Ode to Alan

Today I found out via Facebook that I've lost a very old friend to cystic fibrosis. I say old, sadly that is not literally the case, he was younger than me. I have known him most of my life as I went to primary and secondary school with Alan and we hung out in my village and were good friends, we lost contact really when I left the village as people often do but then communicated again through the means of Facebook when technology had reached that point. He had moved to Leeds.
He had always been ill as long as I have known him but he always conquered and rose above it, he was such a fighter. I wish I'd stayed in touch with him more.
I feel sad (understatement) and haven't really stopped crying all morning since I read his Wife's sad post on his page, I found it very difficult to do the show this morning and thought it fitting to add a dedication in it for him. The tears seem to have stopped now but  then I haven't spoken about it for a while or heard a sad song for a bit.
I just feel like I have been so selfish, why was I raising money for huge causes that have plenty of sponsors when I could've been doing something to help my childhood friend?? He needed a double lung transplant and was denied treatment in the UK so money was being raised to help him do this abroad. The money was raised but sadly he was too ill to go ahead with it and then he lost his battle. He breathes easy now having earned his wings somewhere freer than here. I feel I have wasted my time and life and ignored those close to me and because of this a life was lost.
Today I feel like an awful person, what a tragic way to learn such a valuable lesson. Anyone reading this head my warnings. Help your friends, love those around you and never think that too little is not enough.
Alan will be missed every day and I am one of many who is truly sorry to see such a bright star burn out so fast.
Rest in peace Alan, you will never be forgotten.xx

Great Douk 26.02.2012

Matt, Paul, Me and Ian

We met Ian and Matt at Bernies (Matt a fellow Rubber Duckie and Ian a caver friend from work) - Paul and I arrived a little later than planned as it seemed that every road we needed to go on had a diversion in place.After a little bit of Brekkie and a nice sugary tea we headed off to the Cave.

This particular cave was sold to me as one 'a rambler could do' and that we would pretty much be 'walking in and out' of it. As we were walking up to the cave it was joked about that we were over dressed in our PVC oversuits and helmets. No SRT gear this time and I felt a lot lighter with my new helmet which had a double A battery pack on the back instead of the heavy pack that is attached to the waist. I felt a definite improvement when I was stuck in a tight spot.

The entrance to the Cave itself was gushing with water quite slippy underfoot but not overly difficult to tackle. Inside saw a bit of a scramble then lots of walking through calf deep beautifully clear water.A few squeezes then we got to a bit of a diversion and a challenge (the first indication that this cave has been missold as 'one a rambler could do'.) As we headed up a dead end we could see that there was a potential crawl linking where we were to where we needed to be (we could also just go back the way we came and turn right to get there too but that is besides the point). Looking down the slight gab in the rock, Paul called to Ian to go to the other side of it to see if we could see his light. We could. The three of us chests to the ground, shining our lights down the crack watched as Ian crawled up this 'passage' on his chest to meet us. He made it through with no trouble. I decided to check it out too so went to the other side. I got half way up and then the fact that I hadn't completely finished dressing myself took its toll. As I reached forward to crawl flat down on the floor the water that was running through ran up my unvelcroed cuffs and right up my sleeves, very unpleasant and very VERY cold. I backed up to sort myself out and Paul had a go making it with no problems. As I was now facing the way we needed to head and feeling a bit drippy from my unvelcroed (now done up) cuffs I waited for the rest to join me and we carried on back down the cave.
After a bit more sloshing through calf deep water the cave ceiling started to lower and we were now crawling through it - another indication that perhaps this was not a cave we could just 'walk and in and out of'.

We reached an inlet in the stream we thought may have been the way forward but decided not to take it as it seemed at little squeezier than we fancied. I'm sure we could've managed it but we decided to continue the way we were pointed, which turned out to be correct. Paul took the lead  scrambled off to check we could get any further. After a while we followed, reaching another potential left hand tunnel I paused a little to get a second opinion whether to attempt it or not, seeing Paul had still continued straight we followed.
After a bit more of a crawl a tiny hole opened up above my head, enough room to stand up in, I then had the difficult task - for a short person, of pushing myself up to another squeeze using only my feet and whatever I can reach with my little legs. I love these parts :)

The next bit lead out to the top exit of the cave but not before passing through what can only be described as a cross between a Harry Potter scene and something from The Lord of The Rings - Spiders! Lots of mahoosive spiders! *shudder*.

The exit brought us out of a slight split in a rock on the surface.Something you would probably miss even if you were hopping over the rocks themselves. A quick drink and a breath of fresh air we head back down. Ian chose to take the scenic route and headed back over the fields as Paul, Matt and I squeezed back down the slit in the rocks.

Great Douk entrance

During the trip back I found it easier rather than commando crawling through the water to tackle it sideways on and roll down. Sounds silly I know but don't mock it until you've tried it - seriously. This time Matt chose to try the squeeze and managed it successfully with no hassle. I wish I had re-tried at this point - next time!
Back though the tunnels, squeezes and scrambles and back to the entrance. Just as awkward on the way out as the way in, with Paul's instruction to me to (I quote) 'take it all in the groin'. Down the cascading water quite safely and over the fields back to the car. The fog was getting dense over the hills and didn't look to be letting up so we got dried and dressed and headed for a de-brief at Bernies.

A great trip, really enjoyed it. Was a nice a short one that got the muscles moving and a nice confidence boost as we were able to execute is as a fairly novice team.
I still am definitely of the firm belief that this is not a ramblers cave - that is unless they don't mind getting a 'tad' wet :-D.

CarnEVIL of Horrors – Family Scare Attraction is Big Hit at Showzam 2012

Independent Reviewer Luci Teal visited AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group’s CarnEVIL of Horrors family scare attraction in Blackpool for Scareworld Magazine.  Words by Luci Teal.

Taking a look around the hall I couldn’t help but be drawn to the severed heads that were hanging from a near by stair case. As I approached eerie music became more apparent, it was twisted Circus music with creepy undertones that tweaked your curiosity. I followed the music up the desolate staircase, quite cautious of what I may find around the next corner.
I was right to be cautious as waiting in the room at the top of the stairs was a clown….but not a ‘ha ha’ type of clown but a character that gave me a window of what was to come. He looked like a lost soul and was there to herd the willing victims – sorry, I mean visitors through what was once a Circus of Dreams.

I lined up with 5 other people, all of us arguing which one wanted to not to go first. I love how chivalry or order of age rank dies at the point you line up to enter a Horror Maze. It’s every man for themselves and no one wants to lead.
The group before us burst out the door next to us with a mixture of laughter and screams.
We entered and as soon as the door slams behind us the story unfurled. The master of the show was upon us to start the tale of woe. His make-up disturbing, hard to describe, almost like a car crash. You know you shouldn’t, but you can’t help but stare.
I met many a strange and curious character on my journey through, I always love the scripts when I take a trip through an AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group maze and the effects never cease to amaze me. They pay the tiniest attention to detail and it really does make a difference to the observant visitor and chill those that don’t see it coming.
Inside the maze itself was a brilliant use of space and they did a fantastic job of putting so many encounters in such a small room. The ratio of actors to dummies was perfect, I found I was tip toeing by every character I passed ‘just in case’ and was fooled a few times, I would have definitely quickened my pace if the smallest of the clowns would have moved though.

A snake lady provided a creepy illusion to set us on our way. We are offered advice and some of our fortunes are told by a tarot reader, her costume told a tale of a once bright future that was taken away but I have a sneaky suspicion that on further inspection she would have offered us a bit more of a surprise.

Clowns help to lead us further to our fate and we meet another faded member of the Carnival who’s reputation may have been lost but power has not. We are introduced to her ‘son’ and invited to join in their act, a very creepy concept – we swiftly exit. I loved the dotty room, they had a hard job to over come the high ceiling but did well to center your focus using the random clown in the middle.
I think it was great how they used us the audience to interact with, it is so easy to make a script and get your actors to talk at people but AEG always breaks down that fourth wall which I think places an extra discomfort to the mix.

Nearing the end of the journey I was the ‘lucky’ one selected to participate in the Great Mystereos illusion, even though I knew it was just an illusion I have to say it didn’t stop me being apprehensive to take my place or stop me letting out a little whimper at the pinnacle moment.
The last scene did make me scarper a little, I have seen this character before – although not in full form, and I was still careful to creep by. It still caught me by surprise. It was hideous and the fact that it now moved did not make matters any better.

Sights, sounds and story was enough to entertain, amuse and of course scare. A great trip to the CarnEVIL of Horrors which I have to say I was happy to escape from.

For more information on AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group visit www.atmosfearuk.com

For : Scarewold Magazine