Introduction

Generally speaking, very little disturbs the tranquility of Gringleton Ford. It is a timeless village, known by few and visited by even fewer. The ideal place, in fact, for a young prospective writer to live ... or so you might think so.

Here, at the end of the village street, in a little cottage dating back to the 17th Century, sits John Fotheringay at his writing desk. He cannot concentrate on his writing, for his mind is elsewhere. He is sifting through his memories of his Uncle Peter.

Now his uncle, Peter Fotheringay, was a very curious man. Full of vitality and enthusiasm, and gifted in so many ways, he yet had a very mysterious aspect to his character which he shared with no one.

Living mostly in virtual seclusion somewhere in Somerset on a small inherited income, he spent his time engaged in various obscure research projects whose nature was kept secret ... even from his nephew John. Questions on the subject were always evaded, and indeed John had never been invited to Somerset. Visits between them had only ever been one-way.

Despite these idiosyncrasies, John had a warm affection for his uncle, built up over many years of happy, if sporadic, companionship. And so the sudden news, received some weeks ago, that his uncle was 'Missing, presumed dead' came as a severe shock from which John is still attempting to recover.

Picture him then at his desk, lost amongst his thoughts, as the sun sets over sleepy Gringleton Ford. Another day gone, with nothing achieved. He lays down his pen, tired and depressed, and retires to bed. Tomorrow, perhaps, something will that happen that will change this dreary routine...

But that, of course, is for you to discover...

Notes

A most enjoyable game, written with an 'early' version of The Quill and one that Zenobi Software feel is too good to languish at the back of some dusty drawer.

This game will accept all the standard commands such as EXAMINE, SAY, GET and READ as well as some more unusual commands such as BUY, TURN, TIE and CUT. This game will not support the RAM SAVE options to store a game to memory, so please use the standard SAVE and LOAD to store a game on tape.

Hints

It may be necessary to enter the river, so do not be afraid to get your feet wet and remember that one part of a sandy beach looks much like any other, so if you do not appear to be getting anywhere just try again.