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Today I was one of a group of 8 who headed for a day of thrills at Alton Towers. The group included my Godson, his mother and another family of our acquaintance. We were not only able to take advantage of this being the first day of Godson's half-term, but a number of 2 for 1 vouchers. We were also lucky as the weather stayed dry, was in the midteens and the sun even popped out for a bit.
Alton Towers had started this year's Scarefest, which meant that the rides were open until 9pm. The park was quieter than I expected. Probably a combination of most schools having not started half-term, and the "Smiler Factor".
Some additional rides were closed (Hex and Nemesis Sub-Terra until the evening, and The Flumes) but there were plenty of other rides to enjoy. For some of the kids, it was their first time on many of the rides.
We started at Sonic Spinball - a rollercoaster where the car spins as it speeds around the twisty track. Not one of my favourites as I'm not good on spinning, but someone had to accompany the kids!
Then we ventured to one of my all time favourites - Oblivion. A rollercoaster that plunges down a near vertical drop into a hole.....and out again. We went round twice.
The other family went for Enterprise, a spinning wheel that I went on back in 1987, felt very sick and vowed never to go on it again - something that I've kept to ever since. While they were "enjoying" that (it attracted mixed reviews) the rest of us tucked into a fried chicken lunch.
Next up was Rita, a rollercoaster which excellerates extremely fast! As there wasn't much of a queue, two of us opted to go for the front. Fantastic!
13 is next door. The new riders enjoyed the surprise at the end.
Before venturing over to the other side of the Park via the Sky Ride, we shared a box of 10 freshly cooked doughnuts - mmmmmm!
Now it was time for another of my all time favourites - Nemesis. I was shocked to discover that this intense and thrilling ride is 21 years old. I remember when it opened. It was still as fantastic as ever.
We had a short wait for Air, the rollercoaster where you lie on your front. This was because they were retrieving someone's mobile phone - probably some idiot who dropped it while filming.
Then we all had a go at Dual, the one-time ghost train that has been converted to a shooting contest. For once, I actually achieved the highest score.
Next we boarded the Runaway Mine Train, which is stilll as fun as ever.
Then it was time to get wet on the Rapids, where we were daft enough to go round twice. Then the kids had a go on the Teacups.
As dusk approached, we split to allow some to go back to Air while the younger kids had a go at the Driving School and revisited 13.
Meeting up again, we were able to have another go on Rita and Oblivion before myself, Godson and his mother decided to sample the wares at the Woodcutters Bar and Grill, though the food was only average. Meanwhile , the others went back to Spinball, where the kids went on it another 20 times!!!
By now it was 9pm, and time to start the long drive home, everyone having enjoyed a fantastic day.
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