Escape


Sunday 21st June was Father’s Day in the UK and, as usual, my daughters sent cards and gifts.

They always say that I’m really difficult to buy for but I usually disagree with them. I like to say it’s not me, it’s just that once you reach a certain age you pretty much have everything you need. In fact you start to consider divesting yourself of “stuff” and I know my granddaughters are keen to help me with that. They can’t wait to clear out my garage, preferably without me being present.

Anyway, back to Sunday.

Keeley,  my granddaughter, had arranged to take me out but would not tell me where. She kept the whole thing secret, despite my constant questions …

“What do I need to wear?” “What footwear,  do I need my wellies?” “Will I need my bathers?” 

And statements like “I don’t do shopping!” “Remember I’m 74, I don’t  do anything athletic!” and ” Don’t go breaking your grandad!”

Anyway,  she managed to keep the secret right up until we parked up outside the Cascades shopping centre in Portsmouth. I haven’t been down there in over a year so I have no idea what businesses are in there. Everything I’ve read in recent times says that Portsmouth has gone the way of so many British town centres, with empty stores all around. Looking for clues I scoured the visible store names but nothing jumped out.  Keeley asked me if I had guessed yet to which I replied quite randomly

“Is it an escape room?”

I’ve no idea where that thought came from and much to my surprise she confirmed that yes, we were indeed going to do an escape room.

Apparently she has previously been to four escape rooms and thought that this kind of experience would be right up my street .

This was going to be my first and I was immediately excited to get involved.

On entry to the building we were met by the young lady who was to be our host. She took us through the obligatory health and safety rules and then a brief rundown of the back story to our room and the challenges we might encounter.

The building contains a number of rooms. Our specific challenge was to be “Dr Ryddle’s Memories”. The brief back story for this room, taken from the website, is …

Dr. Ryddle’s Memories is an escape room game where you are pitted against perplexing challenges and puzzles inside the mind of one of the greatest 21st century scientists. As you enter the Mind Space, you will walk through the memories of Dr. Ryddle in the deepest quarters of his mind to discover scientific breakthroughs that the doctor never told the world. But that’s not all. The time is ticking and you only have one hour to recover the secrets and the key to escaping Dr. Ryddle’s mind!

Fully briefed we were led to the room, ushered inside, and the door clicked shut behind us.  My immediate thoughts were that I didn’t want to mess this up and or us to fail. And I certainly didn’t want to let Keeley down.

On entry there is an initial clue to get you going. With hindsight it was probably the simplest but it did make us sweat a bit. And then we were off. The first puzzle solved allowed us access to a computer keyboard which we would use to enter codes and passwords.

There were many objects in the room, mounted on the walls as well as boxes/cubes on the floor each with a hole to enable you blindly explore by touch. There was a sort of jigsaw puzzle to assemble on a wall. All of the objects were clues, or parts of clues, to enable you to unlock several, four I think, combination padlocks. Which in turn gave access to more objects / clues. There were also several hotel style safes. Each requiring a code to be entered to gain access to more clues.

We had been warned that our sense of time passing would be totally messed up. That we might struggle with a puzzle thinking we had wasted 10 minute when in fact only 2 minutes had passed. When the TV screen wasn’t giving clues it invariably showed the clock counting down.

Did I mention that we only had one hour to solve the room?

When the counter was down to five minutes I became aware of a clock ticking. This just added to the tension, served as a distraction, and injected a degree of panic.

Well, we did escape! With around two minutes to spare!

Did I enjoy it? Yes!

Would I do another one? Yes!

One thing I noticed was the difference in the way that Keeley and I think. There were elements of the problems that Keeley was more adept at solving, she was definitely more intuitive.  But then there were instances where I was the one to take charge.

It was definitely a team effort and very enjoyable.

Thank you to The Real Escape for providing this experience.

But, most of all, thank you Keeley for arranging and sharing this experience 🥰

The day didn’t end here. Keeley drove us home to pick up Gerry and then, later in the afternoon, we headed out to The Forge for a Sunday carvery roast. When all three of us were feeling pleasantly plumptious we headed home. A fitting end to the day.

Happy Sussex Day


I’m sorry that I am a bit late with this. I fired up the post but family stuff got in the way.

From Wikipedia…

Sussex (from the Old English: lit. ’South Saxons’) is an area of South East England that was historically a kingdom and, later, a county. The current ceremonial counties of East Sussex and West Sussex cover approximately the same area. The two ceremonial counties border Surrey to the north, Kent to the north-east, the English Channel to the south, and Hampshire to the west.

Sussex is my home county. I was born in the coastal / port town of Shoreham-by-Sea. However, as my father was a policeman we were moved around quite a bit. So, home was Hove, Lewes, Westfield, and Battle. I left home to take up an apprenticeship in the Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth. In reality I haven’t lived in Sussex full time since 1969, having moved next door, so to speak, to the county of Hampshire.

The shield, central to the image above reflects the Sussex flag, bearing Six gold martlets on a Blue field, which dates back to 1611.

A martlet in English heraldry is a mythical bird without feet that never roosts from the moment of its drop-birth until its death fall

The motto We wunt be druv, is a Sussex dialect expression meaning “we will not be pushed around” and reflects the traditionally independent nature of Sussex men and women.

Which is probably where I get my stubborn streak.

My heart still belongs to Sussex.

It’s Too Damned Hot


The UK is experiencing some serious heat right now.

For the last two or three days the temperatures have been up in the thirties.

Yesterday Waterlooville hit 31°C but our conservatory, with one side fully opened, as well as the roof vents, was showing 34°C.

And again, today, Waterlooville is showing 30°C with the conservatory again showing 34°C.

Needless to say we have retreated into the house, keeping the doors connecting to the conservatory closed. We also have fans moving the air about so we are relatively cooler and a tad more comfortable.

Even so, it is still too warm and making it difficult to concentrate on doing nothing. I like to read but anything more than a page or two seems beyond me at the moment.

Currently, my sister Sue, is on a cruise. I have never been drawn to cruising but right now a cooling sea breeze would be perfect. Also, she described to me how the sea water pool on board is cold. Right now that seems like absolute bliss.

Tomorrow our forecast is for some cloud cover and a high of 25°C, which is my breakout point. The temperature at which I typically start to sweat.

If the forecast is true then that will be a blessed respite … fingers crossed.

Back Again


Yes, back again, both me and the albino squirrel.

I’ll post more about my absence in the future but, for now this post is about the squirrel.

I don’t know if it’s the same one but we have had several visits this year.

And, I don’t know if this individual is particularly stupid but if he just turned 180° he would have easy access to the sunflower kernels that he is currently fighting to get at thru the stainless steel mesh.

The seeds are put out mainly for the birds but I don’t begrudge the squirrels having a feed too. Their acrobatics are always a joy to watch and as I write this post there are two greys alternately raiding the feeders and chasing each other around my garden.

Enjoy!

What An Entitled Bunch We Are!


The UK has the worst statutory paternity leave in Europe, and it’s putting parents off having more children, a survey shared with ITV News has found.

https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-14/uk-parents-put-off-having-more-kids-by-europes-worst-paternity-leave?fbclid=IwdGRzaANcKRtjbGNrA1wpEGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeWUoeCcxVqsZPgyGTSQewvRhKdv1aOQRLbAC4KfDpQXoBSGxD6ghF8DAeRBE_aem_OlrvUwkYpT0qjrZlkQcyvQ&sfnsn=scwspmo

Oh dear! The poor things.

Who’s choice is it to have children? Obviously not the government.

So why should they, and ultimately, us have to bear the costs.

Not Just A Problem In Fareham


https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/story/full_page_image/14th-october-2025-page-17_4f4607e0/content.html

A councillor has said more needs to be done by police to tackle speeding and anti-social driving behaviour across Fareham.

It’s not just Fareham that needs the additional focus. Here, in Waterlooville, we are also plagued by antisocial driving and speeding.

Councillor Pal Hayre is right to be asking for more measures to be put in place, but they need to be county-wide. Thats just me being parochial, this is a countrywide problem.

It’s all very well expecting the police to do more but they need the resources. They need more feet on the ground, more wheels in the street.

A Friendly Dragonfly


On this day, 16th October, 2019, this dragonfly decided to say hello.

Road Trip – The Full Story – Pt 3 Saturday 29th August


Road Trip Pt 1, Road Trip Pt 2

And so, Saturday morning was upon us. We were up bright and early as we had planned to visit a rural fair at Mullewa. So having had a breakfast of coffee and toast, we headed to my grandsons house where we prepared the convoy. With the loading of buggy, kids, kid related paraphernalia, snacks, and adults completed, we set off on the hour long journey.

It wasn’t long before we had to stop. With two girls fighting and a baby that refuses to sleep, Mum needed to get in the back. So, Talullah and seat were transferred to our car and the journey continued. Oh, the joys of parent/grand-parenthood.

Pretty soon we arrived at the Mullewa Showground, disembarked and started in to watch the displays.

Entry was free, and making our way inside the show grounds, the first sight, and sound, that we were confronted with was a wood chopping competition.

Not so much chopping, as chain sawing. Needless to say, the Monty Python lumberjack song entered my brain and stayed for quite a while.

As you can see in the pictures it was a fine day and the girls were keen to get amongst the sights and sounds of the fair. Unfortunately, due to their young age, and small size the girls weren’t able to sample all the rides.

However, mum and dad were able to take them on the Tea-Cup ride and, with no queue, they had the ride all to themselves.

And then on to the pony rides. Here it was a different story. There was a queue, but the girls were very patient and it wasn’t too long before they were in the saddle and doing circuits of the arena.

While the girls were waiting for the pony ride I took the opportunity get some food. Which meant that, while I was in the queue for some Moroccan food, I missed getting close to the stunt bike show.

But, I did get some distant shots of the bikes grabbing some air. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

For the girls, Old Macdonalds Farm was the next destination. Here the girls were able to get up close and personal with rabbits, chickens, sheep and goats. And last, but not least, a huge turkey that was just crying out for cranberry sauce and stuffing.

Of course for the kiddies getting amongst the livestock was the priority. However, my focus was on the farm mechanicals. And I wasn’t disappointed. There may not have been many units on display but what was there was truly impressive. The thing with the caterpillar tracks would have had Jeremy Clarkson green with envy.

There was also a small automotive display. Although not on a par with the Goodwood Breakfast Clubs back in the UK, those vehicles on show were pretty unique, interesting and impressive.

What with the drive and the warm weather the girls were getting tired. To be honest, so were a few of us in the upper age bracket. So we ambled slowly back to the site entrance and our cars.

En-route the girls dropped in for a spot of face painting.

They certainly looked happy enough with the final results.

And so it was back to Geraldton for dinner and sleeps all round.

Road Trip – The Full Story – Pt 2 Friday 29th August


Following on from my previous post, Friday morning arrived and we headed back to the chaos that is my grandsons house where it was agreed that he and I would go out and do that touristy thing while the girls stayed to look after the smaller girls.

During a previous visit to WA Gerry and I took a trip up to Exmouth and on the return leg it was planned that we would make a stop, just south of Kalbarrie, to visit the Pink Lake, aka the Hutt Lagoon at Port Gregory. Back then our plans were thwarted by bush fires and we were diverted away from the area.

So the plan was for us to take a trip up to the lake and have a spot of lunch. It was also a great opportunity to spend some one on one time with Ryan. After a pleasant drive, we arrived at Hutt Lagoon with the water being a beautiful pink.

Guess Who? – Yours Truly

However, no sooner had I reached for my camera than a breeze blew up, ruffling the waters surface, and the pink colour disappeared. Ryan had warned me about this but we had hoped to avoid it happening. It was still very pretty, judge for yourselves.

Hutt Lagoon – Port Gregory
Hutt Lagoon – Port Gregory
Hutt Lagoon – Port Gregory

Thankfully the wind reduced and normal service was resumed.

Hutt Lagoon – Port Gregory
Hutt Lagoon – Port Gregory
Hutt Lagoon – Port Gregory

While climbing up to the view point there was plenty of flora and fauna to view including this perky little fella, a Western Bearded Dragon.

Western Bearded Dragon – Pogona minor

Once we had satisfied our curiosity at the lake, we headed off to the small town of Northampton for lunch. But lunch was delayed whilst we took a small detour

….. to visit the Lynton Convict Depot or alternatively known as the Port Gregory Convict Hiring Station. Convicts were brought here to provide workers for the Geraldine Lead Mine and for local settlers.

Lynton Convict Hiring Depot according to Wikipedia ……

The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot (1853–1857) was the first convict depot north of Fremantle, Western Australia. It was established on 22 May 1853 

Magistrates Quarters
Site Plan
The Depot Summary
The Lock Up
Depot – Interpretation Centre

The depot was operational between 1853 and 1856, and was designed to hold up to 80 convicts although it is believed that actual numbers varied between five and forty. However, most would have slept under canvas as the depot wasn’t completed unti 1855.

When the convicts eventually moved into the building their accomodation would have looked something like this. Sorry about the image quality.

Convict sleeping arrangements

I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be in close proximity to up to forty bodies with dubious hygene habits. Especially during WA’s summer heat.

An interesting site with an interesting history. Should you visit, wear tough footwear as the ground is somewhat uneven.

Linga Longa at Lynton

Having had our fill of WA history it was time to attend to our bellies, and so we continued our journey to Northampton. Rachel had done some research and suggested a coffee shop, on the main street, named The Shearing Shed.

Parking up, we ambled across across the street to a small but busy cafe with a huge menu. Ryan had a burger while I had a “Boss Cocky” which is basically a filled, two egg omelette served with fries and salad. Very tasty. These we consumed, sat outside at a picnic bench style table.

Rush Hour – Main street Northampton WA

According to Wikipedia ……

Northampton is one of the oldest towns in Western Australia, having been declared a townsite in 1864.

Opposite The Shearing Shed – Northampton WA

Replete, we clambered back into Ryan’s car and headed back to join the girls. It had been a really nice day out.

Back at Ryan’s it was time to join the fray and engage with the girls. Or should I say whirling dervishes. They really are a pair of pocket tornadoes, and both with the boundless energy of a Duracell Bunny, they soon had me exhausted.

And so, after the evening meal, and with the girls in bed, we headed back to our chalet for a little R & R.