Alton Towers (2006)

The choice of Alton Towers for our Spring 2006 day out did not meet with universal approval, yet with such a clear sunny spring day on offer, even the sceptics had a great time. One way of ensuring that everyone is on time for work, is to organise coach departure for 9am. Bullocks obliged as usual, and we all set off from the office in the direction of Ashbourne. After picking up Peter (he had arrived at the office in a suit thinking it was a work day and had returned home to change) in Macclesfield the coach quiz organised by Linda and Angharad commenced. The winners (Hywel’s team) after a tie break handed round the winning chocolates then left them on the coach to melt in the sun.

Once at Alton Towers we had 7 tickets to tout to suspicious visitors at a reduced price, because some staff had not turned up. Arthur Daley like, Peter and Ami did some deals, and finally we were all inside the pearly gates.

Some of us headed off for the gardens, and others for the scariest rides. The disbelievers muttered how foolhardy the youngsters were whilst admiring the beautiful gardens and architecture in between cups of tea. The ride addicts just could not understand how anybody could fail to enjoy being chucked upside down and wrong way up at ridiculous speeds for pleasure with a view to intestinal nausea. I think the phrase is “what is sauce for the goose is not necessarily sauce for the gander” – yet we saw no geese all day?

Feeling thoroughly sick, some sat down for lunch of a greasy fat filled offering from one of the fast food outlets, and others snacked on the move. The sedate ones sipped yet another cup of tea and continued to admire the gardens.

Bit of a tip for you – don’t queue up to go round the new ride “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” unless you are under 8. Whilst some of us qualified in the head, it is definitely a ride for juniors under 1 metre. “Rita” (a ride not a woman) is thoroughly recommended, but don’t ask for priority passes because they don’t exist – do they Ami? “Oblivion” is my personal favourite, because of the rush of blood to your boots. Yet others enjoyed “Air”, “Nemesis”, the “Log Flume” (why choose it last so that your clothes are wet for the journey home?), “Ripsaw”, and many others.

Somewhat footsore after the trek round the gardens, thoroughly thrilled out, and anxious to exchange experiences, we gathered at the exit in the late afternoon sun for the journey home. Thanks go out once again to Linda and Angharad for organising yet another fabulous day, and we all look forward to the next one in the Autumn.

Peter Garsden