Lyme Regis lies at the foot of a steep cliff. The roads to it are narrow. No sooner have they touched the sea than they veer up again.
In the few square yards where these roads meet, there is a small car-park.
The M.O.D. bus almost filled it.
I checked it was there, then retreated round the corner. Under cover of queuing for a slice of Dorset apple cake in a crowded baker's shop, I attached two badges to the lapel of my coat.
They were very simple.
One was red and white.
The other was blue and white.
Both were striped.
* * * * *
When I went back to the bus, it was empty.
The prisoners had gone fossil hunting.
The guards were buying presents for their friends and families.
Only the driver was nearby; sitting on a bench, eating a sandwich.He didn't seem to recognise me - but he looked at my badges, sighed, shook his head, said 'Women' (in a weary sort of voice) and offered me an Everton mint.
I asked if he is from Liverpool.
I could see he was about to give me a lecture. Then he changed his mind.
"I'm a Geordie," he said.- Same colours. Black and White.
(One real human identified.)
* * * * *
When it rains on Pluto, water which falls on an established tree is channelled along grooves in its upper branches - so it lands in a wide circle, at a distance from its trunk, and safely away from its roots.
Over the years, deep grooves form in the earth where it beats on the soil - and along their edges grow colonies of yellow, methane tolerant ferns.
They are quite distinct from any we have on earth.
Rubbery in texture, they are a bit like seaweed. And they smell musty (like mushrooms).
Yesterday, in my pocket, was a small flower-press.
I fingered the wing nuts for reassurance while I talked to the driver.
Pressed between layers of blotting paper and corrugated card
- were the leaves of rubbery, musty, yellow-gold ferns from Pluto.
- were the leaves of rubbery, musty, yellow-gold ferns from Pluto.
.
Didcott's release.
* * * * *
Sam (my milkman) takes things literally.
It'll take him weeks to get over the thought of wild Cougars in Dorset.
He says Ron told him to watch out that they didn't try to drink my spare milk while I was away.
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