Sunrise this morning was
(about) two hours before the end of my shift. Realistically
the breaking dawn did little more than to show me the cloud that I
suspected would be in the way of seeing the sun. Overnight (as
always) I'd had the radio on; at least once every half-hour the
pundits had proclaimed that the long-awaited solar eclipse was going
to be hidden by clouds. I've said before that astronomy is a crap
hobby. Most of the time it's too cloudy to see anything; and if you
ever get that rare occassion when there is no cloud, then it's
chuffing freezing.
But bearing in mind that
I wouldn't get the chance to see another solar eclipse for many years
I decided to go with the plan; the cloud might clear. After all, I
had the astro club's solar telescope in the back of the car in
readiness. And there was a geo-meet arranged especially for the
event.
I *might* get to
see a once-in-a-lifetime event. If nothing else I could talk
tupperware-hunting with other geocachers and maybe drum up some
interest for tomorrow's "Stargazing Live" show.
I was glad I did go to
the geo-meet. For all that the clouds didn't part and we didn't get
to see the eclipse, it was an excellent meet-up. I chatted with loads
of people about this and that. Several people said very nice things
about my Wherigos (I got *very* smug), and I now have ideas
for two more Wherigos. Bacon rolls were provided for the hungry; and
we even streamed live footage of the eclipse from the BBC who had
goone to where it wasn't quite so cloudy.
Just as we were all
leaving and making plans to see one another at the next meet-up, the
family with whom I'd been talking asked about the next meet.
Specifiically what was it?
After a little confusion
and explanation it tuurned out that this family weren't geocachers at
all. They were a little embarrassed to say that they'd seen me
shouting at another cacher in the car park when I'd arrived, and they
thought I might be important. So they'd followed me and watched me
being very noisy at what seemed to be an organised group (which
confirmed their suspicions). They were impressed with the solar
scope that I'd set up (even if we didn't use it) and everyone
seemed to be friendly, so they just joined in.
They liked the sound of
geocaching, and said they might take it up.
I could have gone on from
the meet to a caching mission; the optionn was there. People were
going hunting tupperware. But I was a bit tired, so I came home. I
walked "Furry Face TM" round the
park, and then had a crafty kip. I'd only intended an hour or so's
shut-eye; I was out like a light until the phone woke me shortly
after 4pm. I slobbed about watching "Upstairs Downstairs"
in my jim-jams for a bit, then got ready for the evening.
Apologies to any of my
loyal readers who would have liked a game of cards tonight.
Realisitically we can't have more than nine people playing as it gets
impractical. I could easily think of thwenty five people I could have
asked along. I invited eight other people based on relative
proximity and how much people like cards, and the probability that
they would turn up; and did ask that if people couldn't make it they
might let me know so's I could ask others.
Eight of us eventually
got round to Texas-ing and Omaha-ing; and in a novel break with past
form I actually won. Whilst doing so I shifted getting on for a
gallon of ale, and the Rear Admiral put his arse through one of the
chairs.
There was a time when I
would play cards on a weekly basis; I do like a game. I really should
play it more often...
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