As I sit alone
As quiet as a mouse
I hear this noise
Like it fills my house
A constant beat
It is my heart
Beating loudly
But broken now

The noise I hear
Inside my head
Constant beating
Means that I’m not dead
But sometimes recently
It is so loud
I often wonder
Should I be proud

The silence broken
It’s really loud
The noise I hear
A constant sound
A ticking time bomb
But not to explode
It reminds me though
I’m alive

My heart I wonder
If it will break
My emotional sorry
It’s mine to make
The constant beating
I wonder how
It sounds so loud
Like an external sound

I wish my heart
Was not so heavy
Heartbreak sucks
Like a broken levy
Don’t want this pain
Inside of me
But my heart beats heavy
Constantly!

 

Photo by Satyam Pathak on Unsplash

Like a fart in a bottle
Trapped inside
No where to go
And no where to hide
Caught in a jar
Screwed in tight
Sealed inside, smelling of shite!

Like a fart in a bottle
I bounce off the sides
Constantly going around inside
Thoughts they ricochet
Off the insides
Going around inside my mind
Sometimes wish
That I was dead

Like a fart in a bottle
I fester and rot
Continually smelling
A decomposing lot
The fowl stench
Inside this jar
Make me wonder
how long I will last

Like a fart in a bottle
Trapped, I am
A million thoughts
About who I am
I ruminate badly
About things in the past
But nothing lasts
And I’m sure of that
but just know, I’ve had a blast

Like a fart in a bottle
The lid released
To stay in the jar now
Would be so rude at least
So I linger just a little
But escape at last
To experience the outside
And make people gasp

Like a fart in a bottle
Trapped no more
I’m free of this vessel
Alone, once more
But my stench
Is no more now
Rose scented, not foul
As I go and explore
The beautiful world

 

Photo by Souro Souvik on Unsplash

Deep Mine tour at Llechwedd Slate Mine, Zip World near Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales

Deep Mine Tour at deep mine tour Llechwedd Slate caverns, Zip World

The deep mine tour at Llechwedd is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

I have been there before and done the tour when I was in my early 30’s but have always wanted to go back and see the place again. Today was that day!

Booking at Ticket

Everything was booked through the Zip World website and I did take a short intake of breath when I’d added everything I needed to the ticket price and the website added the booking fee. Starting at £24, this ended up with me paying £37. This included the all day parking as well.

Initially I thought, Ouch!, that’s a lot of money for a 2 hour tour but after visiting I am actually happy with this price as I really enjoyed it.

Arriving at Zip World there’s a big car park and staff on hand to direct you and as I was in my Motorhome I was directed to an empty area well out of the way of the cars.

Check in was easy and after telling them my name I was given a wristband for my chosen attraction.

There lots of other activities here, the Zip line, Underground Gold, Bounce Below (which I did on my last visit), the Caverns, LLechwedd Quarry Tour (which I’ll do next time), Big Red and of course the Deep Mine Tour.

The Deep Mine Tour

The Deep mine tour is located in the heart of the Llechwedd mine site and as you walk out from reception you can see it directly in front of you. There’s a great big hole in the middle of the site and you cant miss it.

I did! I found the exit and had to double back, ask staff and walk round the other site to the entrance.

Once inside there was staff available to guide you to get a helmet to protect your head while down underground. Blue or Orange for the Deep mine tour or Green if you going to the Underground Golf.

I waited a little while for the rest of the party to arrive and I was so glad I’d booked as there was quite a few people on this tour.

The tour

Our tour guide arrive promptly at 1pm, Brian Jones, a man with a face weathered in the very Slate mine he has worked all his life, but what a tour guide.

Let me explain. His experience of the mine, working there, its history and also his enthusiasm was amazing.

Its a long time since I have been on a tour of an industrial relic where the guide has actually stood out and knew what he was talking about.

The last time I came across such a guide was on a tour of a Tin mine in Cornwall. Again a retired miner who had worked there all his life and another man whose knowledge and wisdom are etched on my mind. I think this man is actually one of the reasons I have such a fascination for Tin Mining and also mining in general.

Today’s tour guide was no exception and I hope he didn’t think my ignorant keep taking my phone out, but I was actually making notes of thigs to go and research. I also hope he didn’t think I was being a pain asking questions.

The tour starts by you entering the mine train which is an incline railway carriage which transports you 250 feet in to the mine on an incline of 33%. This is important and I’ll come onto this later.

We board the little train and descend down into the mine and within a few minutes reach the 250ft level where we all depart and begin the underground tour.

At the first cavern we stand and gather round Mr Jones, who sits on his walking stick chair and point things out with his torch and laser pen, while all the time the Underground Golfers walk backwards and forwards to the station to ascend or have descended.

I did find this quite distracting as I was trying to listen to the tour guide.

The first room is a typical cavern which the slate and spoil have been removed out to a width of 45 feet with a 30 foot pillar on either side. As you walk round the many cavers this becomes more noticeable in some of the larger caverns.

The size and shape of the caverns is dictated by the slope of the vein of Slate within the mine and most of the slate is found descending at an angle of 33%. See I told you the railways angle was important.

The miners would only take the slate from the mine in the angle in which the vein appears as is goes through the mine.

We proceeded deeper into the mine and at each cavern, Mr Jones would stop and tell us more about the history of the mine and how the miners lives where effected by the very living they had chosen. It really was fascinating to listening to this guy.

Summary

I was going to write more about the history and the men, and boys, who worked in the mine but, no. This is one of those attractions you need to visit and experience yourself and I just hope you get a tour guide with the breadth of knowledge and experience as Brian Jones.

Today I left Llechwedd with many words in my head, many things which I’d like to research more and also a re-ignited thirst for the history of mining in the UK.

For those thinking, you wouldn’t get me in a place like that, all tight and confined.

Most of the tunnels are about 5 foot plus and are wide enough for two people to walk side by side. A few places you do have to duck down a little but at 5 foot 10. Probably more with my boots on, I had no problem with height issues.

Its well worth the time, and money to go listen to an old miner at a place like this and I am so glad I went and did this today.

Below are some of the photos I took on todays, 28th October 2025, tour and I’ll post up a quick vide of the tunnels.

Overall, to me it was well worth the money and I’d easily pay double for a longer more involved tour with this particular tour guide.

I said it at the end of the tour and I’ll say it again. Thank you!

PS: If you’re going to do the tour, wrap up work and wear sensible shoes. Its cold and its wet down there folks.

Images of the Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd Slate Mine

Quick video of the Tunnels at Llechwedd Slate Caverns

Recently my partner and I were looking for a portable power bank and after much research we ended up purchasing the Anker Solix C300. Our aim was to allow my partner and I to run our DJ setup in our motorhome at weekends away, festivals, or out at remote locations so we could stream and practice while both away and off grid in such remote locations.

We looked at quite a few power banks from a few manufacturers as to which would give us a decent amount of time and within our budget of just £300. It also needed to be portable, so carrying weight was a consideration.

If you spend time on the road or off the grid, a reliable power source can make all the difference.

Whether you’re in a motorhome, van, or tent, the Anker SOLIX C300 is one of the most practical and versatile options around. It’s compact, durable, and powerful enough to keep all your essential devices running — making it the ideal portable power bank for motorhomes and camping.

Built for Portability and Camping in mind

The first thing you notice about the Anker SOLIX C300 is how compact and well-built it is. True to Anker’s reputation, it feels solid and thoughtfully designed, with a comfortable handle and a clean, modern finish. Despite its small size, it packs a 288Wh LiFePO₄ battery, known for its excellent lifespan and safety. That means you can recharge it thousands of times without losing much capacity — ideal for long trips or frequent outdoor use. It also charges from low charge to full in about 1 hour.

Power That Keeps Up With You

With a 300W continuous AC output, the SOLIX C300 has enough power to handle the essentials: phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, mini-fridges, lights, or even small coffee makers. For motorhome owners or campers, that’s more than enough to stay comfortable and connected without worrying about running out of juice.

What’s really impressive is how fast it recharges. Plug it into a standard wall socket, and it hits around 80% charge in under an hour. You can also connect solar panels for eco-friendly recharging when you’re off-grid — a huge plus for campers who like to stay out longer.

Plenty of Ports for Every Device

Anker nailed the port selection on this one. The SOLIX C300 has a total of eight ports, so you can power up several devices at once — no adapters or cable juggling required:

3 AC outlets (up to 300W total) for small appliances or laptops (please base this in mind, if will not run devices over 300W)
3 USB-C ports, including two ultra-fast 140W outputs for laptops and one 15W port for phones and accessories
1 USB-A port for older gadgets or wearables
1 12V car / DC outlet for mini fridges, inflators, or camping lights

Whether you’re charging your phone batteries, powering a laptop, or running a fan in your motorhome, the C300 has you covered.

Our DJ Setup is 1 x Dell Laptop (65w), 1 x Pioneer FLX-2 DJ Controller (5w) and a set of Creative Labs Pebble Speakers (5w)

The Anker Solix C300 gives us about 20 hours of continual play with our DJ setup before we need to recharge, Something we have put to the test extensively.

Smart, Simple, and Reliable

The little details make a big difference. The SOLIX C300 includes a built-in LED light that doubles as a camping lantern, and a bright, easy-to-read LCD screen that shows exactly how much power you’re using and how much is left.

It also connects to the Anker app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, letting you monitor power usage or control settings remotely. It’s these small touches that make it such a smart companion for road trips and outdoor adventures.

Why It’s Perfect for Motorhomes and Camping

If you travel frequently or love the freedom of camping without hookups, the Anker SOLIX C300 offers an ideal balance of portability, power, and convenience. It’s lightweight enough to carry easily but strong enough to run the gear that keeps your motorhome or campsite comfortable. The quick charging, solar compatibility, and wide range of ports make it a true all-rounder.

Final Thoughts

The Anker SOLIX C300 isn’t just another portable power bank — it’s a reliable, travel-ready power station that fits right into van life, road trips, and outdoor living. Compact, efficient, and thoughtfully designed, it’s exactly what you want if you’re searching for the ideal portable power bank for motorhomes and camping.

If you want peace of mind wherever the road takes you, the SOLIX C300 is a smart investment that delivers power, flexibility, and long-term reliability in one sleek package.

Our Anker Solix C300

Our DJ Setup powered by the Anker Solix C300

I have had a few requests for the using my images on peoples blogs or webpages. Lets discuss the permission of use of images then.

As long as the use of my images is not for commercial use then I am cool with people using my images on their blog or website, HOWEVER if you are going to do this then please give me a credit or link back to my website. This helps me to help you!

The photography I take is first of all for my own amusement and secondly for my own blog. This is first and foremost what create my photography for.

If you want to use these images then a link back will help grow my blog and yours as well.

Commercial Use

For Commercial use, please contact me in the first instance as I like to know where my photographs are used in the commercial environment as in the past they have been used without my permission. Use the contact form below to enquire about commercial use of my images.

Equinox festival 2025

Its September time again and time for one of the best festivals on the circuit. Equinox Festival.

This is my fourth time at Equinox, and the second time I have DJed here. Last year I played Psytrance on the Sunrise stage on my own but this year both Lilly and myself DJed together as MagicAura. Which was very special to me and Lilly.

This was the third festival we played at this year, the others being Deevstock and Beatherder, but this one is special.

The Sunrise stage is the home of Psytrance at Equinox festival and its an awesome pleasure to be given the opportunity to play at this festival and on the Sunrise stage with many of our friends and piers.

It was also a turning point for me as its the first time I’ve DJed and haven’t had either massive anxiety or fear. I knew the tunes we’d complied and was confident that we could mix these. Our only slight anxiety was, “Will our memory stick work”.

MagicAura played a blinding set from 18:00 to 20:00 and the comments we received were amazing.

Thoroughly enjoyed the set and look forward to the next event.

MagicAura’s full set from Equinox 2025

Photo date: 20th Spetember 2025

Photography copyright: Mikki Tiamo

The M62
A UK motorway,
Spanning from East to West
Unless you’re a Scouser
Then it’s East,
And down to the best

Everyday driving
I do, travel thee
And you drive me mad
As mad, as can be
With your multiple pile ups
And traffic so slow

The highest motorway point
Built in this fair land
Glorious views, over Manchester
But, no time to look
A motorway so busy
you can’t really look

Traffics so bad
For all to see
With multiple collisions
Accidents, daily from junction 1 to 38
Nowhere in this motorway
Are you actually safe

The constant roadworks, I see
Since I could drive
Ner, 40 years, 40 years of my life
Sat parked, but not, a parked queue
Every day spend time
Almost, daily on you

Driving the dangerous lanes
With drivers, who care, not a jot
Driving like muppets
Really for what?
A circus of idiots
i see them a lot

Speeding, dodging and weaving
Lane discipline, not
And lorry’s who sit
Right up your arse
They can see your dinner
From the night before

Audi and BMW drivers
On a personal quest
To beat their personal, drive home best
Driving at speed, no care for the rest
Who plod on regardless
And don’t hope for the best

No indication
Just pull out you c**t!
Emergency braking
More times than I, care to count
Traffic backs up
And we all, slow down

Reports of a jam, on the radio news
I know I’m sat in it
20 minutes ago this information could use
So now I’ve got the M62 blues
And going nowhere
I’ll be late, yet again, of that I am sure

Sirens are blazing
Emergency services, pass us all by
Hope everyone’s okay
And nobody, died
Motorway, now coned off
Traffic movement is fooked

As we drive past
An overturned van
Man sat, on the shoulder
With his head, in his hands
Doesn’t look injured
Can’t say the same for his van

Everyone one frowning
Theres no cause for smiles
Everyday carnage
I hear everyone sigh!
But on this stretch of motorway
Just another day, in paradise

The M62, worst motorway I actually drive
And sometimes I wonder
At my destination
How I actually, arrived
Today was a good day
I got home alive

I’d say I’m a good driver
Approaching a few million miles
But this motorway
It fills me, with dread
The standard of driving
Seen better from the dead and the blind

Really no choice
the only real way
So, sit on your tarmac
And endure this motorway, everyday
This road it does me
M62, you’re the bane of my life