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

After having finally finished the shed, sofa purchase, and other mind numbing but necessary tasks, this week was supposed to be a week of relaxation.

I had booked for Mrs sprout's 30th a week for her and sproutlet in a mother and baby spa thing, (a spa in Spa in fact). The plan being that Mrs sprout would have a nice break before starting work, as well as some quality time doing something different with the sproutlet, and I would get a bit of time to do my own thing for a few days.

Unfortunately, it hasn't quite worked out like that. As Saturday was another fine day in the Belgian Sahara (it doesn't rain anymore here) we decided we would go to the seaside, to the picturesque and very posh resort of Knokke. (no Knokke Knokke jokes please). Over the day, the sproutlet gradually starts wheezing more and more, and making funny gurgling sounds.

It being the weekend and no other form of medical care being available, we dropped into A+E on the way back. Very good service, and confirmation that the sproutlet has a chest infection. So, no spa, and instead a week with sproutlet at home, no creche, no leaving the house. Not the best psychological preparation for going back to work.

The only vaguely amusing part of Saturday night in A+E was listening to the cop in front of us in the queue describe the lunatic that his colleagues were currently pinning to the wall of the hospital. The gentleman in question had been 'transperced by the sword of god' apparently, and contended that there were 'visible and invisible people, who could switch from one to another state'. His arrest was a 'conspiracy'.

Slightly more worrying, as the cop went to fetch a cup of water for his detainee, another chap, clearly the worse for wear, staggers out of the treatment area and starts talking to him in a whisper. I didn't catch all of it, but the gist was 'are you here for me...' when informed that he wasn't, he seemed surprised then wandered back out again. The face of the cop was a picture - the lunatics have taken over the asylum!

sprout

Oh, dear, Sprout,

What a shame about Mrs. Sprout's missed break. Wish her good luck with the job. It's hard leaving a little one when you go back to work. Wish her luck from me.

I hope the Sproutlet is better soon, and that it is nothing serious.

So the lunatics have finally reached your neck of the woods, have they? I thought only our A & E depts. were like that Still, it could have been a lot worse, being a Saturday night!



Websailor