No, not to me: to Legoland Windsor which celebrated its 10th birthday over the weekend. After popping into Chessington for the morning, as a proud annual pass holder I went along to the Legoland party on Saturday. Paul and Rich came too. Well, to be fair, it was Paul’s idea in the first place.
Over the weekend I journeyed up to Staffordshire to watch Alton Towers’ fireworks display on Saturday with Tom. It turned out to be a fantastic unofficial unplanned meet-up: we bumped into Tom B just after we got into the car park, then saw half the ECC before meeting Paul O in the Valley for a couple of quick rides on Nemesis (where we found James L). Yep, it was that kind of see-everyone-you’ve-ever-met-or-heard-about kind of day. All that was before we went to the Tavern and said hello to Chris S and most of the Rideas team.
The park was extremely busy throughout the day, with queuetimes getting ridiculous by the end of the morning (Nemesis & Air 120+mins, Rita 160!). Luckily James had been able to get us reservations at Cariba Creek, so we had a break away from the mayhem. Thanks must go to James who guided us around - without my glasses on I couldn’t read any of the signs so would probably still be trying to find the way out!
We were back on park by late afternoon in time for the fireworks. Following all the noise problems Alton have been facing, there was a real possibility up until only a couple of weeks ago that the event may not have gone ahead, and it was definitely “toned down” compared to previous years.
The show, with the cheesey title “Rocket All Over the World”, featured the return of Dr Pop Rocket using Rita to visit several countries. While on the outside the show seemed to be an over-the-top marketing vehicle for the coaster, peeling away the layers revealed something else going on.
Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now featured in the warm-up music, which gave a clue to what the display was really about. Similar to last year, at the supposed end of the show a message came up on the screen: “Do you want some more?”, then “Are you sure?”. This year though, this was followed by “Keep the noise down!!”. The theme from Live and Let Die was accompanied by lights, lasers, flames and a couple of ground-shaking fireworks. So much for the noise order, and a great way to stick a couple of fingers up in the direction of you know who.
After the show finished they played Elton John’s Rocket Man (not quite as bleak as This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore but I think we get the point). And I think it’s gonna be a long long time before Alton can pull off another full on fireworks display, but what a way to go out!
Rounding off the evening, we managed to squeeze in dark rides on Nemesis, Air and Rita.
If Alton somehow manage to find a solution to the fireworks problem and put on a display next year, I’ve got a few suggestions for alternative Elton John numbers to replace Rocket Man: Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting), Someone Saved My Life Tonight, I’m Still Standing, Can You Feel The Love Tonight? or of course The Bitch Is Back. Good night, Mr & Mrs R: don’t have nightmares.
Alton Towers Almanac is reporting the news that many people have been eagerly awaiting (well, I have anyway): details of Alton’s end of season events.
The park will be holding their annual fireworks display over three nights at the end of October, but their Halloween events will be taking a year off.
This announcement comes on the back of news that their long running court battle against the Ropers has been adjourned until mid-October.
Whether or not they’ll be back next year, at least this year’s fireworks are now going ahead. Guess this means another trip up to Staffordshire… ![[:D]](images/smile/smile4.gif)
I’ve added a couple of new sections to the site:
There’s hopefully a few more pages and videos to come soon.
So, why start a blog? Well, I could lie and say I have a message for the world, but a big fat porkie pie might not be the best start. Honestly, I’ve only just cottoned on and found some blogging software.
Why start today? Well, aside from being Bonfire Night, it’s apparently the most dangerous day of the year and I guess I’d probably regret dying tonight without adding my first entry!
Anyway, there should be plenty of free fireworks to watch out of the window later this evening, as long as I make it that far 
The neighbours have already let off goodness knows how many £k already, so things are looking up. That is, of course, as long as you’re not Stephen or Suzanne Roper.
If you’re having fireworks, don’t forget to check for hedgehogs and follow the Fireworks Code…