The Colonial Visitor

(Or: That's her - on the left! And there's me - on the right!)

Two great atheists meeting in the greatest country on the planet - whilst enjoying post-breakfast ciggies.

In the year 2000 I was emailed by a nice young lady from America, as a direct result of creating "The English Atheist". And by April of 2001 we had been corresponding for well over a year. We still do. It is possible that the number of emails exchanged is in the hundreds! If I were to divulge the name, home location and occupation of my atheist companion, she would have to kill me, and anyone else who even read those details. I can say that she is beautiful, intelligent, witty and possesses a mind as sharp as Occam's razor. So for the moment I will refer to her as Miss Wobblybuns. And it may be helpful for you to think of her as a full-time penguin juggler from Roswell, New Mexico. Or not.

Goodness knows why Miss Wobblybuns kept replying to my inane ramblings, some of which were considerably more than brief memos. But reply she did. We have even conversed, in a textual sense, online. I was persuaded to do so by massive bribes of BBQ Fritos and endless supplies of Stovetop Stuffing Mix. And let's be honest here, who could refuse an offer like that?

Miss Wobblybuns tries to hide behind a car that she did not steal.

Early in 2001, Miss Wobblybuns emailed me with the news that she was going to visit the UK on holiday. So, after more than a year, we were finally going to meet each other! I was provided with the itinerary that Miss Wobblybuns was following (she was going to enjoy a coach tour of the British mainland) and we promised each other we would meet.

Miss Wobblybuns made it to England and phoned me from her first hotel stop in London. Good grief! She had an AMERICAN accent! Who would have thought that? I was quite taken aback.

The next day I drove up to Darlington, to meet my American friend at her hotel. Arriving early I settled myself in the bar, guzzled my way through a few small thimbles of mineral water, whilst waiting for Miss Wobblybun's momentous arrival. And arrive she did, despite having a dubious coach driver and a momentous bout of the sniffles. Hugs ensued, along with a meal, some drinkies, a nighttime walk, a few ciggies and a long chat. We talked about everything under the Sun, and a few things above it as well. It was odd, but I could have sworn that my American friend did not smoke, I'm sure she never mentioned it in her emails, yet she puffed away at an amazing rate that was quite unexpected. We must have been made for each other!

The next morning we had breakfast, during which I was privileged to observe another member of Miss Wobblybuns' coach party pour orange juice over her Weetabix. After a farewell hug Miss Wobblybuns continued on with her tour of Britain by heading North to Scotland, but this time with a few small gifts from The English Atheist. I think she liked the Cadbury's Creme Eggs and the Sainsbury's macaroons. :-) You can't get those in the States. :-) He he. Later, I drove back down South, it took me a few hours, and for most of the drive I was able to reflect on our great meeting. Which was nice.

Who knows, there may yet be more chapters to this great trans-Atlantic liaison of uncannily like-minded atheists. And what if there was a visit by The English Atheist to Miss Wobblybuns home State sometime in the not too distant future?

Watch this space, you never know what may happen!

Update: Mid-2004

For quite a while Miss Wobblybuns and I have been going through a few personal problems -- the details of which I won't go into. You will be pleased to learn that the problems were not related to our feelings about each other, however, for a while things were tricky. It would seem we have more or less come though the past few months being able to see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. And a very pleasant light it is too!

Soon, we are hoping to meet up at the Internet Infidels World Gathering in Texas early in 2005, and in the process have a short holiday together. Then, who knows? Well, Miss Wobblybuns and I do, and have been recently discussing our plans extensively: online, usng the Yahoo messenger/chat thingy.

Here are a couple of photos of Miss Wobblybuns' cats, Britannia and Psycho...

Britannia

Psycho

...luckily they are atheists too, and have a distinct intellectual advantage when it comes to religious discussions with the local loony christian moggies. Britannia and Psycho have yet to lose a debate, in fact they have scored several de-conversions to feline non-religious rationality during their long and happy residency at the Wobblybuns Mansion.

Miss Wobblybuns' bike. Note the left-hand drive and automatic gearbox.

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