I'll start with the Alton Towers day report, seeing as I was only there for the morning part!
I arrived after meet-up time due to toilet queueing at Karen's, but hey, I only missed the spinny rides so I'm not that bothered!
The day only really started with the early morning faff waiting outside the skyride station. Not too bad, had a chance to chat and eat wedding cake. Nom.
Sky ride was quite entertaining. few laughs on the way over. I like the new sky rides, better seating arrangement.
Our first stop was Err/Air.
Glad to see that Dan/Caffine-demon made it into the test seat!
I used to the queue time to lighten my bag of the park maps I collected over the weekend. I placed these on the queue line wire fences. Don' know why really, it just happened.
Jessica the op working the station gates was amazing. Really cute and friendly. Apparently we were the biggest group she's ever had!
The rain started to hammer down at this point. Thankfully I was in the station so didn't manage to get too wet.
For the actual ride, I pulled my hoodie over my head and went blindfolded. It was straneg really, I dodn't really feel anything or enjoy the ride. It felt like havinga restless night on a sofa. You know the feeling, where you're really tired and you keep moving about without realising. I know the ride quite well so knew what part I was experincing. I've come to the conclusion that Err/Air can only really be enjoyed in the sunshine. I need to look up and see clear blue skies to get the most out of it, it's the only way I can get the illusion of flight.
I put my poncho on as it was pissing down and yes, ten mins later it was dry again :lol:
I think because I whored Inferno eight consecutive times on Friday, Nemesis felt bland. Sure, it's a brilliant ride and still my #1, but I didn't feel anything from it on Sunday. Just went through the motions.
I sat out of Duel and had a hot chocolate. Made small talk with furie , Rach and madame_furie before moving on to the Mine Train.
Big John and I managed to squeeze into one car for the ride. Was nice to get a bonus lap after the ride op overshot the station. Pretty average ride. Worst part was entering the station platform after the third lap and seeing Willy's bum crack as he was tying his shoelaces. If I had 50p to hand I would have put it in there to see if he didn't any special tricks.
As I waited for the second lot of CFers to finish, I went to the smoking area inside the turnound outside the RMT station. What a waste of a smoking area. The little area there is a great place for a picnic area, not a smoking area. There's a family coaster going round and all you can see is puffs of smoke. A wasted area if you ask me.
Furie called lunch here and as Vadge was feeling off, we called it a day so we said our goodbyes and left. It's a shame to see the group pics without me in it. First one without me since the UK Lives begun
Before me and Vadge left, we did the Fish Life Centre with Karen, Phil and Katie. I found it quite impressive, certainly worth a look.
Just to point out that when I got home I watched Robson Green's Extreme Fishing on Fiver. So with that programme, the Fish Life Centre and spending a weekend with Vadge, it's been a veyr fishy weekend for me!
I'll do a WMSP report (the better day IMO, although I did miss half the AT day) when I've done my video.
Cheers to Vadge for the company and driving, Karen for the sofa and breakfast, furie for organising and everybody that came for doing what we do best as a group!