Welcome
Hello welcome to my blog page the blogs I do are autism related, but I also do Theatre/tv reviews, I dabble with true crime and going to do a few fandom stuff. I am a masters graduate with Autism, a dry sense of humour and an active imagination.
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2025 review and 2026 plans
Hi it’s been a while. I have been busy with Uni, work, walking and trying to keep myself alive. It all very busy. This blog usually comes out on the last week of December but I thought I’ll get it done whilst I have time. And make this my last blog 2025.
This year has had its ups and downs and WTF moments. Rather than go through month by month like usual I’ll do it like I am doing an interview.
What were the highlights of the year?
I enjoyed my cruise in September apart from the coach fire. I enjoyed the scenary and the burger at the pool deck was the best GF burger I have had in ages. I think that I learnt a lot on the cruise and look forward to booking another one. On a different ship.
I have done a lot of walking this year which has really helped my mental health and also has helped with my fitness. I keep randomly getting injured but around that I enjoyed walks with Ruth and Arlo.
I stopped drinking Alcohol in December 2024 which then caused me to go on an unmasking journey. This was cos I couldn’t numb or drink away my feelings. This journey has taught me a lot and had its moments.
I have enjoyed seeing the random behidn the scenes bits from the Harry Potter TV show coming up. It’s going to be good.
What were the low moments of the year?
Due to my impromptu unmasking journey I lost my confidence with trains which annoyed me cos I was doing it all the time. And also I had to come up with new regulation techniques.
I attempted to sort out my irregular period which ended up not going to plan. I ended on the mini pill which did not agree with me I was having mood swings and period every other day. FYI autistic ladies pogestogen desogestral based tablets don’t always agree with us for some reason. That sorted itself out once I stopped taking it. Still have irregular periods but I am not having as many rages.
In September and October I had a bit of an existensial crisis due to Charlie Kirk’s death. Which was bizzare and usually when I get thoughtful I go on a long walk but I had an ankle injury so I had to confront those thoughts.
What surprised you the most this year?
My biggest surprise was the impact of Charlie Kirk’s death had on me. I have watched videos of him and there were some points I agreed on and somethings I didn’t agree with. Yet when it came up on BBC News he’d been shot in the neck I was refreshing the feed until the news came he was dead.
I was getting overstimulated by empathy and my emotions about the situation. It’s disgusting he died like that. He didn’t deserve it and he was young. RIP Charlie Kirk.
Then as mentioned above it triggered an existensial crisis where I was like what will my legacy be and I could randomly die one day. I have even looking more into religion and what my beliefs are.
Moving away from Charlie Kirk. I was also surprised by the Phan revelation. I was never a fan that wanted to know one way or other but it’s been so nice seeing them both so comfortable and themselves.
What are your plans for 2026?
I have had to drop the Ultra Walks because of the injuries but we are going to focus on Louise Smalley Walk because getting Burton Joyce route done would be a good achievement.
I am going to aim and try one new thing a month to get out my comfort zone.
I am going to build my walks up again and also look at doing different exercises aswell to help my overall strength.
Will you ever have a regular blog schedule?
I always aim to but sometimes life does get in the way so I will aim to do it fortnightly blogs depending on how life is going. My blogs next year will be similar to my usual content which is Autism based advice, Harry Potter related stuff, musical related stuff and other stuff that comes up.
If this is something that has interested you then drop me a follow. If you like what you see then drop a like and if you have something nice to say then drop a comment.
Last but not least have Merry Christmas and happy new year.
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The autistic guide to walking and walking update
Hi, it’s been a few weeks since I last posted it’s been busy getting back into PhD work, my day job and my regular routine after the cruise and the cruise flu. I did also have an existensial crisis for a week or two due to the Charlie Kirk situation but managed to shake myself out of it. Also visited Willen Lake and walked around it feeling like it was a lifetime ago since we were there. We had a few moments of like whoah look at how much has happened since.
Anyone else seen the rumours around Cynthia Erivo playing Voldemort. She would be amaaaazing. Love her in all of her work minus Jesus Christ Superstar (not for me). Also the filming and set pictures are so exciting.
Also on a separate note before I go into the blog. How cute is it that Dan Howell and Phil Lester have finally found the courage to be open and comfortable sharing their relationship with the viewers. So brave.
Now we have preambled enough it’s time to help the autistic masses stay healthy both physically and mentally. When I talk about walking I mean long distance or walking for the purpose of walking as an exercise.
First things first make sure your prepared to walk. Get the right footwear that suits you I personally go for walking trainers cos they less constricting on the ankles. Also socks is very important wear socks that you find comfortable you might notice it’s a trial and error situation until you find the right socks.
The next thing is walk places you know. This is so you don’t get lost and also it helps to keep track of your progress.
Use music or podcast this is really important as it will help you relax into the walking and it will help distract you if you are feeling an element of discomfort or if you have demand avoidance kicking in. Music whise I have a playlist on Spotify called the walking playlist that has a mix of musicals, Glee, Taylor Swift, Galavant and Demi Lavato. Podcast whise I will listen to Destiny and Chicken, sometimes true crime and sometimes debate breakdowns on YouTube.
Bring a fidget if needed this will help with distracting yourself. Have it in your coat pocket.
Last but at not least. Enjoy the scenary. With how the world is sometimes it’s important to enjoy the smaller things. Wether that be the changing of colours in the trees, the views or the looking out for wild life it’s really important to be in the moment.
Walking updates
So, Ruth and I are finishing the year starting on the 1st November and finishing on the 22nd January doing a virtual challenge where we walk 300km over 3 months.
In January 2026 we are doing the Winter Walk which we are doing 20km. In April we are doing the Windsor Walk which we are doing 25km. In May we doing the first half of London to Brighton which is 58km for my sins the bit between Oaks Park and New Hen is a killer.
In June we are doing 40 miles with Louise Smalley walk it’s Burton Joyce that has a significant meaning to me as it was my first LSW and my first retire. It haunts me to this day and sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night kicking myself that 16 year old me couldn’t complete it. But this time I am going to prepare and I am going to complete it or die trying.
This means starting end of November my monthly walking updates are back and I’ll do my reviews of the official walks either on the blog or if I can be bothered on video.
Anyway if you like my blog this week then give me a like. If you have anything to say about walking or anything I talked about at the top of the blog then type up a comment. If you want to see more of this then drop a follow so you can see all the autism advice and all the walking we get up to.
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How P&O could be more autistic friendly
Hello its me again I have caught lurgy from the cruise which is very annoying. Means though I have time to do my blogs between sneezing and sleeping. So, I had a good cruise but there are a few things P&O cruises can do to make their holidays more accessible for Neurodivergent folk.
Easy read
I don’t know if I was looking in the wrong places but I couldn’t find an easy read on the website. So basically an easy read or social story is something that has pictures and it has words as well for example for a cruise ship you’ll see a picture of the ramp and then the entrance. It would help for autistic people to get themselves prepared for the cruise.
A get together option
On P&O they have an LGBT club and a Friends of Bill W which I won’t disclose what it is incase your not meant to. I think there should a get together for Neurodivergent people so that they can have a break from the hustle and bustle of the cruise aswell as getting advice from other ND people.
If it was me setting it up I’d do it on the first evening on board and then do it once every other day. In a smallish meeting with sensory toys. Communication in a conventional way is optional.
A quiet space in the evening
I think this would help. Again I might have been looking in the wrong places but I didn’t see the option of a quiet activity in the evening after dinner. Apart from the piano in the Crows nest. Another option would be to have the option of watching the shows from the cabin.
Non of this blog is a go at P&O I had a really good holiday and I am fever dreaming about my next cruise. Hopefully my next cruise won’t have Vampires and Pirates and tv-show character running around.
Anyway if you anything you’d like to comment below, like if you like it and for more of this content then follow this blog.
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The autistic guide to Cruising
Hello and welcome to my blog I have just got back from a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords with P&O cruises cruising on the Britannia. It was a lot of fun with a few issues and a few things that could make P&O a bit more autistic friendly.
This blog is going to be a long one so sit back relax, get a cup of tea or a coffee and enjoy the ride. I am going to talk about what I got up to, what happened on the days, what I enjoyed, what I didn’t enjoy. Then I am going to go through what to do if your autistic cruising for the first time.
Then I’ll either do a section for how P&O can be more autistic friendly or I will do that in a separate blog depending on time.
Embarkation
Let’s set the scene it’s Friday morning day one of our holiday, I woke up in the morning in the Premier Inn at Southampton and I checked the news to see if there was a Charlie Kirk update before leaving that behind for the time being.
We had got a text the night before that the embarkation was going to delayed due to technical issues. So had breakfast and chilled out in the room until kick out. Then we went to sit in a spoons for a bit until we could go to the port.
The check in was chaotic due to the delay so it was busy. We were so many queues and some people were for a later time and pushing in. Which was annoying I used my sensory toy who I named mini Arlo a lot it really helped and he becomes a feature throughout this blog.
Mini Arlo When you go on a cruise you go to the check in desk and they look at your ticket and passport and take your picture. They then send you to security and then its time to go to the cruise ship.
My embarkation experience isn’t the norm it was due the delay it just caused a lot of chaos. I will give them credit they were doing there best to get people through. They also do a scheme for people wearing sunflower lanyard.
When you are on the ship you go to your muster station which is on your cruise card and they scan you in.
We then checked out our cabin which was spacious and nice to have a balcony. I watched the safety video if your autistic and love a safety video then watch it. It’s very informative.
What happened during the Cruise
On the first night we went to Sindhu (will go into detail on food on a different blog) it was nice. We then went around to the crows nest and watch us set off on the cruise. I loved it when the captain would give us updates.
We played cards and Ruth and I enjoyed some Nosecco which was a pleasant surprised. I expecting AF cider and a few random lemonades so it was nice to see a lot on offer.
The first day was a sea day so we went to the pinusular restaurant and had breakfast. Then had a coffee in the Market Cafe which was nice.
Cathy and Ruth enjoyed some ballroom dancing. I was going to join in but due to an ankle injury and my centre of gravity was off making me feeling sick and dizzy when I moved. So I sat and watched and took pictures and videos and read fanfiction on my phone.
We did that all day and in the evening we go ready for formal night and went to dinner. It was nice and everyone looked pretty. Then we went to the spa which I do reccomend.
The next morning we had breakfast in the Horrizon which is the breakfast buffet. It was busy but the food was nice. This day we were docked in Haugesund and we went on a full day excursion to the Aqua Fjord. And a very pretty waterfall. Then we had food in a little camp ground and it was nice and it had nice vibes.
Unfortunately the coach set on fire at the back near where I was sitting and we had to evacuate the coach. My seatbelt wasn’t realising straight away so I had to climb out the seat. It was a scary experience and then we were stood on the side of the road for ages. I think I coped well I did get chest pain from it but it could have been a lot worse and the weather was nice.
Another coach came and picked us up after 1 hour and a half and luckily no one was injured.
Funny thing is in my camera roll I had pictures of Fjords, waterfalls and then a coach on fire.
Beautiful Fjords 
Coach on fire After this we decided to decompress and the staff on reception sorted out our Beach House reservation to later in the evening. We ate and then had an early night. We did get a refund for this excursion which was nice bufunexpected
The next day we went to the West Cape on a coach (I have not had fear like it). The down size to this excursion is they didn’t feed us. The views were breath taking but the bus driver kept going rogue and driving the wrong way and took us on a detour to look at horses. Mate we have horses in the UK take us back to Britannia.
Light snacks in Horizon and then we had a rest and had a bath. Not all rooms have a bath but it’s a good bath and I wasn’t expecting it to be so warm.
We went to the Cookery Club and they cooked us a lovely 7 course meal. I ate majority of it accept the prawns they weren’t for me.
We then went to a rock concert in the live lounge and then Ruth and Cathy did some social dancing.
The next day was in Alesunde and we went in a train up the mountain to look at the Bay and the view from the viewing tower. Only downside was the train seats gave me a numb bum after a while.
View of Britannia from viewing tower We went back to the ship and went for a swim in the adult only area and had a sunbathe. We had an AF cider which was refreshing. Then we had lunch followed by a very important afternoon nap.
We had a meal in epicurum it was nice but the service was slow and we were there for over 2 hours. After this we went to the theatre to watch their musicals show which had songs from Newsies, Matilda and other modern musicals. They were so talented and it at times gave me goose bumps.
Our last day was in Stravanger and we went on a short walking tour then went into the Viking house to watch a VR experience. Then went on a drive in a Coach around the area which was pretty. Norway is a stunning country.
We went back to the ship and went to the glass house for lunch. Followed by a lie down and coffee in room. Ruth and Cathy went to an Aragami session whilst I finished my coffee and relaxed. Then I went to join them.
We then had dinner in the lime light club where we had dinner. Then there was a Q+A with Chris Judge the lead singer of the red hot chilli pipers. Then he was singing and saying his life story and it was fascinating to listen to. Then we went the live lounge to listen the lady singer and then we went to the Horrizon for supper and a cup of tea.
The last sea day was simple we did a few quizzes and a lot of dancing for Ruth and Cathy. It was a lot of fun. We also did some painting with coffee that was very relaxing.
My coffee art Disembarkation day
We got up early and saw we were back in Southampton. We took our suitcases to the gangway and got off the ship walked through security and got our car location from CPS. We could see one of the Caribean ships which has water slides and stuff. Then started driving home waving goodbye to Britannia. The disembarking was easier than embarking.
Britannia from the car park What can be improved
The staff culture on the ship seemed a bit off. On the spa day there were three staff members having an argument which wasn’t helpful when we were trying to thank them. On the night we went to beach house they were arguing at the food counter in the raised voices. And then on of the days I went go the toilet minding my own business and a staff member I assume was higher up was shouting at another staff member about the paper towels. It was shocking so maybe they need to look at their staff culture.
A better map system I felt like I was constantly getting lost. Also I would reccomend the bars cutting people off when they are getting a bit rowdy or drunk cos you never know when they can flip.
Staff shout out
It wasn’t all bad and we had a lot of fun considering the minor niggles. Here is a shout out to staff that stood out to me.
Micheal in the Pensillor.
Christopher and Joy in epicurean
Peter and Pamela dancing teachers
Agus in the market cafe
Francesca in arts and crafts
Autistic top tips
1. Prepare yourself for the cruise I watched a lot of Emma Cruises and a few walk through videos of Britannia. It helps to learn what to expect from a cruise.
2. Write a to-do list each day it helps when your feeling a bit dysregulated and you need a bit of structure.
3. Give yourself the opportunity for breaks in your cabin if you need it. It helps decompress and also cruised are tiring so it’s important to give yourself time out to recharge.
4. Make sure to take your fidgets or your coping mechanisms with you I could not believe how useful mini Arlo would be.
5. If your someone that gets overwhelmed easily then do short excursions and do excursions run by P&O cruises if they over run they can’t leave without you. Also short excursions means you have time to chill.
6. Don’t be hard on yourself if you feel like your struggling. I had to get out my head a few times cos I felt like at time I was struggling with things that don’t bother other people. Be yourself and whatever that means to you if you need to dance whilst quoting Lee even jokes then do it. If you need to flap and sing Frozen 2 then do it. Also within reason push yourself to do new things.
Don’t worry guys we are nearly there if you have managed to stick with then well done. If not don’t worry you can come back later. I have decided to do a separate blog for how P&O can be more autism friendly.
If you have anything you’d like to say comment below, if you like it then give it a like and if you interested in the rest of the cruise series then follow for more.
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The Autistic guide to Freshers week
Hello world its been a while I have been very busy. Its that time of year students are getting ready to start university. Including autistic students.
It can be very daunting as its moving away home which is a huge change and its a lot of socialising. So, here are some top tips to help all my fellow autistics get through freshers week without getting burnt out.
Be prepared
Freshers week will be busy so in advanced prepare yourself by seeing what is on weeks before then write down or type it up. It gives you a visual and it also gives you an element of control.
When you arrive at uni take yourself for walks around the local area to familiarise yourself with it. It also gives you the opportunity to get fresh air.
Take breaks
Taking breaks is really important this will stop you getting burnout. If you need a night in one of the nights playing Sims then do that. That is okay it’s important to look after yourself.
It is okay to say no if you don’t want to go out for a night out or if you need to take five minutes outside. Prioritise your mental health and your energy levels.
Avoid masking
Masking will make you more tired and will be detrimental. So avoid masking and embrace your neurodivergent self. If you need to stim then stim if you need to sing Jesus Christ Superstar songs at high volume in your room then do it (oh wait that’s me).
If you need to wear stuff to help like loop earplugs or ear defenders then wear them. You’ll notice that people won’t notice.
Hope this helps the new generation of autistics get started in their new chapter. If you have tips for autistic students or have stuff to say then comment below. Press like if you like it and if want to follow then drop us a follow.
Next few blogs will be a Harry Potter related blogs.
Rosebud 