Friday Flânerie
Not every geocaching day has to be a full‑throttle mud‑fest. Sometimes it’s more of a gentle amble, a bit of light container‑spotting squeezed between social engagements and the lingering effects of the night before. To be honest, on this day, the geocaching was a bit of time filling between breakfast and the main event of my day. More of that later.
Thursday had been the annual “what’s the best team name in the Fantasy Formula One league” gathering, So an evening of good food, questionable puns, and enough alcohol to make Friday morning feel like it should come with a health warning. I’d stayed over at WJW’s house, where breakfast was offered, accepted, and consumed at a pace that suggested none of us were in a hurry to rejoin the real world. We chatted for an hour before I headed.
The plan was simple: a bit of random geocaching, then lunch with Daughterus Minimus. The one officially known as “my wonderful darling child who I love very much and who is really cool and well-read.” So a day of balanced diet of fresh air, digital smiley faces, and good company.
Computing, But Outdoors
First stop: the National Museum of Computing. Not to go inside — that would require money — but because a shiny new set of Adventure Labs had appeared there. Given the nature of the questions, I suspect I could have completed them from a beach in Tenerife, but I was in the neighbourhood, so why not? A handful of labs there, a few more at Bletchley Station, and the day was officially underway.
From there I attempted to follow a series of “Sidetracked” Adventure Labs along the old Varsity Line as it threads its way through Milton Keynes. In theory, a lovely idea. In practice, three of the five stations appeared to have been designed by someone who believed car parks were an optional extra. Access was… creative. Let’s leave it at that.
There was a bonus cache too — one I solved after the first four labs — but its final location was further than I fancied walking, especially with lunchtime looming. Another day, perhaps. Or perhaps not. If I ever manage to sell my house in Milton Keynes and relocate fully to Leicestershire, future visits to MK will be brief, functional, and probably won’t involve detours down forgotten railway lines.
Lunch With Minimus
Just as I was driving away from the last of the Sidetracked labs and wondering what to do next, Daughterus Minimus, my wonderful darling child, who I love very much and who is really cool and well-read, called. Problem solved. I went there.
Our plan was to head to Olney for lunch, so we parked behind the main street and wandered into The Bull Hotel. What followed was a masterclass in pub‑based satisfaction: spicy chicken wings that were spectacular with a capital spec, followed by a Thai Massaman Curry that could probably solve minor world conflicts if deployed correctly.
Cowper, Newton & Unexpected Education
Minimus wanted to visit the bookshop — especially after I said I’d pay — so we did that next. Books were acquired, wallets were lightened, spirits were high.
On the way out we were wondering what to do for the rest of the afternoon. Out on the Main Square we spotted the Cowper and Newton Museum. I’ve walked past it before without ever thinking to go in, but today felt like the day.
Inside, we discovered that between them, William Cowper and John Newton produced a book of hymns. One is the rather well‑known “Amazing Grace”. Newton, having spent part of his early life as a slave‑ship captain, later became a prominent voice in the abolition movement. Redemption arcs aren’t just for Hollywood.
The museum itself was charming — personal, detailed, and clearly run by people who care. The top floor had a dressing‑up room filled with old clothes, which was obviously irresistible. I’ve promised to wear a top hat to Minimus’s graduation, so consider this an early rehearsal.
Homeward Bound
After the museum we headed back, I dropped Minimus home, and then drove north to Measham. Dinner was unnecessary after the lunchtime feast, so the evening was spent quietly, digesting both food and the day.
So a light caching day followed by good wander and a good lunch. The highlight was spending a good chunk of time with Minimus, my wonderful darling child, who I love very much and who is really cool and well-read. Sometimes that’s all I need.
