Ghost-hunting and Somerset

[lathany]

I've been back at work for a week and, whilst busy, I'm surviving. January's been good so far outside of work - I've played games, read books and seen old friends.

• The N family and Hippoing with huge stone blocks - At the weekend we climbed into the car and headed for Somerset. We were visiting kirian, P and D at their new(ish) place out West. The drive there contained a special treat - Stonehenge. I've never seen it before, and neither had bateleur or the duo (Ryan now wants to play with big stone blocks too). I'd no idea how close it was to a main road until now. We were welcomed by the N family on arrival, given tea and fed lunch. I admired all the pictures (fairies! Weird local artist!) whilst D, Bea and Ryan exchanged cautious glances and greetings. We talked roleplaying, cons and other stuff across the afternoon, and then went for a walk not to feed the ducks. The evening involved a trip to the rather fine local chippy, more chat and then a somewhat late departure to our nearby Travelodge hotel. The duo had never stayed in a hotel before and loved it - possibly because we were all sharing a room so they got to stay up late and wake us early. On departure, Bea declared it her best Saturday ever and Ryan didn't want to leave.
• Ghost Busting - For anyone wanting a ghost-hunting adventure, then The Lost Crown PC game is for you. It's set in Anglia and involved hunting for the crown of one of the last kings. Having quickly developed an obsession with it between Christmas and New Year, I finished it yesterday and I think it's awesome. And scary. I plan to post a longer write-up soon.
• Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks - Brookmyre, and possibly my favourite Jack adventure to date. It's about mediums and, despite a slow start, is wonderfully gripping.
• Of Gibbons and Authors - It seems like an age ago now, but chrestomancy and TheHattedOne came over for dinner the day after New Year (the day she got published as I was to discover). We ate curry, drank wine, talked roleplaying and made vague future Arkham and Diablo plans. 'Twas great.

The Christmas decorations in Ashford are finally down, but several houses near us missed Twelfth Night (and the official Ashford lights people - whoever they are). The warmer weather is wonderful, even if Easter is still rather distant.

Comments

[mrlloyd.livejournal.com]

I've seen Stonehenge only once. My big memory of approaching it was that it looked like one of the painted backgrounds from the original Star Treks, just not quite real and slightly flat....

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Real life - sorta 2D.