Whoo boy do we go on some tangents with this one. From Cockneys to Wombles to Batman and back. And for those of you not from the UK - this is the wombles.

Ben and Dom were stellar pub friends, keeping the banter flowing when my internet connection went down ... several times.

Make sure you comment or send us a message with your answer to our Cockney rhyming slang challenge!

Here are some links to the cool things we talk about during the episode:

• The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing - Margate Fhtagn

Join Jon, Jame and Ben as they take a sip of Margate Effluent at this underwater boozer. Topics include Why The Hard Things Are Easy and vice versa, the difficulties of puzzle design that doesn't involve numbers and why the "defeat" ending is a dying art. 

Also, Jon gives us a One time only performance of his hit parody "Unter Der Sea".

Enjoy!

Producer Ben marks his return to the show with this voyage beneath the waves. He joins Jamie as they patiently endure Jon's impersonation of a series of Germanic Mermen. Now. How does a Puffer Fish work? Do you know?

Special thanks this episode go to the following FreeSound.org users:

cAPSLOCK7 -  00001NoisevaultAlleyWater.

kernowrules -  Cornish River Estuary

thatjeffcarter -underwater loop 120bpm

• 00:45 - Who's drinking what?

• Ella Minnow Pea - Mark Dunn (book)

Well well well. After 95 years, the OG Mickey Mouse is in the public domain. So of course we see just how close we can get to bringing the fury of the House of Mouse upon us as quickly as possible. What a way to start 2024.

Anna and Bailey were excellent solvers, and it was great to have them back on the pod after so many months.

If you want to support the show, don't forget to check our Patreon where you can:

• Get early access to episodes

Game design by Jamie Gibbs (@armchairescapist)

Let's take a look at some of ours and your favourite episodes and moments from 2023, and I say a few thank yous.

Thank you all so much for your continued support!

We'll be taking a 1-week break for the start of 2024, so you'll get your next episode on Jan 21st.

Here's to 2024 and to more escaping!

Episodes featured in this roundup:

• Britain's Finest Knob Tugging Hour

The title says it all, really.

Merry Christmas

Jon

Special thanks to a few Freesound.org users for some crucial sound effects used in this episode:

2kool4school - BattleScene backing track, used for Today's Sponsor.

qbodup - Tomahawk missile launch, self explanatory

mikhalin1992 - Plane Crash

And finally Noisecollector - Jingle Bells, which, which a little pitch edit, absolutely made the opening of this episode.

=========

For those following this show closely, there's a puzzle element that is briefly described, but not in full. So, here it is in full, should you want to Solve-Along.

The picture is of Santa and his reindeer. Santa stands in the middle with the reindeer gathered around him for the shot. The reindeer have all been labeled with their names and some numbers: 

Cupid - DP70 L20 - White legs, grey body 

Rudolph - DP0 L0 - White, Red Nose

Vixen - DP20 L5 - Grey with white head

Prancer -. DP25 L10 - Brown

Blitzen - DP80 - L10 - Brown with white spots on hind legs 

Donner -- DP 10 L10 - Very dark grey 

Dancer - DP40 L30 - Brown with white fore legs   

Dasher - DP40 L30 Grey all over -

Comet - DP30 L70 Black all over - 

This week, Jamie and Aled are joined by Jack and Franks from the Welsh history podcast Tales For Wales to chat about last week's episode Rap Battles with Demon Horses. We also get into some weird and wonderful Welsh folk traditions and have a little Q&A with Jack and Franks about their passion for Welsh history.

Time stamps for your pleasure:

00:40 - What's everyone drinking?

04:55 -  Last episode debrief

24:39 -  Q&A with Tales for Wales

39:07 -  Media recommendations

This week's Stuff You Should Check Out are:

- Mr Inbetween (TV show)

- Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (TV Show)

- The 13th Warrior (Movie)

- Ice Nine Kills: Ex Mørtis (Band / song)

I had to cut a fair bit of good banter from this episode for time - if you're keen to listen to the full thing, consider joining our Patreon programme over at patreon.com/theinfiniteescaperoom.