This is clearly not an original idea for a pic and I daresay there have been many other ‘pads’ with keyhole shots in them.

But, I doubt there are many where the keyhole is so old or has such a history as this one does. Not that I’m divulging any of its history tonight – that can wait for another day.

Nope. Tonight, I’m going to ponder on the mystery of what might be within. What the secret behind this locked opening might be. It’s NOT any of the following:

· A door in our new home (or our old one for that matter)
· A jewellery box
· A trunk
· A tea caddy
· A chastity belt
· A set of stocks
· A bible
· A grandfather clock (or indeed any other type of long cased clock)
· A writing bureau

The keyhole is brass and the wood it’s mounted in is clearly veneered (you can see the veneer joins above and below the lock).

I have a deep and lasting passion for things made from real wood and this is one of my most treasured possessions. You have no idea how much it pains me to say this as I was given it by my ex-Mother-in-Law. This is an object of exquisite beauty and fine craftsmanship……well, it was when it was made and we estimate that was probably around 200 years ago and it is again now but it has had a torrid history and was ‘brought back from the dead’ by my Dad’s friend.

Any clues? Ah well, you’ll just have to wait and see won’t you. Will it be worth the torment of guessing? In truth probably not for anyone who doesn’t share my passion for this type of thing.

As for wood. Polished smooth wood. Yep I’m a tactile person and it ‘rocks my boat’ alright. Mmmmmm.

Last year, I took a shot that I was rather proud of but it was very 'unsuccessful' in terms of hits - and I can't understand quite why.