Nemesis Nick's Devon 2013: Conquest for Woodlands Midi Report

Date: Friday 18 October to Monday 21 October 2013
Venues: Bygones Torquay, Plymouth Life Centre, Plymouth Pavilions Ice Rink, Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park, Woodlands Family Theme Park
Who Went: Just me

Introduction

A long weekend in south Devon with a similar format to my four day short breaks in south Devon of recent years, i.e. stay three nights in Torquay and visit Plymouth Life Centre and Plymouth Pavilions Ice Rink Saturday, Devon's Crealy Sunday and Woodlands Monday. It's amazing this long weekend happened at all this year though. At the start of 2013 I hoped to do this trip in June, but with no arrangements in place by early June, postponed this mini holiday to September. By the beginning of September I still hadn't made any arrangements for various reasons. After a couple unsuccessful attempts at getting a vacant room on the weekends I favoured going in September, and my desire to get my end-of-September 42nd birthday celebrations out of the way first, I eventually decided to go 18 to 21 October.

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

Day One - Friday 18 October
Day Two - Saturday 19 October
Day Three - Sunday 20 October
Day Four - Monday 21 October
Outro

Day One - Friday 18 October

Journey To Devon

The weekend began when I caught the 08:57 train from Bath Spa to Newton Abbot, which ran on time. I arrived into Newton Abbot with a few minutes to spare for the connecting 10:40 train to Torre. Having reached Torre at 10:47 I walked straight to my hotel and checked in.

Friday Lunchtime

Later I walked into town. At 12:30 I got to Seabank Fish and Chips on the seafront. There I bought takeaway cod and chips, and ate them on the promenade. At the time it was dry and a bit windy, albeit not too windy for eating outside.

Early Afternoon

Afterwards I walked along the seafront towards the harbour. A little later I had a strawberry and vanilla whippy ice cream from an ice cream parlour near the harbour, despite it being a bit chilly outside for an ice cream. After that I had a cappuccino coffee at Debenhams Restaurant.

Bygones

Eventually I decided to visit Bygones. I caught the 15:11 bus from Strand to Furrough Cross (the nearest stop to Bygones). When I reached Bygones admissions desk, I had about one and a half hours to enjoy the exhibits until 17:00 closing time.

Bygones has three floors of exhibits. I began in the life sized Victorian street on the ground floor. This has mock-ups of shops including apothecary, toy shop, ironmonger, pawnbroker and general store. The mezzanine floor has Victorian era display rooms, including a nursery and a kitchen, and a large dolls house. Finally the top floor includes a model railway with several stations and several trains, a mock-up of a World War I trench and recreations of 1940s and 1950s style shops filled with artefacts of that era. Altogether an interesting museum, but it's a pity I had to rush the top floor. I should have got there sooner, to have had more time to see all the exhibits properly.

Early Evening

Having left Bygones when it closed at 17:00, I had a coffee at a nearby café, and walked around The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin church yard before catching the 17:48 bus from Furrough Cross to the Strand. I considered having a game of ten-pin bowling at AMF Bowling, but when I found out the price of one game, I gave it a miss as I felt the ten to fifteen minutes enjoyment I would get would be poor value for money.

Evening Meal

At 18:30 I went to The London Inn (Wetherspons) for dinner: sausages & mash for main course and American style pancakes with ice cream and strawberry and blueberry compote for dessert, plus half a Heineken to drink. Having left just before 20:00 I walked back to my hotel, and relaxed in my room the rest of the evening.

More about Friday available here

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Day Two - Saturday 19 October

Plymouth Life Centre, Plymouth Pavilions Ice Rink

Saturday First Thing

My first full day in Devon. Having awoke at 7:30 I had an early breakfast at 8:30. Breakfast consisted of a choice of cereal, a glass of orange juice, a full cooked breakfast (1 hash brown, 1 rasher of bacon, 1 sausage, 1 fried egg, 1 tomato (halved), mushrooms), four triangles of toast and coffee. It filled me up for the morning.

Off To Plymouth

Just before 9:20 I set off for Torre station where I caught the 9:29 train to Newton Abbot for the connecting 9:49 train to Plymouth. Having reached Plymouth at 10:41 I walked to Plymouth Life Centre.

Plymouth Life Centre

A leisure centre which opened in March 2012. It includes a 10-lane, 50-metre main pool, separate fun pool and two water slides. The slides don't have names, they're just referred to as the Slow Flume and Fast Flume. On entering the pool area around 11:25 I headed straight for the slides. Although closed at the time, they opened shortly afterwards, and I went on them as follows: Slow Flume followed by Fast Flume in sequence 21 times over. I didn't go in the pools at all, as I just wanted to have as many slides as possible. As I was about to have my 21st go on the Fast Flume, the time was 12:50. My wristband colour pink still hadn't been called, so after that go I Ieft anyway in order to dry myself, dress and be back at the nearest bus stop around 13:15.

Cumulative summary of slides:

Slide	Total
Slow Flume	21
Fast Flume	21
TOTAL	42

After leaving the Life Centre, I caught a bus from near Plymouth Life Centre to Western Approach in the city centre. Once there it was just a short walk to Plymouth Pavilions.

Plymouth Pavilions Swiss Lake Ice Rink

I got to Plymouth Pavilions Ice Rink reception at 13:45 and booked for the 14:00 session. Shortly afterwards I went to the skate hire point. Around 14:00 skaters were allowed on the ice. I fearlessly took to the ice and set off around the rink. Just before 14:30 one skater fell over. Everyone else including me had to temporarily leave the ice for a few minutes, whilst that skater was removed by the staff. Once the rink was clear, everyone was allowed back on, until the session ended at 15:30. I remained upright throughout the session, though I did have a few brief moments off the ice (not counting the aforementioned moment everyone had to temporarily leave the rink).

Rest of Saturday

Afterwards I enjoyed a Devon cream tea at Strand Tea Rooms at the Barbican. Back at the railway station a little later I caught the 18:23 train to Newton Abbot. Whilst there I went The Richard Hopkins (Wetherspoon) for my evening meal: peri-peri roast half chicken with chips and coleslaw for main course and Belgian waffle with ice cream and maple flavour syrup for dessert, plus half a pint of Strongbow cider to drink. Later I caught the 20:49 train from Newton Abbot to Torre, and was back in my room just after 21:00.

More about Saturday available here

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Day Three - Sunday 20 October

Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park

Sunday First Thing

I awoke at 7:00. My plan for Sunday was to visit Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park. Since I hoped to enjoy the Maximus Coaster and other rides there, I put on my RCCGB 20th Anniversary T-shirt. At 8:20 I had an early breakfast, the same as Saturday morning. That filled me up for the morning.

Off To Crealy

At 8:54 I caught the fast bus from just outside my hotel to Exeter. Once there I just had time to buy a pack of sandwiches from Exeter Bus Station café (to take to Crealy for later) before catching the 10:00 bus to Crealy. Having finally reached the bus stop opposite Devon's Crealy, I crossed the road and walked straight up the driveway.

Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park

The Park opened at 10:30. Once admitted the rides were due open at 11:00, so for now I enjoyed eight hair-raising goes on the drop slide Dead Man's Drop, which was already open. Afterwards I had a coffee at Route 66 American Diner in Buddy Bear's Kingdom. Having finished my coffee, the rides were open. I began by riding the three Vortex Water Coasters: Venom, Vertigo, Viper twice each. Next I enjoyed one go on The Flying Dutchman Ship, followed by one go on the Aqua Blasters electric bumper boats. After that, as a RCCGB member, I was eager to ride the Maximus Coaster; I enjoyed four goes.

My next ride was on Tidal Wave Log Flume. As my log set off, it started to rain, but thankfully I was wearing my cagoule and leggings. At the end my log and the log in front of me were stuck outside the station. The ride had to be reset and restarted so that we could get into the station and disembark. Suddenly all outdoor rides were closed due to thunder, heavy rain and strong winds.

Shortly afterwards, I went into the Lost Kingdom part of the Adventure Zone, where the indoor rides Meteorite (tower ride) and Honey Swing were still working. I enjoyed two goes on Honey Swing. Although not particularly thrilling, I saw this as something I could still ride whilst the outdoor rides were closed due to the weather. Next I bought a cup of coffee, and sat in the indoor picnic area to enjoy it along with the sandwiches I bought on my way to Crealy. Immediately after lunch I played on the wooden indoor play structure Go Wild.

Having left Go Wild, the rain and thunder had stopped and the sun was out. All the outdoor rides were running again, so I resumed outdoor riding. I began with one go on Victorian Carousel (on the horse called Nick). Next I went on the Roundabout PlayPump clockwise followed by anticlockwise. After that I enjoyed five goes on the Tidal Wave Log Flume, one go on The Flying Dutchman Ship and one go on Aqua Blasters. The Funambulist Challenge was also great fun, I made it all the way around its outer circuit of beams etc. and walked the short tight rope end to end, but gave up walking the middle tight rope after several failed attempts. My final rides of the day were four goes on Maximus Coaster, all of which were great fun.

Around 16:00 I went into the Adventure Zone, a large indoor adventure play complex filled with two 4-lane Astrozoomer Astra (bumpy) slides, two double drop slides, the Red Devil drop slide, a yellow spiral tube slide and red corkscrew slide, plus loads of soft play equipment. Adults are allowed to play on everything and I had great fun playing on the slides and soft play equipment until closing time. I enjoyed both Astrozoomer slides four times each, both double drop slides four times each, the yellow spiral tube slide twice and red corkscrew slide twice. The best slide was the Red Devil drop slide; I fearlessly enjoyed four goes from its lower beam and ten goes from its upper beam. Almost an hour of Taylor-Made fun to round off my day at Crealy.

Cumulative Summary of My Rides at Crealy

Ride	Total
Aqua Blasters	2
Honey Swing	2
Maximus Coaster	8
The Flying Dutchman Ship	2
Tidal Wave Log Flume	6
Victorian Carousel	1
Vortex Water Coasters: Venom	2
Vortex Water Coasters: Vertigo	2
Vortex Water Coasters: Viper	2
TOTAL	27

Back To Exeter

The Park closed at 17:00 and shortly afterwards I walked back to the bus stop. Unfortunately the next bus to Exeter wasn't until 18:15. I just sat at the bus stop until the Newton Poppleford to Exeter bus turned up at 18:15, and finally reached Exeter Bus Station at 18:29.

Evening Meal

My next plan was to have dinner somewhere in Exeter before continuing my journey back to Torquay. I went to George's Meeting House (Wetherspoon). There I enjoyed a large Sunday Club meal; the meat I chose was hand carved roast pork. A drink was included in the price of the meal; I chose Tuborg. For an additional fee I added a dessert. Once I had finished both courses, there was still time for a coffee, so I returned to the bar to order a cappuccino.

Journey To Torquay

Back at the bus station, I caught the 20:40 Newton Abbot bus, which took the scenic route via Dawlish, Teignmouth and Bishopsteignton. Having finally reached Newton Abbot at 22:00, I caught the 22:06 Paignton bus which was just arriving across the road. At 22:31 I left the bus at Torre Village bus stop, which happened to be almost opposite my hotel.

Rest of Sunday

Back in my room I enjoyed a much needed coffee before bed. I was in for a shock when I looked at the BBC Weather website though. The forecast for Monday 21 October (the final day of my short break) was wet and windy all day for both Dartmouth and Blackawton. Not what I wanted for my planned visit to Woodlands that day.

More about Sunday available here

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Day Four - Monday 21 October

Daytime: Woodlands Family Theme Park
Evening: First Great Western

Monday First Thing

The final day of my long weekend already. Regardless of what the weather was to be, I rigidly intended going to Woodlands near Dartmouth that day, to the extent of booking my homeward Advance ticket from Totnes to Bath (valid only on the specified train departing Totnes at 20:10) when I made the arrangements a couple of weeks earlier. As had been forecast, it was raining outside when I awoke at 6:30. The BBC Weather website still predicted wind and rain all day for Dartmouth and Blackawton. Not what I wanted for a visit to Woodlands. Nonetheless I still wanted to go to Woodlands, though it seemed I would spend three hours or more playing in Sea Dragon's Play City, and just a fairly short time outside having a few outdoor rides dressed in my rain gear. My first ride of the day was to be my 100th ride to-date at Woodlands, and to mark that milestone, I put on my RCCGB 25th anniversary T-shirt. I packed my bags and took them downstairs before having an early breakfast at 8:20: cereal, orange juice, full English, toast and coffee.

Off To Woodlands

After leaving the hotel for the last time with all my luggage, I caught a bus to Torquay Harbour, followed by the 9:20 bus to Woodlands. I finally got to Woodlands bus stop at 10:40. Without further ado I walked up Woodlands driveway to the admissions point.

Woodlands Family Theme Park

When I reached the admissions kiosks it was still raining. As the lady in the kiosk handed me the ride opening times and park plan, a gust of wind blew them away, so she gave me a replacement set.

Once admitted I headed for The Empire of the Sea Dragon, where I put my large bag and laptop bag into lockers. Due to the wet weather I had a coffee at Ray's Diner before doing anything else. My first ride of the day, which also happened to be my 100th ride to-date at Woodlands, was on Trauma Tower. I asked the Ranger to photograph me holding my 100th ride poster before launching the ride. This indoor drop tower is tame compared to the Ice Blast at PBR Blackpool but still great fun. When the ride ended I stayed on for a second go.

I went outside and thankfully the rain had stopped. Despite the wind, Avalanche was running. I had one go on its left slide (as viewed facing the slides from the top). When I returned to the top for more goes, the Ranger who operated Avalanche had disappeared. For now I did one lap of Action Track 1, despite the obstacles being wet. Once I finished Action Track 1, a Ranger was near Avalanche again, so I had three more goes as follows: right slide, left slide, right slide (as viewed facing the slide entrances from the launch point). Nearby I went on the Commando Course. Due to me having to take extra care on the wet equipment, it took me 8 minutes 17 seconds to complete one lap of this assault course this time. Whilst in this area I also went on the Roundabout, large metal disc which spins.

Afterwards I went on Ninja Towers, including its bridges, four-lane Astra slide and three tube slides. Unfortunately the slides were all very slow, presumably due to them being damp, and my jeans being already partly damp. Therefore I had just two goes on the Astra Slide and one go on each tube slide. One bridge links to a newer tower, now called the Goblin Tower. From here I went on more bridges, and down three more tube slides. These three slides were also slow (albeit not as slow as the Ninja Towers tube slides), and rather wet. Nearby I went on one of the Wunda Swings. There's nothing particularly special about them, they're like normal kids' park swings.

My next stop was the Triple Drop Slide, a vertical drop slide. I fearlessly enjoyed three goes from each of its three launch heights. Despite my jeans being wet around my bottom, I went along the level run-out really fast each time. Afterwards I spent about half an hour in the Master Blaster. Adults are allowed to play on/with everything in there. I walked through the maze twice, played on all the soft play equipment, went down the two tube slides twice each and fired foam balls around. Everything in there was great fun.

Having left Master Blaster, I walked through the Seascape Mirror Maze. Nearby the Sea Dragon Swing Ship was closed, as it was running in rotation with the Bumper Boats. I'd just missed the end of one Sea Dragon Swing Ship operating session by a few minutes, and due to the way I planned to spend the rest of the afternoon it was unlikely I'd return to it later, so I ended up not going on it all day. Nonetheless, I had one go on the Bumper Boats. There was just one other rider on the lake when I began my go, and eventually I had the lake to myself. I was able to stay on the lake until I docked of my own accord.

I returned to The Empire of the Sea Dragon. Once inside I went to Ray's Diner for a burger meal (which included fries and a fizzy drink) and a doughnut. Having eaten, I went into Sea Dragon's Play City, an enormous five-storey indoor adventure play complex filled with the Barracuda 6-lane Astra slide, Dinosaur Double Drop Slide, Triple Decker Deep G Dive drop slide, Depth Charge drop slide, a few tube slides and a green corkscrew slide, a crawl maze, 90 degree tubes to crawl through and soft play equipment. It claims to be the UK's biggest indoor play zone, and best of all adults (or should I say adult kids?) are allowed to play on everything in there. I enjoyed six goes on Barracuda, four goes on Dinosaur Double Drop Slide and some soft play equipment.

At this point I temporarily left Sea Dragon's Play City to have two goes on the Trauma Tower. Afterwards I returned to Sea Dragon's Play City to enjoy the rest of the slides (including multiple goes on the Triple Decker Deep G Dive and Depth Charge drop slides), crawl tubes and soft play equipment. I finally left the play area at 16:32. Finally I just had time for two more goes on Trauma Tower before collecting my belongings from three lockers, ready to leave.

Cumulative Summary of My Rides at Woodlands

Ride	Total
Avalanche left slide	2
Avalanche right slide	2
Bumper Boat	1
Trauma Tower	6
TOTAL	11

Monday Early Evening

As I left Woodlands it was raining again. Thankfully, when I reached the bus stop, I only had a few minutes to wait in the rain for the 16:53 bus to Totnes. Having reached Totnes at 17:22, I went into Morrisons Café, where I had a jacket potato with chilli con carne, followed by a slice of cake and a cup of coffee. After a short time in the main store, I returned to the café for a cappuccino.

Journey Home

Having left Morrisons, I walked to Totnes railway station, and caught the 20:10 train to Bath Spa. The train ran on time and it was a relaxing journey. I finally reached Bath at 22:08 and home about ten minutes later.

More about Monday available here

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Outro

Highlights

Three nights' B&B in Torquay, including the delicious filling breakfasts.
Sliding the water slides at Plymouth Life Centre.
Skating on the ice rink at Plymouth Pavilions.
Devon cream tea at Strand Tea Rooms, Plymouth Barbican.
Enjoying eight goes on Maximus Coaster and six goes on Tidal Wave Log Flume at Devon's Crealy.
Good ride count at Devon's Crealy, despite temporary closure of outdoor rides due to the thunderstorm.
Getting my 100th ride to-date at Woodlands.
Riding the Trauma Tower and Avalanche at Woodlands.
Playing in the Adventure Zone at Devon's Crealy and Sea Dragon's Play City at Woodlands.
Meals at Wetherspoons Torquay Friday evening, Wetherspoons Newton Abbot Saturday evening and Wetherspoons Exeter Sunday evening.

Lowlights

Thunderstorm at Devon's Crealy necessitated closure of the outdoor rides for a while.
Having to wait about an hour for a bus to Exeter after Devon's Crealy closed at 17:00 Sunday evening.
Wet and windy weather on arrival at Woodlands.
Not being able to ride the Toboggan Run at Woodlands due to its wet/damp track.
Ninja Towers and Goblin Tower slides were slow due to them being damp/wet.

Summing Up

Altogether another fantastic long weekend in south Devon, which included a visit to Bygones Torquay, water sliding, ice skating, riding, and outdoor and indoor adventure play areas. The weather was indifferent, but presumably that was to be expected this time in October. Having been to Devon's Crealy every year since 2003, it was my first ever time of experiencing a thunderstorm whilst there. Although that temporarily necessitated closure of the outdoor rides, I took advantage of that time indoors to ride the Honey Swing twice (which was still running), have lunch and play on Go Wild. Thankfully the thunderstorm cleared enabling the outdoor rides to resume operation, and in turn allowing me to enjoy many more rides after lunch. Thus despite the temporary outdoor ride closure due to the thunderstorm I still achieved a high ride count at Crealy. It's such a pity about the wet and windy start to my day at Woodlands. Fortunately the weather the rest of the day wasn't as bad as predicted; despite the original forecast of wind and rain all day, the rain stopped around midday and I was able to enjoy four goes on Avalanche and a go on Bumper Boats, as well as some outdoor play areas. It's a pity the Toboggan Run was unable to run due to the wet track. I see this as the nearest Woodlands currently has to a roller coaster. Due to its lift hill, and your riding down the steel track, one could argue this is a coaster. Ideally I would have liked my first ride of the day, which was also my 100th ride to-date at Woodlands to have been on the Toboggan Run. Nonetheless I enjoyed my 100th ride to-date at Woodlands, albeit on the Trauma Tower, and another ten rides the rest of the day.

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