RCCGB Summer Bash 2011

Date: Saturday 3 September 2011
Venue: Brean Leisure Park Fun City
Who Went: Me and other RCCGB members, including Andy Hine, Carol, Happy Helen, Lucy Cosnett, Martin, Matt Walker.

DISCLAIMER: The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a list of members who I spoke to / rode with. I sincerely apologise to anyone I've forgotten.

Getting To Brean Leisure Park

I awoke at 5:50am to catch the 7:25 bus from Bath Bus Station to Bristol. Having reached Bristol Bus Station, I caught the 8:30 bus to Weston-super-Mare, followed by the 9:40 bus to Brean Leisure Park. A couple of stops before Brean, I saw RCCGB member Martin, who had travelled all the way from Birmingham to attend the trip.

Welcome to Brean Leisure Park

At 10:19 Martin and I left the bus close to Brean Leisure Park entrance and headed straight for Legends Sports Bar beer garden, where other members were already waiting. Even Nev managed to attend, despite work commitments. As people arrived, he took payments and issued wristbands. I spoke to Nev and Matt Walker for a few minutes. Shortly afterwards, Happy Helen arrived.

Fun City

When Fun City opened at 11am, members headed to Astro Storm for a takeover.

Astro Storm

The latest addition to Fun City, the former Space Invader 2 from Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool is a Zierer Four Man Bob. This was my first time of riding this as I missed it under its previous incarnation at Blackpool. The 3-seater train, which resembles a space ship, goes through the doors, turns right and ascends the lift hill. On the way up are lights which change between red and green. Personally I think they're superfluous really. Once at the top, there's a thrusting sound and the train winds its way along the course of the track. Along the way you pass tiny lights, which presumably resemble stars. There are also strong air currents to add to the fun, though I question their significance considering there is no air in Space! Finally there are more bizarre lighting effects in the home straight before the train stops at the exit platform. Helen and I enjoyed 3 goes on this. Altogether, a great new addition, fine if you like dark rides, but I'm not sure I would rave over it.

Thereafter members dispersed around the Park. Helen and I rode together the rest of the day.

Caterpillar Coaster

Helen and I rode the Caterpillar Coaster next. This D.P.V. Rides Minicoaster Apple has been operating at Brean since 2001. Naturally this was tame compared to Astro Storm, but it was still worth one go for me to add it to my coaster count. Unlike the other three coasters, one ride consists of two laps of the track. This was our only go on this all day.

Shockwave

Fun City's sit-down looping steel coaster. This Pinfari preZyklon TL59 originally operated as Crazy Loop at Flamingo Land (Malton) and Pleasure Island Cleethorpes. Since 2004, it has been operating at Brean as Shockwave. Helen and I rode this next. The advantage of this compared to Astro Storm is that you can see where you are going. Compared to some looping coasters I've ridden, I was a bit disappointed by this. At the end I wanted a second go, but Helen felt once was enough as she found it rather rough. Hence we both only rode this once for now.

Coffee At Wimpy

At this point Helen and I felt like a break from riding, so we went to Wimpy for a coffee. Helen had a Latte. I decided to have cappuccino as it was only 10p more than ordinary coffee. Now was our chance to relax and talk to each other.

Magic Mouse

Having finished our coffee, there was just one more coaster for us to ride: Magic Mouse. This Reverchon Spinning Coaster has been operating at Brean since 2007. Helen and I enjoyed two goes on this (car 5 followed by car 4). Having climbed the lift hill, the ride car raced along the length of the track, spinning on the hairpin bends which added to the fun.

Sea Maze

Next I spotted the Sea Maze. I suggested we go in there next, Helen said "Alright then, if you want". Basically it's a mirror maze, we must have all been through one of those somewhere before. Despite several dead ends, we managed to find our way from start to finish. This was our only passage through here all day.

Disco Fever

Ride cars at the ends of arms, which go up and down as the central unit spins about its base. For some reason, single riders aren't allowed on this. Never mind, Helen and I shared a ride car. I didn't time the ride duration, but it seemed quite long. Disco hits including can-can were played during the course of the ride, which ended with "That's all folks". A fun non-coaster ride, but once was enough for now. Indeed this was our only go on this all day.

Waltzer

Self explanatory, Helen and I rode this next. Naturally our ride car spun whilst the ride was in motion. When it started to spin, I sang "You spin me right round (like a record)". Again, the ride seemed quite long. One go at a time was enough, indeed this was our only go on this all day.

Lunch at Subway

Feeling peckish, Helen and I headed to Subway just up the road for our lunch. We took advantage of a 2 for £6.99 offer we saw in a park plan: i.e. a £2.99 Sub, cookie and fizzy drink each.

Back To Fun City

After lunch, we wandered back to Fun City, but were in no hurry to return to riding. Helen took my photo standing by Superman and Batman statues.

Bumpy Slide

A four lane Astra slide. This seemed a good one to start with after lunch, so Helen and I decided to have a go. One go consists of two slides. My first slide was in the far right lane (as seen from the top), whereas my second slide was in the far left lane (as viewed from the top). Helen took another empty lane on both occasions. The slide was very fast, Helen and I hit the crash mat at the end of the run-out both times. I was a bit disappointed with this compared to the Astrozoomer slides at Devon's Crealy, Barracuda at Woodlands, Astroglide at Paultons and Cresta Run at Leisureranch Weymouth. We never returned to this later.

Sky Diver

A drop tower, Helen and I rode this next. The ring of outward facing seats rose and fell several times. On the last go, the seat unit was held high up momentarily, before being gently lowered to the bottom. A fun ride, better than Trauma Tower at Woodlands, but tame compared to Drop at Funland Hayling Island or Ice Blast at PBR Blackpool. We only had one go on this.

Sizzler

Just about everyone in the RCCGB must have been on this sort of ride at least once somewhere, you may have seen it called Twister or perhaps Cyclone. Fun City call theirs the Sizzler for some inexplicable reason (it bears no resemblance to sausages or bacon sizzling in a frying pan). Helen and I enjoyed one go on this. Another fun ride, indeed still one of my favourite non-coaster rides, but I'm not sure I could take two goes straight off.

Sooty Photo

At 3pm Sooty appeared by his hut. Helen and I were waiting there for him, and we had our photo taken with him.

Wave Swinger

Being as this was running again, and we were so close to it, we rode this next. I take it you all know how a Wave Swinger works. The ride experience was no different to any other Wave Swinger, but still once was enough for us.

Frisbee

A witch's hat type ride, Helen and I decided to ride this next, mainly because it's right next to Wave Swinger. We sat in car 19. Another fun ride, but still one go on Frisbee was ample for us.

Coffee at Starbucks

Helen felt like another coffee, so we went to the Brean Splash Waterpark café as it sells Starbucks coffee. I had a Starbucks Tall Americano, whereas Helen had a cappuccino. When we finished our coffee, we headed for Wipeout.

Wipeout

A Freak-Out / Afterburner type ride, this swings and spins. Each set of four seats faces inwards. We were unable to find two adjacent vacant seats. However the two end seats on one set were empty, so I took that one end seat and Helen took the other end seat on that set. Hence for that ride we were separated by two other riders on the middle two seats of that row. The ride was great fun, but once again it seemed longer than average so towards the end it began to feel a bit too much. Helen and I limited ourselves to this one go, it's definitely not re-ridable.

Terror Castle

A ghost train. The train runs on a track, which has ups and downs, so can this be classed as a coaster? Helen and I limited ourselves to one go on this. Naturally enough there are some spooky / gory characters along the way. My verdict: alright but not overly impressed with it; I thought certain lighting effects were overkill.

I wanted to go on the Pony Express next. Unfortunately the rules stated adults may ride it with young children, but not ride without children.

Wild Water

I fancied a go on this log flume next, so Helen agreed. As we approached the loading platform, I put on my cagoule and leggings so as not to get wet. Helen said I was well prepared. We both got into one log and set off. The layout of this is somewhat similar to the one at Cornwall's Crealy; the log went up the first lift hill, and down creating a splash. After that it went up the second (taller) lift hill, and down creating an even bigger splash. Great fun but one go was enough.

Hellraiser

A set of ride cars attached to a central structure. As the central structure spins clockwise at high speed, the ride cars go up and down over the perimeter undulations, and are flung slightly outwards due to centrifugal force. Helen and I enjoyed one go on this. Although another fun ride, once was enough, it's not re-ridable.

Having left Hellraiser we met Lucy Cosnett and Carol. We spoke to each other for a few minutes.

X-treme

Similar to Hydro Max at Pleasure Island Cleethorpes. This has two pairs of seats back to back at one end of the boom, with another identical set at the other end. Helen and I sat together at one end, and the ride set off. As the ride picked up speed, it felt like riding a big wheel, but much better. The motion gave the sensation of flying through the air, up, backwards over the top and down again. When the ride ended we were stuck at the top, whilst the attendant changed riders at the other end. After that, the boom turned half a revolution so we could leave and more riders could get on where we sat. We only had one go on this.

Magic Mouse

We wanted to ride Astro Storm next, but it was closed, so we headed for Magic Mouse instead. This time we sat in car 1. The time was 4:55 when we left this ride.

Shockwave

Thinking there would be time for just one more ride, I led Helen over to Shockwave. When we joined the queue at 4:57pm, the attendant asked for any orange band users to come forwards. Presumably he wanted to get those with orange (daytime) bands through before 5pm. Helen and I managed to get one go on this. My verdict after this go and our one go earlier: alright as a looping coaster, but not as good as some looping coasters I've been on, indeed I thought it was a bit rough.

Cumulative summary of rides all day:

Ride	Total
Astro Storm	3
Bumpy Slide	2
Caterpillar Coaster	1
Disco Fever	1
Frisbee	1
Hellraiser	1
Magic Mouse	3
Shockwave	2
Sizzler	1
Sky Diver	1
Terror Castle	1
Waltzer	1
Wave Swinger	1
Wild Water	1
Wipeout	1
X-treme	1
TOTAL	22

Plus one passage through Sea Maze

Saturday Evening

Lift To Weston-super-Mare

Daytime wristbands expired at 5pm. Probably just as well, by now Helen and I both felt a little queasy. Having left the Park, Helen and I returned to her Mum's car. Helen's Mum kindly gave me a lift to Weston-super-Mare, which meant I had more time to talk to Helen and her Mum. We finally said our last goodbyes when we reached Weston-super-Mare seafront around 5:45pm.

Seafront and Takeaway

Having reached Weston, I saw Carter's Funfair, but didn't bother going in there as I felt I'd had enough rides for one day. Instead I just walked along the sea front towards Grand Pier, and around part of the town centre. By around 6:15pm I finally felt like eating. I had cod and chips, plus a pot of mushy peas from a fish and chip shop on the corner of Royal Parade and Regent Street; and ate them on the sea front.

Grand Pier

One I finished my takeaway I went for a walk around Grand Pier. This was my first visit to Grand Pier since it was rebuilt and reopened. Having walked to the end I entered the new building. I saw the bottom of the helter skelter, and half fancied a go on it, subject to adults being allowed on it. In the end I never got round to asking.

Unlike the old building, the new building is multi-storey. The new building has up and down escalators, made by SJEC. I ascended the up escalator to the first floor and saw the race track which goes up to the next level and down again. However I didn't have a go at racing. Near the top of the up escalator, I met Lucy Cosnett and Carol again, and spoke to them for several minutes. After that I took a walk around the first floor. I saw the entrance to Robo Coaster, but couldn't see the ride itself. However I saw the ride nearby which swings and spins. Having descended the down escalator to the ground floor, I saw the mini drop tower. I didn't go on any rides as I'd had enough of riding for one day.

I was hoping to have a whippy ice cream on the pier, but the ice cream shop I saw there was closed. However after leaving Grand Pier I managed to get a whippy ice cream from a convenience store in Regent Street before returning to the bus stops in High Street.

Journey Home

From Weston-super-Mare High Street, I caught the 19:35 Bristol bus. Unfortunately that bus had a problem with it and about ten minutes later, everyone had to transfer to another bus waiting behind it. The replacement bus finally left High Street at 19:49. Having reached Bristol Bus Station, I transferred to the 21:00 Bath bus, and arrived Bath Bus Station at 21:42. Less than 10 minutes later I was home.

Outro

Highlights

Meeting members I'd met on previous Club trips again (including Andy Hine, Happy Helen, Lucy Cosnett, Matt Walker).
Riding with Happy Helen all day.
Adding four more coasters to my ride count.
Meeting Sooty at 3pm.

Lowlights

Problem with 19:35 Weston-super-Mare to Bristol bus causing delayed departure on replacement bus.

Summing Up

Altogether another great trip. It was a minimalist trip, with no trip badges or ERS, but still great fun. Turnout was exceptionally low too; Nev said there were only 29 people listed as intending to go, but still the tiny minority of RCCGB members who did go certainly had a great day. It was great meeting other members again, including Nev, Matt Walker, Lucy Cosnett, and Carol, plus riding with Happy Helen all day. Best of all was adding four more coasters (Astro Storm, Caterpillar Coaster, Shockwave and Magic Mouse) to my coaster count. Just one point about them, they're all steel. Come on Brean, get some wood!

See you at Drayton Manor on 9 October.

Nemesis Nick at Sandcastle Water Park Blackpool

Date: Friday 15 April 2011
Venue: Sandcastle Water Park (Blackpool)
Who Went: Just me

Rationale For Trip

As some of you may have gathered, I enjoy water parks, including Splashdown at Tower Park, Poole.  Having travelled to Blackpool the evening of Thursday 14 April for the 2011 RCCGB Blackpool Bash, Friday daytime was the ideal opportunity for me to visit Blackpool's Sandcastle Water Park.

Welcome To Sandcastle Water Park

Just like Pleasure Beach Resort the rest of the weekend, it was only a short walk from the hotel where I stayed to Sandcastle Water Park.  When I reached the reception I paid the extra for a Hyperzone wristband, which covers the Master Blaster and Sidewinder.  Thanks to a coupon in the leaflet, I saved 10% of the admission fee.

In The Pool Area

Once past the foyer/bar and changing rooms, the water park itself is vast.  Being as I'd been there in April 2010, I remembered the layout quite well.  I began with the Master Blaster.

Master Blaster

One of the two Hyperzone slides, requiring use of a tyre.  There was a queue for tyres and another queue at the launch point, but it was worth the wait.  Master Blaster seems to go on for ever, there are several uphill sections.  Part way along you go along a tube slide, which exits the building, spirals around and re-enters the building.  That's the blue spiral tube you can see sticking out of the left front corner of the building.  Towards the end there's a final climb and a very steep final drop into the landing tray.  Altogether a thrilling ride.  For now I enjoyed four goes.

One important question: the Master Blaster is described as a rollercoaster water slide, but does that mean it's a rollercoaster or not?    In fact it claims to be the world's longest indoor rollercoaster water slide.  I asked the lifeguard if that really is true; I was told there are longer outdoor ones elsewhere in the world, but this is the world's longest indoor one.

Sidewinder

The other Hyperzone slide, also requiring use of a tyre.  I faced a queue for the tyre, and another queue for the launch point at the top.  When it was my turn I sat in my tyre on the launch platform, waiting to be pushed over the edge.  There's a very steep drop (long way down) into a ravine.  Following the first drop, you go quite a long way up the other side, then down and back up the side you first came down, and so forth until you run out of momentum and grind to a halt at the bottom of the ravine, before exiting.  Wow!  Going back and forth made for a thrilling ride.  For now I had three goes.

Ushi-Gushi River Creek

A flowing river, running anticlockwise.  Some used floats, but I couldn't find one.  I enjoyed four laps of this river run.

Thunderfalls Waterslides

Two water slides, one is blue and one is yellow.  These are mostly open top, however there's a short covered bit on the yellow slide midway.  The queue up the spiral stairs was quite lengthy, so for now I enjoyed the blue and yellow slides in sequence twice over.

Treetops Water Chutes

A set of three wavy slides side by side, thus three sliders can race each other.  Looking from the top, the left hand slide is blue, the centre one is yellow and the right hand one is red.  These were made by Aqua Leisure International, commissioned 2004.  I enjoyed these three wavy slides twice each in the following order: red, yellow, blue, red, yellow, blue.

Duelling Dragons

Two fast closed tubes; one called Barracuda and the other called Serpent.  The leaflet classes these as White Knuckle Slides, but they're not part of Hyperzone.  The queue for these slides was longer than I'd have liked, so for now I enjoyed Barracuda and Serpent twice each.

Caribbean Storm Treehouse

A play area with a number of features, including a giant coconut which gradually fills and tips to spill its contents over you.  I stood under the coconut for a few minutes waiting for it to tip water over me.  There are also water jets you can aim at other bathers.

Master Blaster

Back to the Master Blaster.  This time I only had one go.

The wave machine was now on in the wave pool, so I went in the wave pool for a few minutes to enjoy the waves.  When the waves subsided I left the pool.

Sidewinder

Now for a few more goes on the Sidewinder.  The wait for tyres varied between goes.  Anyway this time I enjoyed four thrilling goes on Sidewinder.

Duelling Dragons

Back to the Duelling Dragons.  These were generally quiet now, sometimes there was no-one in front of me.  I enjoyed Barracuda and Serpent in sequence eight times over.

Thunderfalls Waterslides

Now for some more goes on the Thunderfalls Waterslides.  The queues for these slides was generally shorter than earlier, so I enjoyed the blue and yellow slides in sequence four times over.

To finish off my day at Sandcastle Water Park, more goes in the Hyperzone.

Sidewinder

My final four goes of the day on this.  I met Adam Bysouth from the RCCGB whilst waiting for one of these goes.  He asked me if I was here for the Blackpool Bash and recognised me as Nemesis Nick.

Master Blaster

The Master Blaster was now really quiet, with no wait for tyres and very short wait (if at all) at the launch point.  Due to it being so quiet, I was able to enjoy twelve goes before closing time of 5:30pm.  Definitely my grand finale to my day at Blackpool Water Park.  I saw Adam Bysouth again on one of these goes.  In addition, between goes I noticed the following label at the side of the Master Blaster launch point:

Aqua Leisure International
Master Blaster Ride
Commissioned April 2006

After that it was closing time of 5:30pm, so I left the pool area and returned to the changing room.  I saw Adam Bysouth again in the changing room, he was surprised at my 12 goes on Master Blaster at the end, he said he had 6 goes on Master Blaster altogether.  We spoke about various parks.

Cumulative summary of my session

Slide	Total
Duelling Dragons: Barracuda	10
Duelling Dragons: Serpent	10
Master Blaster	17
Sidewinder	11
Thunderfalls Waterslides (blue)	6
Thunderfalls Waterslides (yellow)	6
Treetops Water Chutes (blue)	2
Treetops Water Chutes (red)	2
Treetops Water Chutes (yellow)	2
TOTAL	66

Total 66 slides, plus 4 laps of Ushi-Gushi River Creek.

Outro

Highlights

High slide count.
Going on the thrilling Hyperzone slides Sidewinder and Master Blaster.
Meeting Adam Bysouth towards the end of my visit.
12 goes on Master Blaster at the end of the day.

Lowlights

None really, all went so well.

Summing Up

Wow, a mega fun visit to the UK's largest indoor water park. By staying in all day, I certainly got my money's worth. Amazingly I managed to stay in until 5:30pm without eating or drinking anything. Evidently my big breakfast around 9am kept me going all day. If you've not yet been there, and you enjoy water parks, I strongly suggest you pay it a visit. In order to get your money's worth, I recommend staying in all day. Going in after the ERS on Sunday of the Blackpool Bash (i.e. around midday) may not give you sufficient time to do Sandcastle Water Park justice.

RCCGB Meet At The Park 2011 (Adventure Island)

Date: Saturday 23 July 2011
Venue: Adventure Island (Southend-on-Sea)
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy Hine, Barry, Big Stevie B, Derek, Julie, Alan and Saffron Eddy, Lucy Cosnett, Mary (Regatta) and Andy Knight, Matt Walker.

DISCLAIMER: The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a list of members who I spoke to / rode with. I sincerely apologise to anyone I've forgotten.

Getting To Adventure Island
This trip required an exceptionally early awakening for me, 4:15am. From Bath Spa I caught the 5:43 train to London Paddington. Having transferred to London Liverpool Street on the Underground, I caught the next train to Southend Victoria. As the train neared Southend Victoria, britcitchris asked me if I was going to the enthusiast day at Adventure Island. We sat together talking the rest of the way. Having arrived just before 9:00, we walked through the High Street towards the sea front. Near the sea front, we met Barry. When we reached the lifts to the promenade, we spent a few minutes looking down from the viewpoint. There was still time to kill before Nev wanted us at Adventure Island 10:00 to 10:30, so all three of us went to the café in the Royals Shopping Centre (outside Debenhams) for a coffee.

Welcome to Adventure Island
Around 10:00 Barry and I got to the western slope entrance (by Sands). Several other members were waiting there. Initially I spoke to Mary (Regatta). After that I spoke to Derek, Julie, Alan and Saffron Eddy. Eventually everyone was called towards Customer Services where Nev issued us our trip badges and wrist band vouchers.

Rage ERS
At 10:30 it was time for our ERS on the Park's flagship coaster Rage. This Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter Model 320+ opened in 2007. According to the Roller Coaster Database, Rage is the only coaster of this particular model in the UK, and one of only three worldwide. I noticed its gaudy colours have faded considerably the past four years. The ride cars seat two rows of four passengers. After leaving the station, the car goes up a vertical lift hill, down a beyond vertical first drop, around a vertical loop, another inversion and back to the station. During the ERS, I had three goes as follows:
First go back left (Derek, Alan and Saffron were in the same row as me on this go).
Second go back right.
Third go front right.

Just as I ran up the path for a fourth go, the attendant told me the ERS was over, and I must now get my wrist band.

Normal Time
At 11:00 it was time for us to get our wrist bands. After that, members dispersed to take over the rides.

Green Scream
A Zierer Tivoli - New roller coaster which has operated since 1999. Its track is green, which presumably explains its title. One ride consists of two laps. My second go was in the second row. I spotted the Guinness World Record on display.

Magic Monsters
My first non-coaster ride of the day. A kiddie ride really, but nonetheless it was still worth having one go just for the record.

Vortex
Now for a white knuckle non-coaster ride. An orbiter type ride featuring sets of three ride cars at the ends of arms, The car clusters spin about the arm ends as the arms rise to an angle, and the whole central structure spins about its base. It all adds up to a hair-raising ride, not for the faint-hearted, and not to be ridden immediately after eating! No wonder it's a Big Adventure Band ride. I fearlessly enjoyed one go, and didn't scream at all (in fact I sang "Hard Rock Hallelujah on the ride). However one go was enough, two would have been way too risky! I never returned to this later in the day.

The Dragon
Although circular, this has a head, seats along the length of the ride, and a tail, but the tail doesn't quite touch the head. It starts in a clockwise direction. Since the seats face the head, that means you're going forwards. Mid way through the ride stops and goes backwards, which feels odd. I had just one go on this, in the seat nearest the tail.

Archelon
A wave swinger (I'll assume you know how one of those works), with giant turtle theming. Looking at the web site, I'm surprised to have just spotted it's a Big Adventure Band ride (1.2 metre minimum rider height). Personally I see no reason why it can't be a Junior Band ride, as it's not at all scary, in fact I found it quite tame. To me the ride experience was no different to Sky Swinger at Paultons, or any other wave swinger I've ridden elsewhere. This was my only go on Archelon all day.

Flying Jumbos
Pink elephants which go around in a circle. Although a tame Mini Band ride, I felt it was worth one go just to say I'd been on it. This was my only go all day.

Over The Hill
Initially I wondered what this was, so I asked the attendant at the entrance. Having been told it's a ghost train, I decided to have a go. Matt Walker was on the train the same time as me. I noticed drops towards the end, so can this therefore be classed as a roller coaster? This was my only go on this all day.

After leaving the ride, I spoke to Matt about RidgeRiders.

SkyDrop
A drop tower. One long row of seats goes up and down several times. At one point the seats were held near the top, giving riders some hang time before being dropped again. I enjoyed two thrilling goes on this, but I think a third would have been too much.

Choo Choo Train
I wasn't going to bother with this, but when I saw Matt Walker about to ride it, I decided to have a go as well. Although tame, with the train going around a small diameter circular track, it was worth one go just for the record.

Lunch
By now, with the time around 13:00, I felt time was overdue to get some lunch. I went to Subway in the town centre to get a Sub of the Day, and sat on a seat in the High Street to eat it. I was going to go on the pier afterwards, but when I found out you have to pay £3.10 just to walk to the end and back (i.e. not take the train), I didn't bother.

At 13:46 I returned to Adventure Island, and continued riding as follows.

Viking Boats
Six boats on spokes which go up and down as they go around in a circle. Whilst the ride was in motion music was played, and the ride attendants clapped in time with it. I thought the music and clapping was superfluous really as it did nothing to make a tame Mini Band ride any more enjoyable. I only had one go on this.

Sea Serpent
Two tube slides (one red and one blue). When the Summer Bash was held here in 2007, these slides were closed due to the rain. This time I was able to go on them, and enjoyed one go on the red slide followed by one go on the blue slide.

Blackbeards All At Sea
A dark ride. When you go in the light is very dim. The lights are turned out and there is a short film about a pirate on a ship. To mimic the ship rocking from side to side, the benches rise on an angle in alternate directions. My guess is there must be pistons under them that produce that effect. When the film finished the dim lighting was restored. The only snag then was walking from the dim room into the bright outdoor daylight. Not a particularly exciting ride, this was my only go all day.

Fireball
A big wheel. I had to wait for a pod to become available. Once I was on the wheel kept stopping so the attendant could fill the next few pods. Eventually the wheel was allowed to spin for several revolutions before it was time to unload riders pod by pod. This was my only go of the day on Fireball.

Barnstormer
This Zierer Tivoli - Custom family coaster has been operating since 2000. One ride consists of two laps. For now I only had one go.

Mighty Mini-Mega
A Pinfari Mini Mega Coaster MM29 which first operated in 2003. Although another family coaster, I found it more exciting than Barnstormer. Hardly surprising considering it's slightly longer, taller and faster than Barnstormer. One ride consists of one lap. A pity really, being as the time for one lap is so short one ride really ought to be two laps. For now I only had one go. According to the Roller Coaster Database, there are currently only three coasters of this model in the world, all of which are in the UK.

Kiddi-Koasta
New for 2011, this is Adventure Island's 5th roller coaster: a Zamperla Speedy Coaster. It's a Mini Band Ride, which means that visitors up to 1 metre tall now have the chance to ride a coaster there. Hardly surprising therefore the ride experience was somewhat tame, but still worth one go to tick it on Coaster-Count. At present, this is only the second coaster of this particular model in the world.

Pharaoh's Fury
We must have all ridden something like this somewhere (probably called Twister or Cyclone). Adventure Island call theirs Pharaoh's Fury, I've no idea why. To me the ride experience was no different to when I rode it here at the Summer Bash in 2007, or this type of ride elsewhere (e.g. Twister at Fantasy Island and Super Twist at Bottons during my East Coaster Story tour last year). Pharaoh's Fury was mega fun, but once was enough for now.

Coffee Break
With the time now around 3:15pm, I felt partial to a coffee, so bought myself a small Americano. However I resisted the temptation to have a freshly made waffle as they were £3 each. Whilst drinking my coffee I sat near Sk8boarda. During that time, I saw Mary (Regatta) walk past. Having finished my coffee, I continued riding as follows.

Drop 'n' Smile
A drop tower ride, with seats on all four sides. Although primarily aimed at children (it's a Junior Band ride), adults are allowed to ride it, in certain seats only. I had one go on this just to say I'd been on it. Naturally I found it tame compared to SkyDrop.

Photo Opportunity
Having left Drop 'n' Smile, I spotted two people on stilts near Sands, so I went over there to have my photo taken with them. After that I saw Andy Knight about to set off home. I spoke to him for a few minutes before he left.

American Whip
Being a Mini Band ride, which can be ridden by young children less than 1 metre tall, I thought this would be a gentle ride. Although gentle on the straight sections, I was forced violently to the outside on the u-bends. If an adult like me found the u-bends rough, imagine what it must be like for a young child. I only had one go on this (car 5).

Crooked House
Not really a ride in my opinion, but Adventure Island class it as "a Mini Band ride". According to the web site, this is Adventure Island's oldest attraction. Furthermore that page states it's been renovated for 2011 with brand new UV scenes. I noticed it's quite dark in there, and the use of UV lighting. Obviously that, coupled with the bendy passage through the house made finding my way through difficult (I had to hold handrails). Furthermore when I left the house, I had the sudden shock of walking back into daylight. Quite frankly, I question the sensibility of the darkness and UV lighting in there. I've forgotten what it was like in there when I walked through there on my previous visit to Adventure Island, i.e. Summer Bash 2007, so can't compare it. Anyway, I only walked through here once.

Sk8boarda
A variation of the Zamperla Rock 'n' Tug (which I've ridden at various other parks), it swings and spins about a central pivot. One go at a time was enough, in fact this was my only go all day.

Dragon's Claw
This has six arms, with four seats at the end of each one facing inwards. The seat "spider" spins as it rises to an angle and flips over. In other words, a hair-raising thrill ride, hardly surprising it's a Big Adventure Band ride. I didn't find it that bad, I didn't scream at all, in fact I sang "Hard Rock Hallelujah" by Lordi (Eurovision Song Contest 2006 winner Finland). Even so, one go was enough (I think two goes would have made me sick or giddy).

By now the time was around 16:30 and I felt really tired, and a bit disorientated (probably due to spinning rides, and meandering between the closely placed rides in the park). I got myself a double espresso thinking that might wake me up a bit. Having finished my espresso, I went for a walk part way along the sea front in a westerly direction and back. Walking at high speed in a more-or-less straight direction helped. I returned to Adventure Island around 16:55 feeling somewhat better and continued as follows.

Lighthouse Slip
A helter skelter. When the Summer Bash was held here in 2007, this was closed due to the rain. This time I was able to go on it. I enjoyed two goes. The descent was quite fast.

Devil's Creek Goldmine
A train with tub carriages. The tubs are capable of spinning, and the attendant spun some riders as the train passed through the station. However I asked the attendant to leave mine alone as I didn't want to be spun really fast. I only had one go on this.

Kiddi-Koasta
Two more goes on Adventure Island's newest roller coaster, my second of which was in the back row. This time around I noticed the wavy bit towards the end, which gives a minute amount of AIRtime.

Ramba Zamba
A disko ride. Riders sit on a giant disk facing outwards. The disk spins as it travels a u-shaped track back and forth. A fun ride, but one go was enough for me.

Having left Ramba Zamba, I sat down for a few minutes. Suddenly I saw Barry, Derek and Alan. They headed for the Mighty Mini-Mega so I joined them.

Mighty Mini-Mega
Barry and I shared a row, Alan and Derek sat in the row immediately behind us. We only had one go on this.

Cow Jump
A small Miami style ride: it has a row of seats with a lap bar to hold you in, it goes sideways, up, sideways and down. However being a Junior Band ride, it's a rather gentle Miami-style ride. Put it this way, it's tame compared to Miami Wave at Butlins Skegness. It's themed around the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle", which includes the line "The cow jumped over the moon". I only had one go on this.

When the ride ended, I still didn't feel ready for Scorpion, so fancied another go on Mighty Mini-Mega first.

Barnstormer
As it happened, due to the direction I walked across the park from Cow Jump, I ended up at Barnstormer, so I decided to have one go on Barnstormer, in the front row.

Scorpion
At last I felt ready for Scorpion. This features clusters of swinging cars hanging from the ends of arms. I got into a swinging car. When the ride began, the car cluster spun rapidly about its arm end, and the arm raised so all its cars were spinning on an angle. Due to centrifugal force arising from the car spinning rapidly about its arm end, I was unable to move my feet whilst the ride was in motion. To cap it all, the central unit spun too, which made for a hair-raising ride! I found the best way to minimise dizziness was to focus on a specific spot. One go was enough on this!

Lighthouse Slip
Two more goes on this helter skelter.

Pharaoh's Fury
My final non-coaster ride of the day, one more go on Pharaoh's Fury. When the ride ended, the attendant said "See you later", but I replied "I doubt it, I've got to leave to leave to catch my train home soon, and I want a couple rides on something else before leaving".

Mighty Mini-Mega
One more go on Mighty Mini-Mega. My final ride of the day in the west end of Adventure Island.

Rage
My final ride of the day: one go on Rage. Where better to end the day than where I began? In fact this was my only go on Rage outside this morning's ERS.

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERS and Free Time Combined)

Ride	Total
American Whip	1
Archelon	1
Barnstormer	2
Blackbeards All At Sea	1
Choo Choo Train	1
Cow Jump	1
Crooked House	1
Devil's Creek Goldmine	1
Dragon's Claw	1
Drop 'n' Smile	1
Fireball	1
Flying Jumbos	1
Green Scream	2
Kiddi-Koasta	3
Lighthouse Slip	4
Magic Monsters	1
Mighty Mini-Mega	3
Over The Hill	1
Pharaoh's Fury	2
Rage	4
Ramba Zamba	1
Scorpion	1
Sea Serpent blue	1
Sea Serpent red	1
Sk8boarda	1
SkyDrop	2
The Dragon	1
Viking Boats	1
Vortex	1
TOTAL	43

Journey Home
Having left Adventure Island for the final time at 18:50, I went to get fish and chips from the Chinese takeaway across the road (that happened to be the first place I saw selling fish and chips). Without further ado I walked back to Southend Victoria as quickly as possible. Having arrived, the 19:10 London Liverpool Street train was already there, so I got on and ate my fish and chips on the train. Upon reaching London Liverpool Street, I fancied an ice cream (as I'd not had one Southend), so I got myself a sundae from Burger King which I ate before transferring to Paddington on the Underground.

Just before 21:00 I was back at London Paddington, and had half an hour to go to the 21:30 train to Bath Spa. To fill time I got someone to photograph me coming down one of the escalators in the café / shopping section of Paddington station. After that I bought myself a cup of coffee from Upper Crust before joining the said train. Confusing announcements were made at Reading; I was initially led to believe I'd have to leave the train as it would not now be able to call at Bath, so I did, only to be told by someone else after it subsequently left it was going to call at Bath after all! Anyway I was able to complete my journey on the 23:02 Bristol Temple Meads train. I finally reached Bath Spa at 0:23, and home at 0:32 (later than I expected or wanted).

Outro

Highlights
Meeting members I'd met on previous Club trips again (including Barry, Big Stevie B, Derek, Julie, Alan and Saffron Eddy, Lucy Cosnett, Mary (Regatta) and Andy Knight, Matt Walker).
Coffee with britcitchris and Barry at Royals Shopping Centre around 9:30.
ERS on Rage.
High ride count the rest of the day.
Adding Kiddi-Koasta to my coaster count.

Lowlights
Feeling tired late afternoon.
Confusing information at Reading which resulted in disruption to my journey home.

Summing Up
On the whole another super Club trip, thank you Nev for organising it. A nice and straightforward little trip, i.e. ERS followed by riding the rest of the day. Just goes to show, we don't need someone talking to us about animals, or a treasure hunt style competition (with old coaster wheels up for grabs) to have a fun day out. It was great meeting other members again, including Andy and Mary (Regatta) Knight, Barry and the Eddy family. Furthermore it was my chance to add Kiddi-Koasta to my coaster count, and to re-ride the Park's four other coasters (Rage, Green Scream, Barnstormer, Mighty Mini-Mega) which I first rode at the Summer Bash 2007. Just one point about the Park's five coasters Rage, Green Scream, Barnstormer, Mighty Mini-Mega and Kiddi-Koasta, they're all STEEL. Come on Adventure Island, get some WOOD!

RCCGB USA 2011 - Shake, Rattler & Roll Tour

As most of you know, I did not attend USA 2011 - Shake, Rattler & Roll Tour. Nonetheless I've had enough interest in the trip to every day of the official report on the Club Messageboard. Well done to whoever put the effort into writing that, including putting up the photos. You lot (58 of you) certainly had fun in the USA that fortnight, which I missed out on. Here are my comments and questions about the trip.

Day 1 - Saturday 4 June - Outward Flight

Trivia
So it was alright to say you went from Heathrow Terminal 5, Gate C65 and flew on a Boeing 747. I bet if I included train trivia (type of trains, train numbers, platform numbers etc) about my train journeys to UK Club trips in my Messageboard reports e.g. Blackpool Bash, I'd get a grilling for including unnecessary drivel.

Ryan at Heathrow
In the photo of Ryan staring out at the plane, he looks not so much scared of flying, but somewhat miserable. At least he smiled in the photo taken on board the plane in the air.

First Night Out
I notice some members wore their USA 2009 or USA 2010 tour T-shirts the first night of the USA 2011 tour.

Day 2 - Sunday 5 June - Six Flags Over Texas

A long day: 8am start and you left the Park at 7:30pm. Well Nev said you get early starts and late finishes on USA trips. Thankfully you stayed at your first hotel the first two nights, so your coach journeys that day were short.

New Texas Giant ERS
From the official trip report, RCDB, and article in AIRtime March / April 2011, I've noticed the wooden track has been replaced with steel track, but the wooden lattice structure is still there. Surely that's sacrilege, will some ride purists no longer call this a true woodie? What did Nev think of the modified ride, considering he thinks true coasters are made purely of wood? Did Ryan still like it? Before the modification, it was among his favourite USA woodies. How does it compare to riding Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Log Flume Photo
I notice the riders went on without cagoules, so they must have got wet on that ride.

Peak Time Temperature
101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius). Boy o' boy, that was hot!

Titan
From the photo, this looks like a corkscrew style coaster. How does it compare to Corkscrew at Flamingo Land?

Shockwave
A steelie with two vertical loops close together. How does it compare to Millennium Roller Coaster (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells)?

La Vibora
How does this bobsled coaster compare to Avalanche (PBR Blackpool)?

Judge Roy Scream
A true woodie (wooden track, track bed and lattice structure), how does it compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Batman The Ride
An inverted steelie. Apart from being yellow, how does it compare to riding Nemesis (Alton Towers), Nemesis Inferno (Thorpe Park), Infusion (PBR Blackpool), Kumali (Flamingo Land) or Jubilee Odyssey (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells)? I hope it's not as rough as Jubilee Odyssey.

Day 3 - Monday 6 June - Schlitterbahn

Early Rise
How early was your cooked breakfast to be on your coach at 7am? I suppose Nev managed to get the staff to serve it that early being as there was a big group.

Schlitterbahn
An outdoor water park. I remember Tropicana at Weston-super-Mare tended to be chilly at the best of times. I've never been to the open-air water park in Paignton, as the British climate puts me off. I hope you had it as hot and sunny at Schlitterbahn as you did the previous day at Six Flags Over Texas.

Schlitterbahn has great water slides, how do they compare to some of the "better" ones I've been on in the UK, e.g. Blackpool Water Park, Splashdown (Tower Park Poole), Butlins (Skegness and Minehead), Basingstoke Aquadrome Lagoon, Cardiff International Pool?

I'm surprised you were allowed to take pool side photos; just about every swimming pool / water park I've visited in the UK prohibits photography / filming in the pool area.

Day 4 - Tuesday 7 June - Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Breakfast
Another early rise to be on the coach at 7:30am. That was unusual, having breakfast at the park.

Ryan's Birthday
A belated happy 51st birthday to Ryan for that day. I'm glad he received cards and gifts, just like on Wednesday 30 September 2009 during my Ride Slide Go Cornwall 2009 tour, I received a card and box of chocolate truffles from the staff of my guest house in St Austell. How appropriate he got Rattler ale as a present.

Rattler ERS
Being as this was the day you rode Rattler, it was hardly surprising this was 2011 tour T-shirt day. Ryan is really happy riding his favourite USA woodie Rattler, where better for him to be on his 51st birthday. Looking at RCDB stats, I've discovered Rattler is nearly 3 times the height of Big Dipper (PBR Blackpool), and has an extra 1,780' of track to travel in 4 seconds less than Big Dipper. Evidently Rattler must be considerably faster. What does riding Rattler feel like compared to Big Dipper? Is it as rough as it's made out to be? How does Rattler compare to Megafobia (Oakwood), which Ryan enjoys so much close to his home but to-date I've never ridden?

Poltergeist ERS
How does this steelie compare to anything I've ridden in the UK? From some RCDB photos it looks kind of like Corkscrew (Flamingo Land).

Superman The Krypton Coaster ERS
I notice its vertical loop from an RCDB photo. How does this steelie compare to Colossus (Thorpe Park) or Millennium Roller Coaster (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells)?

Kiddie Koaster
This family steelie is a Vekoma Junior Coaster (85m), track length 85 metres (278' 10"), hence the model name. From 2003 to 2011 inclusive I've ridden Maximus (formerly El Pastil Loco) at Devon's Crealy near Exeter, which is a Vekoma Junior Coaster (207m), i.e. length 207 metres (679' 2"). So Kiddie Koaster is considerably less than half the length of Maximus (Devon's Crealy). During one ride on Kiddie Koaster, how many laps of the track do you get? One Maximus ride consists of two laps. What's Kiddie Koaster like to ride compared to Maximus?

Big Spin
The title suggests the ride cars spin. What's it like to ride compared to Sonic Spinball (formerly Spinball Whizzer) at Alton Towers?

Scooby Doo Photo
It's great to see adults having their photo taken with a costume character, in this case Scooby Doo. When I went to Fantasy Island during my East Coaster Story tour last year I had my photo taken with the Pirates.

Day 5 - Wednesday 8 June - SeaWorld

Start Of Day
Slightly later start than the previous day? Only 15 minutes! You still had to be on the coach at 7:45am, so it was still an early rise. Thankfully the journey was short.

Great White ERS
How does this inverted steelie compare to Nemesis (Alton Towers), Nemesis Inferno (Thorpe Park), Infusion (PBR Blackpool), Kumali (Flamingo Land) or Jubilee Odyssey (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells)?

Steel Eel ERS
A mighty sit-down steelie. No vertical loops, so you can't compare it to Millennium Roller Coaster (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells). It's less than three quarters the height of PMBO (PBR Blackpool). What UK coaster that I've ridden can you best compare this to?

Journey to Atlantis
This looks like a cross between a roller coaster and a boat ride of the Tidal Wave (Thorpe Park) genre. Considering part of the track is below water, and there's a mighty splash at one point, why weren't you wearing cagoules?

Rapids
How do these round boats on a waterway compare to the Rumba Rapids (Thorpe Park)? Another wet ride, why isn't anyone wearing a cagoule?

Alan with Penny & Pete
Well done Alan Chilvers posing with the two penguins Penny and Pete. Just goes to show, you're never too old to have your picture taken with costume characters.

Day 6 - Thursday 9 June - Kemah Boardwalk

Start Of Day
At least you had a later start today, whereby you had to be on the coach at 8:30am. Still you must have all had your cooked breakfast before 8am, which I guess was before normal serving time.

Boardwalk Bullet ERS
An ERS on a woodie, how does it compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak PBR Blackpool? I notice one member donned a USA 2009 tour T-shirt on this.

Boardwalk Beast ERS
An ERS on a speedboat ride. Do you actually went on a lake / out to sea, not a constrained man-made waterway like Tidal Wave (Thorpe Park). The report says you all got soaked on this. Why weren't you wearing cagoules? Considering they roll up small and are really light, there's no excuse not to carry one in your day tripper bag / rucksack.

Playground
I notice from the Kemah Boardwalk web site there's a playground behind Flying Dutchman. Is it only for children, or are adults allowed to play there? If adults are allowed to play, did anyone play? The good thing about Devon's Crealy and Woodlands is they have indoor and outdoor play areas in which adults can play. Where's the fun in visiting a park that only allows children to play in its playground?

Day 7 - Friday 10 June - Dixie Landin'

Easy Going
I notice you had a lie in, with breakfast by 9.30am, and on the coach by 11am. Hardly surprising, you must have all desperately needed a lie in after so many early starts and late finishes. It proves, even the keenest coaster enthusiast can't be expected to live through two weeks of early starts and late finishes. I've also spotted the statement "this was a chill-out day", you must have needed one after so many hectic days. Remember come the Monday of my East Coaster Story tour last year, I took the day at a leisurely pace after the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Xtreme
I notice the ride cars on this Maurer Söhne Spinning ride have back-to-back seating, like Dragon's Fury at CWOA. How does it compare to Dragon's Fury (CWOA)?

Loco Loco
Looks like a kiddie coaster to me, I guess it was still worth getting the tick. How does it compare to any kiddie coasters I've ridden, e.g. Little Dipper on Cleethorpes Beach?

Ragin' Cajun
A Vekoma Boomerang coaster, one of 45 of these around the world (according to the RCDB). Is it the same as the Boomerang at Pleasure Island Cleethorpes, which I rode last year?

Galaxi
An unusual steelie with a couple of spirals. Is there anything like it in the UK? I don't recall seeing anything similar here.

Day 8 - Saturday 11 June - Waterville USA

Cannonball Run ERS
An ERS on a woodie, how does it compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool? I noticed Nev sat in the front seat on one go.

Water Park
The report says some members went into the water park. Is it indoors or outdoors? What flumes, roller coaster water slides, space bowls, etc does it have? How do they compare to the flumes etc I've been on at Blackpool Water Park, Splashdown (Tower Park Poole), Butlins (Skegness and Minehead), Basingstoke Aquadrome Lagoon and Cardiff International Pool?

Long Journey
What time did you leave Waterville USA? How long was the onward journey after you left? It's great that Nev paced the journey with bingo, but I hope those wanting sleep instead managed to sleep on the coach.

Day 9 - Sunday 12 June - Alabama Adventure

Rampage ERS
I see from the report this woodie is like Megafobia (Oakwood), but bigger. Ryan must have adored this, what did he think of it compared to Megafobia? He looks happy sitting in the front seat in one photo. I've never been to Oakwood, so how does Rampage compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Marvel Mania Takeover
This family steelie looks somewhat like Loco Loco at Dixie Landin' two days earlier. Is it the same model?

Zoomerang Take Over
Another Vekoma Boomerang, is it identical to Ragin' Cajun at Dixie Landin', and Pleasure Island Cleethorpes? Well done to Matt Walker and Adam King who clocked up 25 goes straight off, was that each? The best I could manage on Boomerang at Pleasure Island last year was six, and then only three lots of two at a time. I just didn't find the Pleasure Island one anything like as re-ridable as Millennium Roller Coaster at Fantasy Island Ingoldmells.

Departure
What a pity you had to leave at 3pm. That's rather early to leave. Did everyone have enough time to ride everything?

Day 10 - Monday 13 June - Six Flags Over Georgia

Mind Bender ERS
A steelie with a vertical loop. How does it compare to other vertical looping steelies in the UK, e.g. Colossus (Thorpe Park)?

Batman ERS
How does this inverted steelie compare to riding Nemesis (Alton Towers), Nemesis Inferno (Thorpe Park), Infusion (PBR Blackpool), Kumali (Flamingo Land) or Jubilee Odyssey (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells)?

Georgia Cyclone and Great American Scream Machine
How do these woodies compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Ninja
Looking at some RCDB photos, the layout of this Vekoma sit-down steelie looks substantially different to Millennium Roller Coaster (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells). Is it anything like Corkscrew (Flamingo Land)?

Superman - Ultimate Flight
Having seen the photos on the RCDB, it certainly looks similar to AIR (Alton Towers). What is the ride experience like compared to AIR Alton Towers (which to-date I've only ridden once – Loopathon 2005).

Dare Devil Dive ERS
I notice from some RCDB photos this has a vertical lift and beyond vertical drop, like Rage at Adventure Island. How does it compare to Rage (Adventure Island) or SAW (Thorpe Park)?

Goliath ERS
You seem to sit in an unusual position on this steelie, I can't think of a similar ride in the UK. Is there anything like it in the UK? How does this Goliath compare to the Goliath at Six Flags Fiesta Texas?

Day 11 - Tuesday 14 June - Pigeon Forge

Cannon Ball
From what I've read, it seems this was a surprise bonus on the tour. Wasn't it originally billed on the itinerary? How does this woodie compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Wild Lightnin'
How does this steel mouse coaster compare to Fantasy Mouse (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells) or Rockin Roller (Bottons Skegness)?

Ruby Falls Caves
Is this the first time Nev has included a cave visit on a RCCGB USA trip? Why did he put that in?

Day 12 - Wednesday 15 June - Dollywood

Thunderhead ERS
How does this woodie compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Mystery Mine4 Takeover
Judging by the overhead harnesses, is this a steelie with inversions etc? Anything similar in the UK? I'm pleased to read that the young queue jumpers were sent to the back.

Afternoon Storm
How severe was the rain to force the rides to close? Was it actually a thunderstorm? When I've been to Devon's Crealy in the past, their rides have continued to run in rain, though a Ranger once told me they aren't allowed to operate rides in a thunderstorm.

Day 13 - Thursday 16th June - Camden Park

Big Dipper
How does this 1958 NAD woodie compare to its namesake at PBR Blackpool?

Lil' Dipper
Is this more along the lines of Little Dipper (now Blue Flyer) at PBR Blackpool?

Haunted House
Is this a ghost train? How does this compare to the PBR Blackpool one? Since it has a lift hill, could one class this as a coaster?

Log Flume
That was a bit unkind of Dan Ould soaking other riders, whether they liked it or not. Bravo to whoever placed him in a log alone and to the others who then soaked him, a taste of his own medicine! Why didn't he put a cagoule on though?

Phantom's Revenge Surprise
After your long drive, I'm surprised you went into Kennywood late evening for an ERS on Phantom's Revenge. Was this intended as an advance bonus to supplement your main visit to Kennywood next day? Presumably then your hotel I was a stone's throw from Kennywood that night.

Day 14 - Friday 17 June - Kennywood

Sky Rocket ERS
How big is this? Looking at the track and trains in the report photos, this appears to be a family steelie.

Jack Rabbit
How does this woodie compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Kennywood Racer
Is this a racing woodie similar to Grand National at PBR Blackpool? If so how does it compare?

Lil Phantom
What exactly is this? Ryan looks happy in the photo of this ride.

Thunderbolt
This is an unusual woodie, it's not an out-and-back one like Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool. What's it like to ride?

Pitt Fall
How does this drop tower compare to the Ice Blast at PBR Blackpool?

Exterminator
Apart from it being in the dark, how does this mouse coaster compare to Fantasy Mouse Mouse (Fantasy Island Ingoldmells) or Rockin Roller (Bottons Skegness)?

Day 15 - Saturday 18 June - Lakemont Park

Leap The Dips ERS
An ERS on the world's oldest woodie, an achievement to be proud of for those members on the trip. How does this vintage woodie compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Skyliner ERS
How does this woodie compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Toboggan
Initially I thought you meant a toboggan run like Woodlands (Dartmouth), Oakwood or Llandudno Ski Centre, but it's actually a steel roller coaster. Any similar steelies in the UK?

Triple Atomic Wings Challenge
What exactly are the atomic wings? Chicken wings? I take it they must be exceptionally hot and spicy for Dan to drink so much water. That's going to extremes a bit though, making you sign a disclaimer.

Day 16 - Sunday 19 June – Knoebels

The final park day on the tour, and where better to be than Nev's favourite park Knoebels?

Phoenix Morning ERS
How appropriate that the day begin and end with ERT on Nev's favourite woodie Phoenix. The view from the top in one morning ERS shot looks impressive. What's it like to ride compared to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Haunted House
Is this another ghost train type ride? Does it have undulations like the one at PBR Blackpool, or is it a level circuit like the ghost train at Bottons Skegness?

Kozmo's Kurves Ice Cream Challenge
What kind of steelie is Kozmo's Kurves? Judging by the track and train in the photos, is it a family steelie? Hardly surprising you got ice cream all over you during the ride. What do you expect trying to eat ice cream on a coaster?

Log Flume and Skloosh
Two more water rides, and once again Dan got wet. Why didn't he wear a cagoule on those rides to keep him dry? Is Skloosh similar to the Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park, or Lost River Ride at Flamingo Land?

Twister ERS
From some RCDB photos this looks a mighty woodie. It doesn't appear to be an out-and-back either? How does the ride experience compare to Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at PBR Blackpool?

Hokey Cokey and Group Hug
The final park day wouldn't be complete without that, would it? Did everyone in the group take part?

By co-incidence, Sunday 19 June was day 3 of my own long weekend in south Devon (17 to 20 June), which I called Devon 2011: Coaster Quick Half. I spent that particular day at Devon's Crealy (obviously tame compared to Knoebels). When I got back to my guest house in Torquay around 10:30pm BST that evening, I sent Nev a text. Being five hours behind BST, it must have been 5:30pm in Pennsylvania, USA at that time. Did Nev get my text?

Day 17 - Monday 20 June - Shopping & Flight Home
Firstly I've spotted an error on the Club site: this day is shown as day 16, when it must have been day 17. When will the actual report appear?

GCI Visit
A surprise visit to GCI. What exactly is it? A coaster factory? Did you actually get to ride a coaster there?

Didn't you go to a fair / park on the last day? Last year Nev managed to squeeze in a visit to Martin's Fantasy Island on your last day, where you rode a couple of coasters.

In the final day's photos I've noticed some people sleeping on the coach. I bet everyone was worn out by then.

Outro
Well, what a mega fun trip that was, I wish I'd been there. Did you ride any of the following non-coaster rides:
Bumper boats
Canoes, pedaloes etc
Water coasters (like Wave Runner at Paultons)
Freak-out / Afterburner type rides
Mondial Top Scan type rides
Swinging pirate ships
Spinning pirate ships (Rock 'n' Tug type)
Waltzers
Cyclone / Twister
Tea cups / cauldrons
Chair-o-planes / wave swingers
Disko / Disk-o-Coaster
Ripsaw style rides
Miami type rides
Paratrooper (umbrellas spinning on angle) or Mexican hat type rides
Astra (multi-lane bumpy) slides (as in Astroglide at Paultons, Giant Castle Slide at Harbour Park, Littlehampton)
Drop slides (like Demon Drop Slide at Flambards, Buzzard's Swoop and Red Devil at Devon's Crealy)

Once again thank you very much again for the Club website report of USA 2011, roll on the AIRtime report in a future issue.