Bowling Night Recap – Strikes, Laughter, and a Few Twists

 Not everyone who wanted to join was able to make it to last night’s bowling outing, so I’ll do my best to capture the atmosphere and key moments from the event.

Armed with my noise-canceling headphones to shield myself from sudden loud sounds, I found myself momentarily shaken when a particularly sharp noise slipped through while I was speaking with the Air-Tastic staff in Craigavon about the payment process. As it turned out, the bill had been calculated for the group rather than individually, which didn’t quite align with my personal bookkeeping. By the time I had my proof of payment, till receipt printed, my ice cream had significantly melted—just the way I like it. I was also given the option to speak with the manager, who never showed up. Meanwhile, I was politely yet firmly reminded by our group leader that I was holding up the game and needed to roll the ball, twice, on two separate occasions 😊.

Once the payment issue was sorted, I was able to fully immerse myself in the game. The experience was truly enjoyable, and there were quite a few moments that would have been perfect for a highlight reel. However, since most of us aren’t keen on appearing in public videos, such footage would likely remain within the Locke House community as a fun keepsake of the event.

One particularly amusing moment happened when the last pin in a frame toppled over just before the pin-reset mechanism was activated. However, the machine did not count it as a valid fall, so the roll had to be repeated 😊 Several similar unexpected occurrences kept the excitement alive throughout the game. 

Bowling is a fantastic game, but I couldn’t help but think how much more engaging it would be if we had a second team to compete against—perhaps an external group, rather than just Locke House members. That kind of setup would spark intense debates and healthy competition, maybe even some friendly rivalries. Sounds like a reason to start practicing!

The game itself commanded most of our attention, but I also appreciated the positivity and support shown by both our group leader and the service provider who accompanied us. Their enthusiasm played an important role in making the evening enjoyable for everyone.

After the session’s winner claimed their well-earned victory, we made our way to Burger King, where the hungry among us satisfied their appetites. We also took a quick visit to a local shopping center, where I spent most of my time reading the latest RQIA report from 13/01/2025, which can be found here: https://www.rqia.org.uk/RQIA/media/CareServices/10826_Locke-House_Care_13012025.pdf

Finally, we were safely transported back to Locke House, wrapping up a night that was, for me personally, a mix of minor challenges and great fun. Overall, it was a successful and lively outing. That was our bowling trip—perhaps next time, an even bigger competition awaits!