Friday, 25 May 2012

Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Analysis

Here are all the 26 finalists, in alphabetical order (not order of performance):
Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Now for the 16 countries who failed to reach the final, but which will still vote tomorrow night:
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Israel, Latvia, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, The Netherlands.

Now let's look at some country groups:

Baltic States (Ex USSR)
IN: Estonia, Lithuania. OUT: Latvia.

I'm pleased Lithuania reached the final, as I quite liked their ballad . To a lesser degree I'm happy to see Estonia in the final. I'm gutted that Latvia are out as their entry was among the songs I most wanted to qualify Tuesday evening. No doubt Estonia and Lithuania will exchange high marks, and Latvia will give high scores to Estonia and Lithuania. That said all three have got other ex-USSR countries to give points to as well.

Benelux
OUT: Belgium, The Netherlands (Luxembourg didn't enter yet again).

That's a shame, Belgium and The Netherlands both deserved to be in the final this year. Belgium had a beautiful, gentle ballad which really ought to have gone through. I'm even more gutted that The Netherlands failed to qualify because I thought they had really good entry this year, one of the best songs in last night's semi-final, and the best Dutch entry for years. The Netherlands were robbed last night, they deserved the place Norway took.

Nordic area
IN: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden. OUT: Finland.

I am gutted that Finland failed to qualify, as "När Jag Blundar" was an excellent ballad which was among the entries I most wanted to qualify Tuesday night. Finland's entry was the most deserving Nordic entry of being in the final. At the other extreme, I'm disgusted that Norway qualified as their song is one of the four songs I disliked the most Thursday evening, and thus didn't want in the final. As for the others, I'd have preferred Denmark to have stayed out, I wasn't keen on their style of singing and felt the lead singer's voice wasn't strong enough. I didn't mind Sweden going through, but wouldn't have missed it if it hadn't qualified; Thursday night I was wasn't overly keen on "Euphoria". I didn't mind Iceland qualifying, it had a half catchy chorus but I felt the verses were a bit dull and vocals a bit weak. So Iceland and Denmark will surely give each other 12 points.

Greece and Cyprus
IN: Greece, Cyprus.

I'm really glad Greece qualified as "Aphrodisiac" was a catchy memorable song with a good beat. I didn't mind Cyprus going through, though I wasn't overly keen on it. So we all know what that means: Greece and Cyprus will automatically give each other 12 points.

Former Yugoslavia
IN: Bosnia & Herzegovina, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Serbia. OUT: Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia.

I'm so overjoyed Serbia qualified as their entry was one of the best, and one I most wanted to qualify on Thursday evening. At the other extreme, I'm extremely glad Montenegro are out as their entry was a load of nauseating garbage. Of the rest, I'm glad F.Y.R. Macedonia as I quite liked their live performance Thursday night, and I'm now happy to see Bosnia & Herzegovina in the final as their song, although not one of my favourites Thursday evening, was well sung. Although I didn't mind Slovenia not qualifying from semi-final 2, I'd rather have seen Slovenia take the place Norway or Ukraine took. I'm glad Croatia are out though, their song was below par and contained a load of nauseating trash about two thirds of the way through. The mix of ex-Yugoslav countries will produce some interesting voting: Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia will almost certainly give each other 12 points. F.Y.R Macedonia will give Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia the top marks (10 and 12) Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia will give 8, 10 and 12 to the three ex-Yugoslav finalists.

Founding Seven
By this I mean the seven countries who appeared in the very first ESC in Lugano in 1956:
IN: France, Germany, Italy. OUT: Belgium, Netherlands. Switzerland. (Luxembourg didn't enter in 2012).

As I've already said, Belgium and Netherlands should have gone through. On the other hand I'm glad Swtizerland didn't qualify, as their song was below par and a song I least wanted to qualify Tuesday evening.

Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final 2

Host country: Azerbaijan (İctimai)
Venue: Crystal Hall, Baku
Hosts: Nargiz, Eldar, Leyla
Date: Thursday 24 May 2012

The second semi-final is now over. Last weekend I watched the online preview videos of the first ten songs. I listened to the remaining eight songs on my Eurovision Song Contest 2012 CD yesterday evening. Watching the live performances last night changed my views a bit from watching the preview videos or listening to the songs on the CD album. Here are my opinions on each of the 18 songs. Unfortunately I didn't have access to the internet yesterday evening so have had to delay posting this until now. Please read the following as though I had posted it between the voting lines closing and announcement of the ten qualifiers.

N.B. Any use of "tonight" or "this evening" throughout the rest of this post means Thursday 24 May 2012.

Song 1: SERBIA - Željko Joksimović "Nije Ljubav Stvar"
An excellent song to start the night, very well sung, outstanding quality of voice. I think the section towards the end was a bit overpowering though. This definitely deserves to qualify, see you Saturday!

Song 2: F.Y.R. MACEDONIA - Kaliopi "Crno I Belo"
An entry I felt was borderline when watching the preview video last Sunday, I now like it considerably more performed live. Another very good song, although I think part of it was a bit too overpowering, with unnecessary strobe lighting effects. This ought to go through.

Song 3: THE NETHERLANDS - Joan Franka "You And Me"
Another excellent song, really catchy and very well sung. This definitely deserves to qualify, the best Dutch entry for years. See you Saturday!

Song 4: MALTA - Kurt Calleja "This Is The Night"
Yet another excellent song, a catchy song and very well sung. Was the leapfrog and other dancing during the middle eight really necessary though? That bit was totally out of place, as were the flashing lights at that moment. Another song which deserves to qualify, see you Saturday.

Song 5: BELARUS - Litesound "We Are The Heroes"
A lively rock song, not exactly my cup of tea, but quite well sung, with good vocals. Another one I thought was borderline whilst watching the preview video last Sunday, but now I wouldn't mind seeing this in the final.

Song 6: PORTUGAL - Filipa Sousa "Vida Minha"
A ballad which I felt was indifferent when watching the preview video last Sunday. Based solely on tonight's live performance, I feel the verses a bit dull, but I quite like the chorus. I wouldn't mind seeing this on Saturday night.

Song 7: UKRAINE - Gaitana "Be My Guest"
My least liked song so far tonight. Although lively, the song itself is below par. One to be best valued for dance routine. I'd rather this didn't qualify.

Song 8: BULGARIA - Sofi Marinova "Love Unlimited"
A song I particularly disliked whilst watching the preview video last Sunday, it's not much better sung live. In my opinion, the song itself isn't up to much, it's just a load of nauseating trash really. Does it really need strobe lighting? Stay out.

Song 9: SLOVENIA - Eva Boto "Verjamem"
Another entry I thought was borderline whilst watching preview video last Sunday. Based on tonight's live performance, it's not a bad song, but I'm not overly impressed with it. The best bit is the use of flowing arm movements. I wouldn't miss this if this fails to qualify, but wouldn't mind it going through.

Song 10: CROATIA - Nina Badrić "Nebo"
I didn't like the preview video last Sunday, and it's only marginally better sung live. It's a below par song, ruined still further by a load of nauseating trash about two thirds of the way through. Is the strobe lighting really necessary? I'd rather this stays out.

Song 11: SWEDEN - Loreen "Euphoria"
I didn't get this far with the online preview videos Sunday, and haven't seen any more of them since. However I've heard the songs from this point onwards on my ESC 2012 official CD album this evening. I thought this song was borderline quality on the CD. Sung live it's not bad, but I'm not overly impressed with it. Loreen has a powerful voice during the chorus , but is the dancing (or should that be fighting?) near the end really necessary? I wouldn't miss this if it stays out, though I wouldn't mind if it goes through.

Song 12: GEORGIA - Anri Jokhadze "I'm A Joker"
I didn't like this whilst listening to the CD. Sung live it's marginally better, tolerable for the first half but the rest of it is utter garbage. Stay out.

Song 13: TURKEY - Can Bonomo "Love Me Back"
Another song I thought was borderline on the CD, it sounds better sung live. Not a bad song, the lead singer has strong vocals, but again not really my taste in music. Going by their outfits, what exactly were the backing group meant to be, vampires or bats? Either way, what was the significance of those outfits? What was the purpose bit of break dancing from one. I wouldn't miss this if it stays out.

Song 14: ESTONIA - Ott Lepland "Kuula"
Although I disliked this on the CD, I like it considerably more performed live. A reasonable ballad, very well sung, with a smartly dressed singer. I wouldn't mind this on Saturday night.

Song 15: SLOVAKIA - Max Jason Mai "Don't Close Your Eyes"
I didn't like this song on the CD and it's no better sung live tonight; just a load of nauseating garbage. Does it really need such excessive use of strobe lighting? Please stay out!

Song 16: NORWAY - Tooji "Stay"
Another song I disliked on the CD, and it doesn't sound much better sung live tonight. The introduction sounds decidedly similar to a bit of the instrumental of Doctor and the Medics "Spirit In The Sky". The group's outfits are not up to much either. The only good thing about it is the dance routine: moving around and arm movements. Stay outl

Song 17: BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - Maya Sar "Korake Ti Znam"
A song I felt was indifferent on the CD. It sounds better live, and is quite well sung, but I'm not overly keen on it. However I wouldn't mind if this goes through.

Song 18: LITHUANIA - Donny Montell "Love Is Blind"
The final song already, a ballad. Another song I thought was borderline quality on the CD. I quite like it now performed live, but it's definitely not one of my favourites of tonight. It's well sung, Donny has a powerful voice and is smartly dressed. This ought to go through.

Here are my preferences based solely on all of tonight's performances:
Definitely want to qualify: Serbia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, The Netherlands, Malta, Lithuania.
Wouldn't mind qualifying: Belarus, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Estonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Prefer not to qualify: Ukraine, Croatia, Turkey.
Definitely don't want to qualify: Bulgaria, Georgia, Slovakia, Norway.

So these are the ones I want to see Saturday night: Serbia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, The Netherlands, Malta, Lithuania, plus five of Belarus, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Estonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Whilst the telephone lines were open, I voted for The Netherlands.

Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final 2 Results
So here are the results. Again please read the following as though this had been posted shortly after the end of the second semi-final. Any use of "tonight" or "this evening" still means Thursday 24 May 2012.

My desired qualifiers: Serbia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, The Netherlands, Malta, Lithuania, plus five of: Belarus, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Estonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Actual qualifiers (in order of announcement): Lithuania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Ukraine, Sweden, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Norway, Estonia, Malta, Turkey.

Bold entries represent the actual qualifiers that match my preferences.

OUT: Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, The Netherlands.

I am gutted and deeply upset that The Netherlands failed to qualify because I thought they had a really good entry this year, and thus I voted for them. I'm also disappointed that Portugal, Belarus and Slovenia failed to qualify as I liked their live performances tonight better than I originally thought based on the preview videos / CD; of those three I now think Portugal really ought to have gone through. On the other hand I'm disgusted that Norway qualified as their song is one of the four songs I disliked the most this evening, and thus didn't want in the final. The Netherlands deserved the place Norway took. I'd rather Ukraine hadn't qualified as I didn't think much of their song. To a lesser extent I'd have preferred Turkey to have stayed out too. Portugal plus either Belarus or Slovenia deserved the places Ukraine and Turkey took. Thank goodness Serbia and Malta are through as both were excellent songs which I most wanted to qualify. Also I'm pleased to see F.Y.R. Macedonia and Lithuania in the final as, despite my preview experience of them, I quite liked them sung live tonight. I'm extremely overjoyed that Bulgaria, Georgia and Slovakia failed to qualify as they were exceptionally bad (worst of the night), and I'm glad Croatia are also out as their song too wasn't that much better really.

So how will tonight's ten qualifiers fare in Saturday's final? Bear in mind they are up against the ten qualifiers from Tuesday night,and the six directly qualified countries: hosts Azerbaijan plus Big Five. All will be revealed on Saturday night.

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final 1

Host country: Azerbaijan (İctimai)
Venue: Crystal Hall, Baku
Hosts: Nargiz, Eldar, Leyla
Date: Tuesday 22 May 2012

The first semi-final is now over. Here are my opinions on each of the 18 songs. Watching the live performances last night changed my views a bit from watching the preview videos online last weekend. Unfortunately I didn't have access to the internet yesterday evening so have had to delay posting this until now. Please read the following as though I had posted it between the voting lines closing and announcement of the ten qualifiers.

N.B. Any use of "tonight" in this post means Tuesday 22 May 2012.

Song 1: MONTENEGRO - Rambo Amadeus "Euro Neuro"
What a terrible song to start the first semi-final! The backing group spinning on their bums on the floor is a reminder of the spinning planets move in the Boogie Beebies dance Space Walking, indeed is that where they got the move from? A little later there was some break dancing. What was the significance of either the spinning on the floor move or the break dancing? Finally, why was one man wrapped in the banner at the end? What a load of garbage, please stay out of the final.

Song 2: ICELAND - Greta Salóme & Jónsi "Never Forget"
A much better song than Montenegro had, although I'm not that keen on their style of singing. The verses are a bit dull and the chorus is half catchy. In my opinion, the voices aren't strong enough. I wouldn't mind seeing this Saturday night though.

Song 3: GREECE - Eleftheria Eleftheriou "Aphrodisiac"
The best song so far, a catchy memorable song with a good beat. An excellent dance routine too, which would be great to copy. Deserves to qualify.

Song 4: LATVIA - Anmary "Beautiful Song"
Another excellent song. No dancing, but it is a song contest, you don't really need dancing. However it does have good flowing arm movements from the backing singers. Deserves to qualify.

Song 5: ALBANIA - Rona Nishliu "Suus"
The song itself is not up to much. However she has a good strong voice, although the long high pitched bit towards the end spoilt it. Perhaps this should be best valued for her outfit. I'd rather this didn't qualify.

Song 6: ROMANIA - Mandinga "Zaleilah"
Overall the song is not that brilliant, but the chorus is quite catchy, and the dance routine is good. An entry to be valued more for the dance routine than the song.

Song 7: SWITZERLAND - Sinplus "Unbreakable"
Another below par song. Did it really need strobe lighting? I would rather this didn't qualify.

Song 8: BELGIUM - Iris "Would You?"
A beautiful, gentle ballad, it deserves to go through. Her voice could do with being a bit stronger though.

Song 9: FINLAND - Pernilla "När Jag Blundar"
An excellent ballad, very well sung, and a smart outfit. This definitely deserves to go through.

Song 10: ISRAEL - Izabo "Time"
Tonight's live performance is considerably better than the preview video. It's not too bad a song now; quite lively with punchy verses, though the chorus a is bit over the top. Does it really need strobe lighting though? This ought to go through.

Song 11: SAN MARINO - Valentina Monetta "The Social Network Song (Oh Oh - Uh - Oh Oh)"
Another entry that sounds much better tonight than the preview video. A catchy song, with good arm movements, I'd now be happy to see this in the final.

Song 12: CYPRUS - Ivi Adamou "La La Love"
A below par song, I'm not that keen on it. It has a catchy chorus, but the best bit is the dance routine. I wouldn't miss this if it fails to qualify.

Song 13: DENMARK - Soluna Samay "Should've Known Better"
This song is below par, I don't like this style of singing, the lead singer's voice is not strong enough. What an odd mix of outfits amongst the group. Perhaps it's best if this stays out.

Song 14: RUSSIA - Buranovskiye Babushki "Party For Everybody"
Well the song itself is terrible, they should stay out, but will probably go through just for the gimmick of their outfits.

Song 15: HUNGARY - Compact Disco "Sound Of Our Hearts"
Another load of nauseating trash, I'd rather this didn't qualify.

Song 16: AUSTRIA - Trackshittaz "Woki Mit Deim Popo"
A really terrible song, did they really need strobe lighting? The only good bit is the dance routine from backing group, including bits of pole dancing. Stay out.

Song 17: MOLDOVA - Pasha Parfeny "Lăutar"
Better than the last three songs, but still below par. Sounds decidedly like the Serbian song of two years ago (2010). Its best bit is the floor dancing, but it's not a dance contest. I'd prefer this didn't qualify.

Song 18: IRELAND - Jedward "Waterline"
The last song already, it's amazing how time flies. One of the best songs of tonight, a catchy chorus and a lively dance routine. I'm not sure this song is as good as last year though. This definitely deserves to qualify, see you Saturday!

Here are my preferences based solely on all of tonight's performances:
Definitely want to qualify: Greece, Latvia, Belgium, Finland, Israel, San Marino, Ireland.
Wouldn't mind qualifying: Iceland, Romania, Cyprus.
Prefer not to qualify: Denmark, Hungary, Moldova.
Definitely don't want to qualify: Montenegro, Albania, Switzerland, Russia, Austria.

So these are the ones I want to see Saturday night: Greece, Latvia, Belgium, Finland, Israel, San Marino, Ireland, Iceland, Romania, Cyprus.

Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final 1 Results
So here are the results. Again please read the following as though this had been posted shortly after the end of the first semi-final. Any use of "tonight" still means Tuesday 22 May 2012.

My desired qualifiers: Greece, Latvia, Belgium, Finland, Israel, San Marino, Ireland, Iceland, Romania, Cyprus.

Actual qualifiers (in order of announcement): Romania, Moldova, Iceland, Hungary, Denmark, Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Russia, Ireland.

Bold entries represent the actual qualifiers that match my preferences.

OUT: Austria, Belgium, Finland, Israel, Latvia, Montenegro, San Marino, Switzerland

I am gutted that Latvia and Finland failed to qualify, they were excellent ballads which, out of tonight's 18 semi-finalists deserved to qualify. On the other hand, I'm disgusted that Albania and Russia are through to Saturday's final. Rona Nishliu had a strong voice and smart outfit, but the song wasn't up to much. As for the Russian grannies, I bet they made it through thanks to their costumes, the song itself "Party For Everybody" was terrible. Latvia and Finland deserved the places Albania and Russia took. Also although I disliked the preview videos for Israel and San Marino, I found both much better sung live tonight, and would much rather have seen them Saturday night in place of Moldova and Hungary. Thank goodness Greece and Ireland made to the final, they were two of the best songs of the night. I'm so overjoyed that Montenegro and Austria failed to qualify, as both were really terrible, and I'm also glad Switzerland are out as their song wasn't up to much either. So that means Greece and Cyprus are both in Saturday's final. You know what that inevitably means, they'll give each other 12 points.

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Coaster Crazy Show 2012 Forecast

Billed Acts
Billed performers we're sure to see:
·         Nev and Alan Chilvers - Show Opener involving "Chariots of Fire" theme.
·         Ryan Hackett - another mock advert (after Go Compare 2010 and Shake 'n' Vac 2011).
·         Libby Williams - "Butterflies" by 3+2 (Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Belarus entry)
·         Kelly Cameron (she's done a billed act 2008 - 2011)
·         Wendy Evans (she normally does a billed act)
·         Charlie Turner - Gong Show 2011 winner, back to do a billed magic show.

The Finale - Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé - "Barcelona" (1992 Summer Olympics)

Songs
·         Queen - "We Are The Champions"
·         "World In Union" (used in IRB Rugby Union World Cup)
·         Baddiel & Skinner and The Lightning Seeds - "Three Lions"  (used for UEFA Euro 96 and FIFA France 98 World Cup)

The Gong Show
The following eight acts:

Andy Hunter After he was so gutted about me beating him to last place in 2009, he's now overdue to come back with something ultra-terrible to ensure he comes last.
Brian Smith and David Bebbington "Paradise City" (Guns and Roses).  Something I thought would appear in 2011 (but didn't), it's sure to happen this time.
Emerald Evans and Lucy Cosnett After Emerald's opera song was booed last year, she'll be back hoping a duet with Lucy Cosnett will be more successful.
Alan and Saffron Eddy "Save Your Love" (Rene and Renato)
Ryan Hackett He's been in each year 2008 to 2011, so he's sure to do something again.
A 4 to 6 year old boy or girl There's bound to be at least one child act in the line-up.
Nemesis Nick Brave Prince (Boogie Beebies)

Games
A sporty type game (e.g. throwing footballs / basketballs into a net; something with bean bags or tennis balls).
Kids' Gopher (just like 2008 to 2011 inclusive).
Final game: Trade or No Trade (we last had it in 2008, so it must be time for that again).

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Nemesis Nick's Coaster History

Steelies
Steelies I've been on since 1998:

Coaster Name
Venue
Date First Ridden
Further Riding
Dragon Coaster
Butlins Minehead
Thu 24 Sep 1998
None
Ski-jump Coaster
Travelling fair at Royal Victoria Park Bath
Tue 24 Jul 2001
None
Hornet Coaster
Flambards
Tue 9 Jul 2002
5 Jul 2003, 9 Jul 2003, 3 Jul 2004, 4 Jul 2005, 7 Jul 2006, 4 Jul 2007, 10 Jun 2008, 30 Sep 2009
El Pastil Loco / Maximus[1]
Devon's Crealy
Tue 30 Sep 2003
29 Aug 2004, 30 Sep 2005, 16 Oct 2005, 15 Oct 2006, 30 Sep 2007, 30 Sep 2008, 06 Jun 2009, 26 Sep 2010[2], 19 Jun 2011
Colossus
Thorpe Park
Thu 23 Jun 2005
24 Jun 2005, 21 Mar 2009, 30 Sep 2011, 22 Mar 2012
Nemesis Inferno
Thorpe Park
Thu 23 Jun 2005
24 Jun 2005, 21 Mar 2009, 30 Sep 2011, 22 Mar 2012
Klondike
Funland Hayling Island
Sat 9 Jul 2005
12 Sep 2009, 9 Oct 2010, 29 Oct 2011
AIR
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
None
Nemesis
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
7 Oct 2006
Spinball Whizzer
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
7 Oct 2006
The Beastie
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
7 Oct 2006
Runaway Mine Train
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
None
Corkscrew
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
7 Oct 2006
Oblivion
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
7 Oct 2006
Rita
Alton Towers
Sat 8 Oct 2005
7 Oct 2006
Cliffhanger
Blackgang Chine
Tue 28 Mar 2006
None
Cobra
Paultons
Sat 1 Jul 2006
30 Sep 2006, 13 Oct 2007, 18 Oct 2008, 17 Oct 2009, 11 Sep 2010
Stinger
Paultons
Sat 1 Jul 2006
30 Sep 2006, 13 Oct 2007, 18 Oct 2008, 17 Oct 2009, 11 Sep 2010
Flying Frog
Paultons
Sat 1 Jul 2006
30 Sep 2006, 13 Oct 2007, 18 Oct 2008, 17 Oct 2009, 11 Sep 2010
Rage
Adventure Island (Southend on Sea)
Sat 30 Jun 2007
23 Jul 2011
Green Scream
Adventure Island (Southend on Sea)
Sat 30 Jun 2007
23 Jul 2011
Barnstormer
Adventure Island (Southend on Sea)
Sat 30 Jun 2007
23 Jul 2011
Mighty Mini Mega
Adventure Island (Southend on Sea)
Sat 30 Jun 2007
23 Jul 2011
Pepsi Max Big One
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
18 Apr 2009, 17 Apr 2010, 16 Apr 2011, 14 Apr 2012
Steeplechase
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
18 Apr 2009, 17 Apr 2010, 16 Apr 2011, 14 Apr 2012
Infusion
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
18 Apr 2009, 19 Apr 2009, 16 Apr 2011, 17 Apr 2011, 14 Apr 2012, 15 Apr 2012
Morgan's Circus Clown Coaster
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
None
Irn Bru Revolution
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
18 Apr 2009, 17 Apr 2010, 16 Apr 2011
Avalanche
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
13 Apr 2008, 18 Apr 2009, 17 Apr 2010, 16 Apr 2011, 14 Apr 2012
Big Apple
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Sat 28 Jun 2008
None
Saw-The Ride
Thorpe Park
Sat 21 Mar 2009
30 Sep 2011, 22 Mar 2012
Crazy Mouse
South Pier Blackpool
Sun 19 Apr 2009
None
Velocity
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Sat 4 Jul 2009
None
Corkscrew
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Sat 4 Jul 2009
None
Dragon Coaster
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Sat 4 Jul 2009
None
Kumali
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Sat 4 Jul 2009
None
Wild Mouse
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Sat 4 Jul 2009
None
Mumbo Jumbo
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Sat 4 Jul 2009
None
Speedy Coaster
Leisureranch Weymouth
Sat 8 Aug 2009
5 Jun 2010
Woody's roller coaster
Funland Hayling Island
Sat 12 Sep 2009[3]
9 Oct 2010, 29 Oct 2011
Super Dragon roller coaster
Funland Hayling Island
Sat 12 Sep 2009
9 Oct 2010, 29 Oct 2011
Go-Gator
Billy Danter's Funfair (travelling fair) at Bournemouth Pier Approach
Mon 28 Dec 2009
None
Go-Gator (Philip Stevens)
Travelling fair at Royal Victoria Park Bath
Thu 8 Apr 2010
None
Dragon's Fury
Chessington WOA
Sat 19 Jun 2010
None
Vampire
Chessington WOA
Sat 19 Jun 2010
None
Rattlesnake
Chessington WOA
Sat 19 Jun 2010
None
Runaway Train
Chessington WOA
Sat 19 Jun 2010
None
Fantasy Mouse
Fantasy Island (Ingoldmells)
Sat 3 Jul 2010
None
Millennium Roller Coaster
Fantasy Island (Ingoldmells)
Sat 3 Jul 2010
None
Jubilee Odyssey
Fantasy Island (Ingoldmells)
Sat 3 Jul 2010
None
Rhombus Rocket
Fantasy Island (Ingoldmells)
Sat 3 Jul 2010
None
Queen Bee
Botton's Pleasure Beach (Skegness)
Sun 4 Jul 2010
None
Runaway Train
Botton's Pleasure Beach (Skegness)
Sun 4 Jul 2010
None
Big Apple
Botton's Pleasure Beach (Skegness)
Sun 4 Jul 2010
None
Rockin Roller
Botton's Pleasure Beach (Skegness)
Sun 4 Jul 2010
None
Runaway Train
Dunes Leisure (Mablethorpe)
Tue 6 Jul 2010
None
Mini Mine Train
Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes)
Wed 7 Jul 2010
None
Boomerang
Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes)
Wed 7 Jul 2010
None
Little Dipper
Mack's Amusements (Cleethorpes)
Thu 8 Jul 2010
None
Kiddi-Koasta
Adventure Island (Southend on Sea)
Sat 23 Jul 2011
None
Astro Storm
Brean Leisure Park Fun City
Sat 3 Sep 2011
None
Caterpillar Coaster
Brean Leisure Park Fun City
Sat 3 Sep 2011
None
Shockwave
Brean Leisure Park Fun City
Sat 3 Sep 2011
None
Magic Mouse
Brean Leisure Park Fun City
Sat 3 Sep 2011
None
X:\No Way Out
Thorpe Park
Fri 30 Sep 2011
22 Mar 2012
Flying Fish
Thorpe Park
Fri 30 Sep 2011
22 Mar 2012
Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission
Drayton Manor Park
Sun 9 Oct 2011
None
Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster
Drayton Manor Park
Sun 9 Oct 2011
None
Shockwave
Drayton Manor Park
Sun 9 Oct 2011
None
Buffalo Mountain Coaster
Drayton Manor Park
Sun 9 Oct 2011
None
G Force
Drayton Manor Park
Sun 9 Oct 2011
None
Swarm
Thorpe Park
Thu 22 Mar 2012
None
Stealth
Thorpe Park
Thu 22 Mar 2012
None

[1] El Pastil Loco was re-themed and renamed Maximus at the start of 2010.
[2] First time of riding El Pastil Loco under its new identity Maximus.
[3] I may have previously ridden this Saturday 9 July 2005.

Total 73 steel coasters altogether.

Back to the top

Woodies
My experience of woodies is still very limited by comparison.

Coaster Name
Venue
Date First Ridden
Further Riding
Roller Coaster / Nickelodeon Streak[4]
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
18 Apr 2010, 14 Apr 2012[5], 15 Apr 2012
Grand National
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 12 Apr 2008
18 Apr 2009, 17 Apr 2010, 16 Apr 2011, 14 Apr 2012
Big Dipper
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sun 13 Apr 2008
19 Apr 2009, 18 Apr 2010, 17 Apr 2011
Roller Coaster
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Sat 28 Jun 2008
None
Zipper Dipper / Blue Flyer[6]
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 18 Apr 2009
17 Apr 2010, 14 Apr 2012[7]
Wild Mouse
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sat 18 Apr 2009
16 Apr 2011, 14 Apr 2012

[4] Roller Coaster was re-themed and renamed Nickelodeon Streak at the start of 2011.
[5] First time of riding Roller Coaster under its new identity Nickelodeon Streak.
[6] Zipper Dipper was re-themed and renamed Blue Flyer at the start of 2011.
[7] First time of riding Zipper Dipper under its new identity Blue Flyer.

Total 6 wooden coasters altogether, not many compared to steel.

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Other
Listed on Coaster-Count, but I've shown this separately as it's debatable whether or not this is a coaster:

Coaster Name
Venue
Date First Ridden
Further Riding
Weymouth Super Snails
Weymouth Beach
Sat 5 Jun 2010
None

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