Permissions to place the logs in the hidden valley of Horner

Great news, I have permission to place a log in the Horner Valley, so that all who tread the tale can sign the book. Top secret though as it would certainly spoil it if you knew where the log was hid. But just to let you know, it's not placed yet so don't get your twigs in a twist just yet.

Many thanks to the supportive folk at the Holnicote Estate, National Trust, who preside over and manage this corner of Somerset, epsecially Rob Manicom countryside ranger.

New media old story

I have been thinking about the mix of new media and tech and how liberating it is becoming, when I was a student (back in the late 80's) I was desperate to do film and video work. Cameras were available as this was the video age, but editing and actually putting a film together seemed impossibly difficult.

And here we are in the 21st century and even my eldest son (11yrs) has a video with editing ability on his mobile. But even when we are drowning in tech there is still the difficulty of just doing it.

It should be as easy as breathing to whiz a movie together, and with tech at the current level it almost is, but the real test is whether that movie is worth watching. Sure I would love to see a movie by my boy but I'm not sure if you would, its the strength of the tales that can enable it to travel.

I suppose this is the constant test of all authors, will the story stand up? Perhaps if it does or not just depends on the reader. I have customers in my Toy shop who will read everything and anything, I also have those who wouldn't be seen dead reading a children's book. I understand completly why and try to observe this in my self and then undo that knot (or tie it harder depending!)

When I originally started playing with these GPS stories I put in lots of gimmicks in the programming but they felt extraneous to the tale. The more I wrote the simpler the program became, and any task that was handled by programming that could be done for real was ousted. Why have a virtual flower when you can lean out and touch a real one. My theory was that this would engage the party reading and walking the tale within the story more effectively, and I think it really has, especially with the winding charm in Dunster. Perhaps I felt the walks were techy enough so going for the lo fi approach suited me better, and the walks aswell.

As always the proof is in the pudding, I hope you enjoy the eating. If these go well then perhaps I will break my procrastination and actually make a film!

Alternative reality games in Somerset!

I read recently about alternative reality games, you probably know about them already. They are puzzles that take place in reality but have a set of modern parameters for the followers to complete in able to get to the next piece. One involved solving a puzzle which released an email with GPS and time co ordinates in it, if you went to that place at that time then you would see a plane spiralling a message into the sky which would solve that part, and then give you vital information to solve the next riddle.

I am not sure you would get me jetting off to the requested GPS, but I love the ideas, the chase and the reward being as simple as I've done it.

The above image is from a tale that takes place near Porlock Somerset. To read the tale you have to journey to Porlock Weir, with GPS enabled device. (Possibly your mobile phone - fully charged!) The tale happens over the walk, as you journey chapters are revealed till at last the story is complete and you are at your destination. Of course you could walk that way without any device, and it would still be worth it, as the woods around here are stupendous. But having the story along aswell takes you to another place. It's a little like finding a hidden sculpture deep in a forest clearing. Someone took time to make, time to craft and then site all those years ago. Was that done just for you? Why did you see it? Was it the light, the hour, the angle, all coming together like an eclipse, after all those years hidden in the undergrowth, it can make you feel very privileged.

The story walks were created in this way, there was no big puzzle beyond the tales themselves, and you can't read the tales without walking the trail. Each chapter reveals the next location, so you don't know where you are really going at all!

You said tales, yes there are some other walks hidden in the hills around here too, and who knows I may put a code in at the end of each. Some kind of cypher to unpick a hidden web page with a special tale to download, revealing a clandestine destination only for those with mind and heart ready to venture into the inner circle!

to the trees . .

Just put my SAW application in and rather pleased too. Three tale three journeys, three locations.I have a feeling that this year is going to be rather rewarding. Still plenty to do, I was unable to automate the email responses, and after a good wrestle I decided to give up the good fight and do the manual thing.

To be honest this is the better option as when people visit the site and then email me, I would like to put something personal in the note. After all they are giving up their precious time which is a commodity which seems to be squandered so often (queues, commuting, holding on telephone, shall I go on!!) So when you have decided to go do something like this, which is a little out there on the edge, not sure what to expect or if it will all be worth it. Then I feel you need to be at least in connection with the creator even in the mildest way.

I am quite proud of these walks, they are in truly magnificent places, so even if the story doesn't play properly, your battery dies, or you 're chased from a field by a crazed sheep (can happen!) Just make the most of it, and enjoy the places.

Feel like I'm making excuses here, but these walks have been done quite a few times, but not across such a range of devices, and with such a range of players and applications. Just let me know how it went for you and then I can create a feedback page and testimonials page on the site. Actually I might do that anyway, that's a great idea, watch this space.

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