Alton Towers (26.04.04)

Our biannual day out for all the staff (well nearly all of them, some were on holiday and others worked instead!) took us to Alton Towers in leafy Staffordshire. Our organiser John Belshaw, being more influenced by cultural attractions was desperately hoping it would be a flop, so we could return to more educational trips. Sadly he was wrong. We all had a sensational no thought day being tipped upside down at speed. For those not suited to children's entertainment an alternative trip to the Wedgwood factory in the Potteries, followed by shopping in Hanley was organised attended by only 4 stalwarts.

Bullocks coaches picked us up as usual outside the offices at 9.30am. Maureen thoughtfully provided sticky buns, and slimming breakfasts for us all to munch on the way. Richard and Hywel organised a 5 round quiz (round 4 by Hywel on Wales - and where is that?). This time the questions were answerable for a change, so, after marking, it transpired that Hywel and Samantha were the winners (they did particularly well in the Welsh section would you believe!)

Some of us feeling queasy already, we finally arrived at Alton Towers ready to be thrown upside down and wrong end up. We split up into gangs and attacked the rides. The guide said do the wet ones first - so we did. The Flume absolutely soaked me as I was at the front. There is a picture. You can see how I felt. Is it any surprise that the boss was chosen for a dunking? We then went on the Rapids - to be soaked again. The rest of the day was spent drying off and wringing out.

Amazingly we hardly had time to stop for lunch. Those with sense brought sandwiches. All food was subjected to washing machine action inside us. I managed to get through 4 packets of crisps, an ice cream, a Cadbury's Dream bar, a chocolate chip biscuit, and a Crunchie - but no salad or vegetables. Thankfully no one was actually ill. Not a good Weightwatcher's points day for me though.

Favourite rides - for sheer thrill you can't beat Oblivion - the huge vertical drop into an abyss which diappointingly is no longer covered in steam. For allround entertainment my favourite is Air - the superman like ride in a horizontal position. Faris and I actually managed to guide the ride by making our hands into rudders and moving them to left and right. Faris suprised me when he stripped off to blue tights and red Y fronts.

So was it a great day? - I should say so. Perhaps a bit lacking in culture but what more can you expect from Alton Towers?

Peter Garsden 30th April 2004