Anyone good with their mathematics would notice that I am slipping behind with numbers. It is time to get knocking those easy ones off. Only problem is that some are not quite as easy as arrogantly anticipated.
The Rubik’s Cube definitely fits into this category.
I’ve always wanted to do one but really struggled to. Partly because I have never owned one (excluding the cheap knock-off keyring that I purchased on the Channel Island of Herm many years ago that instantly disintegrated upon initial swivel) and partly because when I have had a proper one in my hands, I’ve never had the patience to actually work out how to succeed.
My journey began many weeks ago, back in Falmouth, Cornwall. After the sea swim, Annika gave me an introduction into the world of Rubik’s Cubes. And a terrific lesson it was too! I was mesmorised with the fact that success is not a random ordering of rotations. There are maths, algorithms and multi-dimensional thinking at the heart of the process. Annika taught me the initial stages; how to complete one side and begin building those around it. It was then, for me to go out into the big wide cubic world to explore how to do the rest.
Only problem is I still don’t have a cube.
Thankfully, my search was short and sweet. My not very happy English friend Dom presented me with one after watching Wales retain the 6 Nations title in an underground bar in Leicester Square. And as it was the day before heading on more travels, this was a perfect opportunity to make good use of it.
So, many coach travel hours piling through desert and suburb were spent frustratedly moving coloured squares in a chess-like dance.
I must admit, although I had now mastered two thirds of the cube, I would have struggled without the help of this solution guide. Now, you may think this is cheating, but, it is no different to being shown how moves are achieved by a friend.
It was no easy cop-out though. My first problem came in my decision to print in black and white – not helpful with instructions outlined through the colour of each side. Secondly, it was actually very difficult to follow. And if you made one little mistake, it is almost impossible to retrace your footsteps, losing you a precious 10 minutes of rubixing.
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
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And then it happened.
On a CTM coach somewhere between Agadir and Essaouira on the North African Atlantic Coast. I couldn’t believe my eyes at the sight of such uniformity. The excitement almost boiled over but I had to restrain myself as Catrin, sat on my right, was enjoying slow droops of her head with intermittent upward jerks suggesting a state of eternal nodding off.
But, yeah, it got finished. And for the time being, it’s going to stay that way. Until I get the courage to attempt to reach this unique situation once more.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
