, and some info. she wanted but haven't been able to get out to post it

I think it is sad that people often only investigate their paternal line. So much good history must be lost. You have done wonderfully well. It is amazing how many people are in to it these days. They were talking about it on local radio this morning.

Take care, hope little is ok.

Websailor

She was really quite excited (and a bit apprehensive, I think) about the book/s she's writing and rather proud at having been asked to write about her researches in the 70s.

I think the interest in ancestry is probably partly to do with the programmes in 'Who do you think you are?" - I only saw one or two and they looked rather interesting. I didn't take that much notice of how the research was done, more in the stories.

Little seems a bit better - hasn't been coughing today.

I watched some too, but they did make it look far too easy. It is obvious all the research had been done beforehand.

At least C has something worthwhile to get stuck in to, I can't see her twiddling her thumbs.

Take care of yourself and little . I have caught PHM's cold I think and it is so cold here

Websailor