Have you ever played Old English Skittles? There are only a couple of places in London with old-fashioned skittle alleys - we found one in the cellar of a nice gastro-pub, The Freemasons Arms, conveniently located just a short distance from us in Hampstead.

Now I can tell you know that skittles is nothing like ten-pin bowling. You don’t get a bowling ball, you get a flat, wooden disc-shaped implement: the 'cheese'.

The order of play is that you grab your cheese, take two steps, and hurl it (preferably in the direction of the skittles some 21ft away) without bouncing! Thankfully a nice man, Paul, showed us how to throw this dangerous weapon, otherwise I’m sure there could have been serious damage caused!

I can thoroughly recommend a night of skittles to anyone. We had such a hoot! The real ale and wine were flowing, and the noise we made enticed a few punters to nip down and see what we were up to!

The night was just what the doctor ordered - after a few really busy months, it was great to let off some steam. Needless to say, next morning the atmosphere in the office was rather subdued...

Nicky Thomas