RCCGB Mega-GLOW-Mania Weekend 2016

Date: Friday 12 August to Sunday 14 August 2016
Venues: Folly Farm, Oakwood Theme Park, Heatherton World of Activities
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy and Christine Hine, Alan Hunt, Big Stevie B, Dave Wells, Doug and Charlie Turner, Mark and Margo Lewis, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Wendy Adams Evans.

DISCLAIMER: The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a small sample of attendees; mainly those I spoke to and/or rode with at Folly Farm and/or Oakwood. I sincerely apologise to anyone I've not listed. Not everyone (whether or not listed above) attended all three Parks.

Introduction

The Club's annual visit to rural Pembrokeshire, primarily to visit Oakwood Theme Park. Just like in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the Oakwood visit was on Saturday when the Park was open to the public until 22:00, thereby enabling the Club to end the day with its traditional dark ERS on Megafobia. Add-ons to Oakwood were Folly Farm near Kilgetty on Friday (including exclusive use of the Vintage Funfair and a cooked meal after closing time), and Heatherton World of Activities on Sunday. Just like last year, I attended Folly Farm and Oakwood, but for various reasons gave Heatherton a miss.

To make the rest of this report easier to read, I've split it into sections. Click the applicable link below to jump to the section you want to read:

Thursday 11 August
Day 1 - Friday 12 August
Day 2 - Saturday 13 August
Day 3 - Sunday 14 August
Outro

Enjoy my report at your leisure.

Thursday 11 August

Getting to Kilgetty

For me the weekend began with a train journey from Bath Spa to Kilgetty. I caught the 13:36 train from Bath Spa to Cardiff Central. Since that was delayed, I only just made it to Cardiff Central in time for the connecting 14:50 train to Swansea. Thankfully I got to Swansea with plenty of time to spare for the 16:00 Swansea to Pembroke Dock train. Although I could have gone all the way to Kilgetty on that train, I left that train at Carmarthen at 16:43 so I could get myself an evening meal in the town centre.

Initially I went for a walk around the town centre. Around 17:30 I went to Harvester for dinner. For main course I enjoyed Early Bird Fried Chicken served with fries and peas. A fill-it-myself salad bowl was also included. To round off my meal, I had salted caramel profiteroles, served with cream, for dessert.

Back at the station I completed my journey on the 19:05 train to Kilgetty. Having finally got to Kilgetty at 19:39, I walked to the hotel in Begelly where I had pre-booked for three nights. After checking in I relaxed in my room the rest of the evening.

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Day 1 - Friday 12 August

Friday First Thing

Having awoke at 7:30 I had breakfast at 8:30 consisting of cereal, a glass of orange juice, a full Welsh breakfast, four triangles of toast and a carafe of coffee.

Daytime

Since I was staying in Begelly for the first time, I walked from my hotel to Folly Farm, and arrived there around 10:30. Folly Farm was already open and the public were being admitted. The RCCGB was officially due to enter as a group at 11:00, but by showing my trip letter, badge and RCCGB membership card I was allowed in straightaway. The receptionist said I was the first RCCGB member booked on this trip to be admitted to Folly Farm.

I began in the area across the road known as Follywood. There I saw various breeds of pig in Percy's Piggery, and had one go on the land train which followed a track past various animals. Back in the main part of the Park, I entered the Jolly Barn where I drew a rabbit on the large chalk board on which visitors are welcome to draw farm animals. My first sighting of other RCCGB members was when Mark and Margo Lewis met me by the chalk board just after I had finished drawing my rabbit.

After a much-needed cappuccino at Cwtch Café, I began exploring the zoo. I started in the far corner, where the Bactrian camels, African spurred tortoise, red river hog, cusimanse and reindeer are located. From this area I accessed and explored the new-for-2016 Kifaru Reserve rhino enclosure. Back in the main part of the zoo, I met Mark and Margo Lewis again, followed by Big Stevie B, Kelly Cameron and various other RCCGB members. After a light snack (filled deli bread and a cup of coffee) at Carousel Café, I saw the rest of the animals around the zoo, including giraffes, penguins, lions and African Aviary. Having left the zoo for the final time, I had a whippy ice cream from a kiosk, followed by a coffee at Cwtch Café.

Late afternoon I walked through the parrot house Folly Interactive; I met Nev and Christine for the first time this visit there. Afterwards I briefly went into the Jolly Barn and saw ponies. Shortly after 16:30 I enjoyed playing on all parts of Carousel Woods indoor play structure until closing time of 17:30, including the 4-lane Bumper Slide, tube slides and multi-level towers. A fun way to round off normal opening time.

Exclusive Fair Session

Folly Farm officially closed at 17:30. For us the best was yet to follow: our Exclusive Fair Session (EFS) in the Vintage Funfair. During this part of the day I wore my RCCGB Fun Night T-shirt and fluorescent pink sports shorts. After some confusion as to where everyone was, the Club finally began riding around 17:45. Together the Club rode 1950s Caterpillar Ride, 1937 Coronation Speedway, Jets, Rock 'n' Roll Waltzer, Ghost Train and 1938 Dodgem Track. Some of us including me fitted in 1936 Lakin Swirl just before dinner.

It was now time for dinner in the Funfair Restaurant. Members had fish and chips, sausage and chips or pasta Bolognese (specified when booking this trip); I had fish and chips. Nev also gave a speech. After dinner we had more rides. Those like me who rode 1936 Lakin Swirl before dinner began with Chair-o-Plane, the rest began with 1936 Lakin Swirl. Next I unexpectedly had an extra go on 1936 Lakin Swirl. After that the Club rode Folly Farm's Famous Gallopers and 1950s Cyclone Twist (some including me managed to have two goes on 1950s Cyclone Twist). The EFS ended with the Brooklyn Cakewalk. Some members had multiple goes on Brooklyn Cakewalk; I had six goes on it, which was more than I expected.

Alphabetic Summary Table of EFS Rides

Ride	Total
Brooklyn Cakewalk	6
1950s Caterpillar Ride	1
Chair-o-Plane	1
1937 Coronation Speedway	1
1950s Cyclone Twist	2
1938 Dodgem Track	1
Folly Farm's Famous Gallopers	1
Ghost Train	1
Jets	1
1936 Lakin Swirl	2
Rock 'n' Roll Waltzer	1
TOTAL	18

Rest of Friday

When the EFS ended at 20:05, the day was over and we all had to return to the car park. Since I was staying in Begelly, I began walking there. Just a short way beyond Folly Farm, Alan Hunt spotted me and gave me a lift to Manian Lodge. I relaxed in my room the rest of the evening.

Altogether a worthwhile appetiser to Mega-GLOW-Mania at Oakwood. This time I liked visiting the new-for-2016 Kifaru Reserve rhino enclosure for the first time. I particularly enjoyed playing on Carousel Woods indoor play structure for nearly an hour late afternoon. Best of all was the EFS after 17:30: a few vintage rides, a meal, and more vintage rides ending with the Brooklyn Cakewalk. Wearing my self-designed black RCCGB Fun Night T-shirt and fluorescent pink shorts just for that part of the day added to the fun of the EFS. Basically the visit to Folly Farm can be summed up as a leisurely day around the farm, zoo and other attractions, culminating in a spin on the vintage rides early evening, as a warm-up to Oakwood the day after. It's a pity the sky was overcast all morning and much of the afternoon. At least it was sunny for a couple of hours late afternoon, and it was dry all day. Many thanks to Andy Hine for arranging this day, including EFS, to Folly Farm. Thanks also to the ride staff for operating the rides and caterers for providing the meal after closing time, and to Alan Hunt for giving me a lift back to my hotel in the evening.

More about Friday at Folly Farm available here

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Day 2 - Saturday 13 August

Saturday First Thing

Having awoke at 6:30, I had an early breakfast at 7:45, which consisted of cereal, a glass of orange juice, a full Welsh breakfast, four triangles of toast and a carafe of coffee. Around 8:40 Mark and Margo arrived to give me a lift to Oakwood.

Welcome to Oakwood

When Mark, Margo and I reached Oakwood, several other members were already waiting outside the park entrance. A few minutes later Nev gave his welcome speech. After that everyone entered the Park and walked to Megafobia.

Morning ERS

The day began with a one hour ERS on Oakwood's famous wooden coaster Megafobia During this hour I enjoyed seven goes; I sat next to Emerald Evans on my third go, Planenut on my fourth go, Christine Hine on my fifth go and Andy Knight on my last go.

Morning Free Time

When the ERS ended, members dispersed around Oakwood. I began normal opening time with two goes on the toboggan run Bobsleigh. This was my first time of accessing the ride via the new queue line, but the toboggan run itself is completely unchanged from before. Next I enjoyed two goes on Treetops Coaster; third row followed by back row. After a much-needed coffee at Pit Stop, I enjoyed two goes on the beyond vertical drop coaster Speed followed by one go on Teacups.

After that I went into in Neverland. There I had one go on The Streets of London Tour taxi ride. Although a rather unexciting ride, it was worth one go to say I'd been on it. Next I enjoyed two goes on Crocodile Coaster, alone in the second row, and with Wendy Adams Evans in the back row. Having left Crocodile Coaster, I just had time for a coffee at The Little Darlings' Café in Neverland before the baseball tournament began.

Baseball

Around 13:30 the Club gathered on the field at the front of the Park for baseball. Nev asked all those who wanted to play to get into one of two teams, Woodies and Steelies. I played for Woodies. As usual Nev played on the Woodies team. The final score was Woodies 396 Steelies 17.

Afternoon and Evening Free Time

After the baseball ended, members returned to the camp site for a rest or returned to the Park. Back in the Park, I went to The Little Darlings' Café for a hot dog and coffee. My first ride after lunch was Waterfall. I began with one go on the right slide (as seen from the top), and sailed across the landing pool without keeling over. However when I went on the left slide (as seen from the top), I keeled over mid-way across the pool and got soaked! My trainers and bottom got a dunking. Immediately afterwards I sat an outdoor table outside Woody's Burger Bar. There I tried wringing out my wet socks, and used serviettes to mop up some water from inside my trainers. A few minutes later I had no option but to put my wet socks and trainers back on, and hope I would dry off naturally in the sun. My next ride was one go on Oakwood Aerodrome.

At last Drenched was open. I met Planenut, Doug and Charlie when I got there. Whilst waiting, I put on my orange cagoule and navy leggings to prevent me getting wet during the mighty splash at the bottom of the steep drop. Having left the ride I removed my wet rain gear; I didn't bother standing on the bridge to watch the boat land on a later run. After walking around the park for a bit, I decided to ride Snake River Falls next. All four slides were in operation, therefore I rode all four slides once each: Cobra, left open, right open, Python. Unfortunately riding all four slides once each took me longer than expected; I thought the loading and despatch procedure was a bit slow. After that I unexpectedly met Planenut, so we had one go on the pedalo boats together. We managed to steer well clear of the weed near Megafobia

Afterwards I returned to riding alone, starting with one go on the Pirate Ship. Next I headed towards Neverland, where I rode Skull Rock log flume twice, Crocodile Coaster twice, Neverland Chase once and Oakwood Aerodrome once. Having left Neverland for the final time, I enjoyed two goes on Speed, followed by two goes on Moon Landing drop slide. Around 20:30 I went to Woody's Burger Bar to have a double burger meal, which I ate it in the indoor seating area. Afterwards I approached the Clown Coaster located in Circus Land. Officially adults can only ride it when accompanying children, but the attendant let me have one go on it when he saw my trip badge and RCCGB membership card. Although mild, riding it once meant I was now able to say I'd ridden all five coasters in one day. This was my final ride during normal opening time.

Shortly afterwards, the ColourFest UV powder paint party was about to start. Visitors could buy UV powder packs onsite to throw around under the ultra violet lighting in the designated area in front of the stage. Unfortunately some visitors were throwing UV powder elsewhere. Since I didn't want UV powder thrown at me, I went to the Oak Tree Restaurant for a coffee. During the final ten minutes of opening the firework display, set to music, took place. This time I watched it from outside the Oak Tree Restaurant.

Megafobia Dark ERS

With the public now gone, the finale was our one-hour dark ERS on Megafobia, accompanied by party music and disco lights. Many of us (but not me) wore or held glow sticks to create a glowing effect. I wore my fluorescent yellow cagoule, pink hi-vis jacket and fluorescent yellow sports shorts (over my jogging bottoms), which added to the fun. The train gave a considerably faster and rougher than during the morning ERS. I enjoyed nine goes, the first of which I sat next to Margo in the second-from back row. Unfortunately on my next go I took the one remaining spare seat from the exit platform, which happened to be immediately behind Big Stevie B, who was covered in UV paint powder; by the time I noticed it was too late for me to get out. On some of my remaining goes I sat next to Planenut, Andy Knight, Christine Hine and even a ride attendant. My ninth and final go was in the front row with Dave Wells, on the very last train of the day. Altogether another hair-raising ERS, definitely the grand finale of the day, but it's a pity my enjoyment of it was marred by my fear of getting second-hand paint powder on me, both on Megafobia and between goes. As far as I'm concerned, the tiny amount of paint powder blown onto me as a result of my seating position during my second go was more than I wanted.

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Freetime Combined)

Ride	Total
Boating Lake	1
Bobsleigh	2
Clown Coaster	1
Crocodile Coaster	4
Drenched	1
Megafobia	16
Moon Landing	2
Neverland Chase	1
Oakwood Aerodrome	2
Pirate Ship	1
Skull Rock log flume	2
Snake River Falls: Cobra	1
Snake River Falls: left open slide	1
Snake River Falls: Python	1
Snake River Falls: right open slide	1
Speed	4
Teacups	1
The Streets of London Tour	1
Treetops Coaster	2
Waterfall left slide	1
Waterfall right slide	1
TOTAL	47

Rest of Saturday

When the ERS ended just after 23:00 Nev gave a short speech before everyone returned to the car park. I waited on the exit platform whilst Mark and Margo dismantled their disco lights. When they were ready to leave, Mark and Margo gave me a lift back to my hotel. After our final goodbyes outside the hotel car park I was back in my room around quarter to midnight, dead tired.

Altogether a coaster crazy day at Oakwood. Turnout was considerably higher for Oakwood than for Folly Farm the previous day, presumably because the Oakwood trip was on a Saturday, whereas the Folly Farm visit was a Friday. It was great riding all five roller coasters, including Clown Coaster which I didn't expect to be able to go on, and several non-coaster rides again. It was unfortunate that Bounce and Tink's Flying School out of action all day, but you can't win them all, I suppose. Far more seriously though, it's a pity my enjoyment of the day was ruined by my constant fear of being covered in UV powder paint during the ColourFest UV powder paint session, and/or dark ERS thereafter. Due to certain individuals choosing to throw paint powder in parts of the park other than the designated zone, I felt the need to stay in the Oak Tree Restaurant during the paint session, and to watch the fireworks standing outside the Oak Tree Restaurant afterwards. I shouldn't have felt it necessary to do that. Furthermore from time to time I admitted to some other RCCGB members that, in some ways, I wasn't looking forward to the dark ERS on Megafobia as there was a possibility of me getting covered in second-hand UV powder paint from members already covered in it after taking part in the paint session. That aside, it was great meeting other Club members again, and the weather was perfect, dry and sunny from dawn to dusk, and still dry during the dark ERS. Many thanks to Nev for organising the trip, the staff for operating Megafobia before opening and after closing, and to Mark and Margo Lewis for providing the dark ERS disco lighting and for giving me lifts to and from Oakwood.

More about Saturday at Oakwood available here

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Day 3 - Sunday 14 August

Introduction

The final day of Mega-GLOW-Mania weekend 2016. Mid-morning some members met at Heatherton World of Activities to enjoy go-karting and/or other activities available there (e.g. clay pigeon shooting). Nev even arranged an EGS (exclusive go-kart session) for those interested; according to the trip invitation it was billed to run from 10.00 to 11.30. For various reasons I gave Heatherton a miss. The following outlines how I spent Sunday.

Sunday First Thing

Having awoke I got ready, packed my belongings and had breakfast around 8:30. I had the same selection as Friday morning including a full cooked breakfast. I enjoyed it at a more relaxed pace than Saturday. During breakfast I met Nev and Alan Hunt. This was my first ever time of seeing anyone else from the RCCGB during my Sunday morning breakfast of Mega-GLOW-Mania Weekend. It was a pleasure to speak to them one final time this trip.

From Kilgetty to Swansea

I reached Kilgetty station around 11:15, intending to catch the 11:31 train to Carmarthen. Since Kilgetty is a request stop, I had to signal to the driver for the train to stop. Having reached Carmarthen I caught the 12:24 train to Swansea, and got there at 13:11. Once there I walked straight to Swansea LC.

Swansea LC Water Park

I reached the LC reception around 13:30, and managed to get in straightaway. My ticket was for the session starting at 13:45. Without further ado I proceeded to the changing rooms where I had no problem finding a tall locker big enough to contain my large holdall, rucksack and laptop bag.

I entered the pool area at 13:50. The session was intended to last two hours, but since the place wasn't busy enough for the staff to need to call colours out, I ended up staying there until around 16:30. During my time in the pool area I enjoyed eighteen goes on the Aqua Tube (closed narrow tube slide) and five goes on the Aqua Slide (wide open top slide). Surprisingly I managed to have five exciting goes on the Master Blaster roller coaster water slide, which is my highest number on that to-date for one visit to Swansea LC. I went in the fun pool during one wave session, but didn't go around the Lazy River. Altogether a wet and wild way to round off Mega-GLOW-Mania weekend.

Cumulative summary of slides:

Slide	Total
Aqua Slide	5
Aqua Tube	18
Master Blaster	5
TOTAL	28

More about Sunday afternoon at Swansea LC Water Park available here

Evening Meal

Just after 17:00 I went to The Bank Statement (Wetherspoon), where I enjoyed a delicious Peri-Peri Roast Half Chicken with chips, corn-on-the-cob, coleslaw and peri-peri sauce. A drink was included with that meal, I chose Carling. As if that wasn't enough I had sticky toffee pudding with custard for dessert.

Journey Home

Having left The Bank Statement (Wetherspoons) I returned to the station with time to spare for the 18:51 London Paddington train. I reached Cardiff Central with nearly half an hour to spare for the connecting 20:14 train to Bath Spa. I finally reached Bath Spa at 21:37, and home soon afterwards.

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Outro

Highlights

Three nights' B&B in Begelly, including the delicious filling breakfasts.
Visiting Folly Farm and Oakwood for the fifth year running.
Land train ride shortly after I arrived at Folly Farm Friday the morning.
Playing on Carousel Woods indoor play structure Friday late afternoon.
Exclusive Fair Session on the Vintage Funfair rides plus cooked meal in the Funfair Restaurant Friday evening.
Saturday morning ERS on Megafobia before Oakwood opened to the public.
Riding all five coasters and several non-coaster rides again at Oakwood on Saturday
Meeting Nev, Doug and Charlie, Mark and Margo, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Wendy Adams Evans and others again.
Dry weather Friday and Saturday (also sunny all day Saturday).
Sliding the Aqua Tube, Aqua Slide and Master Blaster Sunday afternoon.
Five goes on Master Blaster roller coaster water slide, my highest number to-date for a single visit to Swansea LC Water Park.
Early evening meals at Harvester, Carmarthen Thursday and The Bank Statement (Wetherspoon), Swansea Sunday.

Lowlights

Having to leave my rucksack and trainers in an alcove near Carousel Woods whilst playing on the structure due to lack of lockers Friday late afternoon.
Confusion as to where everyone was at the start of the EFS Friday early evening.
Bounce and Tink's Flying School out of action all day Saturday.
Keeling over into the water at the end of my second go on Waterfall, and consequently getting my feet wet Saturday afternoon.
Fear of being covered in UV powder paint during the ColourFest paint session, and/or dark ERS thereafter Saturday.
Not being able to get a coffee whilst awaiting my connecting train at Cardiff Central Sunday evening.

Summing Up

Altogether fun-packed long weekend away. It was great to visit Folly Farm and Oakwood for the fifth year running and thus ride many of their rides (particularly Oakwood's Megafobia) again, and also meeting several other members of the RCCGB both Friday and Saturday. My visit to Swansea LC Water Park provided a wet and wild end to an amazing weekend. Many thanks again to Nev for arranging the trips to Folly Farm and Oakwood (also Heatherton for those who went), to Alan Hunt for giving me a lift back to my hotel Friday evening and to Mark and Margo for kindly giving me lifts from my hotel to Oakwood and back on Saturday.

Mega-GLOW-Mania weekend 2016 can be likened to a three-course meal as follows:
Starter: Folly Farm on Friday
Main course: Oakwood on Saturday
Dessert: Heatherton (or in my case Swansea LC) on Sunday

One other bit of trivia worth mentioning: I went down at least one slide of some sort Friday, Saturday and Sunday as follows:
Friday: Carousel Woods Bumper Slide and tube slides at Folly Farm.
Saturday: Moon Landing drop slide at Oakwood.
Sunday: Aqua Tube, Aqua Slide and Master Blaster water slides at Swansea LC Water Park.

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