Or: the intriguing story of that time I carried a garden gnome through an entire game, to unlock a single Steam achievement.

The game was Half Life 2: Episode Two – one of the best first-person shooters ever made.

The Little Rocket Man achievement goes down in history as being one of the greatest achievements of all time. And it is NOT easy to get. The driving sections – trying to carry the gnome while avoiding attack choppers – are just insane.

But I got the garden gnome to the rocket, and I put him in, and I grabbed some holiday snaps of our journey along the way.

And here they are for you to enjoy…

More: Half-Life 2: Episode Two on Wikipedia
Steam: Half-Life 2: Episode Two on Steam

Putting him on the table while they try to help Alx.

Climbing ladders with him. Tricky!

Carrying him away from the fire.

Dark tunnels.

Moody pipes.

Can just about see the sunlight.

God knows what lives in these caves.

Wow, this water is deep! Glub!

This doesn’t look too good.

Gonna have to kill that thing first before he gets through.

Webs? Does that mean spiders?

Putting him down for a minute.

Yes, I have done magnificently, considering that I’m carrying a gnome with my Gravity Gun.

Are you talking to the gnome or me?

Close to where you first find him.

Fresh air at last.

More dark, scary tunnels.

They’re asking the gnome if he knows the door code.

An almighty bridge-splitting battle has just finished and that’s where he finished up.

Well? We’re waiting for someone.

Me and my little fellow.

The start of an interesting road trip.

It’s all smiles at the beginning.

We’re up at the crack of dawn and the gnome’s still sleeping.

Driving Mr. Gnome on a sightseeing tour through the mountains and forests. Amazing environments.

All the Little Rocket Man has to do is: stay in the car. Easier said than done!

When will the horror ever end?

You can just see him.

The gnome is riding shotgun.

Stopping off for a pee break.

More driving.

Yet more driving.

Are we nearly there yet?

At last: signs of civilisation.

Zzzzz.

How long have we been driving?

Looks like a base of some sort.

Thank Christ for that. I was getting sick of carrying this little bugger.

Somebody please tell me the way to the rocket.

Right. Put him down for a minute and consult a professional.

Nearly there pal. Don’t wet yourself.

There’s the hatch.

That’s where the little blighter needs to be. Inside there.

Sit yourself in there mate. It took a lot of effort to get you there.

Goodbye Little Rocket Man. And good riddance.

Slam.

Whoosh. Achievement unlocked.