Nemesis Nick at Brean Leisure Park 4 July 2015 Midi Report

Date: Saturday 4 July 2015
Venue: Brean Theme Park
Who Went: Just me

N.B. Any use of "today" or "Saturday" in this report means Saturday 4 July 2015.

Rationale For Trip

Having attended the RCCGB Summer Bash at Brean Leisure Park early September 2011, and gone there alone in September 2012, June 2013 and June 2014, I was equally determined to go there again this year. Saturday 4 July was expected to be dry all day and largely sunny, so I decided to go that day.

Getting To Brean Leisure Park

I awoke at 5:45 to get ready in time to catch the 7:42 bus from Bath Bus Station to Bristol Bus Station, whereupon I caught the 8:45 bus to Weston-super-Mare. Finally I caught the 10:07 bus from Weston to Brean. I eventually reached Brean at 10:49.

Brean Leisure Park

Morning Coffee

Having reached Brean I fancied a coffee before riding, so I went to Subway where I had a regular latte.

Morning Riding

After leaving Subway, I walked straight to Brean Theme Park and immediately bought myself a wristband which, unlike previous years, was valid until closing time (which today was 21:00). However I already knew I couldn't have stayed until 21:00 as the last bus back to Weston was at 18:11.

N.B. Brean Theme Park is the new name (as of 2015) for the funfair part which used to be called Fun City. The complex as a whole, which also includes Brean Splash Waterpark, Brean Play and The Tavern, is still called Brean Leisure Park.

Once fitted with my wristband I was eager to start riding. Just like last year I hoped to start with Astro Storm, but it appeared closed at the time. Instead I approached Crazy Loop, only to be told by an attendant it couldn't run yet as it hadn't had its daily inspection. Thankfully Caterpillar Coaster was already open, so I had two goes, both in the back row. Next I tried the new-for-2015 ride Star Flyer, and could see for miles in all directions from the top. It's a fun ride and a worthwhile addition to the Park, but once was enough for me for now. Next I enjoyed two goes on the mouse coaster Magic Mouse. Afterwards I enjoyed trying to find my way through Sea Maze (mirror maze).

At last the looping coaster Crazy Loop (known as Shockwave from 2004 to 2014) was open, so I enjoyed two goes on it. Afterwards I approached the indoor dark coaster Astro Storm, which was also now open. Although a fun dark roller coaster, I question the need for the multi-coloured lights on the lift hill. I also question the need for the air currents as there is no air in Space. I enjoyed six goes on Astro Storm. For my final go I put on my pink hi-vis "Coaster Crazy Kid on Tour!" waistcoat; the ultra violet lighting towards the end of the ride created a somewhat weird reflection off it. This was my only time of wearing my hi-vis all day. Next I rode Disk'o, which is also new to Brean for 2015. Riding it was just like any other Zamperla Disk'o I've ridden elsewhere; great fun, but once was enough. This ended up being my only go on Disk'o all day. My final ride before lunch was one go on Sky Diver drop tower.

Lunchtime and After

At this point I went to nearby Subway, where I had a 6 inch turkey and ham Sub and Sprite. After lunch I went to the beach for the first time ever. I walked around the beach for a few minutes before returning to Brean Leisure Park

Afternoon Riding

Back in Brean Theme Park I began with Sizzler. Another fun ride, and still one of my favourite non-coaster rides, but once was enough for now. As it happened, I never returned to Sizzler the rest of the day. Next I had one go on Star Flyer. Afterwards I was hoping to meet the large Sooty or Sweep, but an official told me they now appear at 14:00, and thus I'd missed the one that was there today. Next I had one go on Wave Swinger, four goes on the Bumpy Slide and one go on Frisbee

After a few minutes' break I enjoyed two goes on the log flume Wild Water, which has two rises and two falls. Even though it was a sunny afternoon, I put on my cagoule so as not to get wet. Next I enjoyed six goes on Astro Storm, but didn't bother putting my hi-vis on for any of them this time. I finished off by riding Hellraiser, Xtreme and Magic Mouse once each before leaving around 17:30. It must be said I felt a bit queasy towards the end of my final ride of the day.

Cumulative Summary of Rides at Brean Theme Park

Ride	Total
Astro Storm	12
Bumpy Slide	4
Caterpillar Coaster	2
Crazy Loop	2
Disk'o	1
Frisbee	1
Hellraiser	1
Magic Mouse	3
Sea Maze	1
Sizzler	1
Sky Diver	1
Star Flyer	2
Wave Swinger	1
Wild Water	2
Xtreme	1
TOTAL	35

Saturday Evening

Bus to Weston-super-Mare

Back at the bus stop I caught the 17:41 bus to Weston-super-Mare. I left the bus at Clarence Road North bus stop and walked along the seafront towards Grand Pier.

Takeaway

By the time I was close to Grand Pier, I felt ready to for a meal. I had takeaway battered fish and chips, plus mushy peas from Waterfront Fish Bar and ate them in the paved area across the road from the beach. Afterwards I had a whippy ice cream. Fish and chips and an ice cream are two must-haves when you're at the seaside.

Remaining Time In Weston

Having finished my ice cream I walked around the part of the beach near Grand Pier for a few minutes, and had a few pictures taken of me. However I didn't build a sandcastle.

Journey Home

As I left the beach a double decker bus was already standing at Marine Parade on the promenade ready to form the 19:25 service to Bristol, so without further ado I got on it. Having reached Bristol Bus Station I caught the 20:45 bus to Bath Bus Station. I finally reached Bath Bus Station at 21:32, and home a few minutes later.

Outro

Highlights

Adding Star Flyer and Disk'o to my ride count.
Re-riding all four coasters and many other rides that I first rode September 2011.
Having six goes straight off on Astro Storm during the morning and another six goes straight off on it during the afternoon.
High total ride count overall.

Lowlights

Feeling a bit queasy after my final ride of the day.

Summing Up

Altogether a fun day out on the first Saturday of July. This was my fifth visit to Brean to-date and my fourth solo visit there. Throughout the day most rides were walk-on, and thus I achieved a high ride count, even allowing for frequent rest breaks. It was great riding all four coasters (Caterpillar Coaster, Magic Mouse, Crazy Loop, Astro Storm,) and other rides again. Just one point about the four coasters, they're all steel. Come on Brean, get some wood! The weather was good too; dry all day, and sunny most of the time I was at Brean.

A more detailed report is available here

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