#Water Blaster North Shore

[vinku-iikku]

Yay I finally finished 2018 inktober! If you want to just scroll through them all please go here, and if you want to see some comments on each please look under the cut.

Day 01 Flowey and Overgrown Ruins This prompt I picked as is because as far as I remember Flowey stayed behind when the monsters left. If you can’t find him, he’s near the big root on the left. All other days the second prompt got randomised by a die (except when I reached the last two).

Day 02 Grillby and Exotic Flora Grillby’s on a journey to look at all the flowers that aren’t living in a wet environment. Maybe he’ll make some wine from the non-poisonous ones.

Day 03 Chara and Cave Entrance They are still curious about morbid things and places that could be portentially dangerous, practically running at danger.

Day 04 Undyne and Astral Plains/Dreamland Welp I’d rather have had her with some other prompt, but now she has an anime showdown/faceoff with a mean monster that harasses a moldsmal.

Day 05 Asgore and Rocky Ruins Asgore had a trip down memory lane and visited the place where their castle used to be, before the war. Not much is left any more.

Day 06 Frisk and Ancient Tree They are still precariously looking for adventure. I saw this article about a 800 year-old Finnish tree, as soon as I saw that top I wanted to climb that, looks like a perfect spot to see everything around you and chill for a bit.

Day 07 Temmie and Nature Untouched I did some research in a nearby forest for this one, the sales-Temmie has made a nest in a tree that has fallen down in a storm. The soil is shallow before solid rock so trees have their roots mostly close to the surface, when they fall the roots go up as well. Temmie on the left is sitting on an ant nest lol. There are seven Temmies in total.

Day 08 Muffet and Crystal Coves Crystal Coves is either a place where crystal business is the main employer, a cove that has crystals, or a cove with crystal clear water, I think. I tried to implement them all just to make sure. Muffet has now made a business in making spider-products with glass expertise.

Day 09 Fuku Fire and Freezing Fjord Finally back to the ‘monsters travelling’ theme, Fuku is taking a longer trip and is currently on a boat by Norway.

Day 10 Gaster Blasters and Townsquare The blasters are on their own for whatever convenient reason, Pap’s one is figuring how things work by destroying them, Sans’ is... playing with local children. :D The fountain is loosely based on Havis Amanda.

Day 11 Nice Cream Guy & Shanty Town He’s travelling the world and selling nice cream! Definitely inspired by Beadle in BotW.

Day 12 Mettaton EX & Cemetery This combination took me a moment, Mettaton is a bit loud and showy for a cemetery. Then I remembered that Napstablook said they’re already dead when you try to kill them, so here Mettaton’s visiting haunted places and telling everyone about this wonderful body he got and where to get one if you’re interested in becoming physical again. I worked in a cemetery for one summer years ago, felt weird pulling those visual memories to this...

Day 13 Toriel & Hall of Deities In order to become a teacher I’d imagine she’d have to brush up her knowledge on lots of things that’ve happened on the surface, and here she’s in a secret underground place with some sacred scriptures or something, she reads them and writes down notes and then returns the scrolls.

Day 14 Annoying Dog & Volcanic Terrain Another weird combination, but eh, it’s the dog. It’s feeding bones to the vulkins and admiring danger up close.

Day 15 Monster Kid & Path Along the Water I made a huge area with different textures so I could try learn something new by scribbling around, and I’m really happy how the boulders on top of the waterfall and the water itself look like.

Day 16 Doggo & Ancient Altar Room Took a moment to come up with an idea, then I read Doggo likes squirrels. So now he’s travelling the world too, and he always has time and seeds for any squirrel population he discovers.

Day 17 Alphys & Summoning Altar I thought I’d not be drawing Mew Mew, but here was a perfect opportunity for that! Alphys isn’t travelling, but discovering new things in her home, humans have such interesting books! All of the Japanese text mean something; the bowl has the kanji for ’love’, books under it are Mew Mew manga, there’s two yury books, a reference to Free!, Digimon, Pokémon, Rose of Versailles, Natsume Book of Friends... and it’s fine if you don’t get the one that says ‘corn’.

Day 18 Photoshop Flowey & Windmills and Grasslands I think the modern wind generators look super cool. I tried to make Flowey as cute as possible so he’d be more fun to draw there, this is some dream stuff or alternate universe since Flowey did stay behind.

Day 19 Papyrus & Desserted Drylands I’m pretty sure that’s an accidental typo, but since it was Papyrus I wanted to roll with the new pun meaning. First thought was Papyrus somehow being in the drylands and dropping a huge cake, thus ’desserting’ it, but that would’ve been a bit mean. This cake is made with 100% organic sand (some of which he ground himself when grooming Rocky), the tiny cow ornaments are modified mouse skeletons. :) The chef hat would be straight but there wasn’t enough room on the page of the notebook I draw these on... I remembered he had a triangle on the battle armor, but didn’t remember what way it points so avoided it by replacing it with a heart. :D

Day 20 Sans & By the Beach Sans is getting some more sand for Papyrus with his shortcut, then he took a nap unfortunately close to the tide..? The shore felt a bit bare so I added some animals to keep him company. I h/c that animals don’t mind having monsters around unlike how they usually try to run away when a human is near.

Day 21 Shyren & Buried Statue(s) She’s doing that Disney princess thing where you sit down and start singing and all small animals within hearing range come to listen.

Day 22 Asriel & Underwater Temple Another dream thing since Flowey stayed behind, this is how he imagines the oceans look like outside.

Day 23 Lesser Dog & Market Place Some people have to learn the hard way to not trust a dog that has opposable thumbs.

Day 24 Box Mettaton & Merchant’s Store Any website run by a popular monster must get an insane amount of curious folk, which leads to ad revenue being a good way to fund the next tour. There’s some.. insider jokes there if you’re in any kind of website business.

Day 25 Rocky the pet rock & Eldritch Forest I don’t actually know what the latter means, looking at Google images it’s probably just a forest that’s very dark or something. Wanted to try a different perspective for a change. Rocky has a bowl of food there but I can’t really think of any non-sad reason for why it’s in this forest.

Day 26 Froggit & Inn in th Middle of Nowhere Had to take a break for one day, regardless I’m proud of myself on being consistent this far despite everything going on. I first only had the top Froggit and the bg in the sketch, and didn’t like how it looked. Somehow adding more Froggits made it look a lot better to me...

Day 27 Burgerpants & By the Docs Birsd with human arms and birds sitting like humans will never not be hilarious to me.

Day 28 Bratty and Catty & Deep in the Woods Tried to play with perspective with this one, it’s kind of the opposite of the Rocky drawing.

Day 29 God of Hyperdeath & Idle Portal I had a hard time coming up with anything for this, so now poor goat is somewhere in a completely white dimention and the only way out is not active, though he’s quite chill about it.

Day 30 Amalgamate & Abnormal Formations This and last one’s world I didn’t leave for the die to decide, I really wanted to do Tetris with Napstablook and out of the two still left this prompt suits Endogeny more anyway. There’s a forest in Poland where several of the trees bend to north like this.

Day 31 Napstablook & Puzzling Platforms Only one I did during morning, my hands shake more then so all the lines are more or less wobbly. Every Tetris piece has it’s own signature design except the L-shape which is just blank to keep it interesting. Napstablook is enjoying game music while inside the game, maybe ghosts can possess videogames..? This also shows the notebook I drew all of these in and the tools I used most of the time.

It’s hard to tell if I’ve improved at all when comparing these to 2017 inktober, I haven’t draw regularly through the year and the main focus point this time was on backgrounds and not so much on lines and characters. I did learn new things and that’s always exiting, I think my trees, glass and rocks look way better than before I started, and I did some progress in shading metal too. All of these took 3 hours or less to finish, some only took an hour. I didn’t need to erase pencils like last year because I used a trick where I placed the sketch under the notebook page and my tablet with 100% brightness and a white bg under them, and traced that with ink. The notebook paper is pretty thin, you can see the Amalgamate drawing’s clouds showing through in the Napstablook photo. Anyway, this was fun, and I think I’ll try do it next year too!

[the-firebird69]

Here's the issue where you paying attention to what he's writing is nothing then you say it's because of this and this and you're sitting there not even listening someone went up there to look at this huge gun that was underneath the ice and you don't know what guns are you have no idea what a blaster is or their Nars are more powerful you see it all the time and you want one and you're not good at what you're doing you just an idiot so we're going to enact his ideas I'm closing it off enforcing you down into DC into New York City you'll find your stuff and they'll find you and your

F**** miles going and you won't be able to stop yourself from getting hit cuz you're trying hits takes too long to plow through all those corks he just sits up there being annoying a****** seriously that guy is unrelentingly annoying and he's coming down anyways probably be out of there tonight we're going to try and push him out first we need them out of there since maybe we can have a contest and feed the thing there plenty lakes up there for races but if we brought like a Gillian the small boats up there for races we'd fit for each called a party race so we doing it now and you're real and goddess wife brought tons of those boats up there for party races huge boats are going out there and saying we're partying and racing they're trying to go as fast as I can with tons of people on they're bouncing up and down thinking they're going faster cuz it looks it they really like capsizing all these boats behind them big boats too half mile long going up and down like 15 ft making huge waves and ruining stuff on the shore people are like shooting at him cut that s*** out and begins sometimes it's amazing what is anger does so if there's huge races tons of them are dying I'm going into the water they get pulled into this vortex there's a few of them under there and they're gone it doesn't affect the water sometimes you're trying to get idiots in there cuz you're morons the other one doing is sealing the wall off up north I'm putting a wall up north of the Great lakes we're cutting you out of it and we're going to take over that Thunderdome and there's no thunder dome where they put the dumb laser cuz you're going to lose it cuz that's what they want to do threaten for it instead we're going to watch you die with your own laser on Earth this is so petty and stupid you can't get off the planet now but it shows you can possibly do it and you're going to try and get to the Thunderdome after I'm starting to try and build it now cuz of what we said well they're doing it anyways so building that wall and pretty soon a huge Army is going to come down from the foreign countries and try to go that way it's a hell of a journey by the time they get there they're exhausted doesn't make any sense except they feel they have to to go through South America from the East would be like a casual tour so much easier I'm not paying the ass these people are going through the Ukraine in a minute

Is the third idea is not recalling right now yet now I got it I think that's it and something juice here but really he has this idea of me calling the exact guy and coming in and being the big developer and saying I know someone here can't remember I know a bunch of people and that kind of b******* lame after a while cracking listening to Chris I only know a few Chris's that's how we handle it really like the idea she put in a we put in a low income and we put a bunch of people in it nothing worse so you made a deal with it he made a deal with him there's no you who made a deal with my son no so we're going to call him any suggested we did and we're putting we put it on our schedule already and we're going to look him up and see what he wants and see if we can't get it but really people need housing it's a huge pain in the butt it's like no system down here they can just call up and say I need a group home or I can't find one thing they saw a castle but he did see that golf actually helps people with housing outside of Castle so he's going to call up and see what else they can do there are a few things yes and they're not that great but they work he's found a few places and it kind of crappy and stuff would probably get lost and that's what those places want they want to grab us stuff and think that they're going to win holding on to his jacket or some dumb stuff like that but she needs to try and survive with it's ridiculous you're going to force him into like the hospital or prison is what it looks like it's exactly what it looks like and you're a bunch of jerks and you're doing it the whole time you've all been going in in our prison blaming him but it's your fault so we're going to go ahead and do this and the guys doing it cuz he wants to have people around rather than nobody like you idiots declaring victory threatening way out there and losing everybody that's kind of a stupid way to do things as a .after if fact I'm having someone call right now. This is important number of people in a waiting list on other places and he's showing that what he's saying can be done because he called up then on the waiting list people are pushing and shoving to get in there these people are popping out all over the place they all went affordable housing I said you can't afford to build a house or buy one and put it there let's say it's impossible to live in a house here nobody sticks together about anything I know about it because it's true he doesn't care much just going to the house and they do the same crap we got to do something different form and we're going to figure out what to do one thing is to get the Godzilla up and we're going to do that now so many tunnels that go to the other inlets all the other pouches and we're going to start feeding them and these people think it's Tommy underneath them making an excuse you can just go make a wine like a toilet

Thor Freya

[buckyscrystalqueen]

Don’t Let Go: Part 2

Pairings: Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Angst, fluff, swearing

Word Count 4,980

Part 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What is this?” You asked Bucky in Romanian as you held up one of the plums he was looking at for lunch. He smirked as he looked over at you out of the corner of his eye.

“It’s a plum.” He responded in English. Your face deadpanned as you looked up at him.

“Really, James?” You snapped as he moved onto the apples… măr. You had been forced to  learn quite a few different languages when you were with HYDRA but there were still some words you didn’t know. “I know it’s a plum, jerk.” He chuckled as be grabbed a few apples.

“Prună.” You nodded as you tossed the plum up in the air.

“Why are you so mean to me?” You teased in Romanian once more as he paid for the fruit. He shrugged as he handed you an apple.

“Because I can.” He smiled smugly as he took a bite of the plum, causing you to roll your eyes.

“I’m gunna head up to the drug store. We need a few things.” He nodded as he held up a finger while he chewed.

“Can you grab me a new notebook? I’m almost finished with the last one.” You nodded as you kissed his cheek.

“See you at home.”

——

You were putting your purchases in your backpack as you headed back to your apartment when a giant shadow caught your attention. You looked up as a very familiar man with wings flew overhead.

“Shit.” You grumbled as you threw your backpack on your back and took off running to your apartment. You didn’t know how, but you knew you had been found. You dodged cars and people as you dashed through the streets of Bucharest to get back to your apartment; praying that this wasn’t as bad as you were expecting. It was.

“Go!” Bucky shouted at you as you rounded the corner of the apartment building. You spun on your heel and ran in the other direction; slowing just barely to let him get in front of you to lead the way. You leapt over the edge of a bridge after him and landed hard on the hood of a car. You rolled to your feet and chased after your husband as a man in a black body suit jumped down behind you.

“The hell is that?” You shouted as the pair of you ran as fast as you could; passing cars like they were standing stationary as they drove along the street.

“I don’t wanna know.” You nodded as you slid across the hood of a car that tried to switch lanes in front of you. “Here!” You glanced up as Bucky grabbed the handle of a motorcycle and ripped it out of the hands of the rider. You launched yourself into the air and landed on the seat behind him; slamming into his back as the wheels hit the ground.

“Good.” You shouted as you wrapped your arms around his middle. As he took off, you glanced behind you at the people chasing you. Your heart lurched in your chest to see Steve and you knew this wasn’t good.

“Lean!” He shouted as he dipped the bike to the left. You threw your body to the right to keep some semblance of balance as he dug his metal fingers into he pavement to make the sharp turn he wanted. As he got the bike upright, you heard the sound of Sam’s carbon fiber wings right above your head.

“They’re on us.” You shouted over the wind as Bucky glanced back. He quickly reached into his pocket and grabbed a grenade. He chucked it as hard as he could at an overpass and you ducked your head into his shoulder as fragments of concrete and dust rained down on your back.

You barely had time to look back up when the bike suddenly crashed. You growled as you rolled across the pavement until you slowed down enough to jump to your feet. You were almost instantly tackled to the ground by Sam as the man in the black suit lunged at Bucky. Steve sailed over your head and knocked the man off Bucky as you launched Sam away from you. The tunnel was suddenly filled with the sound of sirens as Rhodie in his War Machine suit came out of no where.

“Stand down, now.” He said as he held up his hands; his blasters whining to full power in a second. You bit your cheek as Steve and Bucky both put their arms out protectively in front of you. You glanced around at the two dozen or so guns that were pointed at you and sighed as the cops ran over. “Congratulations, Cap. You’re a criminal.” You were forced onto your knees, thrown into cuffs and laid down on the pavement next to Bucky. You glanced over at him as someone forced their knee into your back to keep you in place while they cuffed the other three men.

“Sorry, doll.” Bucky said softly in Romanian just before the two of you were lifted off the ground and carried away by the cops.

——

“What the hell were you thinking?” Tony snapped at you. You didn’t say a word as you sat in an interrogation room in the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre in Berlin, drumming your fingers against the arm rest of the chair you had been confined in for hours. “You were harboring a fugitive…”

“I was getting my husband back.” You snapped as you continued your stare down with the man who saw you as the enemy.

“Oh, don’t give me that shit, (Y/N).” You rolled your eyes as you continued to drum your fingers.

“Are you arresting me? If not, let me go.” He shook his head as he crossed his arms across his chest.

“I can’t do that.” You bobbed your eyebrows and nodded.

“OK.” You ripped your arms up and demolished the handcuffs that kept you in the chair. Tony leapt to his feet as you jumped up onto the chair and knocked out the air vent.

“(Y/N)!” Tony shouted as you pulled yourself into the air vent at the same moment the power went out. You froze for only a second before scrambling as fast as you could away from the room. You moved until you found a clear room; a broom closet.

“There we go.” You mumbled as you lifted the air vent out. You dropped down and peaked out the door.

“Come with me.” Steve shouted as he ran past you. Your brow furrowed as you stepped out of the room and ran after him. “Bucky’s been compromised.”

“Shit.” You followed him into the room where they had been holding Bucky and you paused as you looked at the couple guards that were laying on the ground. “Something’s wrong.” You told Sam as he came to a stop behind you. He nodded as the two of you followed Steve toward a man laying on the ground. As you approached the second doorway, you heard the all too familiar to you mechanical whirl of your husband’s arm.

“Down!” You shouted as you ducked a punch. Sam didn’t get completely out of the way fast enough, giving Bucky enough time to grab him by the jaw and whip him across the room. Steve let the man he was talking to go as Bucky punched you hard in the stomach, sending you flying into a wall. A groan escaped your lips as you sank down to the floor, watching a man who was not your James attack his childhood best friend. You scrambled to your feet, wincing as your ribs began to heal themselves and chased after Bucky.

“James!” You screamed as he pushed Steve down the elevator shaft. Bucky spun around to glare at you; chest heaving. “Don’t.” You watched his brow furrow ever so slightly before he spun on his heel and stormed off. You groaned as you chased after him.

“Freeze!” Someone shouted as a few men jumped in-between you and Bucky. You instantly flew into fight mode. Guns went flying and bodies dropped in seconds as you ripped into the men, consequences be damned. When the last body fell; dead or alive, you didn’t know, you ran in the direction Bucky had gone. You saw Steve running up the stairs and you quickly followed after him. Silent prayers were sent; begging anything to bring you back your husband in one piece.

“Hold it!” Someone shouted as they cocked a gun and held it to your head as you rounded a corner.

“Oh, come on!” You screamed as you snatched their gun and stripped it in seconds. You tossed the pieces over the rail as you kicked them through a door and continued up the stairs. You burst through the doors to the helicopter pad at the same moment Bucky grabbed Steve by the throat through the broken window of a trashed helicopter. You screamed his name as gravity took over.

In slow motion, Bucky’s dilated eyes found yours and his face softened. You sprinted toward him as the helicopter fell over the edge of the pad. Without thinking, you dove off the edge into the water below. Your stomach clenched at the harsh impact with the ice cold water and you shivered slightly. As quickly as you could, you swam toward Steve who was dragging Bucky’s unconscious body from the sinking wreckage.

“I can’t let you take him.” Steve said as the two of you surfaced with Bucky a moment later. You shook your head in disagreement.

“I can’t let them have him again. We have been in Bucharest…”

“I know.” Steve said as he looked back at the Terrorist Center. With a small shake of his head, he shoved Bucky toward you. “Go. I’ll find you.”

“Safe house, 2 hours north.” He nodded as he swam slowly toward the shore. You wrapped your arm around Bucky’s chest and swam as fast as you could toward the bridge behind you.

——

“What happened?” You turned around in the back bedroom of the safe house as you towel dried your hair.

“Who are you to me?” You asked as you jutted your chin toward Bucky. He squeezed his eyes closed as he slowly sat up on the bed.

“Your husband.” You nodded as you tossed the towel across the room.

“Lost you for a minute there. Thanks to the soldier for breaking my ribs.” He shook his head as he rubbed his eyes.

“(Y/N), I’m so sorry.” You shook your head as you leaned against the door frame of the bedroom.

“Wasn’t you. You and I both know I am one of the soul advocates of your split personality nowadays.” He nodded as he looked over at you and you gave him a small smile. “Besides, I self heal. No skin off my back.” He sighed as he looked around the room.

“Where are we?” He asked.

“Safe house outside of Berlin waiting for Steve.” He nodded again as he got up from the bed slowly.

“Did I kill anyone?” You shook your head.

“Not that I know of.” He sighed as he walked over to you and gently wrapped his arms around your waist.

“All he had to do was say the Goddamn words.” You sighed as you wrapped your arms around his waist and laid your head on his chest.

“So we keep moving. They can’t make you that person if they can’t find us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you sure about this?” You whispered in Romanian as Bucky dragged you onto the ferris wheel in London. He had remembered the promise he had made you a few days before and he was determined to follow through. Even if this wasn’t the Brooklyn fair.

“Doll… will you just enjoy the damn ride?” You looked up at him as he swept his arm in front of his body to usher you onto the ride. You smirked as you reached up and pulled his hat down a little farther on his face.

“You owe me cotton candy, too.” He smiled as you stood along the window in the far corner of the left side of the car. As the two of you waited for the rest of the car to fill up, you stood with your back to his chest looking out the window, his arms wrapped around you protectively and both of you keeping your eyes moving and your heads tucked. You were the two most wanted people in the world. You jumped the tiniest bit when the door closed, a little lost in your own world. Bucky chuckled as he kissed your temple.

“I told you I’d take you on a ferris wheel.” He whispered as the ferris wheel started to move. You smiled and pulled his arms around you more.

“Don’t let go.” You tried to let your worries go; to let yourself completely enjoy the moment but you couldn’t. You and Bucky had been on the run for two months and your faces were plastered everywhere. You did everything you could to hide yourselves; moving from country to country every couple weeks, staying out of bigger cities. This was just something neither of you wanted to pass up.

“We got company.” He said as the ride was coming to an end. You glanced to where he was pointing and saw Steve standing at the base looking up at you. You pulled your messenger bag around to the front of your thigh.

“You check in with him recently?” You asked as he wrapped his metal hand around a knife from the bag and tucked it into his jacket sleeve. He shook his head as you watched which direction Steve was walking; giving you a direction of where to meet him to talk.

“Not since Serbia.” You nodded as the doors next to you opened. You kept one hand wrapped around the gun in your bag as the other pulled your ball cap down lower on your face. Bucky put his free hand on your back and quickly lead you through the crowds of people. You both kept your faces down but your eyes never stopped moving. As you made your way through the streets, the flash of a laser pointer caught your attention.

“Here.” You said as you subtly pointed to the morse code message on the ground. Bucky hesitated for a moment, before turning you both around and leading you into a building.

“Third floor.” He said as he pointed toward the stairs. You nodded as you pulled out your gun and headed up the stairs. You moved silently, expecting nothing but always preparing for the worst as the third floor came into view. You paused for a moment at the top of the stairs to let Bucky go first.

“I’m alone.” Steve said as the two of you made your way down the hallway.

“Why are you here?” Bucky asked as he ducked the room Steve walked into. You quickly shut the door behind you and moved your back to an interior wall.

“Haven’t heard from either of you.” Bucky nodded as he peaked out the window, always the spy.

“We’ve been on the move.” He said as he moved to stand beside you on the wall.

“We got you two cleared.” Steve said as he took a seat across the room, took off his ball cap and brushed his hand through his short brown hair. “You can come home.”

“We don’t have a home.” Bucky said as he glanced over at you. You nodded in agreement as you joggled your gun in your hand.

“We haven't had a home since 1941.” Steve nodded as he leaned his arms forward on his thighs.

“Well, now you do. Stark Tow…”

“Nope. Absolutely not.” You shook your head and Bucky nodded in agreement.

“That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard. And we’ve come up with some pretty stupid ideas, Steve.” You glanced over at Bucky who shrugged you off.

“Guys, it is the safest…”

“Oh, don’t give me that. The two of us can never be safe.” Bucky said as he gestured between you. “She is the weakness HYDRA needs to get to me. Once they do, this is useless.” He said as he flicked his skull.

“The only thing that’s safe about going to the tower is knowing we aren’t out in the world any longer. US government thinking at its…”

“That’s not it at all.” Steve interrupted. “I want you at home with me. The three of us deserve…”

“To be caged like animals?” You asked as you leaned back against the wall.

“Tony is never going to let me be free. He’s gunna lock me up and…”

“No, Buck. I promise that isn’t going to happen.” You saw the flash of something outside the window and your heart stopped.

“We don’t have a choice, do we?” You asked as you held up your gun. Steve shook his head as you took a half step to the side and shot down the little hovercraft outside the window.

“I’m sorry.”

“Move!” Bucky shouted as he shoved you toward the door. You made it two steps before a tranquilizer dart hit you in the shoulder. You stumbled on your own feet as Bucky moved to pick you up. “I got…” He said wearily as he fell into your back. You both slid down against the wall and landed in a crumpled pile on the floor; fast asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

“James, the door is obviously not opening no matter how hard you bang on it.” You said in Portuguese as you watched your husband try to punch through the door of the bedroom the two of you had been trapped in for a week.

“Shut up.” He growled in between punches. You rolled your eyes and laid your head back down on the bed with a sigh.

“Will you please stop trying to break my door!” Tony shouted over the intercom in your plush jail cell/ bedroom in Stark Tower.

“Let us out then!” You snapped as Bucky switched back to trying to rip the door off the wall.

“I will let you out if you quit. Trying. To break. My. Shit!” Tony barked. You glanced up at Bucky and shrugged as you propped yourself up on your elbows.

“Keep breaking it, baby. They’re gunna trap us like zoo animals, we might as well act like them.” The TV in your room turned on and Steve’s face popped up on it.

“(Y/N)…” You glared at him and shook your head.

“This is what you wanted. Us off the map and ‘safe’.” You used air quotes as Bucky walked over and looked at the TV. He growled as he pointed at the screen.

“You wanted the threat removed. Might as well figure out how to kill a super soldier and the Winter Soldier because we are NOT willingly here and we will find a way out. And once the ‘threat’ is out, we’re coming after you for this.” He snapped at his friend.

“Buck, come on. We are just…”

“You aren’t just doing shit, Steve.” You said as you laid back down on the bed, beyond annoyed. “You and the billionaire fuck boy are just scared Bucky’s gunna get turned again. We’re no threat to you. He was doing just fine with me on his six out in the world.” You heard the TV switch to static before clicking off in general. Bucky roared and slammed his metal fist through the TV before flopping down on the bed next to you.

“The hell are we gunna do?” He growled in Portuguese, your language of choice nowadays. You shook your head as you rolled into his side.

“I have no freaking idea.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

“I still need to get you a ring.” You laughed as Bucky looked at your naked left hand.

“It’s only been, what seventy years of marriage?” His brow furrowed as he scooted to the side behind you and looked at you.

“I hate to ask this but, when did we get married?” You smiled up at him.

“Tell me what you remember and I’ll fill in.” He nodded, agreeing to your game once again. You didn’t want to ever bombard him with memories, never wanting to overwhelm him all at once. So he had typically taken to bringing up a memory and letting you fill in the rest.

“Steve did it… Quite poorly.” Bucky chuckled as you settled back on his chest. You nodded as he played with your fingers some more. “And we were in… wait, Denmark?” You nodded in confirmation as he shook his head to joggle more information forward. “You were wearing an olive green shirt that was really big on you.” Your head whipped back to him and you laughed.

“How do you remember that but not the date?” You teased. He shrugged as you bopped his nose. “Yes, that was actually your shirt because Dum Dum spilled his coffee on mine. We got married April 26th, 1944.”

“Seventy-two, almost seventy-three years of marriage.”

“You know, we are gunna be winners with a date like that. It’s the….” You stumbled on the word in Portuguese and spun your hand in front of you for a second. “The Guinness book…” He nodded in understanding.

“Registro. Record.” You nodded as a click sounded by the door signaling meal time. You settled back against his lap, not quite hungry yet when instead of just the bottom portion opening; a slot no bigger than allowing two dinner trays to pass through like an actual jail cell, the whole door moved. Neither of you moved as you looked at the actual bedroom door for the first time in well over a month.

“It’s a trap.” You said in German. When you wanted to have private conversations, the two of you switched languages and tenses in whispered words, knowing full well that you were constantly being watched.

“You think?” He asked in Japanese; one of the languages he knew that you were still learning. You nodded as he sat forward so his mouth was hidden in your hair and you pulled his hands up to your lips.

“We’ve been trapped in this room for a month by the playboy.” You whispered, every other word in Italian and Romanian as you ran Bucky’s metal fingers across your lip to distort anything decipherable. “The only reason they are opening that door is to open up our jail cell to a little more square footage…”

“Is that a bad thing? This room is…” You nodded as you gently bit his finger to interrupt.

“Think about who we have to deal with if we go out there.” He tapped your side in acknowledgement as he leaned back against the headboard.

“I’m gunna get you a ring.” He said once again in Portuguese as he went back to playing with your fingers. You leaned back against him, both of your eyes on the door as you waited for what was next.

——

You realized quickly with the door opening, you were no longer getting meals delivered. Stark and Steve were purposely trying to flush you out of your room. Being used to living on the run, the two of you went two whole days without coming out of your room to get food. By day three, Steve couldn’t take it anymore.

“Guys, can I come in? I come in peace.” Steve called out. You could smell the bacon and eggs through the door and Bucky’s stomach growled next to you. You glanced over at him out of the corner of your eye, letting him make the choice.

“Fine.” He called out once Steve knocked again. He opened the door and carried a large tray into the room with a literal small white flag in a large stack of pancakes. Almost as if he knew neither of you would get up when he was in the room, he set the tray on the end of the bed and pushed it toward the both of you.

“What do you want, Steve?” Bucky asked as you reached for a grape from the small bowl of fruit, unable to control your hunger with the small buffet in front of you. Your friend took a step over to the door and leaned against the wall.

“We found a way to wipe out the brainwashing.” You both kept your eyes on the tray of food but you and Bucky both passed your hands over each other under the ruse that you were grabbing something from the far side of the tray. A subtle way of grabbing each other's hands. When neither of you said anything, Steve sigh and continued, realizing it was going to be a one sided conversation. “We have to go to Wakanda to do it. T’Challa said they have the capabilities and they are more than willing to help out.” You glanced over at Bucky out of the corner of your eye as he took a hold of your hand. You felt him write the word ‘panther’ on your palm and you tapped his hand once to tell him ‘yes.’

“No.” Bucky said as he tossed the flag onto the floor, rolled up a pancake and bit it in half.

“Buck, I promise you, he wants to help. That’s all we all want.” You glanced up at him through your lashes as you speared some scrambled eggs on a fork and took a bite. “I just want my friends back, pal. That’s all this is.”

“So friends typically lock their friends in jail cells?” You mumbled in Russian, knowing Steve wouldn’t understand. You glanced over at Bucky as you grabbed a piece of bacon. “Sounds kinky, right?” You watched the corner of his mouth twitch under his long hair as he grabbed some eggs.

“We aren’t trying to lock you in a jail cell.” Natasha said in Russian as she strolled into the room. Steve instantly put his arm out and stopped her in the doorway as you went back to eating your breakfast. “We wanted to keep you safe where you weren't having to look over your shoulder and live in fear everyday.”

“But that wasn’t your choice to make.” You said as you looked up at her; completely ignoring Steve’s look of confusion. “That’s our choice. Husband and wife. If we choose to live in trashy apartments and move around every other week, that’s our choice. It’s not yours to make for us.” She took a deep breath and glanced over at Bucky before looking back at you.

“Unfortunately, it is. You see…”

“Get out.” You said in English as you pointed toward the door. You knew exactly where she was going with her rant; you had heard it before from the two people in front of you. “He is a person, not some mindless killing machine. How am I the only person who still sees that?”

“As long as those words will trigger him, he is a threat to everyone.” Tony’s voice called out over the intercom.

“And at this point, if you don’t let us out of this Goddamn tower and let us go, I’ll be the one letting the Winter Soldier out. How about that? Now, get. Out.”

“Let us clear him and then you can go!” Steve pleaded as Natasha stormed out of the room. “Please, I am begging you. I have to do this.” You grabbed the bowl of fruit and headed into your ensuite bathroom, slamming the door behind you so hard it splintered. With a heavy sigh, you sat down on the floor by the door and listened to Bucky and Steve talking in the other room. You knew you were going to Wakanda; knew even if Bucky said no, you wouldn’t let him live in fear of when the next lapse would be. You just hated the way the Avengers went about doing this. After a few minutes you heard the bedroom door close a few seconds before the bathroom door opened.

“So when do we leave?” You asked as you held up the fruit bowl to him. He grabbed an apple slice and leaned against the door frame.

“Hour. You OK with that?” You slowly looked up at him and shook your head.

“James, I would never not tell you to fix this. If they had come to us in London with this same information and told us we could go right after, I would have signed up for that immediately. I’m pissed that they are locking you up like an animal.”

“Yea, you and me both but there isn’t much we can do about it, doll. I am an animal.” You scrambled to your feet and tossed the bowl of fruit onto the counter. You grabbed his face in your palms and shook your head.

“Don’t you dare. You are not an animal, Bucky. So, there is a little bit of misfiring up here once in a blue moon. That isn’t your fault. It’s about as much your fault to turn into the Winter Soldier as it is mine for killing those people in the castle of hell.” He sighed as you brushed your thumbs across his cheeks. He put his hands on your hips and pulled you to his chest.

“I love you, so much.” You smirked as you moved his hair back behind his ears.

“I know you do. I’m pretty freaking awesome.” He rolled his eyes as he walked you back toward the shower with a small smirk on his face.

“You know what, I think I want a divorce. You’re a pain.” You smiled as you pulled him down for a chaste kiss before the two of you got in the shower to get ready for the trip to Wakanda.

[thingstodoinsandiego-blog]

5 Fun Things to Do in San Diego for Adults

Discover Some Fun Things to Do in San Diego for Adults

Sometimes it really is just frustrating trying to search through a multitude of websites in desperate hope of finding something worth doing… Well, I’ve condensed your searching into one article! Whether you live in the area and are wanting to do something different or you are on vacation and wanting to make every moment worthwhile… This should help! Get out on the water The Gondola Company The Gondola Company is basically your Passport to Italy as it allows you to experience the magical tradition of Venice… in the United States. You will have the chance to softly cruise in a private gondola - a flat-bottomed boat with high points at each end, rowed by one oar - through the beautiful canals of the Coronado Cays.  There are different options for these gentle cruises such as, Pasaporto Cruise - relaxing and romantic, Sunset Cruise - a twilight gondola cruise, Carolina Cruise - for families, Fleet Cruise - to celebrate special occasions with family, friends, or coworkers… You may have up to six gondolas travelling side-by-side, seating up to forty-three people at once. Whichever you choose, you can upgrade your cruise with a professional mandolin or violin player. La Jolla Kayak With this kayak tour you will get to kayak through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. This reserve is home to leopard sharks, Garibaldi (California’s state marine fish), kelp beds, sea lions, and sometimes even pods of dolphins. Depending on weather you may even have the chance to enter into the sea caves! Prepare to get wet! San Diego Whale Watching Cruise One specifically thrilling, yet relaxing, thing you are able to do in San Diego is whale watching! You will sail San Diego waters aboard a replica of an infamous sailing schooner - the world’s first America’s Cup trophy winner. Throughout the experience your guide will share interesting and informative commentary about any marine life in the area, as well as about some US Navy sites you will pass. Along this cruise you have the chance to spot migrating whales and/or dolphins! Exciting! Go sightseeing Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a city park that sits on a unique coastal landscape. It has a three-mile family-friendly (aka, rather easy) hike along the shoreline. There are several amazing points to access on the trail which include Ladera St. and Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in the Hillside section. From these access points, you can find stairs that lead to tidepools as well as to the path that meanders along the coast. Along this said trail you will have the ability to see the Sandstone Arch and Cormorant Rock. The Meditation Gardens More specifically called, Encinitas - The Place: Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens. At these gardens you are said to lose yourself in thought as they are peaceful and “cleansing.” Here you will find yourself walking on stone and dirt paths, surrounded by well-manicured gardens filled with tropical plants, trees, beautiful vibrant flowers, and potted plants. There are also small, soothing creeks and miniature waterfalls that lead into little ponds - which are filled with colorful koi fish. Now, if you are not wanting to walk the whole time, do not worry. There are benches located along the paths and some more hidden in remote corners so you can sit down, and soak it all in. Maybe even meditate. Stonewall Peak Trail This trail, located in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park of San Diego, is actually one of the most popular in San Diego. Upon hiking this trail, you will have the opportunity to see breath-taking three-sixty views from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is not too difficult, and it has a few places to stop if you want a break. Maybe have a picnic in Paso Picacho Campground - located along the trail. Something especially cool about this trail is that you will be upon rounded hills of granitic and metamorphic rock… This rock is the ancient roots of a once actively volcanic, Peninsular Range. Do not worry, it is totally safe now. Visit all sorts of parks Balboa Park Balboa Park is considered central to the story of San Diego as it started up one-hundred and fifty years ago when leaders took the step of setting aside the mesa overlooking downtown to establish a city park. It is ethnically diverse, historically rich, culturally abundant, and naturally breathtaking. This park includes seventeen museums and seemingly infinite gardens. There are different tours, restaurants, shopping places, and theaters. It is seen as one of North America’s most “iconic” urban parks - it definitely seems to be a must-see. Belmont Park Belmont Park is actually an amusement park but that can still be fun for adults… Right? There is access to laser tag, sky ropes, sky climb/rockwall, mini-golf, and a seven-dimensional theater. Who knew there even was such a thing?! Not only will you be able to participate in said activities but there are also many rides, as it is an amusement park. Some include The Giant Dipper, Beach Blaster, Control Freak, and so on.   Petco Park Petco Park is a Major-League baseball park located in the downtown area of San Diego. It is also sometimes used as a venue for concerts, soccer, golf, and rugby sevens This Major League ballpark differentiates itself from others built in the same era with its absence of retro-style red brick and green seats. The stadium is garbed in Indian sandstone and stucco. Any exposed steel is painted white and the (about) forty-thousand fixed seats are dark blue. It’s a truly unique design, making for an even more special experience.   Laze on the beach Black’s Beach Black’s Beach is definitely one for adults only… You will see why in a moment. This beach is perfect for surfers as the coastline has big winter swells. But, for non-surfers, the beach is known as San Diego’s nude beach. Nudism is indeed unlawful in San Diego, but it has persisted at this beach for decades. If you are looking to surf, the surfers tend to head south, of the Glider Port Trail, to the main peaks. If you are looking to laze (18+ style), the nudists hang out more north. If you are not interested in either, keep reading as La Jolla Shores may be for you. La Jolla Shores La Jolla Shores is one of the most popular beaches in all of California - it is actually on a peninsula, surrounded by three sides by the sea. During the summer and fall months, the waves are gentle, and the waters stay warm. This is perfect if you are just looking to float in the sea, maybe even lay in a raft. Or, if you are wanting to simply stick your toes in the water… ass in the sand. Ocean Beach Not only can you surf or sunbathe here, you can also walk amongst a wooden pier that extends an entire half a mile out to sea - you are permitted to fish here, too. Also, there is a sub-beach to Ocean Beach called Dog Beach. On this beach pets are not only allowed, but heavily encouraged to come at any time! See some animals San Diego Zoo Some exhibits include; Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, Owens Aviary, Scripps Aviary, Panda Canyon, Urban Jungle, Polar Bear Plunge, Discovery Outpost, Ituri Forest, Elephant Odyssey, Gorilla Tropics, and so on. San Diego Safari Park Some exhibits and attractions include; Asian Savanna and African Plains, Tiger Trail, Nairobi Village and Gorilla Forest, Hidden Jungle, Lion Camp, Condor Ridge, African Woods and African Outpost, and more.   SeaWorld San Diego Some exhibits include; Aquariums, Explorer’s Reef, Dolphins, Killer Whales, Wild Arctic, and Seals and Seal Lions. There are also rides such as Bayside Skyride, Ocean Explorer, Riptide Rescue, Electric Eel, Journey to Atlantis, and the list goes on! All in all, there really are so many different, fun things to do in San Diego. From sailing San Diego waters to hiking up an inactive volcano, you have hopefully found what suits you! Have a blast with whichever one (or more) of these exciting adventures you choose! More info on things to do in San Diego can be found below: https://californiathroughmylens.com/things-to-do-in-san-diego/ https://gocity.com/blog/san-diego-for-adults/ https://www.tripster.com/travelguide/things-to-do-in-san-diego-for-adults/Sail San Diego Bay in style | America’s Cup Sailing Charter Read the full article

[c64]

The Ultimate C64 Games List Have you ever wondered about the amazing Commodore 64 game list? Yes, we have too - there were loads of them. Problem is that is was a while ago now. This list was compiled to jog the memories:

Operation Wolf

roger frames buys budjiit games

fox fightsback

ace & ace II combo

bubble bobble

tantric mouse wars

home office

salsa con artist

commando ninjas

world flee

blood sparse

ruby of thermogington

jettison railway

ice band

spiderman vs magoo

caravan madness

hulk vs hogan

hunk attack

jet set billy

monkey tennis

score me

addis abbaba karate international +

balloon wars

cloud paste

live at budokan

boris yeltsin vodka challenge

banjo time constructor

emelyn hughes ‘super’ soccer

opium fright

shoot em up penelope

lagoon of carabon harbungo

open heart burglary

frost bandage

diamonds are for women

car spike wheel burst adventure

crazy communists

square man runs up ladder III

treasure island kittens

barrell falls down IV

spoke damage

princess kidnapped 8

undercarriage catastrophe

reminder PRO

Jazz North

Pub Golf

Avalon - Land of the Rust

SimPub

Pregnant Gymnastics

Womb Cook-up

Animal Olympics

NASA Pinball Fantasy

Jed saves christmas

Horace goes Knifing

Time Orifice

Axe-wielding Comedians

Karate Blister

Ornament Erector

Building Smoke Out

Q Bert the Revenge

Trellis Abundance

Titchmarsh v Oddie - Greenkeeper Challenge 88

Co-op Warriors

Sand Veterans

Grass feathers

Morose Wind

Scube Whackey

Escape from Liverpool

Puppy Smoker The Outburst

Roll yer Own Challenge

Hackney Masterblaster

Connect One

Purple Chins

Cotton Developer

Haircut Zest Fair

Trophy Masser

Race Kings Alive

Hazel Irvine’s Whirlwind Badminton

Jazz Rasta VI

Jensen Buttons Nipple Dash

Maze Bomber 909

Speed Chess

Curling Avenger

Rope Twisting Example

Scourge of Daxus

Roy Castle’s Record Breakers

Organ Flexology

Cliff Richard’s Ambiguous Soccer

Revenge of the Feminists

Wax cluedo

Tennis Trumpeteer II

Maximise the Point

Sheep Monopoly

Weight Gain Olympics

Travel Guise

Roger Mellie’s Ice Darts

The Legend of Les Dawson

Blanket Snitch

Tales of the Underformed

Grave Digger 6

Onion Pro 2

Moon Ship

Turbo Trousers

Turbo Walking

Welcome back to the Island of Penny Farthing

Breathing Challenge

Run for President [Ukraine Edition]

F1 Parcel

Awning Inventor

Cello Beat

Super Accelerator Fridge

Crazy Ambulance

Burst Kidney Mopup

Save China

Chemistry Ninja Teacher

Boat Painter Design

Dogs of Fury

Furry Dog*

Beyond the Forbidden Biscuit

The Handlebars of Hashani

Bird Mother

Audio Frenzy Piano Lessons

Short’s Lair

Chun King Farm Life

Jimmy White Teaches Typing

Cif Blaster

Defenders of the Fish

Sandal Behaviour

Alien Food

Thatcher goes to School

Bob Dillons Boxing Farce

Gorbachev plays Chicken

Wayne Gretsky’s Ice Wallet Charity Challenge

Armalyte III - Springburn

Popcorn Death

Vast Salt EU

Virtual Drudgery

Chain of Accordions

Runner Cities

Yellow Bist

Lost Sandals

Train Slow

Sherlock Holmes in The Year 2047

Lost and Profound: Darkness Shop

Dust Police

Borrowed Money

Internet Maze

Slipstream Cowboys

Guns of Dryness

Alpha Scabs

Crusty The Friendly Chimp

Rice Inflator (Super Pack)

Archie McPherson’s Weetabix Head

Denis Law’s Accent Challenge

Dougie Donnelly Dune of Hair

Graeme Souness Must Be Barking

Boon - The Game

Taggart Teens

Emmerdale Goes to Pitlochry

Coping with Eastenders for the under 5’s

Death in the Family Joke

Coloured Fights

Outdoor Darts

Wrist Truffle

White Water Snooker

Sea Quest Powder Seeker

Copious Spandex Run

Mr Motivators’ Taxi Challenge

Breakup

Flapjack

David Dimbleby's Amazon Adventure 12

Frost on Sunday

TV:AM The Early Years

Moira Stuart’s Music Creator

Upside Down Ice Cream Revolt

Vat of Galt Toys

Fist of Fireflies

Tunnel Browner

Stocking Ladder Bless

Lingerie Tycoon

Up & Down with Freddy Mercury

Guitar Slayer

Drum Shake Friends

Wacky Traffic Lights

Oreo Frisbee Games

Hedgehog Relax

Roofer

SimWoman

Bent Angler

Super Horses

Fishing for Tims

Ketamine Kraziness

Shout Appeal

Daz Crime Alert

Tension Ramble

Monitor Crossbones

Stookey Chase

Cardinal Hippos

Marigold Mincers IV

Shane Ritchie’s Up For Everest

War Kind

Question Slime

Bishop Sailor

Grudge Chess

Shoplifter 6

Bed trapper

Saloon Swingers 5

Yells of Tallmouth

Athletic Trombones

Wheel Smicer

Trends of Fashion-hope

Wacky Prostate

Bag A Cow

Pronunciation Fun

with Jackie bird

Landlord Dodge

Stuart Tipney’s Bread Throw Out

Date Checker

Gary Glitter’s Subliminal Message

Frozen Bibs of Babylon

Bricklaying Challenge

Wall Tidy

Reverse a Unicycle

SimCleaner

Pick Pocket Champion 1983

Glorified Yungs

Hungry Hungry Hernias

Marble vest

Ship To Shore

What’s My Rake

View My Braces

Burp: Deluxes

Romeo and Juliet Bravo

North vs South 2 : west vs East

Corner of Flatland

Spherical Eye Bless

Under the Oceans of Armpit Forest

Outrun Birmingham (Spaghetti Junction Edition)

Sweat like a bahookey

SimBarber

Developer Roundabout: Salt Lake Boredom Factor

Wig Breathe

Telecoms Tycoon

SimBeggar

Window Sparkler

Martian Crotchet

Bin Race: Baghdad to Bucks

Limpet Picker 4

Bout of Gout

Fist of Starfish Cave

Revenge of The Ponchoed Ponces

Peruvian Mountain Rally

Pyramid Scheme

Wheelchair Rollers

Disabled Relay

Plastic Bellamy

Escape From The Care Home

Quest Far There

Sigmund Freud’s Phallic Challenge

Location Location Location

Tombola

Pharmaceutical Births

Fun Run

Telethon

The Shat Cat Strikes Back

Poo Displease

Oxymoron - School Clown Dress

Nuns on The Run

Rub a Dug

SimWork

Girl Demander

Tiny Fire Use

Spell Cracker

VirtuaBus

Horse and Cabbage

Hippyhunt

Bug Wrestler

Elmer Fudd’s Bugle Fun

Sesame Street for Mute

Vaccine Madness

Sing-a-long-outhouse

Virgin Wedding

Carry Me Right

Existential Spam

Professor Caressor

Blind Spot

Dowary 4

Backwards Todel

SimFolkSinger

Austrian Summer Fun

Think Game

SimShirt

Mum’s Gone To Iceland

SimShoes

Dad Ravage

VirtuaBurp

Record Deal Blunderer

Vinyl Earth

Pork Love

Candid Carrots

Testament of God

Jasper Carrot’s Comedy Puke

Slug Slugger

fISHMONGER 8

Javelin Jackson

Action Babes 7

Deniable Door Whizz

What’s My Remainder

Shave Me Doris

Ferrari Shaving Adventure

SuperToboggan

Fire Ski

Trowel Turmoil

Soap Detector

SimPigeon

Permit Chief

VirtuaCurtain

Wander Beyonder - Galaxy of Hands

Foot Small

Failed Janine Nurse Player

Bonnie Langford’s Dive of DEath

Cheesy Cheeks 9

Teryaki Throw Throw

Organised Library

Chrome Crunch

Defeat The Dragon XII

Sleeve Beast

Snorkel of Skeleton Mask

Bilge Crusader

Derivative Nonsense

Chip Shop Challenge

Fallopian Tube Gatherer

Short Sharp Shock

Public Pool 2

The Remorse of King Tooth Prize

Mobile Shop Catch

Dentist Revival

Pizzaboy

Return of the Shoulder

Attack of the Maharajah

Farm Variety

Ring Sting VI

Pokey Barracus O

Pyromania [Schools Edition]

Canteen Calamity

Scratch My Scurvy

A Team of Guys

Commercial Insertion

Alien Bold

Walk to Run

Talk Show Live

Wacaday

Tickle Me Hazel

Get to Doctor Green Helmet Arrival

Kirsty Gallacher’s Pony Tail

Bube Tube

Stu’s News

Finger By Jove

SPinach Wars

TrolleyDash IV

Coco Bianco

Can Lift Channel 4: The Game

Spider and Kite

Really Big, Really Small Advent of Tetrapak

Drainblock: Plumber Hero Chronicles

Clammy Elbow

Rinse, Spin and Wash-o-matic

Virtual Carving

Aqua Fridge 4

Milk Charge: None Today Edition

Dose of Lactose

Fruit for Fuel

SEGA Gums

World Cup Baking

Trauma Recentness

Void of Linda

Calculate My Room

Slow Slow Slow, Now Fast

Myrtle’s Spongy Threat

Round the Town: Hull

KLIX Vending Machine Panic

Suitable Suit

Trinidad vs Tobago

Coma Dream Alert

Lose Your Tail

Sudden Trump

Castle of Rugs

Dreadful Quincy

Murder You Write

Salt n Pepa: My First Lyrics

Ferry to the Island of Bins

Up to Maximum

Thanks Goth: Black It Out Decision for Survival

Thorax and King: Temple of 10 Thumbs

Shave or Swim

Spar - Double Time Price Wars

Wooden Office

Windbush: the Quest for Haribo

Thing Commander

Gusset Sweeper II

Military Cocktails: An Interactive Guide

Spillers Winalot

Gus Hiddink: Ladies-Man

Spinal Injury 4

Dungrudder

Dungrudder II

Alan Titchmarsh’s International Samba Karaoke

Gluehead 2 - Back to the Bag

Dogwrestler

Virtual Biscuit Pro Edition

Future Boots

Horace gets an enema

Goth v Ned - The Reckoning

Roy Hudd’s hut folding 3

fondant wheelbarrow challenge

squat thrusting in high denmark with Mr. T

git that skateboard oot ma bed

2 fast and furious - the angry diet

skeptics ranch 4

whippet trigger

cod’s extreme bass fishing

Meatloaf’s leotard attack

smashing gantry with len ganley

cornish nuisance III

janitor pleaser

janitor pleaser II

janitor pleaser III

interactive janitor pleaser 3D

sing-a-long-a-jim-diamond

belgian ring stretch 4

heather mills dance off

sulk or bulk

extreme rabbit riding 9

tony roper’s pope trophy

ship shape and bristol fashion (twin pack)

dan hipgrave’s hip grave

catarrh hero 2

Joseph Holt’s cow safari

barking cats 3

Debbie Gebbie

Rally through Tesco

Piano Catcher

Harold Bishop’s Hutch Touching Compendium

Cardboard Harbour

Guess What’s in the Baxterbox

Extreme Welsh Dentistry

10 Disciples Tickly Bits [denmark edition]

Zebra Dancing 2

Tractor Painting 3

Cindy Crawford’s Virtual Cooperage Pro

Anderson Shelter Designer International

Ambulance Neglecting

Pigeon Surprise!

Chilly B’s Cartography Masterclass

Paralympic Legends 1985

Angry Sue’s Penthouse Disaster

SimFlorist

Amazing Mace

Grimsby Love-In

Trilby Mechanic

Karl Lewis’s 6 Meter Dash Pro

Smoker 8

Collateral Ramage

Horse Drawn Prawn

Firebomb Kirkcudbright

Space Huff

Star Wars: Jedi High Street

Ooft Ooft 2

Flyhunter

Nadeem the Hamster

Bucky Bash II

Schnitzel Wars

Derrick Organ’s Calamity Chinfest

Malky Malky II: The Chib

Venison Crayola

Peter Shilton’s Saucey Canary

French Letter of the Law

Penguin Squeezing

Sodastream Challenge

Arthur C Clarke’s Mysteries of Dunfermline

Skin Complaint 2

Felicity Kendal’s Migratory Kennel

Thigh Trouble III

VirtuaWendy

Pebbledash Apprentice

Thrush Reduction School

Alan Randy Tanner Shows You How

Sim 9 O’clock News

Adult Colostomy

Ray Mears’ Survival Chimney

Brunch Arranger

Pro Pencil Throw

The Continuing Adventures of Nice ‘n’ Soapy

Lunchy Munchy

SimKettle

VirtuaCarpet

Snack bar etiquette

arm harm 4

saucy haulage 9

swimming with trousers on

Thora The Exploder

High Jinks on Highway

Wrist Exposure

Looking After God’s Neck 6

Frog Polishing

Harrison Ford Harrassment

Shampooing Buffalo with Betty Murchie

Unravelling Scobie’s Quotient

Alistair’s Wheels

High Speed Loaf Assembly - Knead For Speed 2

Detolionia - A World of Disinfectant

Coal Punishment

Table with Bilston Glen

Who Is Douglas Bader?

Sharpen Your Trowel with Baden Powell

Bambi Leg Stabilisation

Pimp My Sideboard

Crematorium Capers

The Burning Coupon

Fireplace Customiser featuring Annette Benning

Force 8 Golfing Atrocity Pro-Am

Trout Swiping (Mexican Edition)

Village Idiot Racing 2

Fridge Racer 4

Parrot Force 7

Amish Disease Aversion

Pro-Am Celebrity Road Kill 3

Major James Hewitt’s Blew It Game

Advanced German For Industrial Foundries with Keith Chegwin

I’m A Celebrity, Shave My Arms 8

Mortar Mixing With Fiona Bruce

Self Harm with Hartley’s Jam Jam, Arm, Harm, Barn (Farm Edition)

Deadly Riddles with Bo Diddley, Nicolas Ridley, Ken Dodd, Dodi al Fayed and the Cast of Grease

Not Poodles but Pot Noodles 2

Shed Holder vs. Vijay Singh Sing-a-long a Hitler Hillman Hunter 2

Hearing Aid

Beige Chevette 5

Ian Botham’s County Balls

PramFace: The Revenge

Nebulous Nockers

Hot Knifin’

Anton Rogan’s Potato Scone

Monotonous Madness

Sally Magnuson’s Nicotine Buzz

Doncaster Moose Pulling

Beer Goggle Challenge- Ultimate Edition

Pebble Mill - The Platform Game

Davro Goes West

Jelly Fish Juggling with Jilly Cooper

Ballroom Thighs - A Game For All The Family

Dog Plop Monopoly

Frank Tibbs’ Unanimous Cave  

Tripping Over Thimbles 4

Pebble Mill Pebble Dash

Humourous Toilet Noises 3

Carry On Corduroy 5

Drain Savage 2

Radio 4 Hoar Sampler

Binman Challenge

Boris Becker’s Jazz Complaint

Callcentre Supervisor Pro

Timpsons Manager 1986

Volcano Cheese

The Lemon Vampires of Dudley

Pablo Balloon’s Hernia Diagnosis

Virtua Social Carer

Eric Gluttony

Trouser Press Sabbatical

Alarm! Run! Knit!

Whitly Bay Mesh Collector

Martini Hinge Challenge

Vole Puncher 3

Tropical Slavery 3

Slattery Battery Chat

The Ambivolent Miner’s Chin Problem

Dog Warmer 9

Piano Stroker 2

Brian Hater

Brian Massacre

The Eyes of Salamine

Wingnut

Ruthless Removal of Wind

Egg Rugby 5

International Spine Swapping

Grand Prix - Live from Borehamwood

Farmed Nicaraguan Debris - Collector’s Edition

Spongy Marmite

Fun N Games in Chernobyl with Cheryl Baker

Fun N Games in Chernobyl II without Cheryl Baker

Semi-Pro Badger Excuses 5

Face Biter III

Eric Clapton’s Dead Shoes

Stop! Or my Mom will Shoot Ike

Kate Stits

Dawn French’s Fantasy Football

Giant Priority

Extendable Alien Hairdriers

A Masterclass with Ruud Hullit

Greggs Tycoon

Nail Filing with Stefan Edberg

SimLibrarian

Aardvark Juggling

Any Swedgers?

Civil Engineering Attack Force

Bible Edit III

Cactus Comparing with Terry Waite

Gunther’s Tasty Leather

Health Challenge

Catastrophe Pants

Superhero Draughts

SimJanitor 8: Smooth Moperator

Breath Club

Biting and Chewing

The Goose 3

Armadale

Sangsters 2

Extreme Chinese

Ned Poultry Farmer

Diabolical Gran Odour 6

Camp Action Man

Topless Skateboard Nun 2

Solving Simultaneous Equations Under Water (Bridlington Edition)

Hake Take with Less Than Jake (Celebrity Edition)

The Paul Anka Diaries

Makeover : Wallpapering Your Face 5

Blackhead Removal with Scaffolding Poles 8

High School Musical Shoot Out

Bad Air Hockey (Rotten Egg Edition)

Failed Airport Terrorism Attempt 2

International Banana Terrorist 3

Conventional Bra Wearing

Terrapin 2

split pea glee

gaseous monkey

Cheddarfest revival

moonfaced lung toucher 4

attack of the angry jam ballast

relentless margarine 3

buttergutter

clutter game

wasp wing clasp assembly

futurismysticalismism presented by Kenny Leveritt

pork chop aftermath

strict rector workings 5

detected vim spillage 2

simCOLOSTOMY

Gale Force

Pike Gardening

Ribble Valley Larvae Attraction

Marmite Spite

Sarah Brightman’s Secret Pro-Am Celebrity Tench Cremation

High Speed Paralympic Disasters 5

Savoury Tights 4

Advanced Scone Vandalism with Ruth Maddock

Workplace Victimisation Art 2

Egg Poaching with Prince Charles

Varnishing with Confidence Iggy Pop versus Eggy Pope (Slovenian Edition)

Sloth Pinching with Ewan McGregor

Shoot Deirdre Off Coronation Street As Many Times As You Like

Polished Ginger Bison Falling Over 3

Lego Smashing

Snorting-A-Surgically-Removed-Spaghetti Line Back Through Your Nose Championships with Keith Floyd

Slippery Cats Finger Sizery

Vernacular Spectacular - Regional Heats - Norway Vs Newcastle

Register Maniacs 4

Disabled Horse Fury 5

Turtle Hurlers

Des Lynam’s Mum

Horse v Dolphin: Requiem

rentokil bill 2

rat boy 9

cardboard harbour 9

vote for a wine side dish

Ministry of Justice: Writing the Constitution Sim Local Councilor

Puggy Paradise

Pan-London Kid Chase

Pirates on the Pond

Junior Project Manager III

Decide to Read Again

Nokia vs Motorola: Find the Phone Charger

Feed the Kids Coal (Bono Demo)

Tom Clancy’s Splintered Bell

Jellied babies

Shave the Llama

Jew Harp Hero (Harp not included)

Mum Trashers 4

SimSTD

ActuaMince

Square Peg Round Hole Challenge

Blockman vs DragonThing

Menopausal Madness

Ringbinder II

Equine Manouevers

The Mysteries of Michael Elphick’s Port in a Storm

Haberdasherie Heat

LGV STD

Half a Cider And You’re Laughing

Humourless Hags Return to Castle Frottage

Hungry Hungarian Housewives

Fake Tan Dylan

Super Who Did That Thunder in Tannadice

Swollen River Wheelchair Uh-Oh

Ruby Murray’s Curry from Anything

How Clean is your Mouth

Cilit Bangers

Why’s Dad in the Furnace: HD

R Kelly’s Gotham City

Gerard Kelly’s Diet City

Kendal Misery

Buff Women Crush

Supermarket Nuts

Dry Off - You’re Wet Too!

Xenophobic Elderly Home

Easy Rider: Trikes and Quads

Rise Up and Get Back To Bedford

Alan Sugar’s Finger Fiasco

Private Investigator: Carbon Footprints

Snakes on a Phone

Phone a Snake

Snakephone

Phoney Snake

Children In Need: One Can Survive

The Canterbury Compendium Featuring: Sinister Minister

The Godies ft. Hymn Brooke Taylor

Virtual Nun

Cheeses Of Nazareth

Nun Surfing: Birds of Pray

Dogs drink wine

nacho panic

ostrich borstal

bombscare in sacred cities of spain

spiral binding awards

biro spinning awards

spiro binning awards

Thora Hird’s Extreme Stairlift

Gammy Dodger 2

Hell Monger 5

Tag Nutter 8

simClaw

Mayonnaise Babies 2

Kissing With Incontinence

Dances With Wolverines

Come Dancing 3D

Dumb Dating 4D

Interactive Pylon Climbing

Fundamental Dish Cloth Equations

Haulage Wars 1 - Norbert Dentressangle vs. Eddie Stobbart

Haulage Wars 2 - David Heeps vs. C. Hinds Potato Merchants

White Van Driver Fashion Show

Greasy Dinosaurs Almanac

Terrible Tearing Sounds

Baste The Family

B&Q BBQ Standoff

May’s Rotary Chuckling

Spontaneous Fury

Induced Tap Dancing with Andy May

Your Lip’s Burst 2

Attack of the 40 foot Gingerbread Postman

The Dalgleish Index Escalator

Arthur Askey’s Crop Spraying

Alsatian Alien

Cow Painter 5

Impossible Cornering Technique with Ayrton Senna

Ann Frank 3D

Chop: Stand: Force: Interactive Cumnock Gala Day with Obie Trice

Dougie Donnelly’s Battenberg Cake Jumper Confusion Game

Mince Rinsing with Peter Alice

Wife Swab 3

Knife Swap 4

Gnome Drool Collecting for Beginners

Anger Manager IV

Uncle Tony’s Special Cupboard

Spilt Milk

Virtual RAC Guy Challenge

Michael Ballack’s Ludo Madness

Archie McPherson’s Apron of Chance

Gulls of Fury

Monty Don’s Embroidery Masterclass

Spammy the Dog

Rumbelows

Windows C64 edition

Mr. Minit’s Key Cutting Japes

Saved By The Bell End 3

Asp The Family - Snakecharmer Edition

Snoop Doggy Dog’s Dance Studio Workout

Taming The Shrew with Lena Zavaroni

VirtuaConkers

Sectarian Dolphin 4

Fly Phishing by J.R. “Hacker” Hartley

The Goth Temple of Gloom

The Hannible Lectures

simBiscuit (bourbon special)

Evostick Party

Bri-Nylon Guy 3

Skinflat Survival

Eaglesham Startrek

Bees In The Loft

Sandra Sandra

Justin and Colin’s Guide To Deep Sea Pipe Welding

Wayne Rooney Loony Toon Room for Kids

Pheasant Milkfloat Run

Late Ex in Latex 6

Dick Advocaat’s guide to coctkail mixing

To The Manor Braun

Tandoori Roti 3

Murder She Roti

Silence of The Prams

Emlyn Hugh’s Omelette Challenge

Josh Wink’s Tiddleywinks

Elvanfoot Butterfly Massacre

Carstairs

Monster Metros

Fuzzy-Felt Masterclass with Yuri Gagarin

Predator Paint

Eel Chair Regatta

Big Pants Comedy Skydiving

Bang! Bang! Bang! Oops…

Swindlin’ Yokels with Roman Abramovich

Outrun Bolton

Tony Blair’s Prole Crusher

Heather The Weather’s Fishnet Frenzy

Nick Drake’s Morose Warblings

Ape Attack!: Wishaw

Patrick Moore’s Tedium Personified

Chicken Gun

Barry Robson’s Beguiling Napper

C5 Grand Prix

Roll Me A Fat One and Get They Dishes Done

Brahim Hemdani’s Unremarkable Competence

Virtual Soup of the Day

The Rancid Horns of Leith

Super-Monday-Banana-Death

Ask Me A Graham

Undercarriage Return

Steve Ovette’s Erratic Frog

Tennis Stuart

Bomb Acrobat

SimAlcoholic

Girth Alarm 3

Alan Hanson’s Amatuer Granny Revival

Pickpocket Pro

Chinchilla Wrestling

Crouching Greyhound Hidden Danger

Poodle Judo with Judith Chalmers

Hedge Availability

Overwhelmed Whelk Farmer 2

Cupboard of Lentils 7

Sloth Borstal 2

Pro-Am Prawn Wrestling

Custard, Mustard and Other Rhyming Condiments

Cat Litter Lego

Jimmy Nail’s Book Corner

Navigating Cumbernauld Whilst Aggrevated

Hanah Barbera’s Meat Collective

Tensile Strengthometer

Betty Boothroyd’s Hooverathon

AfroClam

Attack of The Four Lipped Maneater

The Wizard’s Sleeve

J-Lo’s Bum Shelf Warm

Salad Dressing with Trinny and the Bigger One

Keith Floyd’s Damp Side of the Moon

Soviet TicTacs: Taste of War

World Cup Eczema

Mum vs Dad: Grab a Plate

Upside of Death VI

Ulti-Mugger: Wallet and Watch, Ta

Soft and Gentle 3: Roll On

MC Hammer’s World of Pantaloons

Restore Pet Cemetary

Audible Charm: Legend of the Gentle Trump

That’s Not My FInger!

Zoo of ham-fed Gibbons

Wake Up! You’re Not Dead Yet

Wake Up! I’m Limbless and There’s a Fire

Drifting Away: Grandad’s Final Slumber Party

Pyjamas.. At School?

Neil Buchanan’s Antler Attack

Cash In the Attic, Now In My Attic

Get Pregnant 5 - Civilised Scamming

Soda Stream: Hunt for the Gas Canister

Soda Stream II: But It Says Cola Flavoured!?

Invest in Me, I’m a Maniac

London Tube Track Scraper

Armitage Shanks

Virtual Log

Death Row Buckaroo

Labour Backbench Cage Fighting

Floaty The Finless Waterbeast

Vauxhall Advert Creator

Dragged 150 Yards: Bradford Joyride

Old Spice: She’s Yours

Unicycling for Pensioners

Unmentionable Chalky Taste 6

Island Pancake Mixing with Seb Blatter

Filthy Ventriloquist Stories

Eddie Vedder’s World Of Shreddies

Camp Ramp

Tobogganing with Wogan

Annie Mack’s Caramac Slacks

Irene Maiden 10

Sausage Jockey 3

Cured Ham and Other Medical Miracles

Mud Wrestling with Thora Hird

Sim Haulage

Sim Heelage

Sim Cabbage

Sim Charles Babbage

Sim Gym

Liquor & Poker - Rude Casino Edition

Pass The Dutchy of Cornwall From The Left Hand Side

High Heel Teeterage 3

Esther Rantzen’s Root Vegetable and Tuber Hilarity Fest

Nun Paintball 4

Arm Wrestling Dentist 9

Julie Andrew’s Liver Salts 3

Sanitary Owl Radio 4

Bus in a Leotard

World’s Strongest Nan

Hector Sylvester’s Turquoise Noise

Ambulance Chaser 2

Foam Party at The Foam Centre

Press and Mend

Touch the Hutch

Mastic Badger

Surname Challenge ft. Yvonne Goolagong vs. Peter Oosterhouse

Mast Blast Bomb Scare 3

Going Through At The Back 3

Pinball Lizard 5

Dancing With Oxygen

The Dimbleby Conundrum

Virtua Council Gritter

Rampant Carpark

Icarus Manifold’s Welsh Poster Collection

Religious Gardening with Moses and his Hoses

Air Rifle Chooser with Bishop Desmond’s .22

Ballet Dancing with Bishop Desmond’s TuTu

Slurry Avoidance ft. Alvin Stardust

Celebrity Quinine

Abatoir Jubilee Beef

Geek Orthodox

Fudge Assembly

Relax, Prance, Peel

Paul Ince’s “What’s in the Fridge?”

Super Kennel Admin

Attack, Sleep, Trapeze!

Verify My Post

Saral Ping’s Finch Adjuster

Intermediate Curve Basting

Combustable Constable 5

Fancy Cheese 3

Hazel Butters 2

Lloyd Cole’s Motion Commotion

Vermin Descriptor 2

Tray Balance in Ballantray

Fluid Choppery with Glen Blantyre

Predatory Tory Trap

Inflatable Vatican

Marzipan Tarzan

That’s Barry, Eh?

Marmite Termite

Octogenerian Hair Piece 5

Caustic Frog 3

Fridge Racer

Flouride Jockey

Algae Mechanic

The Baghdad Irritation

Crazy Meerkat Forklift Racing

Zak Marvel’s Gaseous Print Revival

Easter Toolbox

Winkle Picker II

Virtua Morrisons

Face Camp

Holy Moly - the unluckiest Mole in the Field

Kays - Catalogue of Errors

Wunder-Hat

Look Out! Too Late.

Pleasant Pheasant

Mike Tyson’s Rapid Wrestling

Reservoir Logs

An Audience With Kirk Broadfoot

Salami Origami

Who’s in the Pot?

Deep-Sea Monopoly

Frank Lampard’s Mousetrap Masterclass

Aztec Leg

Kitchen Thespian

Scaffolding Terror

Somalian Pirates

Take Guernsey

Treacle or Turnip?

Olympic Jail

Sweat on Me and I’ll Vomit

Dubious Quality Controller 5

Quiff Aligner

Re-pot That Geranium, You Fool

Soft Furnishing Spectacular

Dad! You’re My Brother!

Peter Kincaid. Now you Try

12lbs of Something

Vosene - The Forgotten Chemical

Viv Lumsden’s Pit of Terror

Halfords: Den Of Incompetence

Rubber Stamp Misery

The Beechgrove Garden Presents: High Tedium

Monks On A Bus

Gordon The Gopher’s Amsterdam Exploits

Imaginary Futures: President Trump

Tetrapak! 

DIY Watercolor: Pylons of Tyneside

Paradise Lumbago

Post Office Manager: Bungled or Burgled

Crass Bandicoot 

Chequered Flag F1 Racist Challenge

Err, That’s Not Shampoo

BANG! Search For The Dirt, Limescale & Rust

These are all available to buy on Ebay, apart from 619 which they actually forgot to produce. 

[vorn-legacy]

Republic Naval Investigation Service - part 1

RN-IS: Ord Mantell

Tethered to a starship stanchion, the RHC Colossus made an imposing silhouette against the smudgy skies of Ord Man’. Despite being several hundred metres above ground level, her vast hull made the old ship seem frighteningly low; it cast a huge shadow across the Orodam Peninsula.

As curious, yet wary, locals and off-duty troops alike turned out in force to watch from afar, several long, retractable turbo lifts extended from the Colossus’ underbelly, connecting the concrete land with the durasteel sky. Transport shuttles - tiny by comparison - emerged from concealed hangers, ferrying personnel between Colossus and Fort Garnik, the Republic headquarters for the entire Ord Mantell campaign, while the mechanised lifts hauled supplies down and salvaged equipment and the dead or wounded back up.

Since a recent misdemeanour involving a prototype bomb (which potentially could have wiped out the entire sector), Planetary Command had grown increasingly suspicious of Separatist sympathisers infiltrating Republic operations, so the resupply operation was overseen by a carefully chosen few to minimise this risk. Over the course of the day, Republic logistics crew deposited over one million blaster cells (despite appeals for more plasma cells, the overwhelming majority were ion), eighteen All Terrain Transport Vehicles and a replacement orbital defense cannon - which arrived in several installments throughout the afternoon. As evening drew near, the light level around Republic base camp actually began to grow, as the slowly dipping suns appeared between the Colossus and the mountainous horizon.

As he paced the oddly convoluted streets, ensconced by thick armoured walls, Captain Denniker couldn’t help but feel at ease. Just a few clicks to the North lay a Separatist stronghold and (although it wasn’t yet declassified to any but officers), Imperials had been sighted in the enemy-held territory. Additionally, morale had been generally low, the weather foul and supplies running dangerously low. But in this ironically peaceful moment, drenched in pale magenta binary-starlight and surrounded by hectic cargo droids, shouting officers and loud machinery, Denniker reflected on his brief time in command of the main Ord Man’ force. His promotion from the Expeditionary force had come as no surprise after the calamity surrounding Havoc’s defection. It’s no wonder we’re all suspicious, he mused, if we can’t trust our best ops squad, who can we trust?

In spite of his misgivings and carefully concealed apprehension, his emergency term in transitional command had gone as smoothly as could be expected. Over the past month there had been no major incidents of note - not a bad track record in a war-torn hell hole.

Of course, the garrison had lost the equivalent of a full combat squad during that period, but that was to be expected. Eight were killed by dissident snipers while on patrol and three dead, another badly wounded as a result of an improvised explosive rigged near the base. A couple more were lost to a mystery disease, which had reportedly been contracted while off duty in the Talaran resettlement camp.

Denniker had served the Republic well as interim commander, and the arrival of Colossus meant his job was almost done. The robust officer paused a moment and glanced up at the enormous expanse of oxide-primed armour hovering high above. He ran a hand through his prematurely grey hair, which had once been a similar shade of red. Somewhere aboard that heavy cruiser, Commander Mykon awaited him, ready for the official transfer of leadership. About time, thought Denniker. A combination of bureaucratic nonsense and pirates harassing space lanes had delayed the Colossus’ arrival by a couple of days.

Arriving at the shuttle pad, Denniker spied a crate, neatly piled with his personal effects, sat on a small repulsor-lift trolley. It was attended by a young member of the Ord Mantell Republic cadets brigade. These willing youngsters had been recruited after one or two came forward to volunteer, having lost their homes to the Separatists. Since then, the recruitment program had been met with unexpected success and popularity. None were under the age of fifteen standard human years, and all had proved to be most enthusiastic in serving the military which sought to liberate their planet from Imperial-backed rebels. Denniker knew the lad by sight as Ylum (“my Ma named me for a far away star, Sir”), having personally approved every member of personnel for the resupply operation. Although not yet at the age of manhood, Ylum and his fellow cadets were proving to be diligent scouts and orderlies (on record) and even better guerillas and spies (off record).

As it transpired, Ylum was a delicate demolition expert as well: the Captain’s entire inventory and contents of his quarters had been methodically dismantled, removed, packaged and transported to the shuttle pad in less than an hour. Not that there was much more than four sets of his armour, weapons and a few personal trophies; he wore his Republic officer’s dress uniform on this occasion.

“Seems tha’ we picked ourselves a nice day for this, Sir,” the boy called as he incorrectly saluted his OC. Denniker felt it would be churlish to correct him now. “No rain an’ all, you see.”

“Um, yes… yes it is.” The officer’s mind was entirely elsewhere, but he couldn’t help but notice the view from up on the shuttle pad. Gentle evening glow was reflecting off the murky waters of the Savrip Shore, giving it an almost pleasant aura. Even a broken and fallen bridge in the distance had the kind of rosy glow associated with ancient monuments in the sunset.

As if unaffected by the panorama, Denniker cast an analytical eye over the payload of Ylum’s repulsor-trolley.

“Cadet private Ylum, I’m afraid you’ve been lax in your duties,” the aging trooper admonished, barely concealing a wry smile.

“I… I have, Sir? What’s “lax” mean?”

“Careless, lad. It seems you’ve missed something. Here…”

Captain Denniker slipped a small data-card from his wrist communicator and passed it to the cadet.

“Run back to my quarters, swipe this on the door to let yourself in. It’s fairly quiet around the base today, but if anyone asks what you are doing, tell them to see me.” He gestured the act of swiping the door card, but quickly stopped, realising how patronising it must seem. “Look under my rack… bunk… whatever you folks call it; you’ll find an old ammo case marked as empty. Don’t tell anyone,” he whispered, “but it’s got my secret Corellian Whiskey stash hidden in it. Bring it here at the double, cadet corporal Ylum.”

“I didn’t see anything when I checked… I- I must have missed… and, it’s… it’s private, Sir,” the boy corrected.

“Oh so it is, my mistake. And don’t let anyone see what’s in that case. Wouldn’t look too good on my record!” Denniker laughed amiably as he waved the young man off. He’d been planning the next few moments for a while.

Given that he didn’t encounter any hold-ups, Ylum should be back well before Commander Mykon was due to meet with his precursor, giving Denniker a few moments alone. Below the shuttle platform, he spotted a republic commando escorting a robed Jedi padawan around the Fort.

Army High Command had bestowed upon Fort Garnik the presence of two Jedi masters and their respective students. Master Zoeji was something of a recluse around the Fort. Rarely seen, and even less frequently spoken to. She was Togruta: orange coloured skin and a large lekku set her apart from the almost entirely human garrison. There were rumours that she had been the victim of many racial slurs thrown by troops, but she had not raised the matter, nor had anyone admitted. A second rumour surrounding the eccentric alien force-master, was that she could command the very elements of weather in battle. However, this was somewhat lacking in evidence.

Her student - or padawan - was quite the opposite. Yarrel Vorn was quite the socialite. He’d already been in bother for gambling with the soldiers on an evening and had supposedly been caught alone with a local woman. But what made this young man all the more strange was his sister. Sergeant Elivii Vorn (lacking in her brother’s force sensitivity) had been serving on Ord Mantell for over a year, so there was much surprise when it came to light that of all the Jedi who could possibly have been sent to this hellish war of attrition, one was her own brother. Everyone had agreed it was a remarkable coincidence. Except Master Zoeji, to her it was “the will of the Force”.

Of the other Jedi master and padawan, there had been no sign or news.

Captain Denniker stood silently, observing the miracle coincidence siblings as they made a patrol of the Fort. As much as he was distrustful of the Jedi and their “mystic power”, Denniker was more trusting of Sergeant Vorn. Her tactical brain and lateral thinking had saved lives on many occasions, so when she suggested that her jedi brother be in the vicinity during the transfer of command, to sense malicious intent, the captain had seen the logic of her proposal. The last thing he wanted now was a Separatist guerilla attack on the new Commander.

Although just about old enough to be her father, Denniker couldn’t help but treat Elivii Vorn as an equal. She missed very little and spotted flaws and opportunities in battle-plans better than many of his senior NCOs and even more officers. Also, he found it hard to ignore her looks. Despite having a plastisteel cover over one eye socket (courtesy of a malfunctioning sniper scope), she was still the most attractive sentient being on the continent, so far as Denniker was concerned.

As the pair walked past about ten metres below the shuttle pad, Yarrel Vorn, the padawan, looked up suddenly and met the captain’s gaze for a brief moment before carrying on in the direction of the beach. Denniker turned away, getting a prickling feeling on the back of his neck as if he were being watched. He was sure it was the Jedi trying to probe his mind.

If all had gone to plan, Ylum would have discovered the recycled ammunition canister and the cadet corporal insignia that Denniker had hidden alongside it. The OC paid barely any mind as a droid scanned his personal items and carted them off to be loaded into a turbolift tube.

When a specially marked personnel shuttle changed course and banked down towards Denniker on the landing pad, the officer checked his holo chronograph and sure enough the Commander was very early. One of them types, Captain Denniker noted. Have fun with this one boys.

As the boarding ramp descended, Denniker was greeted with a surprise: Mykon was Chiss! Having spent some time with the man in holo-conference, the captain had never once noticed that his replacement wasn’t human. He’d put the unusual accent down to being born on an obscure colony world and, of course, long range holo communications were tinted blue, so it had been impossible to notice his skin hue.

“Very minimal staffing I see, Captain.” This, presumably was meant by way of greeting.

“Yes, we had been experiencing problems with infiltration, as you’re no doubt aware. I felt it best to minimise opportunity for potential attacks until you were safely planetside and the Colossus on her way. We have even set up molecular scanners to check every single item that leaves the planet for tampering or weaponization.” Where has Ylum got to?! He’s been gone ages.

“Very well, Captain. Shall we get on with proceedings?”

Mykon’s sheer abruptness didn’t take Denniker by surprise too badly. Over the holo he’d seemed marginally more affable.

“Yes, you’re right Commander. Time waits for no Bothan, as they say.”

“Do they? Hmm… How deeply uninteresting. Well, Captain Ivonnar Denniker of the Ord Mantell planetary taskforce, I hereby relieve you of command. You are dismissed.”

The blue skinned officer saluted so sharply that Denniker feared he would dislocate a shoulder.

As he returned the salute, the veteran Captain caught sight of Ylum hanging around at the edge of the landing pad, a mixture of trepidation and glee on his face and a plastisteel ammo can under his arm. Denniker beckoned the cadet over and took the cannister and data card from him.

“Corporal, show the commander to my- I mean his - quarters. And congratulations on your promotion, it’s long overdue.” Sure enough, Ylum had the twin chevrons clipped to his Republic trainee’s jacket. The boy was both breathless and speechless, so he silently saluted both officers, beaming like a madman and led Mykon off towards the heart of the Fort. Not the grand entrance a new Planetary OC might expect, but a practical and safe one.

Taking one last nostalgia-devoid look around at the view which had been his entire world for three years, Captain Ivonnar Denniker boarded the officers’ transit shuttle up to the Colossus, which would take him far far from Ord Man’, to a new career path and a new life.

Less than an hour later, Denniker was found dead and icy cold in the Colossus engine room, a Baradium chain bomb in his hands. Nobody saw him enter.

Ivonnar Denniker: cause of death, unknown.  

[loveforinfoworld-blog]

A Tourist Guide to New Hampshire's Western White Mountains

Franconia Notch State Park, located in the deep rift formed between the craggy cliffs of the Kinsman and Franconia mountains, is sliced by an eight-mile section of Interstate 93, whose three brown-colored sub-exits of 34A, B, and C, access different attractions, from the Flume Gorge in the south to Echo Lake Beach in the north Omaha Roofing.

The Gilman Visitor Center, located at the first exit and framed by mounts Liberty and Flume, offers a good introduction.

Developing into a social and recreational destination because of its Old Man in the Mountain rock formation, the park itself had sported two different "Profile House" hotels in order to accommodate the influx of tourists who had initially arrived by horse-drawn stage coach. This transportation method was changed after the 1870s when a spur track from Bethlehem linked the Profile House's own railroad station.

Demand created by wealthy tourists, most of whom would travel with their servants and spend at least a summer month at the resort, necessitated the demolishing of the original hostelry in 1905 and the replacement of it with what became New England's largest hotel.

A Concord Coach is displayed in the Gilman Visitor Center. Built in Concord, New Hampshire, by Abbott, Downing, and Company between 1828 and 1900, the type became the country's most famous stage, which ultimately saw worldwide service. A single shipment, entailing 30 coaches and 60 four-horse harnesses, was made to Omaha, Nebraska.

The Visitor Center's elaborately-painted example, coach #431, was assembled in 1874 and features two padded, forward-facing, roof-installed benches and two internal facing ones, having carried passengers and mail between Plymouth, New Hampshire, and the Profile House in Franconia Notch until 1911. Discovered in Vermont 22 years later, it was returned to the area and restored.

Aside from the center's gift shop and cafeteria, the continuously run "Franconia Notch" film provides an excellent introduction to the park.

A shuttle transports sightseers from the Gilman Visitor Center to a point 500 yards from one of Franconia Notch State Park's most impressive attractions, the Flume Gorge, and a boardwalk path leads to it Omaha Storm Damage Repair.

Discovered in 1808 by 93-year-old Jess Guernsey, the gorge itself, a natural, 800-foot-long chasm at the base of Mount Liberty, features narrow walls of Conway granite which rise to heights of 70 to 90 feet and are spaced 12 to 20 feet apart. A ten-foot-high by 12-foot-long, egg-shaped boulder had once hung between its walls, but was swept away in 1883 by a rainstorm-created landslide.

Walking trails lead to the Pool and the Sentinel Pine Bridge, as well as to waterfalls.

Another of Franconia Notch State Park's glittering jewels is Cannon Mountain. Rising to 4,180 feet, it offers 72 trails and glades totaling 23 miles and 264 acres, with a 2,180-foot vertical drop. Its ten lifts range from the 600-foot Huckerbrook Handle Tow to the 5,139-foot aerial tramway.

The mountain itself played a significant role in New Hampshire's skiing history. Joan Hannah of Franconia, for example, grew up skiing here and became a member of the US Olympic Team in 1960 and 1964, winning the bronze medal in the Grand Slalom event in the FIS World Championships held in Chamonix, France, in 1962.

Jean Claude Killy won all three men's events in the 1967 World Cup here while on his way to prevailing as the overall champion in the first year of the World Cup Competition.

Visitors can ride the two enclosed, 80-assenger (70 skier) Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway gondolas, traversing the 2,022-foot vertical rise to the 4,180-foot summit in eight minutes, enjoying views of Echo Lake, Artists Bluff, Bald Knob, and Mount Lafayette, the highest peak in the Franconia Range.

Its predecessor, North America's first aerial tramway, had commenced operations in 1938 with its 27-passenger wooden cars and had elevated Cannon to the top of its class within the northeastern ski resort system, carrying 6.5 million passengers by the time it had been retired 42 years later. The current version, dedicated on May 24, 1980, elevated it even higher--in this case, to European resort standards.

The Summit Café, a bar, the Cannon Mountain Rim Trail, and an observation platform enable visitors to enjoy the ride, the view, a drink, a meal, and a hike.

One of the original, 1938 tram cars, along with a Mount Cranmore skimobile, are displayed outside of the New England Ski Museum, located at the base of Cannon Mountain.

Established for the purpose of collecting, conserving, and exhibiting elements from a broad spectrum of ski history, the museum itself houses the most extensive collection of vintage equipment, clothing, historical files, photographs, literature, posters, and artwork in the country.

The earliest evidence of human ski use, according to the museum, was unearthed from a Russian bog in the form of 8,000-year-old ski fragments. Initial Asian and European examples were handmade, utilitarian, and principally used for traveling, hunting, and fighting. Today's counterparts are contrastively employed for competition and recreational purposes.

Modern machinery sparked the ski boom during the 1930s. Rope tows, tramways, and ski lifts facilitated the ascents of winter sports enthusiasts, who traveled to New England slopes from Boston by snow trains.

A path leads from the base of Cannon Mountain to the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site.

Geologically formed some two million years ago, the 40.5-foot profile itself, comprised of five granite ledges located 1,200 feet about Profile Lake in the mountainside and appearing like the silhouette of a man's face, was a massive, natural sculpture. The forehead boulder alone, for example, measured 20 by four by four feet and weighed 20 tons. The forehead ledge measured 45 by ten feet and weighed 30 tons, while the remainder of its components included the 11-foot brow, ten-foot nose, seven-foot upper lip, and 12-foot chin.

But even a seemingly permanent rock formation such as this proved impermanent when slow, silent erosion finally weakened the rock ledges and caused them to collapse during the night of May 3, 2003. Although subsequent support for its reconstruction was strong, the mountainside's support was not, according to State of New Hampshire geologist analyses and a government-appointed task force decreed that the profile, like so much in the physical world, would be forced to retreat into memory.

The image, however, was restored in 2011 when the granite Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza, located on the shore of Profile Lake, was dedicated, enabling viewers to peer through a device whose steel rods, or "profiles," reproduced the image when pointed at the cliff where the original had taken root.

A small, Old Man of the Mountain Museum was recently relocated to the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway base lodge and features displays pertaining to its Profile House hotel era.

There are several other natural sights in Franconia Notch State Park. The Basin, for instance, is a 15-foot-deep, 30-foot-diameter pothole in the Pemigewasset River that was created 25,000 years ago when melting glacial waters eroded its bedrock, while the river itself flows from Profile Lake at a 1,900-foot elevation and drains the notch. Boise rock, a glacial erratic, once served as overnight protection for Thomas Boise, who had been caught in a fierce snowstorm while sledding and was forced to seek refuge beneath its overhang. Boise Woods represents the low-elevation forest environment typical of Franconia Notch. And 1,500-foot-high Eagle Cliff often serves as a Peregrine falcon nesting spot.

Emphasizing the man-made, as opposed to the natural, Clark Trading Post, another family-oriented theme park accessed by Route 3 and open from May to October, features live Black Bear shows, as well as rides on its steam-powered White Mountain Central Railroad. Rounding out the attractions are the Old Man of the Mountain Climbing Tower, Old Mill Pond Water Blaster Boats, Segway rides, and the American Museum and 1884 Fire Station. Meals and snacks can be eaten in the Whistle Stop Snack Bar, Pullman's Pizza and Subs, and the Peppermint Saloon, and gifts can be purchased in the Candle Shop and the Maple Cabin.

B. On Route 112:

Both a road and a sight in and of itself, 34.5-mile-long Route 112, also known as the Kancamagus Highway National Scenic Byway, provides southern White Mountain access from Lincoln, where it reaches its highest, 3,000-foot elevation, and Conway. The northeast's first designated National Scenic Byway, which reflects the namesaked Mount Kancamagus it crosses, it traces its origins to the Passaconaway-destined town road of 1837, which had subsequently been extended eastward from that point and westward from Lincoln, mostly as a result of Civilian Conservation Corps construction work and, after the Second World War, the State Highway Department. When the two sections were linked in 1959, it opened to traffic.

A White Mountains Visitor Center is located on the road's west side, beyond Lincoln.

Because of the narrow cleft worn in the solid rock over the millennia by the Swift River, there are numerous scenic areas along it, including Falls Pond, Sawyer Pond, Greeley Ponds, and Lower Falls. Rustic campgrounds facilitate those wishing to combine an overnight stay with one or more area activities, such as picnicking, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, or snow shoeing.

The area's natural scenery can also be explored at the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves, located six miles west of North Woodstock on Route 112 in Kinsman Notch.

Formed 300 million years ago, the notch itself was sculpted by a more than mile thick glacier during the Ice Age, creating the present-day mountains and passes that provide access through them. The only remaining glacial aspect is the pace with which erosion continues to exert its effects on Lost River Gorge, whose "intricate, (lantern-lit) boardwalks twist, turn, rise, and descend," according to the attraction, leading to granite rock walls, "gigantic boulders stacked like blocks," glacial caves, and waterfalls.

Visible from Route 112 further east in North Woodstock, just before the Interstate 93 overpass, is the Café Lafayette Dinner Train.

Ceded the dream of operating a dinner train, of which there are only a handful in the country, by an ailing friend, owners Lance Burak and Leslie Holloway virtually adopted his hands, restoring three Pullman cars to bygone-era splendor, before initiating their New Hampshire version of the concept in 1989. Promising five courses served in the Grand European manner, and artfully prepared by Chef Doug Trulson, the two-hour, 20-minute round trip from and to North Woodstock is toted as the "restaurant with the constantly changing view," and diners/riders can reserve either main or dome level tables (for four).

Of its three coaches, the blue and white "Granite Eagle" was the first such dome car to enter the state in 1995 after its transport from Kansas and was restored the following year in the Engine House of the Hobo Railroad, itself located only a stone's throw in Lincoln. A Pullman Planetarium car first built in 1952, it sports a unique, tri-level arrangement with a dome, a sunken lounge below it, and main level, fore and aft accommodation.

The "Algonquin," a Canadian National Railroad café coach from 1953, and the "Indian Waters," a 1924 Pullman Standard Victorian coach replete with era-indicative brass, stained glass, and polished woods, completes the fleet.

Ducking into the tunnel of forest green, the gently moving train follows track laid by the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad in the late-1800s to serve the area's once-grand hotels, crossing the shallow, rocky mosaic of the Pemigewasset River by means of the rust-red, dual-spanned trestle bridge. Enroute to the Jack O' Lantern resort, the train's turn-around point, diners enjoy a five-course dinner at formally set tables of appetizers, organically grown salads, palette cleansing sorbets, entrees, desserts, and coffee or tea. Separately priced alcoholic beverages are available.

Stressing scenery instead of cuisine, the Hobo Railroad, located a short distance east in Lincoln, uses the same Pemigewasset River track to the Jack O' Lantern Resort on its 80-minute round-trip runs from Hobo Junction Train Station between May and October, with up to three daily frequencies during the peak summer months.

Tracing its roots to the 1986 Plymouth and Lincoln Railroad, which had operated seven-mile excursions to Woodstock with three Also diesel-electric locomotives, it also operated the route and subsequently secured trackage rights from the State of New Hampshire, paving the 54-mile way for the establishment of its Lake Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad division and Meredith-Weirs Beach-Laconia service.

In Lincoln, passengers can purchase drinks and snacks on board or pre-order a Hobo lunch of sandwiches, chips, cookies, beverages, and a hobo stick or pouch. Fall foliage and Polar Express theme runs are offered on weekends at the end of the year.

Loon Mountain, just east of Lincoln on Route 112, is another of the White Mountains' many ski resorts. Comprised of three peaks-North, South, and Loon itself-it offers 12 lifts, 370 skiable acres, and 61 trails. Its summit elevation is 3,050 feet.

With three peaks, there are numerous dining options, including Camp III at the base of the North Peak, The Octagon Lodge and the Governor Adams Lodge at the base of Loon Peak, the Pemigewasset Base Camp at the South Peak, and the Summit Café at the top of Loon Mountain.

Like other area resorts, Loon offers several summer activities, such as scenic gondola skyrides, horseback riding, mountain biking, a climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, Segway tours, and a zipline, with individual and combination tickets.

[itsworn]

HOT ROD Rescue: The Rat Rod, Fixed at Last (Yes, it Does Burnouts!)

August, 2017’s North American full solar eclipse came early for J.B. Bracken, as his finally perfected 1935 Ford rat rod truck totally blocks out the Sun. (Photo: James Gustin/figMEDIA)

Smoke you want, smoke you got! I think we blocked out the Sun!” — J.B. Bracken

The Rescue So Far

The rat rod is based on a 1935 Ford truck cab set on a custom frame. Motive force is now via an 8-71-huffed, 401ci, small-block Chevy.

When Norm Brandes at Westech Automotive received J.B Bracken’s 1935 Ford Rat Rod truck (HRM, July 2017), it couldn’t do a burnout and had poor driveability—despite an 8-71-blown 383 small-block Chevy engine. The 4,000-pound truck’s huge Dana 70 dualie rearend didn’t have enough low-end inertia to spin the tires. Initial fixes included a cam change, overdriving the blower, and proper tuning—only to suffer a broken piston and Brand-X head stud failure. Gluttons for punishment, we came back in the Aug. 2017 issue with a 4.125-inch bore Dart block, turning the 383 into a 401. Brandes stuffed it with stout 2618 aluminum-alloy JE blower pistons, bolted its aluminum heads on with real ARP head studs, and did some additional tuning to seemingly bulletproof the combo. But after Bracken drove the truck for 1,500 flawless miles with no issues, he blew a head gasket while performing a massive burnout in preparation for a HOT ROD photoshoot scheduled for the following day.

The latest issue: A head gasket blew at the rear of the No. 8 cylinder across to the water jacket (circle). The primary cause would turn out to be a lazy thermostat.

The Diagnosis

The blowout occurred at the rear of the No. 8 cylinder across to the water jacket. After eliminating several other possibilities—including “soft” cylinder heads and possible gasket “crush” issues—the main “perp” turned out to be a lazy thermostat.

Was there an issue with Bracken’s “off-shore” aluminum heads? In consultation with retired Fel-Pro Performance gasket engineer Greg West, the aluminum heads were sent out to Letsch Manufacturing for Rockwell hardness (shown here), as well as surface flatness and profile checks. All were in spec.

Gasket crush height using BB-shot (pointer) was per blueprint for Fel-Pro’s MLS head gasket, using both ARP’s specified installation torque as well as with an alternative retorque method.

The alternative method involves first tightening the cylinder heads to spec per the normal pattern. The engine is then permitted to sit overnight. The next morning, each head stud nut is individually loosened and immediately retorqued. The white paint shows the added nut rotation after the second retorque, indicating there was some relaxation of tension.

In spring 2017, Bracken had brought the truck out of winter hibernation and changed the thermostat and coolant. Sudden thermal shock load and temperature spike during the burnout from the not yet thoroughly warmed-up motor and it was “goodbye, head gasket.”

The third time around, we weren’t taking any chances, delivering the engine to Dan Timm’s Advanced Engine Concepts (AEC) to evaluate coolant circulation, plus some engine-dyno torture. To the extent possible, the engine was set up on the dyno just as it would be in the rat rod.

Advance Engine Concepts’ Dan Timm evaluated the engine’s cooling system, fuel curve, and ignition timing and efficiency on his dyno.

The Fix: Thermostat

The bad thermostat was a cheapie, generic, pellet-style, 180-degree F part. On the dyno, a thermal heat gun confirmed it didn’t open until 200 to 210 degrees—way too slow for a suddenly stressed cool engine. (It didn’t help Dart’s race block lacks an internal coolant bypass passage.) The solution: a balanced-flow, Robertshaw-type, high-flow thermostat that’s less restrictive compared to pellet-type designs. Stewart Components’ iteration goes one step further, adding three ³⁄₁₆-inch holes in the unit’s body for a quick, functional, bypass that equalizes temperatures on both sides of the thermo, minimizing thermal shock, as well as steam pocket formation during initial coolant fill. On the dyno, Stewart’s 180-degree thermostat opened consistently at 182 degrees. Coolant temperatures and pressures were more uniform throughout the motor as a whole—critical, as the head’s rear corner where the gasket blew is the farthest area in the coolant-circulation chain.

A Stewart-modded Robertshaw-type 180-degree thermostat replaced the cheapie unit. Brandes and Timm found the Stewart thermo opened consistently at 182 degrees—a real lifesaver for Bracken’s highly stressed blown motor.

The Fix: Tune-up

Premium MSD ignition parts resolved the ignition issues. Clockwise, from upper left: 6AL-2 programmable controller, Blaster HVC II coil, Pro-Billet small-diameter distributor with adjustable slip-collar, small-diameter cap, two-piece adjustable rotor, 3-Bar MAP sensor for enabling boost retard, and (not shown) a universal set of 8.5mm Super Conductor, spiral-core, spark-plug wires.

The engine experienced ignition break-up on the dyno. To maintain an outwardly old-school appearance, Bracken had been running a standalone (no separate ignition box) MSD medium-cap (“points-style”) distributor with a generic round coil. It wasn’t up to the job under high boost, plus the large distributor couldn’t be rotated more than 10 to 15 degrees when adjusting the timing without hitting the blower’s rear cover. Pulling the distributor entirely required removing the supercharger rear cover to obtain sufficient clearance.

At ⅜-inch narrower and almost 1-inch shorter than a standard Chevy points-style distributor, MSD’s Pro-Billet Small Diameter design (PN 8570) solves clearance issues caused by firewall interference, tunnel-rams, or (as on the rat rod) a big blower. An adjustable slip collar (arrow) permits compensating for a machined block, heads, or intake.

Brandes replaced the standalone unit with a posse of new MSD parts, including a small-diameter Pro-Billet distributor, a programmable MSD 6AL-2 digital ignition, a high-output HVC II Blaster coil, and 8.5mm Super Conductor spark-plug wires. He also tightened up the plug gap from 0.040 inch to 0.020 to make it easier to ionize the rich, high-boost air/fuel mixture.

The Programmable 6AL-2 ignition (PN 6530) incorporates a two-step rev limiter, and puts out 535 primary volts and 135 mJ of spark energy. It’s mounted in the driver compartment to preserve the rod’s old-school engine-bay ambience. Use a PC to program custom advance curves. Boost-retard, timing delays, or other switched functions can easily be incorporated.

When used with the programmable 6AL-2, lock-out the distributor’s centrifugal advance. Verify real-time phasing under boost-retard by drilling a hole in the distributor cap in line with the No. 1 terminal and checking with a timing light.

Use the adjustable two-piece rotor (PN 84211) to optimize rotor phasing; also be sure to check rotor tang-height with MSD’s supplied gauge.

With the ignition sorted, under boost the engine was relatively insensitive to timing changes, producing nearly the same power with 25 to 28 degrees of lead as it did with 34. The timing was “locked” on the dyno between those numbers, with the higher number tested with 110-octane Rockett leaded racing gas; the lower number was with 91-octane pump gas. Later, in the truck, Brandes found the engine was happy at 37 degrees total advance (unboosted), retarding 8-degrees whenever blower-boost hit 16 psi.

The 6AL-2 was programmed for 37 degrees total advance (at the crank), retarding 8 degrees at 16 psi of boost (rpm-independent, but around 3,300 rpm at full throttle). This delivers more part-throttle cruise response, but provides a safety margin for high-boost banzai runs. The 6AL-2 sees boost via the same MAP sensor Auto Meter supplies with its boost/vacuum gauge.

Charge-air temp is a problem on 8-71 blowers running on gas; with an otherwise decent tune-up, it becomes a major detonation-sensitivity wild card. To help Bracken keep a lid on the motor, Brandes installed Auto Meter vacuum/pressure and charge-air temperature gauges. The pressure gauge gets its readings from a manifold air pressure (MAP) sensor boxed with the gauge. It’s identical to MSD’s MAP needed to enable boost retard on the 6AL-2, but you’d have to buy the MSD part separately. In this case, Auto Meter’s MAP just does double duty.

No more “oops!” Bright, high contrast, Auto Meter 2 ⅟₁₆-inch Phantom gauges help Bracken monitor critical under-blower charge-air temperatures (PN 5758, left) and (through a packaged 3-Bar MAP sensor) vacuum or boost levels (PN 5777, right).

The air-temp gauge sensors install in the lower blower manifold and can be optionally wired through a relay to the programmable 6AL-2 so it can retard timing if air temps get too high. At present, that function isn’t enabled—but it’s nice to know it’s available if ever needed.

Brandes’ existing tune-up proved pretty close, with the twin Quick Fuel carbs needing only slightly richer secondary jets on the dyno. Later, back in the truck, Brandes ended up leaning the primary jets three numbers, which slightly lowered the under-blower charge-air temperature and improved part-throttle cruise response. “When we leaned out the engine at part-throttle cruise, 60-mph charge-air temps at cruise dropped from 230 to 240 degrees to 215 to 200 degrees.”

The Dyno Results

The engine was set up on the dyno with Bracken’s restrictive headers. The exhaust pipes and mufflers closely emulated the on-truck setup’s restrictive right-angle turns.

The rat rod’s 401ci small-block was set up on the dyno to emulate as closely as possible its in-truck configuration. The rat rod’s old-time headers with their restrictive right-angle turns into the exhaust pipes and mufflers cost power, but may have helped low-end torque.

AEC’s pet set of stepped short oval-track headers, still hooked to the restrictive exhaust, yielded about a 5-percent power and torque-number improvement—around 525 hp and 540 lb-ft, according to Timm.

On 91-octane unleaded pump gas with around 21.5-psi peak boost, the dyno recorded 475 hp at 5,500 rpm, with (critical for tire-spinnin’ Bracken) 499.5 lb-ft of torque at 3,200. Average numbers over the full curve were 477 lb-ft and 384.5 hp. AEC also tested with Rockett 100-octane unleaded and 110-octane leaded race gas. 100-octane made the most peak power (498 hp); 110 made the most peak torque (519 lb-ft). Overall, 110 octane produced the fattest curve, with an average 23.3 hp and 29 lb-ft gain over 91 octane.

At 21.5-psi of peak boost on 91-octane pump gas, the 8-71-blown, 401 made 499.5 lb-ft of torque and 475.2 hp. The numbers improved slightly with Rockett 100-octane unleaded: 511.3 lb-ft and 498 hp. On Rockett 110-octane leaded race gas, the engine made 519.2 lb-ft of torque and 491.6 hp. However, running on 110-octane offers the most area under the curve. Dyno-locked timing varied from 25 to 28 degrees on these tests.

Rockett Brand Racing Fuel supplied the 100-octane unleaded and 110-octane leaded racing fuel. The 91-octane unleaded fuel was from a local gas station. On the street, Bracken runs a 50/50 mix of 91-octane and leaded racing gas.

Bracken is totally satisfied with the results. He wanted the engine to make massive, low-end torque and that’s just what it does.

The PCV valve grommet smoked slightly. Bracken had already installed a baffle inside the vintage Mickey Thompson covers. Brandes reworked the baffle and grommet hole to accept a larger, taller NAPA baffle that raised the existing right-angle valve higher (arrow). Also note MSD’s blue Blaster HVC II (PN 8253), the most powerful coil designed for sustained use with a 6AL-2 ignition. The fully-potted unit features a U-Core design and 85:1 windings ratio for high output, quick rise time, and longer spark duration. Originally mounted in the driver compartment, its 44,000-volt output generated so much EMI it interfered with programming the 6AL-2—hence this final firewall mounting position.

Inside the rocker-cover PCV valve baffle plate, Brandes stuffed PowerHouse household copper-mesh dish-scrubber to serve as a filter.

Claying Comp Cams Pro Magnum rockers shows there’s nearly ⁷⁄₁₆-inch clearance to the bottom of the baffle—more than sufficient.

Lessons Learned

As hot rodders, we would’ve liked better top-end numbers. At the macro level, cam size matters. There’s probably 50+ hp in there if Bracken went to real tuned-length headers and a hotter (but still blower-centric) cam in the high-230s/low-240s with about a 114-degree LSA. Timm says a water/alcohol injection system’s cooling effects would permit more ignition advance under boost. “I’ve seen 50 hp from alcohol injection on an engine like this one.”

At the micro level, thermostats matter. “I’ve never seen a thermostat as accurate as the Stewart-modified Robertshaw high-flow,” Brandes contends. “Spending a little more on this premium unit can save your engine!

“A blown engine really does like more timing if you want to maximize low-end torque, but be sure to add a boost retard to avoid top-end detonation. If you can afford it, race gas is good insurance. Besides, it smells good, too!”

J.B. Bracken lives life in the fast lane: burnouts by night in his rat rod; LSR racing by day in his 140 mph, 2015 Production Class, Indian Scout motorcycle.

When not burning rubber, Bracken’s rat rod serves as a return tow truck for his LSR bikes, including a Harley V-Rod that runs 191 mph with a turbo on nitrous oxide (Photo: James Gustin)

Mission accomplished!

Need Junk Fixed? If your car has a gremlin that just won’t quit, you could be chosen for Hot Rod to the Rescue. Email us at pitstop@HotRod.com and put “Rescue” in the subject line. Include a description of your problem, a photo, your location, and a daytime phone number.

Contacts

Advanced Engine Concepts (AEC); Green Lake, WI; 920.294.0474

Amazon.com Inc.; Seattle, WA; 866.216.1072; Amazon.com

Auto Meter Products; Sycamore, IL; 866.248.6357 (tech support), 866.248.6356 (customer service), or 815.895.8141 (international); Autometer.com

Letsch Manufacturing; Racine WI; 262.554.6900

MSD Performance (A Holley Brand); El Paso, TX; 888.258.3835 (toll-free), 915.857.5200 (general); or 915.855.7123 (tech); MSDperformance.com

NAPA/Antioch Auto Parts; Antioch, IL; 847.395.3660; NAPAonline.com/en/IL/Antioch/store/26721

National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA); Atlanta, GA; 800.LET.NAPA; NAPAonline.com

Personal Care Products Inc.; Troy, MI; 248.971.7600; PersonalCareProducts.org

Quick Fuel Technology; Bowling Green, KY; 270.793.0900; QuickFuelTechnology.com

Rockett Brand Racing Fuel; Mt. Prospect, IL; 800.345.0076 (tech) or 847.795.8400 (sales); Rockettbrand.com

Stewart Components; Escanaba, MI; 906.789.2816; StewartComponents.com

Summit Racing Equipment; Akron, OH; 800.230.3030 (orders) or 330.630.0240 (tech); SummitRacing.com

Westech Automotive; Silver Lake, WI; 262.889.4346; WestechAuto.com

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[viralhottopics]

After the flood: ‘No tourists please. Help welcome’

On a journey through northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, Warren Murray meets locals contending with the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie

Light to moderate traffic is easing along the Pacific motorway connecting the Gold Coast and the Tweed, with no particular sign of storm damage or delays. But in Chinderah, just inside New South Wales and just off the highway, John Anderson is in full-tilt disaster recovery mode, contending with the aftermath of the flooding rains that ex-cyclone Debbie sent south.

At the Gateway Lifestyle Tweed Shores over-50s community, in between dealing with a stream of tradies coming in and out the office door Righto mate, do what youve gotta do, well pay for it Anderson describes how last week the water went through probably 140 cabin-style homes in this complex that he manages.

On Thursday the tide met the downstream flooding and we were inundated with a metre, metre and a half of water not a flood, but slowly rising water.

By Friday afternoon evacuation was well under way for those residents happy to go.

Gas bottles ripped off their moorings, leaking gas, electricity in residences filled with salt water, Anderson recalls. By 10 oclock Saturday night the park was basically isolated and only accessible by rubber ducky. He and his wife, Beth, opted to stay and keep an eye on things, sleeping on foam mattresses on the upper level of their manufactured home, with water swilling around on the floor below, until they could get out and about to assess the damage.

Days later, theres still so much to be done before things even faintly resemble normality. A jotting on the desk blotter says Copper gas line missing gone. Andersons mobile rings and flashes up the caller details: Shade Sail Andrew.

Out front of the park is a pile of ruined possessions that stretches for maybe 100 metres down the road. It represents in a lot of cases everything that people own, or did own. The villas are about 85% privately owned, 15% rented. Some people are insured, a lot are not because of the cost, being flood-prone.

Anderson lauds a magnificent response from the community, individuals who are pitching in to help out. The ladies from nearby Cudgen public school have been turning up with hot food, and in the top bit of the Gateway park where the water couldnt reach we had ladies there cooking sausage rolls and bringing them round. Just the most magnificent response.

Cleaning up after the flooding in Tumbulgum on the Tweed river, northern New South Wales. Photograph: Warren Murray for the Guardian

Double whammy

A short drive away in Tumbulgum its clear from the comprehensive inventory of household goods in jumbled heaps at the end of every driveway that some people lost more or less everything. A woman throws her hands up in resignation as a man adds more ruined belongings to one such growing pile. Everywhere is silt and sludge. At the entry to Riverside Drive a chalked sign says Please stop to help residents. Nearby a woman, looking newly arrived on the scene, unloads from her car a little yellow water blaster. It seems hopelessly dinky for the mammoth job at hand, but every bit helps and you know she will not go unthanked.

Compounding the heartbreak for Tumbulgum is the death on its doorstep of Stephanie King, 43, her son Jacob, 7, and daugher Ella Jane, 11, after their car plunged off Dulguigan Road and into the swollen Tweed on Monday afternoon. Daughter Chloe May, 8, managed to escape from the sinking car. I arrive on the other side of the river at 11.45am on Tuesday and line up with the rest of the media in a sludgy riverside park. We are being kept at bay as police divers continue their work after having to stop overnight. Even at this distance the water can be seen roiling with bubbles from their difficult work in the murk.

Pixie Bennett clutches a Jack Daniels in a can as she stands near me watching the recovery effort. Like everyone else she was stranded by the waters and stripped of everything that she couldnt get upstairs.

Sorry were drinking in the middle of the day but were still in shock its a double whammy for the little town of Tumbulgum, she says, nodding towards the emergency services at work on the opposite bank. She moved her car on to a high bridge before the water came but lost boxes of possessions when the water rose two steps from the top of our 13 steps. A plastic box floated past and she grabbed it, to find a Barbie dolls clothes packed inside. Our neighbour rowed over in a canoe and rowed us back next door so we could have dinner with them.

Further back from the river in Bawden Street, earthmoving contractor Ben May is opening the jaws of his Bobcat loader, plunging it into those roadside piles, clamping down on whatever he can pick up a fridge, a hot water system and then mechanically hoiking it into his tip-truck. Hes guided by concreter Geoff Percy, a 16-year Tumbulgum resident.

John Anderson, manager of the Gateway residential complex, with ruined belongings piled along the roadside waiting for collection. Photograph: Warren Murray for the Guardian

Good over-the-road mates, they have both been badly hit I lost my ute, lots of white goods, it was about seven feet deep through here on Friday but have turned away from their own troubles to help others. Nah, well be right, says Percy. The tip-truck went under but once the water receded Ben just changed all the oils and got it going. Well do this load and then head further up the street.

The words and phrases that come out at these times like resilience and community spirit can sound like cliches until you walk into the sort of situation that gives rise to them.

Two ancient pinball machines sit outside a neighbours place waiting for disposal. In their heyday, Duotron and Firepower cost you 20 cents a go. The owner bustles back and forth clearing up, not wanting to be photographed. Hes had enough, says Percy. Here for 18 years. Hes leaving. Had enough of the floods.

Three quarters of an hour after I arrived, the grim task down by the riverside is more or less done. The bodies have been removed and a crane waits to fish out the still-sunken family car. For a while this site has been the focus of the east coast flood story. Now the cameras will swing north to Rockhampton, where the Fitzroy river is approaching its flood peak.

Everyone in Tumbulgum has been at it for days cleaning up. But it looks like they have only just started. It smells like a muddy cattleyard from my country boyhood. Leaving town theres a hedgerow of household debris tangled in trees along the riverbank.

On the road towards Murwillumbah, through Condong, the same scene repeats itself over and over. Flood-ravaged sugarcane paddocks, pile after roadside pile of everything from barbecues to microwaves to baby strollers to chests of drawers and other buggered stuff. It is like an endless waterlogged forlorn jumble sale. Where will the council ever bury it all?

The makeshift sign in bedraggled Condong is a bit more firm than the one in Tumbulgum. No tourists please. Help welcome. Understandable in the circumstances.

Geoff Percy at work cleaning up in Tumbulgum, with his mate Ben May working the loader. Photograph: Warren Murray for the Guardian

Above the floodline

A floodline can be a thin topographical boundary between chaos and business as usual. This is brought home when I pull into Murwillumbah. Nearest the river there are familiar scenes of mopping up. Competition for parking spaces pushes me further up the main street than I would have otherwise gone, until I find a spot in front of the old-fashioned Austral Cafe (Established 1919).

Inside, not so far above that fateful floodline, I get to enjoy a midday breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast varnished with butter, all in perfectly dry surroundings. The walls are fittingly decorated with historical pictures of the districts past floods and fires, putting the current events in context.

Theres friendly chatter and laughter amid the tinkle of cutlery on crockery in the Austral. But snatches of the days inevitable conversations reach me as well. They found some of his gear on South Stradbroke Island It went floating past the boat ramp He slept through it, which is probably for the best Thats the hardest part. I mean were lucky, but

I think about the people in Tumbulgum making the most of their sausages on bread and whatever else neighbours have chucked together, volunteers have brought, or providence has left unspoiled. I hope they can dine somewhere like this when its all over.

The scenic route back from Murwillumbah to the Gold Coast is over the Queensland road that crosses the mountains via Tomewin to the Currumbin Valley. The road is damaged and open to local traffic only, but when a Falcon station wagon hoons impatiently past me and around the road closed sign, I decide to chance it. I have taken the route plenty of times on my motorbike, I know it well, Im in an all-wheel drive, it cant be too bad. And a trek back to the motorway through that landscape of muddied piles of ex-goods and former chattels doesnt appeal.

Its a mistake. The weather that caused all the devastation down below has left fallen trees, debris and landslips littering the road up here. Council crews are doing what they can to clear the way through, but like everywhere in these parts they are mere days into what looks like weeks or months of work.

At one blockage I wait behind a campervan for a bit, but then people start getting out of their cars, so I pull a U-turn. On the way down theres a Toyota 4WD lying on its roof at the bottom of an embankment. The Stop/Go man with one of the road gangs says things are better on the Numbinbah Valley Road, another of my favourite motorbike routes back to the Gold Coast. There are bad patches, he reckons, but you can get through.

And the road is indeed passable, but only just. It is still partly blocked or extremely damaged in sections. I find myself having to steer around tonnes of earth that a saturated hillside has disgorged into my path, or skirt patches where chunks of bitumen have been torn out by whooshing waters, or dodge areas where the road verges have collapsed away, leaving gashes that could swallow the car. On this familiar route it would be easy to lapse into an accustomed pace and come to grief. I remind myself to take it easy.

Theres a rural version of the recovery effort that is happening back in the Tweed Valley. Unsalvageable belongings being put out for collection, busted fences being put right. In one spot a little Suzuki ute is being used to pay out a coil of barbed wire along a boundary. Flooding has wrecked the road in areas where you wouldnt even have noticed a waterway before. Trees lie flattened in creek beds.

Not far short of Numinbah village theres been a huge cascade of boulders that looks like it should have swept the whole road away. Its down to one lane, marked by temporary guide posts. From the ridge above, the little waterfall that no doubt swelled to a roar and caused all this damage has shrunk back down to an innocuous trickle over the rocks.

Two pinball machines that finally met their match when the swollen Tweed river flooded into Tumbulgum. Photograph: Warren Murray for the Guardian

Things arent fantastic further west in the Scenic Rim country either. Beaudeserts state MP, Jon Krause, has been on ABC 612 radio reminding us that rural communities are likewise dealing with the effects of this natural disaster. Crops have been lost and ruined paddocks will take a lot of work to rehabilitate before they can be planted again.

Pretty soon Im back in suburban Nerang and not far from home. Theres the odd tree lying on the ground here and there, whipped down in the high winds of the previous days, roots having given up their grip on the soaked ground. Wed already had more than a week of downpours when the remnants of Debbie arrived and upped the tempo.

In the park across the road from my house a council crew is mucking out the kids sandpit. But thats about as devastated as it gets round here. The park is part of the local stormwater drainage system, and when the rain arrives the boogie boards come out.

Last year we put on a new roof on our late 70s, early 80s brick-veneer bungalow, and consequently had to follow the 21st-century regulations. That meant threading steel cyclone rods down through the walls, tying the roof to the concrete slab foundation.

Many of the houses around us in this brick-and-tile suburb are of a similar era, but still have their original roofs. Which means they dont have those rods. This time around the winds were less than cyclonic. If more of north Queenslands most extreme weather comes south in future years as feared, we may see those structures tested. To the north, the south and the west of us, there are thousands of people dealing with such consequences in the here and now.

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from After the flood: ‘No tourists please. Help welcome’

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Brendan Jackson

By the time I came to the Mothership, I changed my plan...

I had intended to make a series of photographs using a battered old mahogany and brass Gandolphi camera with a zeiss lens, dating from the 1920’s. I expected the images to be somewhat experimental. The last time I used this was nearly 30 years ago and then the images were pin sharp in the centre but a little fuzzy wound the edges, so who knows how they might turn out now. I had the camera and tripod and a black sheet to cover myself with; I had sourced some 5 x 4 Ilford black and white HP5 film; I dug out old darkroom equipment but I couldn’t find the double dark slides I thought were in the loft, so I found some online. They turned up two days before I was due to travel, only I had been sent 10 x 8 slides in error. I tried the local college, who still keep a chemical darkroom, but the technicians were away (half term). So the plan changed.

I know Dorset from my childhood vacations with my favourite auntie who lived in Dorchester. I had spent a lot of teenage holidays here and had my first real job at the (old) Dorset County Hospital, working in the kitchens. I undertook my first photographic project and exhibition here ‘A Brief Guide to Piddletrenthide in the Valley of the River Piddle’, entirely inspired by local people, their stories and connection to the place they lived and worked. It’s what has interested me ever since.

So I decided to undertake a series of walks, following in the footsteps of others here (though not Richard Long on his 1975 Cerne Abbas walk). I would walk by day, as the weather was mostly fine – though one rain swept day I spent in the Dorset Heritage Centre digging through archives – then at night I lit the stove and read old local guidebooks and literature, as well as a few Ray Bradbury stories (one highlight of my childhood holidays was reading Bradbury paperbacks and comics bought from a shop on the esplanade in Weymouth).

My Aunt first came to Dorset in the Spring of 1946. She came from Birr in Ireland where she worked in a leather factory and corresponded with a certain Mr Clark of Street in Somerset (who offered her a job, which brought her to England and provided her with a fine reference). She came to Dorset County Hospital to train as a nurse. She was 26 years old. Her cousins in Wimbledon took their holidays in Dorset and told Monica she was less likely to feel homesick in a town like Dorchester, as it had a similar character to Birr. Indeed it did and Monica lived the rest of her life there.

Here are some of my reflections during this time...

 A single walk in straight line

The sea is calm enough, a little bit of breeze but not the kind of blaster to blow the cod inshore. He’s been here since 6.30am and now it’s early afternoon. I’ve had a few nibbles, nothing much, he says, but I really don’t mind, I just love being out here. He carefully skewers lugworm onto a hook. He also has some squid as bait for the cod, but he might save that for another day. In the warmer months, this beach is a popular site for mackerel, when they can come inshore in large numbers. Some old second world war sea concrete defences, known as the Dragon’s Teeth, tumble down into the sea, and it’s here they say is the best mark for the fishing. The fish can be caught at close range as the beach shelves steeply. What can you catch here? In the summer, Bass and Gurnard, Bream, Dogfish, Scad, Trigger Fish and Flatties. Mackerel of course. Now, in winter, Cod and Codling, Whiting, Plaice and Rockling. I don’t know half these names they tell me, so I nod and smile. Well, good luck, I say and carry on my way. In the distance it’s clear and sharp enough to make out the lighthouse at the end of the Isle of Portland.

A Circular Walk around Eggardun Hill

At the end of the old roman road from Dorchester, the ‘Highway of the West’, at the spur of a curving ridge rises the Iron Age hill fort of Eggardun. It may be lesser known or appreciated than triple ramparted Mai Dun, but the views from here are far superior, of countryside that has barely changed in my lifetime, or perhaps even in the last three hundred years. The sweep of the coast towards Golden Cap and Devon beyond, the dazzle of the sea, a glimpse of Pilsdon Pen, in between the soft hills and downs, woods and valleys, scattered farm buildings, strip lynchets revealed by the angle of the sun. Now only inhabited by rabbits and sheep, these slopes and ditches were constructed of huge mounds of chalk, no doubt a gleaming white beacon when first raised up by the metal users. The bareness of the grass now testifies to ‘a long friendship with rough winds’, as one walker described these heights in the 1930’s, striding past with her puppy dogs, Bill and Mr Bundy, heading for Burton Bradstock and the Chesil Bank. Some years later, one farmer-writer from these parts gazed at a fossil in his hand (he called them books of stone), thrown up from ploughed chalk on the downland. He looked out over the landscape, at ‘nature’s vast, relentless roll’, reflecting on the rise and fall of empires, the clash of nations, massacres and crimes, past glories of philosophy and art. He told himself, ‘Here, order does not break.’ Today the wind relentless as ever, I ponder the wonders of the modern age; the flushing toilet, running water, a mirror, a cooking fire.

 A semi-circular walk from Overcombe to Nothe Fort

I am not staying in the old seaport and pleasure resort, which was once called ‘The English Naples’. I never have, though I know several folk who booked a bed and breakfast or caravan over the years, enjoying the extended frontage – the bay is nearly five miles across. Such visitors were was once noteworthy, articles in the Dorset Daily Echo reporting the arrival of 500 families from the Black Country by train in just one weekend, determined to enjoy their holiday here in Weymouth, surely cementing its reputation as a premier destination with ‘wonderful sands, a good water supply and a splendid climate’. Had they a Black Country flag back then, they would have been as popular a purchase as those paper ones of the Union Jack, of Saint Andrew and the Welsh Dragon, along with miscellaneous emblems of France, Italy and Spain that adorned a thousand sandcastles. (I don’t remember there being an Irish flag available).

Though locals disdainfully called these holidaymakers ‘grockles’, a visitor in 1804 was far less charitable of the locale itself. He intended to visit his brother who was with the Royal Squadron in the bay. On arrival, he paid the modern equivalent of £58 to a local boatman who dropped him at the first royal barge in the bay they came across, which is then stranded in an impenetrable sea mist and while waiting for dawn runs foul of a cable. Finally he is rescued by the crew of a cutter at anchor who finally take him back to shore. Then he spends his first night’s lodging being tormented by all manner of vermin. He does eventually meet up with his brother, but during his stay he is not impressed by the countryside hereabouts, complaining that he can find no shade from the scorching sun. He thought it a bare and barren place, and the cost of staying here horrendous, prices inflated due to the King’s visit. When he left Weymouth after a week, he was forced to travel slowly as his horse ‘seemed literally starved, his ribs starting through his skin’, although he had paid an outrageous sum of one guinea for his keep.

Boating in Weymouth is recommended, as one guide from the 1930’s puts it: ‘the bay being free of dangerous currents and promiscuous rocks’. No mention of mist. I took my first cross-channel from here, for 48 hours in France, in storm tossed seas on the return. I have a strong unpleasant memory of sliding across the deck. There is a small memorial here now to the U.S. Forces who left from here to land at Omaha Beach, with a photograph of some of those soldiers marching down the Esplanade. Over half a million of them passed this way (those called 'The Greatest Generation', probably correctly so if we look to current models). The wind whips up the sand of the beach and a few people run with their dogs by the shoreline (please note, dogs banned from the beach between April and October). Here on a Saturday night in Spring 1946 a young woman was carried off these sands on the shoulders of a British soldier. She was hopelessly drunk. An American sailor was also helping carry her. They were stopped by P.C. Otter. The soldier said she was ill and he was going to take her to a room for the night. Neither soldier nor sailor were able to tell P.C. Otter her name or anything about her, so he took her into custody. She was later charged with being drunk and incapable. She was 19 years old, Polish, of no fixed abode; she said her name was Frances Kolosvonksi and that she had only arrived that day from Aldershot to meet her boyfriend who had been posted here. ‘It was the first time in my life that I had a drink and it will be the last time,’ she said. ‘I had an argument with my fiancé.’ The Chairman of the Magistrates Court concluded, ‘I shall think you are very ashamed of yourself, aren’t you?’ If this was a post-modern musical she might burst into song and say ‘You took the words right out of my mouth’. She meekly agreed, ‘Yes, very ashamed’. She was fined 10 shillings, which would barely cover a single room with breakfast at the Crown Hotel opposite the railway station.

A square walk around the walls with a loop south and east

 Loosely follow the perimeter of the old Roman town, marked today by Walks originally planted in the 18th century with lime, sycamore and more recently chestnut – these enclose three sides of the town. By more recently we mean over a century ago. A river walk demarcates the fourth side, where one arm of the Frome runs in an artificially constructed channel used for the water meadows that have kept the town from spreading to the north and north east. The river curves here round old sluice gates and the rise upon which is built the prison (itself on the site of a Norman castle) and beyond that the County Council offices. The excavations in this north west corner to build these offices in the 30’s revealed three roman town houses which were then preserved. One fragment of the original wall still remains, near the statue of Thomas Hardy. Crossing the Frome on the eastern side of the town, it is a short walk of two or three miles to the churchyard in Stinsford where his heart is buried beside his first wife.

On the south side, beyond the line of the walks, lay the site of the town market once busy every Wednesday with fat calves, sheep, lamb and pigs. Here there were markets for farm equipment and implements too; sales displays of new combined side delivery rakes and swath turners, a Watson and Harry 30ft elevator, a Bristol caterpillar tractor, mowing machines, plough and cultivator attachments. Now it’s a car park, charges vigorously enforced.

Across the road, next to the Victorian police station, is Maumbury Rings, the Roman amphitheatre. When the railways came, the engineer Mr Brunel wanted to cut right through here, as well as the ancient earthwork at Poundbury on the north west side of the town, thus raising the ire of many an archeologist and historian, who decried this proposal as the work of ‘barbarian perpetrators’ no less. Mr Brunel was reminded that it was the great Sir Christopher Wren who first marveled at the Rings and made them known to the worlds’ antiquarians when, en route to scry Portland stone, he asked for his coach to be stopped, in order to give them a thorough investigation. Brunel twisted his rails so as to avoid the ancient amphitheatre and built a tunnel under Poundbury, ‘as he may frequently have the opportunity of doing mischief, he would always be found most anxious to avoid it.’

A walk from West Chaldon, looking for the ghosts of poets

It is getting cold, they say there is snow in the North. Just before tea it was raining. She fills the fire grate with twigs she has collected, strips of hazel, then adds the shavings of logs and crumpled brown paper that the bread came wrapped in. She lit the fire and contributed some vitriolic love letters she had never sent, as well as scraps of her verse that had no satisfactory conclusion. Finally she tossed in a few logs of ash and yew. Their cottage was somewhat dilapidated but homely enough for the two of them and the room is quick to warm.

Her lover pulls a face and complains that, after one too many doses of veramon, she is prone to roaming about the place looking white and grim. Her mood lifts though when they walk the downs and follow the shady hidden paths. She is cheered at the sight of the local names: Scratchy Bottom, White Nose, Daggers Gate, Five Marys. They sit holding hands on the highest of the ancient barrows, the sea air invigorating their spirits. Then she truly feels as light as a feather. Later, she will listen to the gramophone and manage to scratch out few lines, something secular. She writes, perhaps for herself only:

 Is the hawk as tender

To the belly of its prey –

White belly wet with dew –

As I am to you,

In the same way,

My slender?

The President Decides

Captain Hart gave him back the binoculars wearily. ‘Why do we do it, Martin? This space travel, I mean? Always on the go. Always searching. Our insides always tight. Never any rest.’

‘Maybe we’re looking for peace and quiet. Certainly there’s none on Earth,’ said Martin.

‘No, there’s not is there? Captain Hart was thoughtful, the fire damped down. ‘Not since Darwin, eh? Not since everything went by the board, everything we used to believe in, eh? Divine power and all that. And so you think that’s why we’re going out to the stars, eh, Martin? Looking for our lost souls, is that it? Trying to get away from our evil planet to a good one?’

These sentences are from a short story by Ray Bradbury first published in 1949, an author who revelled in the power and imagination of childhood, of magic, rocketry and science. As a teenager I devoured his collections ‘S is for Space’ and ‘R is for Rocket’ on my holidays in Dorset, sitting in the shade of the beach chalet, admiring the bikinis or watching the naval ships anchor in Portland Roads. Little did I know that near this very spot, back in 1946, Mr Hooper of Overcombe, Weymouth, looked out over much the same view and reflected on the power of the Atomic Bomb now in the hands of the Yanks. He had met enough of them over the last few years, 517,816 of their troops and 144,093 vehicles embarking for Normandy from this port alone, most of them decent enough sorts, but the recent public behaviour of their Joint Chiefs of Staff left a lot to be desired. (You will fid a small monument to those troops on the esplanade.)

He was particularly concerned about the effects of uranium. Thirty years of chemistry had led him to believe that May 15th, the date set for the atom bomb experiments in the Pacific Ocean, may be the end of us all. One was to be an airdrop, one underwater. His reasoning was that seawater contains traces of uranium, therefore any atomic explosion over the ocean will ‘almost certainly start off an ever increasing dissolution.’ In addition, he believed it was impossible to test the seabed for uranium; the testing area may therefore be over a large deposit and a catastrophe was surely waiting in the wings. To conduct the tests, 167 inhabitants were moved from Bikini Atoll to Rongerik Atoll, which had no inhabitants due to an inadequate water and food supply and also because of a belief that the island was haunted by the Demon Girls of Ujae. Regardless, the Americans moved 95 warships of all shapes and sizes to the test area, planning to assess their durability to nuclear attack.

As holidaymakers flocked to the coast again to enjoy the sun (though in reality the weather was mixed that summer), Mr Hooper sent letters to the Sunday papers, hoping for some reaction. He wrote: ‘Those of us interested in nuclear physics know of experiments which certainly seemed safe enough in theory, but which nevertheless ended fatally. Let us pray that this much vaster one does not end in disintegration.’ As they say in the local Dorset dialect, it’s a caddle – a puzzling plight, such a confusing situation that a man does not know what to do first. Some might say Mr Hooper was joppetty joppetty – anxious and agitated over the whole cantankerous affair. The world demonstrably did not end on May 15th, nor at the end of June when the first of three tests was actually conducted, no doubt he waited impatiently and wondered whatever would come next.

As the Americans were coming to understand the effects of fallout, in Paris the designer Louis Réard introduced a new two-piece swimsuit, which he called the bikini because ‘like the bomb, the bikini is small and devastating’. While the inevitable appearance of bikinis on the beach front at Overcombe might have led to an increase in his blood pressure, Mr Hooper would I think have been apoplectic had he been aware the US Army Air Force had put forward a plan to the Pentagon the previous September to destroy 66 Soviet cities and were demanding production of 204 atomic bombs to do so. As it was, production of 39 were approved to eliminate 15 first priority targets. Among them, it was estimated 6 each would be required for Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev, five for Lviv, four for Chelyabinsk, three for Tbilisi, two each for Baku and Grozny. While the majority of his cabinet and nuclear scientists supported the idea of international collaboration to control nuclear power and the abandonment of ‘the policy of secrecy’, the President sided with the military establishment and thus the arms race began.

I would like to thank the Mothership and Anna for the opportunity to ‘switch off’ from the normal daily clutter of life in the city (I had no mobile single or internet here, except when I went to the Dorset Heritage Centre, there catching up with all the Trump news); this was an opportunity to reflect on the stars above, the damp ground beneath my feet, without any other distractions to simply focus on what work I would like to do in the near future and what might be the content and purpose.

www.brendanjackson.co.uk

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