Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Grand Final

Host country: Sweden (SVT)
Venue: Malmö Arena
Hosts: Petra Mede
Date: Saturday 18 May 2013
Winner: Denmark - Emmelie de Forest "Only Teardrops" (281 points)

N.B. Any use of "tonight" or "this evening" throughout this post means Saturday 18 May 2013.

The Opening

After the usual Eurovision ident accompanied by Charpentier's Te Deum prelude "Marche en rondeau", there was a rapid sequence of flashbacks to Sweden's win in Baku last year. This was followed by a caterpillar journey from Baku to Malmö. The caterpillar left Baku and took a tour of Europe, travelling by hot air balloon, boat and other means as far as Paris, where a shot of the Eiffel Tower was shown. From Gare du Nord the caterpillar travelled north on a train. Upon reaching the Danish end of the Öresund Bridge, the caterpillar turned into a chrysalis, and shortly afterwards emerged as the Eurovision Butterfly, the logo for this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Finally the butterfly flew across the water to the Malmö Arena.

Inside the Arena, a choir sang the new Eurovision Anthem "We Write The Story", written by Benny and Bjorn of ABBA. A bridge representing the Öresund Bridge spanned the Arena and all 26 finalists, bearing flags, walked across it. Once all finalists had crossed the bridge, Petra Mede introduced the show.

The Songs

Just over 13 minutes after the start of the show it was time for the first song. Each song was introduced by a postcard film related to the appropriate country, which included a flying butterfly in the appropriate flag design. Furthermore UK BBC One / BBC One HD viewers had Graham Norton's commentary over the postcard films (I've mentioned a few of Graham's comments at various points hereafter; if you saw the Contest outside the UK you won't have heard his comments).

N.B. Looking at the results, there was one tied position: Moldova and Belgium both amassed 71 points each. However the EBU has separated them into 11th place and 12th place respectively. I have taken the following points and placings from the official Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Grand Final web page, which I believe and trust as the only official source.

Song 1: France - Amandine Bourgeois "L'enfer Et Moi" (23rd place, 14 points)

The first song in the line-up was from one of the Big Five nations France. It began with two gently paced verses, both of which were followed by upbeat choruses. Unfortunately the song was heavily murdered towards the end which, in my opinion, totally ruined what could so far at best be described as an average song. 23rd place and 14 points was as much as it deserved, I was amazed it didn't finish lower still.

Song 2: Lithuania - Andrius Pojavis "Something" (22nd place, 17 points)

A semi-final 1 entry I didn't really want to qualify, a ballad from Lithuania. A reasonable ballad, which I liked more in the final than in the semi-final. Compared to France's entry, this seemed considerably better. 22nd place and 17 points was to be expected, though if that's what this deserved, France deserved a couple of places lower than 23rd.

Song 3: Moldova - Aliona Moon "O Mie" (11th place, 71 points)

Another semi-final 1 entry I didn't really want to qualify. Most of this ballad was of average quality, but Aliona made it way too overpowering towards the end, thereby spoiling it. Aliona was accompanied by the backing group's dance routine which I enjoyed trying to copy. There was also the additional gimmick of the flame effect near the end; it's clever how they did that. This was over-rated at 11th place and 71 points; 15th was about the most this deserved.

Song 4: Finland - Krista Siegfrids "Marry Me" (24th place, 13 points)

The first Nordic entry of the night, an upbeat song with the gimmick of the backing group lifting Krista part way through. The backing group also performed a series of dance moves, some of which I enjoyed copying. Other gimmicks included placing the veil over Krista's head, and the kiss at the end. Another entry to be valued more for the dance moves and gimmicks than the song itself; 24th place and 13 points was as much as this deserved. I'd sooner this hadn't even qualified from semi-final 2; Israel, San Marino or Switzerland deserved the place this took.

Song 5: Spain - ESDM "Contigo Hasta El Final (With You Until The End)" (25th place, 8 points)

The second Big Five entry of the night, Spain. The song consisted of two gentle verses and considerably livelier choruses. It was sung by a lady in a yellow dress, who raised her arms in a similar manner to Loreen last year. She was accompanied by a drummer and guitarists. Altogether a reasonable song, to me it seemed better than France who had performed earlier, but definitely a bottom ten contender. This finished second last with just 8 points; it really deserved a higher placing than France.

Song 6: Belgium - Roberto Bellarosa "Love Kills" (12th place, 71 points)

The first half decent song of the night; this was one of the borderline semi-final 1 contenders I didn't mind qualifying. A ballad whose first verse was rather slow and a little dull, but the chorus was lively and catchy. Roberto sang well and was accompanied by two backing ladies whose dance routine I enjoyed copying. 12th place and 71 points was about right for this middle of the road ballad.

Song 7: Estonia - Birgit "Et Uus Saaks Alguse" (20th place, 19 points)

Another song I didn't really want to see in the final. A ballad which began with a monochrome effect for some mysterious reason. Altogether a reasonable ballad; its gentle verses were rather good, but its choruses were a bit overpowering for the verses. 20th place and 19 points was about right for this song.

Song 8: Belarus - Alyona Lanskaya "Solayoh" (16th place, 48 points)

Now for one of the entries I most wanted to qualify from semi-final 1, Belarus. The song itself may not have been one of the best, the key selling points of this entry were Alyona's arm movements and the men's well-choreographed dance routine in time with the accompanying beat. This was the golden opportunity to join in and copy the dance routine, and that's just what I did. Or to put it another way, an adult kids' Boogie Beebies big video. This deserved slightly higher than 16th place and 48 points; 11th to 15th would have been appropriate, but it wasn't good enough for top ten.

Song 9: Malta - Gianluca "Tomorrow" (8th place, 120 points)

One of the semi-final 2 contenders I most wanted to qualify. A rather catchy folk style song featuring a male singer with a drummer and others behind him. The lyrics appeared on the background screens in a variety of styles; any reason for that? Although not as outstanding as Norway's "Fairytale" in 2009 this was definitely the best song so far in the 2013 Grand Final, very well sung. It certainly deserved its 8th place and 120 points but wasn't good enough for top five.

Song 10: Russia - Dina Garipova "What If" (5th place, 174 points)

One of the semi-final 1 contenders I most wanted to qualify. This beautiful ballad from Russia was an enormous improvement on last year's garbage from the Russian Grannies. Russia definitely deserved its place in the 2013 Grand Final with "What If". An excellent ballad which was very well sung this evening. 5th place and 174 points was just right, although it deserved its top five placing it wasn't good enough for a victory.

Song 11: Germany - Cascada "Glorious" (21st place, 18 points)

The third Big Five entry of this evening, Germany; a power ballad sung by a female soloist. Was it really necessary for her to sing standing on top of a table for most of the song? Near the end she walked along the path towards the audience. Better than France or Spain, but on the whole another below par song. 21st place and 18 points was about as much as it deserved, it certainly didn't merit a top twenty placing.

Song 12: Armenia - Dorians "Lonely Planet" (18th place, 41 points)

During the preceding postcard film, Graham Norton said it was a bit of a shock that Armenia reached the final. Whilst watching semi-final 2, I regarded this as a borderline contender which I didn't mind qualifying, but wasn't desperately keen to see tonight. This power ballad wasn't bad, though some bits were a bit overdone. Thank goodness it wasn't the Eurovision Dress Contest, because just like in semi-final 2, the lead singer was rather scruffily dressed; his jeans had holes in them which surely doesn't create a good first impression. In my opinion, a better power ballad than Germany, but again not a song to be rated highly. 18th place and 41 points was just about right, this definitely wasn't good enough for top 15.

There was a break at this point. Petra Mede reappeared to give a short speech. This was followed by a comedy film of Stockholm.

Song 13: The Netherlands - Anouk "Birds" (9th place, 114 points)

Well done to the Netherlands in reaching the Grand Final for the first time since 2004. This was an excellent ballad which was very well sung. My only dislike was it sounded rather sorrowful and depressing. Still that really made it stand out from many of the other songs. This finished with a well-earned 9th place and 114 points, I think it could perhaps have merited being two or three places higher.

Song 14: Romania - Cezar "It's My Life" (13th place, 65 points)

Wow, this was all kinds of everything! Having started as an upbeat ballad, it morphed into popped-up opera from the first chorus onwards. A somewhat bizarre combination to say the least! Cezar pitched really high on the middle eight, well done him. As if all that wasn't enough, a few stroboscopic effects were thrown in, though I question the need for their presence in this song. Perhaps this should best be valued for the somewhat elaborate dance routine, which included moves I was able to enjoy copying, and clever formations viewers daren't attempt! This is an entry I'd have preferred not to have reached the final. It was grossly over-rated to finish on 13th place and 65 points, it should have finished in the bottom ten. Better still, Israel, San Marino or Switzerland better deserved the place this took.

Song 15: United Kingdom - Bonnie Tyler "Believe In Me" (19th place, 23 points)

Now for the UK, the fourth Big Five entry of this evening. When I watched the preview videos on the eurovision.tv website a couple of weeks before tonight's final, "Believe In Me" seemed one of the best of this year's 39 songs, and I had high hopes for it. Quite frankly I was quite disappointed with Bonnie's live performance in the Grand Final. "Believe In Me" was quite a nice song, and the first couple of lines of the chorus were quite catchy. However this evening I thought Bonnie's voice wasn't strong enough, and the song somehow didn't have the winning oomph of "Love Shine A Light" in 1997. I wasn't surprised it finished 19th place with 23 points. That said, I think this was better than Armenia and Romania, and ought perhaps to have been placed 13th or thereabouts, but it definitely wasn't good enough for top ten.

Song 16: Sweden - Robin Stjernberg "You" (14th place, 62 points)

Now for the host nation Sweden. A middle of the road power ballad, to me this seemed better than "When Spirits Are Calling My Name" the last time Sweden hosted the Contest in 2000, but this was a rather lame song compared to "Euphoria" last year. Robin's voice was powerful on the rather catchy choruses, but a bit weak on the verses. Just like several other of tonight's entries, this song was enhanced by the backing group's impressive dancing and acrobatics. The middle of the road 14th place and 62 points was just right for this middle of the road song; it definitely wasn't good enough for top ten.

Song 17: Hungary - ByeAlex "Kedvesem (Zoohacker Remix)" (10th place, 84 points)

Another borderline semi-final 2 contender which I didn't mind reaching the final, but wasn't desperate to see tonight. This was a roly poly sort of song, which reminded me of a song that was in the UK hit parade in the late 1970s, but I'm not sure what. Another middle of the road song which was quite well sung. 10th place and 84 points was about right for this entry, it certainly didn't deserve a higher placing.

Song 18: Denmark - Emmelie de Forest "Only Teardrops" (Winner, 281 points)

The bookies' favourite to win, and one of the songs I most wanted to qualify from semi-final 1. I was really pleased to see this reach the final. The song includes gentle verses, and really fast upbeat choruses, accompanied appropriately by a beautiful piping sound and the drums. Just like in semi-final 1, tonight's performance was first class. Altogether a catchy song which definitely deserved to win with 281 points.

Song 19: Iceland - Eythor Ingi "Ég Á Líf" (17th place, 47 points)

The one song I wanted to qualify more than any other in semi-final 2, and I was extremely delighted to see it reach the Grand Final. A beautiful, soothing lullaby ballad from Iceland, or to put it another way, the adult kids' version of the CBeebies Goodnight Song. Definitely the sort of thing tonight's final needed and deserved. Eythor gave an outstanding performance of this excellent song, all the better for it being sung in native Icelandic. Grossly under-rated at 17th place and 47 points, this should have finished in the top three.

Song 20: Azerbaijan - Farid Mammadov "Hold Me" (2nd place, 234 points)

Another excellent ballad I particularly wanted to qualify from semi-final 2. This was slightly more upbeat than Azerbaijan's winning song "Running Scared" in 2011. This year they had the gimmick of Farid singing on top of the box during the first verse and first chorus, and someone else inside the box copying or mirroring his movements. I particularly liked most of the song, but felt the style of singing during the middle eight was slightly inappropriate for this type of song. One other surprise was the lady who appeared for the middle eight and final chorus. Altogether an excellent entry which definitely deserved a top five placing, though I think 2nd place and 234 points was a bit generous. 3rd or 4th would have been more appropriate.

Song 21: Greece - Koza Mostra feat. Agathon Iakovidis "Alcohol Is Free" (6th place, 152 points)

The one entry I least wanted to qualify from semi-final 2, a load of trash which sounded as though it was being sung by drunken yobs. I shouted "boo" and "off" and hissed throughout this performance, and was glad when it ended. In my opinion, this was best suited to a stag party disco, and not the sort of thing to have in Eurovision. This was grossly over-rated at 6th place and 152 points, I was hoping it would finish last with nul points (or failing that last with no more than its almost certain 12 points from Cyprus). Better still this shouldn't have qualified; Israel, San Marino or Switzerland deserved the place taken by Greece.

Song 22: Ukraine - Zlata Ognevich "Gravity" (3rd place, 214 points)

My least disliked of my "prefer not to qualify" entries in semi-final 1, by this evening I didn't mind seeing it in the final. A power ballad, with an appropriate use of arm movements. It was interesting to see the fork of lightning on the background screens as Zlata sang "Like a strike of thunder", and to hear a few mentions of "I'm like a butterfly" when this year's Contest logo was the butterfly. Based solely on the live grand final performance, quite a reasonable power ballad which was very well sung, but I don't think it was as good as Verka Serduchka's memorable runner-up entry in 2007, or this year's entry from Azerbaijan. 3rd place and 214 points was a bit generous for this, 5th would have been a better placing.

Song 23: Italy - Marco Mengoni "L'Essenziale" (7th place, 126 points)

The fifth and last Big Five entry, Italy. A very good ballad which was well sung and which I generally liked. However I think Marco's rather overpowering style of singing near the end was inappropriate for what was generally a gentle ballad. This was the highest placed Big Five entry, with a well-earned 7th place and 126 points. I think it deserved slightly higher, 4th to 6th perhaps but not a winner.

Song 24: Norway - Margaret Berger "I Feed You My Love" (4th place, 191 points)

My least disliked of the four countries (Finland, Greece, Norway, Romania) I would rather not have qualified from semi-final 2. A female soloist performing a power ballad, enhanced by her intermittent arm movements and the drummer. Were the wobbly background noise and stroboscopic effects at the start, and certain other bits, really necessary? In my opinion, this was rather over-rated at 4th place and 191 points, it may have merited 8th to 10th at best but definitely not a top five placing. Altogether not Norway's best effort, this was nowhere near as good as their memorable winning entry "Fairytale" in 2009.

Song 25: Georgia - Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani "Waterfall" (15th place, 50 points)

Last year Georgia entered "I'm A Joker", which I detested and was glad it didn't reach the final. This year Georgia went for something light years better, a decent duet ballad, which had a catchy chorus. It was very well sung, with the added enhancement of the waterfall effect on the screens most of the song, and the pyrotechnics near the end. This was grossly under-rated at 15th place and 50 points, 4th to 6th would have been more appropriate.

Song 26: Ireland - Ryan Dolan "Only Love Survives" (26th place, 5 points)

The last song of the night, which sadly finished last in the pecking order! Although not one of the semi-final 1 participants I most want to see qualify, I ended up pleased to see it in the final. This year Ireland went for a power ballad, accompanied by drums and bodhráns. In my opinion, not as good as Jedward's efforts in 2011 and 2012. Nonetheless "Only Love Survives" was a good song, and well performed. Graham Norton's comment that this could win may have been over-optimistic but this definitely didn't deserve to come last with just 5 points. It deserved much better than that; 8th to 12th would have been a more appropriate placing.

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Tele-voting and Recap

At this point Petra Mede reappeared to announce the start of the voting. The voting lines opened and a recap of the songs followed. Viewers had about 15 minutes in which to cast their votes. When the UK's song extract appeared, a caption at the bottom of the screen stated "UK VIEWERS CANNOT VOTE FOR THE UK ENTRY" and "Your vote won't count and you may still be charged." Were any UK viewers foolish enough to try dialling the voting stem with 15 at the end? I voted for Iceland, Netherlands and Denmark.

At the end of the recap last year's winner Loreen performed a medley of her songs, one of which was last year's Eurovision Song Contest winner "Euphoria". After that there was a second recap of tonight's finalists. Finally there was a ten second countdown to the moment the lines closed. Closure of the lines was made quite clear; Petra said "Europe stop voting now!" and a caption said "LINES ARE NOW CLOSED". To be doubly sure, Petra then said "The lines are now closed for voting".

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Interval Act

The main interval act was Swedish Smörgåsbord, a song performed by Petra Mede. The song mentioned various Swedish things such as IKEA and a brief snippet of Carola's 1991 Eurovision Song Contest win, as well as recycling for some inexplicable reason (along with wheely bins on stage); I didn't know recycling was Swedish. Not bad but I personally didn't think it was as good as the interval act Guitars Unlimited with Swedish Evergreens when Sweden hosted the Eurovision Song Contest from Gothenburg in 1985.

After that there was a brief history of Eurovision, featuring clips from past Eurovision Song Contests and accompanying comments. Finally a Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden would not be complete without an ABBA song, and unsurprisingly Sarah Dawn Finer sang "The Winner Takes It All". The perfect ABBA song to perform just as the voting was about to start because, let's face it, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 would indeed take the winning title and trophy.

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Voting Time

All 39 countries, including the 13 which failed to qualify, voted in the final. The voting order was:
San Marino, Sweden, Albania, The Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom, Israel, Serbia, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Norway, Armenia, Italy, Finland, Spain, Belarus, Latvia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Russia, Malta, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, France, Greece, Ireland, Denmark, Montenegro, Slovenia, Georgia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Cyprus, Croatia, Switzerland, Lithuania.

From the start this year's voting was going to be interesting for a few reasons: 1) Portugal, Turkey and Bosnia & Herzegovina did not enter this year; 2) the five ex-Yugoslav countries that entered (Croatia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia) plus Albania all failed to reach the final (and would therefore not be able to vote for each other, but would still vote for the finalists); 3) Belgium and Netherlands both reached the final.

Denmark was strongly tipped to win, even before the semi-finals. However early on it looked as though they wouldn't win. San Marino, who voted first, gave Greece 12 points (and hence an initial lead), and no points at all to Denmark. Sweden, who voted next, were the first country to give points to Denmark; they gave 10 points to Denmark, and nothing to Greece. Albania gave 1 point to Denmark and higher scores to various other countries including Greece, thereby pushing Denmark down the leader board to 7th place. The Netherlands gave 10 points to Denmark pushing them momentarily to 4th place, until they gave 12 points to Belgium! Austria gave 5 points to Denmark; after allowing for their higher points to other countries Denmark's position was 4th place when Austria finished voting. The UK's 12 points to Denmark put Denmark at the top of the leader board for the first time, albeit joint leadership with Greece at the time. Israel gave 2 points to Greece and 8 points to Denmark, thereby giving Denmark a clear lead for the first time. After that, Denmark kept their place at the top of the leader board for the rest of the voting.

Whereas last year 18 countries gave 12 points to the 2012 winner Sweden, this year's voting was much more disjointed. 13 of the 26 finalists received at least one 12 point vote. The number of 12 point votes received by each of those 13 countries is shown in the table below.

Country	No of 12s Received
Azerbaijan	10
Denmark	8
Ukraine	5
Italy	3
Norway	3
Greece	2
Russia	2
Belarus	1
Belgium	1
Hungary	1
Moldova	1
Sweden	1
The Netherlands	1

Notice that the most 12-point scores were received by Azerbaijan, who finished second overall. The 2013 winners Denmark received the second highest number of 12-point scores. This just goes to show that the country who receives the most 12-point scores doesn't necessarily win.

The eight countries who awarded 12 points to Denmark were: United Kingdom, Serbia, Italy, Iceland, France, Ireland, Slovenia, F.Y.R. Macedonia. 29 countries gave between 1 and 10 points to Denmark. Interestingly Denmark received at least one each of each points level (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10-12). San Marino was the only country (other than Denmark itself) not to give Denmark any points at all.

The complete list of 12-point scores and points awarded to Denmark is shown below:

#	Calling country	12 points to	Points to Denmark
1	San Marino	Greece	0
2	Sweden	Norway	10
3	Albania	Italy	1
4	The Netherlands	Belgium	10
5	Austria	Azerbaijan	5
6	United Kingdom	Denmark	12
7	Israel	Azerbaijan	8
8	Serbia	Denmark	12
9	Ukraine	Belarus	5
10	Hungary	Azerbaijan	10
11	Romania	Moldova	6
12	Moldova	Ukraine	6
13	Azerbaijan	Ukraine	5
14	Norway	Sweden	7
15	Armenia	Ukraine	4
16	Italy	Denmark	12
17	Finland	Norway	7
18	Spain	Italy	8
19	Belarus	Ukraine	1
20	Latvia	Russia	6
21	Bulgaria	Azerbaijan	2
22	Belgium	The Netherlands	10
23	Russia	Azerbaijan	4
24	Malta	Azerbaijan	6
25	Estonia	Russia	8
26	Germany	Hungary	10
27	Iceland	Denmark	12
28	France	Denmark	12
29	Greece	Azerbaijan	7
30	Ireland	Denmark	12
31	Denmark	Norway	n/a
32	Montenegro	Azerbaijan	10
33	Slovenia	Denmark	12
34	Georgia	Azerbaijan	7
35	F.Y.R. Macedonia	Denmark	12
36	Cyprus	Greece	7
37	Croatia	Ukraine	10
38	Switzerland	Italy	3
39	Lithuania	Azerbaijan	2

Mutual 12 Points
The following three pairs of countries gave each other 12 points:
Belarus ↔ Ukraine
Belgium ↔ The Netherlands (hardly surprising, they are two neighbouring Benelux countries)
Norway ↔ Sweden (again hardly surprising, they are two neighbouring Nordic countries)

Obviously Greece wasn't able to give 12 points to Cyprus this year as they failed to reach the final. However Cyprus, who nonetheless voted in the final gave its 12 points to Greece as expected.

The five Nordic countries exchanged points with each other as follows:

Calling country	Denmark	Finland	Iceland	Norway	Sweden
Denmark	n/a	2	1	12	8
Finland	7	n/a	5	12	4
Iceland	12	0	n/a	10	4
Norway	7	0	4	n/a	12
Sweden	10	0	6	12	n/a

Notice that Iceland, Norway and Sweden gave no points to Finland. Denmark gave just one point to Iceland and two points to Finland. It just goes to show, contrary to what some may think, the Nordic countries don't necessarily award points (let alone high points) to every other Nordic finalist. Interestingly based on the five Nordic countries' votes alone, Norway had the most points (46), and Denmark had the second highest number of points (36). Clearly Denmark required points from the non-Nordic countries to win the Contest overall.

A total of seven countries gave points to the UK, as follows:

Calling country	Points to UK
Ireland	7
Malta	5
Spain	4
Romania	3
Switzerland	2
Slovenia	1
Sweden	1

As can be seen, Ireland gave 7 points to the UK. Interestingly the UK gave just 1 point to Ireland.

When Belarus (country 19 of 39) voted, Graham Norton said "Ooh, only one for Denmark, so there's gonna be a shake-up on the leader board".

After Latvia (country 20 of 39) voted there was a short break. After the break Graham commented on Denmark's progress: "It's in the lead, but it's not a runaway yet.". Bulgaria were the first country to vote after that break.

When France (country 28 of 39) gave 12 points to Denmark, Graham said "It might all be over now, but you never know." At the time the latest running totals were 1st Denmark 199, 2nd Azerbaijan 160; i.e. a margin of 39 points between first and second place. With 11 countries still to vote, one of which was Denmark, there were still 120 points available to Denmark and 132 points available to any other country; therefore Denmark could still be caught and overtaken.

Just as F.Y.R. Macedonia (country 35 of 39) were about to announce their points, Graham said "I don't think Bonnie can win now". Of course she couldn't! With the UK on 21 points so far, the most it could have finished on would have been 81, even if the UK had received 12 points from each of the remaining five countries including F.Y.R. Macedonia.

As soon as F.Y.R. Macedonia had awarded 12 points to Denmark (and no points at all to Azerbaijan or Ukraine), Graham said "So that's it, Denmark have won, they can't be caught now.". The latest running totals were now 1st Denmark 259, 2nd Azerbaijan 201; i.e. a margin of 58 points between first and second place. With just four countries left to vote, and hence 48 (4 x 12) points still available to Azerbaijan, the worst case scenario that could have occurred thereafter would have been 1st Denmark 259, 2nd Azerbaijan 249. Denmark really were now uncatchable. Although the voting wasn't yet finished, Petra Mede announced that Denmark had won before continuing with the rest of the voting.

Denmark won with 281 points. With a possible maximum of 12 points from each of the other 38 countries (including the 13 semi-finalists which failed to qualify), i.e. 456, Denmark won with 61.6% of the maximum possible score. That's lower than last year when Sweden won with 75.6% of the maximum possible score for 2012, i.e. 492. The record for the winner with the highest percentage of the maximum possible score since 1975 still rests with United Kingdom - Brotherhood of Man "Save Your Kisses For Me"; 80.4% in 1976.

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Reprise

Emmelie de Forest had already left the Green Room, and whilst crossing the arena bridge met last year's winner Loreen, who handed her the winner's trophy. After Petra Mede's very brief closing speech, Emmelie performed Denmark's winning entry "Only Teardrops" again. During this performance, the closing credits were shown on screen. As soon as the song ended the Eurovision ident accompanied by Charpentier's Te Deum prelude "Marche en rondeau" marked the official end of the show.

And Finally

Altogether another great Contest. Many thanks to SVT for producing a great final. Most of the songs were OK or very good; there were just a few that I'd rather not have qualified to the final (Lithuania, Moldova, Finland, Romania, Greece). I still think that two out of Austria, Croatia and Cyprus should have had the places taken by Lithuania and Moldova; and that Israel, San Marino and Switzerland deserved the places Finland, Romania and Greece took.

As always it was good to have a mixture of song styles in the final. You could say the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final 2013 had a hidden touch of CBeebies thrown in for good measure on two counts. Firstly a fair few of the finalists had dance routines one could join in and copy (adult kids' Boogie Beebies big videos); particularly Belarus. Secondly Iceland's "Ég Á Líf" was a beautiful, soothing lullaby ballad from Iceland, or to put it another way, the adult kids' version of the CBeebies Goodnight Song. It's a shame that didn't do much better than it did.

Well done Denmark, their third win to-date, having previously won in 1963 and 2000. Their latest gap between wins, 13 years (2000 to 2013) is much shorter than their previous gap between wins of 37 years (1963 to 2000). It's amazing to think that their latest win this year occurred half a century after their first ever win in 1963.

It was another disappointing result for the UK, 19th place, 23 points. I think Bonnie deserved a little higher than that, maybe 13th or thereabouts, but I don't think her performance was good enough for top ten. At least that was better than the UK's result last year: 25th place (second last), 12 points. Looking at it positively, there were seven finalists placed lower than the UK. Commiserations to Ireland who finished last with just 5 points. They deserved much better than that, I'd say about 8th to 12th. Nonetheless Ireland can still be proud and thankful of having reached the final; 13 countries did worse than them by failing to qualify. The UK, Ireland and other countries who didn't win should remember that the important thing is not to win, but to participate.

Roll on the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest from Denmark. Can DR do as well or better? Time will tell. Mark my words, next year's Contest will tell another story as far as the results go. Who knows, the UK might win next year!

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Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Analysis

Here are all the 26 finalists, in alphabetical order (not order of performance):
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Now for the 13 countries who failed to reach the final, but which will still vote tomorrow night:
Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Israel, Latvia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland.

Now let's look at some country groups:

Baltic States (Ex USSR)

IN: Estonia, Lithuania. OUT: Latvia.

I'd have preferred Estonia and Lithuania to have stayed out of this year's final. In the case of Estonia, I felt the gentle verses were fine, but the choruses were too overpowering. Nor was I all that keen on Lithuania's ballad "Something". As far as I'm concerned, Austria, Croatia and Cyprus all had better songs, and thus two of those deserved the places Estonia and Lithuania took. No doubt Estonia and Lithuania will award each other high marks, and Latvia will give high scores to Estonia and Lithuania. That said all three have got several other ex-USSR countries to give points to as well.

Benelux

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

Congratulations to The Netherlands for qualifying to the final for the first time since 2004. Fair enough they've had a few below par entries in the interim years which I was glad to see eliminated during the semi-finals. However "Ik Ben Verliefd (Sha-la-lie)" in 2010 and "You And Me" in 2012 were excellent songs which should have reached the finals. Back to this year, although I find "Birds" a bit sorrowful and depressing (hearing it upsets me a bit), it's a good ballad, an unusual style of singing for Eurovision and deserves its place in the final. Belgium's "Love Kills" was, in my opinion, a borderline song which I put on my "wouldn't mind qualifying" list. Although it wasn't one of my most wanted entrants from semi-final 1, its presence in the final is fine by me; it has a catchy chorus. So that now means both Belgium and The Netherlands are in the final for once. Presumably therefore, as neighbouring Benelux countries, they'll automatically give each other 12 points. We'll soon see tomorrow night.

Nordic area

IN: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden.

A full representation of the Nordic area for once. Well I'm not too happy about that; when I get the chance I vote for the best songs, not having certain complete groups of countries in the final. I'm glad Denmark is through, not because it's the bookies' favourite to win, but because I feel it's an excellent song with gentle verses, and really fast upbeat choruses. I'm even more overjoyed to see Iceland's "Ég Á Líf" in the final. Last night Eythor Ingi gave a first class performance of this beautiful, soothing ballad, or as I see it lullaby; the adult kids' version of the CBeebies Goodnight Song, which is just what the Eurovision Song Contest final needs and deserves. If there's to be an unexpected surprise winner, and Eythor sings "Ég Á Líf" as well tomorrow night as he did last night, I'd like it to be Iceland to give them their first win since debuting in 1986. However I'd rather Norway and Finland hadn't reached the final. I didn't think much of Norway's "I Feed You My Love", and I felt that Finland's "Marry Me" was even worse. As far as I'm concerned, San Marino and Israel deserved the places they took. Sweden, as last year's winners and hence this year's hosts automatically reached the final. I've heard their song on the official ESC CD album but not paid much attention to it; I've been more interested in the semi-finalists' songs whilst listening to the CD this week. So that means the five Nordic countries will all give each other their top five marks; Denmark and Iceland will almost certainly give each other 12 points.

Greece and Cyprus

IN: Greece. OUT: Cyprus.

Well blow me down! Tuesday evening I was disappointed to see Cyprus eliminated as Despina Olympiou's "An Me Thimasai" was an excellent ballad which deserved a place in the final. On the other hand, I was appalled and disgusted to see Greece called out as the very last qualifier last night. Their entry "Alcohol Is Free" sounded to me like a load of trash sung by a group of drunken yobs. It was the one semi-final 2 entry I least wanted to see qualify. As far as I'm concerned, "Alcohol Is Free" doesn't belong in the final. Israel, San Marino or Switzerland deserved the place Greece unfairly took. In a nutshell, the wrong one out of Greece and Cyprus qualified; Cyprus should have gone through on Tuesday and Greece should have been eliminated last night, not the other way around as actually happened. So the upshot of that is Cyprus will almost certainly still give its 12 points to Greece, but who will Greece give their 12 points to? They can't give them to Cyprus who are now out.

Former Yugoslavia

OUT: Croatia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia. (Bosnia & Herzegovina didn't enter in 2013).

Isn't it extraordinary! For once there are no former Yugoslav countries in the final. Looking back at ESC history, since the ex-Yugoslav constituents began entering as independent countries in 1993, there were at least two ex-Yugoslav countries (and usually three) in the then Saturday only Contest from 1993 to 2003 inclusive. Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, each year from 2004 to 2012 inclusive has seen at least two ex-Yugoslav coutries in the final, and usually three or even four have been in the final. Before the break-up, Yugoslavia was in every year from 1986 to 1992 inclusive.

So that means this is the first ever year since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004 that there's been no former Yugoslav country in a Saturday night final, indeed the first year since Yugoslavia first started entering as separate independent countries in 1993 that no former Yugoslav country has been seen in the Saturday night contest. In fact, it's the first year since 1985 that neither Yugoslavia nor any of its derivative countries have appeared in the Saturday night Contest (before or since the introduction of semi-finals).

Interestingly Albania are also out. Although not part of the former Yugoslavia, they tend to vote for the ex-Yugoslav countries, and the ex-Yugoslav countries tend to vote for Albania. So the upshot of all this, who will the five ex-Yugoslav countries (Croatia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia) plus Albania all vote for tomorrow night? One thing is certain, they won't be able to give each other their high scores.

I must admit, I'm gutted that Croatia failed to qualify as Klapa s mora gave a first class performance of their excellent ballad "Mižerja". Croatia had one of the best songs in the first semi-final on Tuesday night which deserved to be in the final. At the other extreme, to say I'm glad Montenegro were eliminated is a colossal understatement. As far as I'm concerned, their mish-mash of rap and dubstep didn't belong in Eurovision. It would have been a disgrace to the final if it had got there.

Founding Seven

By this I mean the seven countries who appeared in the very first ESC in Lugano in 1956:

IN: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands. OUT: Switzerland. (Luxembourg didn't enter yet again).

As I've already said, Belgium and The Netherlands are deservedly through to the final. France, Germany and Italy, as Big 5 contenders, got there automatically. It's such a shame Switzerland didn't qualify, their song was among those in the second semi-final which I most wanted to qualify last night.

Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Semi-Final 2

Host country: Sweden (SVT)
Venue: Malmö Arena
Hosts: Petra Mede
Date: Thursday 16 May 2013

N.B. Any use of "tonight" or "this evening" throughout this post means Thursday 16 May 2013.

The Opening

The second semi-final opened with an assortment of dancing, followed by cyclists on a ramp, and finally a projection of a laptop computer on the floor (keyboard) and ramp (screen). This included bits of the Eurovision anthem Charpentier's Te Deum prelude "Marche en rondeau" thrown in for good measure. Quite an odd opening to say the least!

The Songs

Eight minutes after the start of the show (20:08 BST) it was time for the first song. Each song was introduced by a postcard film related to the appropriate country, which included a flying butterfly in the appropriate flag design..

Song 1: Latvia - PeR "Here We Go"

Two men dancing around in a similar manner to Jedward the last two years, whilst singing an upbeat song. This was one of my least liked songs on the ESC 2013 CD album. Despite my liking for Jedward's entries for Ireland in 2011 and 2012, I didn't like "Here We Go" performed live tonight. Altogether no match for Jedward's "Lipstick" and "Waterfall" the last two years. I'd rather this stays out of Saturday's final.

Song 2: San Marino - Valentina Monetta "Crisalide (Vola)"

Now for one of my most liked songs on the ESC 2013 CD album. After her Social Network Song last year, which failed to reach the final, Valentina returned to try again this year. This year she went for a ballad, with some gentle and some upbeat sections. The introduction and certain other bits of the tune sounded somewhat like the tune of "Windmills of Your Mind". Altogether an excellent performance of a beautiful song, much better than her Social Network Song last year. This definitely deserves to be San Marino's first ever appearance in the final this Saturday night. See you Saturday!

Song 3: F.Y.R. Macedonia - Esma & Lozano "Pred Da Se Razdeni"

This starts with a male soloist singing what I'd call quite a good ballad. Sadly midway through some ladies come on and start singing a strange and somewhat awful mish mash. That totally ruined what could have been a decent male solo. On balance, I hope this stays out of Saturday's final.

Song 4: Azerbaijan - Farid Mammadov "Hold Me"

Two years ago Azerbaijan achieved their first ever win with "Running Scared". This year Azerbaijan entered another excellent ballad, slightly more upbeat than "Running Scared" It also had the gimmicks of Farid singing on top of the box at the start, and someone else going inside the box part way though. I particularly liked the style of singing for the first half, but the way he sang during the middle eight was slightly inappropriate for this type of song. Nonetheless this is still one of tonight's songs I'd most like to see on Saturday evening.

Song 5: Finland - Krista Siegfrids "Marry Me"

Now for something a bit more upbeat, with the gimmick of the backing group lifting Krista part way through. The backing group also perform some dance moves which would undeniably be fun to join in and copy. Other gimmicks include placing the veil over Krista's head, and the kiss at the end. The song itself is below par, and definitely one to be valued more for the dance moves and gimmicks. I'd rather this stays out of Saturday's final.

A short break occurred at this point.

Song 6: Malta - Gianluca "Tomorrow"

Another song I particularly liked on the ESC 2013 CD album, this features a male singer with a drummer and others behind him. The lyrics appeared on the background screens in a variety of styles. Quite a catchy folk style song, but not as outstanding as Norway's "Fairytale" in 2009. Nonetheless it's one of the better songs in tonight's second semi-final, and I'd like to see this on Saturday night.

Song 7: Bulgaria - Elitsa Todorova, Stoyan Yankulov "Samo Shampioni (Only Champions)"

What on Earth is this? To me it sounds like some Chinese / Japanese style song, with drumming and bagpipes thrown in for good measure. Naturally a lively song like this would not be complete with a bit of dancing around, including some from the lead singer, which would be fun for Eurovision fans to join in and copy. A borderline entry, I'm not sure whether or not this merits a place on Saturday night.

Song 8: Iceland - Eythor Ingi "Ég Á Líf"

Now for one of my favourite songs on the ESC 2013 CD. A beautiful, soothing ballad from Iceland, all the better for it being sung in native Icelandic. Or to put it another way, the adult kids' version of the CBeebies Goodnight Song (lullaby), which is just what Saturday's final needs and deserves. A first class performance of an excellent song, this is the one I most want to see on Saturday night. See you Saturday Eythor!

Song 9: Greece - Koza Mostra feat. Agathon Iakovidis "Alcohol Is Free"

Now for something completely different. The last few years Greece have entered some good songs which I've been glad to see reach the final. In stark contrast, this year they've gone for some nauseating trash which sounds as though it's being sung by drunken yobs. This sort of thing doesn't belong in a semi-final, let alone a grand final. Please stay out of Saturday's final, try again with your usual stuff next year!

Song 10: Israel - Moran Mazor "Rak Bishvilo"

Israel have entered many Hebrew songs over the years, and 2013 is no exception. This was another of my favourites on the ESC 2013 CD, and I like it just as much sung live tonight. Very well performed, this is another song which definitely deserves to be in Saturday night's final.

Song 11: Armenia - Dorians "Lonely Planet"

A power ballad from Armenia. Not bad, though some bits were a bit overdone. Thank goodness it's not the Eurovision Dress Contest, the lead singer was rather scruffily dressed; his jeans had holes in them which surely doesn't create a good first impression. Based on the song alone, I wouldn't mind seeing this Saturday.

Song 12: Hungary - ByeAlex "Kedvesem (Zoohacker Remix)"

This year Hungary have gone for what sounds to me a roly poly sort of song. It reminds me of a song that was in the UK hit parade in the late 1970s, but I can't think for the life of me what. Another borderline song I wouldn't mind in Saturday's final, but am not overly desperate to see there.

Song 13: Norway - Margaret Berger "I Feed You My Love"

A female soloist performing a power ballad, enhanced by her intermittent arm movements and the drummer. Were the wobbly background noise and stroboscopic effects at the start, and certain other points, really necessary? I'd rather not see this on Saturday night.

A short break occurred at this point.

Song 14: Albania - Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko "Identitet"

Now for a rock song, featuring singers, electric guitars and a drummer. Not my cup of tea, I'd rather this stays out of Saturday's final.

Song 15: Georgia - Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani "Waterfall"

Last year Georgia entered "I'm A Joker", which I detested and was glad it didn't reach the final. This year Georgia have gone for something light years away, a decent duet ballad. Very well sung, with the added enhancement of the pyrotechnic waterfall. Another semi-finalist which deserves to be in Saturday's final.

Song 16: Switzerland - Takasa "You And Me"

Now for Switzerland, who won the first ever Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and again in 1988. This was another of my most liked songs on the CD. Quite a good song, with a catchy chorus, enhanced by the group's on-stage instruments (which included a side drum, trombone and double bass). Although I think I prefer the CD version to tonight's live performance, I'd still gladly welcome this on Saturday night.

Song 17: Romania - Cezar "It's My Life"

The last song of the night, and it's only an hour and ten minutes since the first song. It's amazing how time flies! This starts as an upbeat ballad, before morphing into popped-up opera, which is a somewhat bizarre combination to say the least. Cezar pitched really high on the middle eight, well done him. It has some dance moves which one could enjoy copying at home, and a clever formation viewers daren't attempt! Quite frankly, I think it's best if this stays out of the final.

Televoting and Recap

At this point Petra reappeared to announce the start of the voting. A recap of the songs followed. The UK was unable to vote in tonight's final, and therefore UK viewers saw a message "UK viewers do not vote in this semi-final" at the bottom of the screen during the recap.

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My Preferences

Here are my preferences based solely on all of tonight's performances:
Definitely want to qualify: San Marino, Azerbaijan, Malta, Iceland, Israel, Georgia, Switzerland.
Wouldn't mind qualifying: Bulgaria, Armenia, Hungary
Prefer not to qualify: Latvia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Finland, Norway, Albania, Romania.
Definitely don't want to qualify: Greece

So these are the ones I want to see Saturday night: San Marino, Azerbaijan, Malta, Iceland, Israel, Georgia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Armenia, Hungary.

Had the UK been voting in this semi-final, I would have voted for San Marino, Iceland and Israel.

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Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Semi-Final 2 Results

So here are the results. Any use of "tonight" still means Thursday 16 May 2013.

My desired qualifiers: San Marino, Azerbaijan, Malta, Iceland, Israel, Georgia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Armenia, Hungary.

Actual qualifiers (in order of announcement): Hungary, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, Norway, Iceland, Armenia, Finland, Malta, Greece.

Bold entries represent the actual qualifiers that match my preferences.

OUT: San Marino, Israel, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Latvia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Albania.

I'm gutted and deeply upset that neither Israel nor San Marino reached the final. Both were excellent songs which deserved to be in the final. At the other extreme, I am appalled and disgusted that Greece made it through. As far as I'm concerned their entry, which sounded to me like trash sung by drunken yobs, didn't deserve its place in the final. Israel or San Marino deserved the place taken by Greece. I feel Greece should now finish last with nul points on Saturday night, but that won't happen as they'll almost certainly be guaranteed 12 points from Cyprus who will still be voting on Saturday after being eliminated Tuesday. I'm also disappointed (albeit to a lesser degree than San Marino and Israel) that Switzerland failed to qualify as I liked their song "You And Me" with its catchy chorus. I'm not particularly bothered that Bulgaria didn't qualify; I saw it as a borderline song that I wouldn't have minded qualifying, but then again I don't mind it not reaching the final. I'm also displeased that Norway, Finland and Romania are through, albeit to a much lesser extent than Greece. Norway, Finland and Romania were all on my "prefer not to qualify" list as their songs weren't up to much in my opinion. Israel, San Marino and Switzerland were all more deserving of the places they took.

I'm extremely overjoyed that Iceland reached the final, and I became really excited when Iceland was the sixth qualifier called out. Eythor Ingi's "Ég Á Líf" is a beautiful, soothing ballad (or should I say lullaby?) which deserves its place in Saturday's final. I'd now like it to become their first ever win since their debut entry in 1986. I'm also glad that Azerbaijan, Malta and Georgia made it through as they were all good songs which deserved places in the final.

I'm glad Latvia are out; despite the resemblance to Jedward's entries of 2011 and 2012, I thought it was a rather poor one and was not at all keen on the song itself. I'm also pleased F.Y.R. Macedonia and Albania are out, because I was not impressed with their entries. So now that means there's no former Yugoslav country in the final. One interesting question remains: who will the five ex-Yugoslav countries (Croatia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia) plus Albania now vote for on Saturday night? They won't be able to vote for each other like they tend to.

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Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Semi-Final 1

Host country: Sweden (SVT)
Venue: Malmö Arena
Hosts: Petra Mede
Date: Tuesday 14 May 2013

N.B. Any use of "tonight" or "this evening" throughout this post means Tuesday 14 May 2013.

The Opening

The first semi-final opened with a live performance of last year's winning song "Euphoria" sung by Loreen and children from local schools.

The Songs

Ten minutes after the start of the show it was time for the first song. Each song was introduced by a postcard film related to the appropriate country, which included a flying butterfly in the appropriate flag design..

Song 1: Austria - Natália Kelly "Shine"

First to perform were Austria. A song whose verses were gentle, with a tune reminiscent of Azerbaijan's winning entry two years ago, and a lively catchy chorus. This definitely deserves to qualify. See you Saturday.

Song 2: Estonia - Birgit "Et Uus Saaks Alguse"

Well I thought this was better sung live tonight than on the CD. Nonetheless whilst I felt the gentle verses were fine, the choruses were too overpowering. I wasn't at all keen on the choruses. I'd sooner this doesn't qualify.

Song 3: Slovenia - Hannah "Straight Into Love"

A good power ballad, with fairly gentle verses and a lively chorus. The song was enhanced by the dancers, whose routine included on-floor movements. The dance routine would be fun to copy. Was the stroboscopic effect at the start and end of middle eight really necessary though. This ought to go through to Saturday night.

Song 4: Croatia - Klapa s mora "Mižerja"

Now for Croatia's song which was one of my favourites on the official ESC 2013 CD album. An excellent ballad, very well sung by a group of male vocalists. This definitely deserves to qualify, see you Saturday.

Song 5: Denmark - Emmelie de Forest "Only Teardrops"

Now for the bookies' favourite to win, Denmark. This is another song I particularly liked on the CD. The song includes gentle verses, and really fast upbeat choruses, accompanied appropriately by a beautiful piping sound and the drums. A first class performance too. It's hardly surprising this is tipped to win outright, it really deserves to qualify tonight.

A short break occurred at this point.

Song 6: Russia - Dina Garipova "What If"

Now for Russia's entry. This year Russia have gone for one lady singing a beautiful ballad. This is an enormous improvement on last year's utter garbage from the Russian Grannies, which undeservedly reached last year's final. Russia definitely deserves to reach the final this year.

Song 7: Ukraine - Zlata Ognevich "Gravity"

A power ballad, with an appropriate use of arm movements. In my opinion I prefer tonight's live performance to the ESC 2013 CD version, but I'm not overly keen this style of singing. I'd rather this stays out of Saturday's final.

Song 8: The Netherlands - Anouk "Birds"

Anouk did well to perform tonight after her mishap with ten pin bowling in the last few days. This was a good ballad which was very well sung. My only dislike is it sounded rather sorrowful and a bit depressing. I'd have preferred it to have been sung more cheerfully.

Song 9: Montenegro - Who See "Igranka"

From one extreme to another, a lively mixture of rap and thrash metal. What a mish mash! Do you really call any of that singing? Is it really necessary for the two men to be dressed as astronauts? Does it need so much use of strobe lighting? I'm appalled that Montenegro has chosen this to represent their country this year; it's totally inappropriate for the Eurovision Song Contest. For goodness sake, please stay out of Saturday's final!

Song 10: Lithuania - Andrius Pojavis "Something"

Back to another ballad. Compared to Montenegro's garbage this is an order of magnitude better, but I'm not overly keen on this song. I'd rather this didn't qualify.

Song 11: Belarus - Alyona Lanskaya "Solayoh"

Well maybe this should be valued more for the dance routine than the song itself. Nonetheless I really like Alyona's arm movements and the men's well-choreographed dance routine in time with the accompanying beat. This is a Eurovision fan's chance to join in and copy the arm movements and dancing. On those grounds I'd like this in Saturday's final.

Song 12: Moldova - Aliona Moon "O Mie"

A lady singing a ballad, accompanied by a backing group whose routine would be equally fun to copy. There's the additional gimmick of the flame effect, I'd love to know how they created that. I'm not particularly keen on the song itself, and would rather not see this on Saturday night.

Song 13: Ireland - Ryan Dolan "Only Love Survives"

This year Ireland have gone for a power ballad, accompanied by drumming. Quite a good song, though not as worthy of reaching the final as Jedward's performances in 2011 and 2012. I wouldn't mind this in the final but Ireland is not one of the countries I most want to see Saturday.

A short break occurred at this point.

Song 14: Cyprus - Despina Olympiou "An Me Thimasai"

Now for Cyprus, so it's hardly surprising this was sung in Greek. Another excellent ballad, very well sung with appropriate flowing arm movements. This deserves to qualify.

Song 15: Belgium - Roberto Bellarosa "Love Kills"

The first verse was rather slow and a little dull, but the chorus was lively and catchy. The two backing ladies did a good accompanying dance routine too. Was the brief stroboscopic effect in the middle eight really necessary though? I wouldn't mind seeing this Saturday.

Song 16: Serbia - Moje 3 "Ljubav Je Svuda"

The final song of the night, Serbia, just one and a quarter hours after the start. I'm lost for words on what to say about this song, I wasn't particularly keen on it and would rather it didn't appear in the final.

Televoting and Recap

At this point Petra reappeared to announce the start of the voting at 21:20 BST. A recap of the songs followed.

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My Preferences

Here are my preferences based solely on all of tonight's performances:
Definitely want to qualify: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Russia, Belarus, Cyprus
Wouldn't mind qualifying: Slovenia, The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium
Prefer not to qualify: Estonia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia
Definitely don't want to qualify: Montenegro

So these are the ones I want to see Saturday night: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Russia, Belarus, Cyprus, Slovenia, The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium

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Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Semi-Final 1 Results

So here are the results. Any use of "tonight" still means Tuesday 14 May 2013.

My desired qualifiers: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Russia, Belarus, Cyprus, Slovenia, The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium.

Actual qualifiers (in order of announcement): Moldova, Lithuania, Ireland, Estonia, Belarus, Denmark, Russia, Belgium, Ukraine, The Netherlands.

Bold entries represent the actual qualifiers that match my preferences.

OUT: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro.

I am gutted that Croatia failed to qualify as Klapa s mora gave such a first class performance of their excellent ballad "Mižerja", that I voted for it. "Mižerja" was one of the best songs of the night which deserved to be in the final. I'm equally disappointed that Austria failed to qualify, their mixed pace song "Shine" was very well performed and among the songs I most wanted to see in the final. I'm shocked that Lithuania reached the final, in my opinion their ballad wasn't as good as those of Croatia or Cyprus. My impression is that some thought Lithuania's entry was a decent song immediately after Montenegro's trash and thus voted for it. I'd rather Estonia hadn't qualified; I felt that Austria was better than Estonia. Austria and Croatia deserved the places taken by Lithuania and Estonia.

I'm so overjoyed that Denmark and Russia are through as they are both excellent songs which deserve to be in the final. Also I'm pleased to see Belarus in the final as although it may not be the best of the songs that qualified, it has a great dance routine which will be fun to join in and copy on the night. As for The Netherlands, although I thought "Birds" was a bit depressing, it's different from the other songs and good enough to give The Netherlands its first appearance in the final since 2004. I'm extremely glad that Montenegro are out, as I feel their utter garbage of an entry would have been a disgrace to the final. In my opinion, they shouldn't have picked that as their entry, it didn't even belong in the semi-final let alone the final. I can't wait to see the full semi-final 1 results when they are released to the public after Saturday night's final; I hope they came last with nul points! To a much lesser extent I'm glad Serbia are out as I wasn't particularly keen on their entry.

That means none of the four ex-Yugoslav countries Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia or Montenegro qualified. Being as Bosnia & Herzegovina didn't enter at all this year, the only hope now for an ex-Yugoslav country on Saturday night now is F.Y.R. Macedonia who are in Thursday's semi-final.

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Nemesis Nick at Basingstoke Leisure Park 4 May 2013

Date: Saturday 4 May 2013
Venue: The Lagoon at Aquadrome, Planet Ice
Who Went: Just me

Rationale For Trip

A trip to Basingstoke Leisure Park to enjoy water sliding at Aquadrome in the morning, and ice skating at neighbouring Planet Ice in the afternoon. My original plan was to do this trip during February or March 2013, but for various reasons it took until the May Day bank holiday weekend for this trip to materialise.

Getting To Basingstoke

In some respects I picked a bad day to go to Basingstoke. Due to engineering work, rail replacement buses were operating all day between Dorchester South and Poole, thereby extending the overall journey from Dorchester South to Basingstoke from the usual two hours on a direct train to about three hours. Nonetheless I wasn't prepared to make that my excuse for putting this trip off any longer.

A 5:15am awakening was necessary in order to catch a rail replacement bus departing 6:37 from Dorchester South to Poole, followed by the onward 8:07 train to Basingstoke. Having reached Basingstoke just after 9:30am I caught the shuttle bus to Basingstoke Leisure Park.

The Lagoon at Aquadrome

Basingstoke Aquadrome is a multi-purpose leisure centre at Basingstoke Leisure Park. I went there to use the Lagoon, which has the following facilities:

Yellow Peril (yellow water slide)

A closed tube all the way down with plenty of twists and turns, making for a fairly fast but gentle ride. Bathers must use a tyre on this.

Master Blaster (blue)

An uphill water slide, this is what I call a "roller coaster water slide", featuring three net covered uphill ramps in addition to closed tube descents. A net covered steep drop into a catch tray completes the ride. Much more thrilling than the Yellow Peril. If you're lucky, you might just get a pop of AIRtime on the final descent. A tyre is required on this.

Space Bowl (green)

Speaks for itself: it takes sliders down a narrow tube, into a giant space bowl. After a rapid spin around the bowl, one drops through the centre into the 2.5 metre deep plunge pool. Tyres are prohibited on this.

Fun Pool

This includes a river run.

Session Overview

Upon entry I was given a light blue wristband (just like on my February 2012 visit). They call a colour out after a certain length of time in the event of The Lagoon reaching capacity. Thankfully my colour was not called whilst I was in The Lagoon, thereby allowing me to stay in as long as I hoped, but it was called a few minutes after I chose to leave.

Having changed, I entered The Lagoon at 10:30am and immediately took to the slides. All three slides (Yellow Peril, Master Blaster and Space Bowl) were running. During my first journey up the stairs I suddenly realised I'd forgotten to take a tyre, and there were no tyres at the top. Therefore I started with one go on the Space Bowl. Afterwards I collected a tyre and had one go on the Yellow Peril followed by one go on the Master Blaster.

As I left the Master Blaster I noticed the green lily pads had disappeared from the fun pool. I asked a lifeguard what had happened to them since my previous visit in February 2012. The lifeguard told me that, due to a change in safety regulations, they were deemed unsafe and removed around about this time last year (circa spring 2012). Due to my desire to have as many slides as possible during my session, I ended up not going in the pool or river run at all this time.

Now that I'd been down all three slides once each, my sliding continued with eight goes on Yellow Peril. This slide was walk-on each time. Next I had eight goes on the Space Bowl, and this too was quiet, most of my goes being walk-on. Afterwards the Master Blaster was considerably more popular, so due to the queuing time I limited myself to two goes.

I returned to the Yellow Peril for another five goes, and at worst had one or two other sliders in front of me. After that the queue for the Master Blaster was getting longer still, whereas no-one was waiting for the Space Bowl. Therefore I enjoyed fifteen goes on the Space Bowl straight off. On several of those fifteen goes I managed to get straight on to the Space Bowl, and at worst there were two or three other sliders in front of me waiting to go down it. The lifeguard by the landing tank evidently noticed me having lots of goes on the Space Bowl, and was surprised I wasn't tired after my thirteenth go. I just said I would have liked a few more goes on the Master Blaster, but noticed it was busy. I rounded off my session with one go on the Master Blaster. Although I had to queue for about 10 minutes to get on it, it was well worth the wait.

I finally left the The Lagoon at 12:50pm to have ample time to dry myself, dress, have lunch and be on the ice at Planet Ice next-door by 2pm. Whilst I was in the changing room I heard an announcement asking all bathers with light blue wristbands (my colour) to leave the pool. Thus I couldn't have spent many more minutes in The Lagoon anyway.

Summary of my sliding in actual order

Space Bowl 1
Yellow Peril 1
Master Blaster 1
Yellow Peril 8
Space Bowl 8
Master Blaster 2
Yellow Peril 5
Space Bowl 15
Master Blaster 1

Cumulative Summary of Slides

Slide	Total
Yellow Peril	14
Master Blaster	4
Space Bowl	24
TOTAL	42

Lunch At Aquadrome Café

Having dried myself and dressed, I went to the Aquadrome café for a light lunch: hot dog, chips, and coffee.

Planet Ice

After lunch, I headed next-door to Planet Ice and got my hired skates on as quickly as I could. Around 2pm I fearlessly walked on to the ice in open space and quickly picked up speed. The rink was lit by coloured stage lights, and music was being played. Throughout my time on the ice, the far end of the rink was closed off for skating lessons, but there was still plenty of space for the general public to enjoy. Around 3pm I temporarily left the ice pad for a few minutes. This was my only time of leaving the ice during the session.

When I returned to the ice, my skating continued; from time to time I tried one-legged skating. Unfortunately I had my first fall around 3:30pm due to me reaching out during a brief moment of one-legged skating. About 10 minutes before the session ended (by which time many other skaters had left) I tried skating as fast as I could on two legs, and had my second fall of the session. Thankfully I got up and continued skating for the last few minutes. The final song to be played was last year's Eurovision Song Contest winner "Euphoria"; it's a pity there wasn't time for that song to be played in full. I finally left the ice when the session ended at 4pm, and thus all skaters were asked to leave the ice. Altogether about two hours of ice skating on a large rink.

Afternoon Coffee

Having left Planet Ice around 4:15pm, I caught the shuttle bus back to town. Once there I went to Sainsbury's Café. The selection of cakes was now very limited, but anyway I had a toasted teacake with butter, and a cup of coffee.

Journey Home

Back at Basingstoke station, I caught the 17:00 train to Winchester for the connecting 17:33 train to Poole. The final leg of the journey was the 18:43 replacement bus service from Poole to Dorchester South. This was a Damory VanHool coach, more luxurious than the More bus this morning. The bus reached Dorchester at 7:53pm, which was earlier than expected.

Outro

Highlights

Sliding the Yellow Peril, Master Blaster and Space Bowl at Aquadrome Lagoon.
Getting 15 goes straight off on the Space Bowl (and no-one in front of me for many of those goes).
Two hours of ice skating at Planet Ice.

Lowlights

Rail replacement buses between Dorchester and Poole substantially increased the overall travelling times.
Master Blaster considerably busier than the other two slides, so disappointingly I had just four goes on it.
Falling twice late in my skating session at Planet Ice (bumping my left shoulder and chin on my second fall).

Summing Up

Another mega fun day out, my first time of going water sliding and ice skating in the same day for this year. Although it took place a couple of months later than originally hoped, it was well worth the wait. It's a pity the rail replacement buses between Dorchester and Poole substantially increased the overall journey times to and from Basingstoke. Looking on the bright side, the rail replacement buses allowed me to see some of the Dorset countryside, including two interesting and unfamiliar routes between Moreton and Wool, which one wouldn't normally see from the train. It's a pity the Master Blaster roller coaster water slide at The Lagoon was so busy I only had four goes on it (I had hoped for more goes on that). Fortunately the Space Bowl was surprisingly quiet throughout my time in The Lagoon, and I achieved a total of 24 goes on it. The ice skating session was also great fun, including brief spells of one-legged skating, it's a shame my hopes of a fall-free session vanished with two falls in the last half hour.

Reflections

This was my fifth time of doing this trip in this manner on my own. My previous visits to Basingstoke Leisure Park to go water sliding at Aquadrome Lagoon in the morning and ice skating at Planet Ice in the afternoon were March 2008, November 2009, April 2011 and February 2012. Going by the fun I've had each time, I seriously think this combined water sliding and ice skating trip could make an excellent official RCCGB trip one Saturday between November and March when most amusement parks are closed. Gala Bingo could then be an optional evening add-on as that's another amenity at Basingstoke Leisure Park.

Nemesis Nick at Puxton Park 30 April 2013

Date: Tuesday 30 April 2013
Venue: Puxton Park
Who Went: Just me

Introduction

Puxton Park is a farm park north of Weston-super-Mare which opened in summer 2007. It includes the Fun Farm Play Barn (indoor play area) with giant slides and soft play equipment (which adults can play on), McPuxtons café, Adrenaline Zone (outdoor play area), boating lake, Puxton Fort, crazy golf, assault course, conservation lake, conservation area (which now also includes assault course obstacles), falconry centre, pony riding centre, open-air maze and dairy. In addition there's Meadows Restaurant and a farm shop, both of which are accessible to customers not paying to enter the Park. Not all the features were there when it first opened in summer 2007, many have been added since.

My desire to visit Puxton Park one weekday late March seems to have become an annual fixture in my calendar now. After my previous visits in March 2009, March 2010, March 2011 and March 2012, I was equally determined to go there during March 2013. For various reasons I ended up going at the end of April 2013.

Getting To Puxton Park

A 6am rise was necessary for me to leave Bath city centre around 7:30am on a bus bound for Bristol. Having reached Bristol city centre, I caught the Weston-super-Mare bus for Puxton Park. Although a slow way of getting from Bath to Puxton Park (two buses, changing at Bristol), it was the cheapest method, using a FirstDay South West bus ticket (one day's unlimited travel on First buses in the south west). Having arrived Puxton Park bus stop (on the A370) around 9:10am, I walked up Cowslip Lane to the reception.

Welcome To Puxton Park

The Park was already open when I reached the reception about 15 minutes later. Once admitted I went to McPuxtons for a much needed cup of coffee.

Puxton Park Outdoor Areas

Around 10am I began exploring the outdoor areas of Park. The Farm Walk encircles the Park, and various farm animals are present in different parts of the Park. Areas that deserve a specific mention are as follows.

Boating Lake

A rowing boat lake which opened summer 2011. I would have liked to have gone on it during this visit, but when I walked past it was closed. One park ranger I asked could see no reason for it not opening due to the beautiful sunny weather, but was unable to give a definite answer as to whether or not it would open. I didn't bother asking anyone else later in the day; I think it only opens certain times of the year.

Bouncing Pillow

Outside (close to the Fun Farm Play Barn) is a large inflatable pillow, which (to the best of my knowledge) adults are allowed to jump on. However I ended up not going on it all day.

Conservation Area

An enclosed area in the far corner of the Park. A circular path runs around this area, with information boards about various country flora and fauna. This area has changed quite a bit since my last visit; the course of the path has now been made windier, and several new assault course obstacles have been placed alongside it. That was enough to make it worth seeing again.

Starting at the Conservation Area entrance and working clockwise, the obstacles are as follows:
Stumps > Balance Beam > Monkey Climber > Stumps > Suspension Bridge > Trapeze Traverse > Swinging Steps > Postman's Bridge > Plank on springs > Post Weave > Chain Walk > Stilts > Crossover Chain Walk > Balance Beam.

I began by walking one clockwise lap of the circuit, reading some of the information along the way, but not going on any of the obstacles. Afterwards I did two more clockwise laps of the route, going on all the obstacles both times as follows.
First lap: untimed.
Second lap: 3 minutes 12 seconds.

Falconry Centre

Birds of prey (falcons and owls), some in cages and some on pedestals. The birds were not flying at the time.

Trampolines

A group of circular trampolines near the Falconry Centre. I first saw them on my March 2011 visit here. I gave these a miss this time.

Fun Sports Pitch

I first discovered this when I went in March 2010 (it was called Sport Skills Area then), and at the time there was a football in the area which I kicked around. Since then I think you have had to pay to hire a football from the reception. Anyway I gave this a miss as I wasn't particularly keen to kick a ball around.

Maze Of Knowledge

I first saw this during my March 2012 visit (it wasn't there on my March 2011 visit). At each T-junction there are two answers to a question, each with an arrow. If you take the turning related to the wrong answer you lead to a dead end. Taking the turning related to the correct answer leads you to the next question. I answered all the questions correctly and made it through the maze start to finish quickly and easily.

Puxton Fort

This first opened in summer 2010. Adults are allowed to play here, so I entered the fort and explored it. This includes a conventional slide which I had three goes on.

Adventure Course

This opened in summer 2009. It's a series of obstacles between START and FINISH boards. The obstacles include leaping bars, hanging bars, parallel bars, balance beams, stilts, a postman's bridge and a Burma bridge. I had a go at this assault course, and completed it in 2 minutes 51 seconds.

Lunch At McPuxtons

Puxton Park has a café called McPuxtons. Around 12:30 I went there for a burger and fries, plus a fizzy drink.

Adrenaline Zone

Located close to the Fun Farm Play Barn, I first saw this outdoor play area in March 2012. It includes a treadmill, two zip wires and swings. Adults can play on all of it, and I had a go on the following:
Swing
Treadmill
Tyre swing
4 goes on one zip wire followed by 4 goes on the other zip wire
Swing

Fun Farm Play Barn

This is a vast three level indoor adventure play complex, designed and installed by Taylor-Made Play (now called David Taylor Design). It has the following facilities:

Rainbow Slide

A six lane Astra slide (bumpy slide), also known as Multi Moover. It's in all colours of the rainbow, red at the top working to blue at the bottom. You have to use a mat to slide this.

Blue Double Drop Slide

A blue double drop slide (i.e. vertical drop, flat bit, slope, land in a ball pit), also known as Blue Bantam.

Red Rooster Death Slide

A red drop slide, i.e. a tall vertical drop followed by a level run-out; it has two launch heights. If you like Oblivion at Alton Towers or Griffon at Busch Gardens, you'll love the Red Rooster. Forget being harnessed into your seat on a ride car, you just sit on the beam, push yourself forwards whilst holding the beam, and let go to enjoy a 28 foot free-fall drop with no harness whatsoever. Not for the faint hearted.

Blue Curly Whirly Slide

A blue spiral tube slide running from the second floor to the ground floor.

Green Slide

A green straight tube slide running from the first floor to the ground floor. Although the shortest slide in the play area, it's still quite fast.

Soft Play Equipment

Loads of soft play equipment, including swinging steps, spinning poles, over and under barriers, an X-changer, a tumble tower, a zigzag web climber, a slither chicane, and v-net bridges. There is also a zigzag maze with low headroom that you crawl through.

Best of all, adults (or should I say adult kids?) are allowed to play on everything in the main play area. In fact parents are encouraged to join in with their children.

A separate mini soft play area with ball pit is available for children under 3.

Session Overview

I entered the indoor play area at 1:13pm. Just like my previous visit in March 2012, I didn't have a pair of jogging bottoms with me, therefore I entered the play area wearing my jeans which I'd worn all morning. From past visits to the two Crealy parks, Woodlands and Portsmouth and Swansea Playzone, I fancy I tend to go a bit slowly on slides wearing jeans, and can go much faster if I wear jogging bottoms. You have to slide the tube slides and drop slides without a mat, therefore my jeans were in direct contact with those slides. Nonetheless I still went surprisingly fast on the two drop slides and both tube slides in jeans.

Here's what I went on during the afternoon:

Rainbow Slide

I began with six goes on the Rainbow Slide (one go per lane left to right). Even though I was using a mat, this seemed a bit slow to me. I had a tendency to stop short of the end and I noticed some other sliders did too.

Blue Double Drop Slide

Next I approached the Blue Double Drop Slide. Unfortunately a fair few other people were using this at the time, so I had to wait a few minutes for each of my goes. Despite the waiting times, I enjoyed eight goes.

Red Rooster Death Slide

Now for the Red Rooster drop slide, straight down and out. Thankfully no-one else wanted to go on this slide at the time. I fearlessly enjoyed eight goes from the lower beam followed by eight goes from the upper beam.

Soft Play and Crawl Maze

At this point I took to the soft play equipment. Starting at the front left of the ground floor I worked my way around as follows:

Ground floor outer obstacles clockwise: 3 swinging steps > over and under barriers > right turn > X-changer up-down > 3 spinning poles > crawl maze > right turn > up tumble tower > down zigzag web climber > square spinning pole > up level changer to first floor.

First floor outer obstacles clockwise: v-net bridge above Red Rooster run-out > v-net bridge above Rainbow Slide run-out > 3 spinning discs > down fireman's poles > up pull-up ramp > slither chicane > right turn > X-changer down-up > bungee snake forest (thin pendulums) > padded pit > right turn > over top of tumble tower and zigzag web climber > bish bash pendulums > single spinning pole > right turn > v-net bridge above Red Rooster run-out > v-net bridge above Rainbow Slide run-out > down fireman's poles.

Ground floor centre front to back: ratchet door maze > wringer rollers (horizontal rollers) > (round the block) > rollerway (one pass) followed by up X-changer to first floor.

First floor centre back to front: 6 spinning discs > 2 swing-over nets followed by v-net bridge above Rainbow Slide run-out > up sloping v-net ladder to second floor.

Second floor centre front to back: challenge rollers (vertical rollers) > net traverse (3 steep net pairs) > down double ladder climb to first floor and back up double ladder climb to second floor.

Blue Curly Whirly Slide

Although I had already enjoyed several goes on the Rainbow Slide and two drop slides, I had yet to go down the Blue Curly Whirly Slide. Therefore at this point I enjoyed two goes on this blue spiral tube slide. Between goes I went up the X-changer ground to first floor followed by up the padded corner stairs first to second floor.

Green Slide

There was just one more slide for me to try, the Green Slide. Although the shortest slide, this straight tube slide was still great fun, I enjoyed two goes on it.

Afternoon Coffee

At 2:35pm I returned to McPuxtons for a much-needed coffee and ring doughnut.

Rainbow Slide

When I returned to the indoor play area I enjoyed another six goes (one go per lane left to right) on the Rainbow Slide.

Blue Double Drop Slide

Now for another eight goes on the Blue Double Drop Slide. Thankfully no-one else was using it this time, thus I was able to go straight down it each time.

Red Rooster Death Slide

I was now thirsty for more goes on the Red Rooster drop slide; eight goes from the lower beam followed by eight goes from the upper beam. Once again I was able to go straight down it on all my goes.

Soft Play and Crawl Maze

Back to the soft play equipment. Once again I started at the front left of the ground floor and worked my way around as follows:

Ground floor outer obstacles clockwise: 3 swinging steps > over and under barriers > right turn > X-changer up-down > 3 spinning poles > crawl maze > right turn > up tumble tower > down zigzag web climber > square spinning pole > up level changer to first floor.

First floor outer obstacles clockwise: v-net bridge above Red Rooster run-out > v-net bridge above Rainbow Slide run-out > 3 spinning discs > down fireman's poles > up pull-up ramp > slither chicane > right turn > X-changer down-up > bungee snake forest (thin pendulums) > padded pit > right turn > over top of tumble tower and zigzag web climber > bish bash pendulums > single spinning pole > right turn > v-net bridge above Red Rooster run-out > v-net bridge above Rainbow Slide run-out > down fireman's poles.

Ground floor centre back to front: rollerway (two passes) > (round the block) > wringer rollers (horizontal rollers) > ratchet door maze followed by up front stairs to first floor.

First floor centre front to back: 2 swing-over nets > 6 spinning discs followed by up double ladder climb to second floor.

Second floor centre back to front: net traverse (3 steep net pairs) > challenge rollers (vertical rollers) followed by down sloping v-net ladder to first floor.

First floor outer obstacles clockwise: 3 spinning discs > down fireman's poles > up pull-up ramp > slither chicane > right turn > X-changer down-up > bungee snake forest (thin pendulums) > padded pit > right turn > over top of tumble tower and zigzag web climber > bish bash pendulums > single spinning pole > down level changer to ground floor.

Ground floor outer obstacles clockwise: 3 swinging steps > over and under barriers > right turn > X-changer up-down > 3 spinning poles > crawl maze > right turn > up tumble tower > down zigzag web climber > square spinning pole.

Rainbow Slide

My final round of sliding on this six lane Astra slide. Once again I enjoyed six goes (one per lane left to right).

Blue Curly Whirly Slide

My final two goes of the day on the Blue Curly Whirly Slide. Between goes I went up and down the X-changer followed by up the padded corner steps ground floor > first floor > second floor.

Green Slide

Now for two goes on the green straight tube slide. Between the goes one Ranger asked me if I was having fun, I said I was.

Blue Double Drop Slide

My final round of sliding on the Blue Double Drop Slide. As much as I like this slide I deliberately limited myself to four goes as closing time was not far away now and I wanted to have some goes on the Red Rooster before leaving.

Red Rooster Death Slide

Where better to round off my day than the hair-raising Red Rooster? I enjoyed eight goes from the lower beam. After that I tried to have as many goes as I could from the upper beam before closing time. In the remaining available time I clocked up twenty goes from the upper beam; on some of those there was just one other slider in front of me, and the rest of my goes I was able go straight down.

At 5:20pm I left the indoor play area for the final time, collected my belongings from my locker and walked back to the bus stop on the main road.

Summary of my session in order of activity

Rainbow Slide 6 (1 per lane left to right)
Blue Double Drop Slide 8
Red Rooster lower beam 8 upper beam 8
Soft play and crawl maze
Blue Curly Whirly Slide 2
Green Slide 2
Coffee and ring doughnut at McPuxtons
Rainbow Slide 6 (1 per lane left to right)
Blue Double Drop Slide 8
Red Rooster lower beam 8 upper beam 8
Soft play and crawl maze
Rainbow Slide 6 (1 per lane left to right)
Blue Curly Whirly Slide 2
Green Slide 2
Blue Double Drop Slide 4
Red Rooster lower beam 8 upper beam 20

Cumulative Summary of Slides

Slide	Total
Blue Curly Whirly Slide	4
Blue Double Drop Slide	20
Green Slide	4
Rainbow Slide[i]	18
Red Rooster lower beam	24
Red Rooster upper beam	36
TOTAL	106

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[i] 3 per lane left to right

Altogether an afternoon of fun, Taylor-Made fun. This was my first time of playing on soft play equipment, an Astra slide and on drop slides for 2013.

Journey Home

At 5:45pm I was back at the bus stop. Two minutes later I caught a late-running X1 bus to Bristol city centre. Whereas I would have missed that particular bus had it ran on time, another bus was due at 5:54pm. Having reached Bristol at 6:22pm, I caught the next available bus to Bath. I finally left the bus opposite Bath ODEON at 7:13pm.

Outro

Highlights

Beautiful sunny day for the trip.
Going on the new obstacles in the Conservation Area for the first time ever.
Other outdoor play areas: Adventure Course (near Conservation Lake), Adrenaline Zone (treadmill, zip wires, swing).
Playing on the giant slides and soft play equipment in the indoor play barn most of the afternoon.
Getting 20 goes from the upper beam of the Red Rooster drop slide before closing time.

Lowlights

Multi Moover six-lane Astra slide seemed a bit slow.

Summing Up

A mega fun day out. Although it finally happened a few weeks later than I originally hoped, it was well worth the wait. With the outdoor play equipment I enjoyed before and just after lunch, plus the indoor play barn I enjoyed even more all afternoon, it was great to be a child for the day. The indoor play barn is smaller than the Adventure Zone at Devon's Crealy, but never mind, I was glad to be allowed to play in a soft play area with Astra and drop slides as so few such places allow adults to play.