Meet At The Park - Funland Hayling Island 12 Sep 2009

Nemesis Nick · Meet At The Park - Funland Hayling Island 12 Sep 2009

Just got back from attending today's "Meet at the Park" trip to Funland, Hayling Island. So this time I have the honour of starting the official trip thread. Perhaps not a great turnout (low compared to SAW-Ted and Blackpool Bash), but a fun day out all the same, which included the chance for us to climb Klondike lift hill and Drop Tower ladders before opening; as well as baseball in the afternoon. Best of all it was a lovely sunny mid September day.

A full report will hopefully follow tomorrow as I'm now going to watch Last Night of the Proms.

smiler

I was going to say Nick that cant be your report its a tad to short Laughing

Glad you all had a good time tho.

stealth fan · Re: Meet At The Park - Funland Hayling Island 12 Sep 2009

Coaster Clare

Hi All

Can't wait for Nicks report still can't get over him singing on the rides!

Thanks again Nev for arrangeing a great trip, reminded me a bit of my first club trip with the great weather.

It was also great for Thomas to get his 60th coaster, I am sure there will be plenty of pics on here later!

Roll on looperathan!

See u all there!

Steven Burns

Coaster Police

What a brilliant day it was yesterday. There were 40 of us in total for the meet at the park event. The weather was brilliant, and the behind-the-scenes tour was excellent, giving us all an opportunity to walk to the top of the Klondike lift hill and amongst the ride area, and the Drop Tower. This gave us a rare chance to get some excellent photos from angles and places you normally can't.

I'm writing the trip report for the website now (although F1 is taking priority right now), and with the new style photo viewer on the trip reports everyone seems to love, i'll be able to add bonus photo's to the report in the slideshow sequence that don't have thumbnails on the trip report page.

I'll post a note in the website topic above when it's done, but it'll be up later today!

Many Thanks for Marshall Hill for giving us a fantastic day!!

Coaster Clare

nemesis scribe

What a fantastic day!! A very chilled and realxed coastering day in what was glorious weather!!

Really enjoyed the Klondike lifthill walk as that was my 1st ever looping coaster when it was the Python at Drayton Manor, so happy memories for me with that ride. Tower Drop climb was fab too. Great views all round. Wonderful stuff.

I did lose my crazy golf title though Crying or Very sad

I will get it back though Laughing

Thanks to everyone for making it a great day!! Cool

Coaster Police

Now the F1 is over, the trip report is now online on the club website. See homepage for the link (or below)!

I have used the new photo slideshow code for this report.

You can click on any of the thumbnails to bring up the image. There are 20 thumbnails, but 43 pictures. So if you play the slideshow, you'll get to see them all. Dave Perry the regular photographer was not present on Saturday, so all the pics are mine. I am quite pleased how they turned out, given they were taken on a Nokia N97!

http://www.rccgb.co.uk/tripreports/mitp2009.html

stealth fan

Magic

Nick, what time did you get home, that info was missing from your indepth report.

krusty_the_clown

Nick and all,

I have an applogy to make,

Whilst trying to reply to your post in inadventantly deleted the original post. We are looking to see if we can retrieve from the server database.

please bare with us, and I appologise once again.

Death

Steven Burns

Hey Nick, sorry about your post dude. Me and Vicci always look forward to the reports as much as the trips to be honest. We spent half an hour digesting it last night.

As for the photo of you with the ice cream, yes it will go up on my flickr site and if you like, add your facebook page here and ill add you and tag you also.
My pics aways go to my Flickr site which is in my signature below. All in reverse chronological order.
I`ll put my photos up late tonight or sometime tomorrow as i`ve been at Vicci`s and don`t have my laptop or a great Internet connection.

Andy Hine MBE

Here is Nemesis's Nick report in all its glory!
(I cut and pasted it into Word last night to see how many pages it was - 13!! - and left PC on so it was still there this morning!) Very Happy

RCCGB Family Funday 2009 (Funland Hayling Island)

Date: Saturday 12 September 2009
Venue: Funland Hayling Island
Who Went: Me and many other RCCGB members, including Andy, Christine and Charlotte Hine, Alan Chilvers, Alison, Andy Knight, Andy, Thomas and Charlotte-Emily Wright, Ashley, Barry Healy, Big Stevie B, Carol, Carol Hedges, Conor, Lucy, Matthew, Matt (Coaster Police), Paul, Phil McAvirty, Reg Dwight, Saint Rowan.

N.B. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended.

Rationale For Trip.
This was an addition to the regular annual programme of UK trips (Blackpool Bash, Summer Bash, Mega-GLOW-Mania and Loopathon). Back at the beginning of March, Nev said “I may add a ‘Family Fun Day’ at a park on the south coast”. This was finally confirmed in AIRtime Issue 77 July/August 2009, with the notice on page 2 “Meet At The Park” Saturday September 12th – Funland Hayling Island. Unlike most other Club trips, where we have to book in advance before the deadline and receive trip badges (e.g. Blackpool Bash, Loopathon), this was a casual “turn up and pay on the day” event.

What remains unclear is the official title of this trip. The said advert in AIRtime Issue 77 said “Meet at the Park”, but was this meant to be called Family Funday? For purposes of this trip report I’ve used Family Funday 2009 in my main header.

Getting To Funland
Just after 7am I caught a train to Southampton Central, followed by the connecting 08:33 train to Havant. On arrival I made a quick dash for the bus station and got there just in time for the 9:16 number 30 bus to Hayling Island. Thankfully the single decker bus was almost empty, unlike the double decker I caught from York to Flamingo Land the day of the Summer Bash two months ago.

Welcome To Funland
Having arrived outside Funland around twenty to ten, I headed into the Park. The place seemed a ghost town; the rides weren’t due to open until 11am, a few members of staff about, but I couldn’t see anyone else from the RCCGB there. Momentarily I was wondering if the trip was going ahead after all. I asked a member of staff about the situation regarding a Club meet-up which was to start with climbing the Klondike lift hill and drop tower. He phoned someone, and I was then told everyone was waiting on the beach. So I then went to the beach and everyone was waiting there, what a relief. If only I’d known that’s where everyone would meet at the start, I’d have headed straight for the beach as soon as I left the bus.

Before Opening

Klondike Tour
This trip was unusual in that we didn’t have an ERS on any rides. Instead the day began around 10am with a guided tour of Klondike. We were led up to the unloading platform, and taken for a walk around the ground area within the structure. Whilst placed in a central position, they even ran the empty train around the track once for us to watch.

Having returned to the unloading platform, we were led alongside the trackside to the loading platform. Normally passengers wouldn’t be allowed to ride on the train from the unloading platform to the loading platform, so we were lucky to be taken along a section of the track you cannot travel during a ride. Thinking about it, it’s a pity one go on Klondike therefore isn’t quite a complete circuit of the track. Beyond the loading platform, we queued for the chance to climb the lift hill wooden ramp. Only six at a time were allowed up there, and when it was my turn, I thoroughly enjoyed climbing to the top. My group had a few minutes on the flat bit at the top, and the views from up there were breathtaking. When riding you wouldn’t get that long at the top of Klondike lift hill to admire the view. Even more fun was walking downwards, facing downhill, as you never get to face down the lift hill during the ride. Someone even said “This is better than an ERS”. Once back down at the loading platform, it was back through the “riding prohibited” zone to the unloading platform to exit Klondike.

Drop Tower Climb
I then followed the crowd to Drop tower. Initially we were shown the permanent magnets which slow the seat unit’s descent. After that, those brave enough had the chance to climb the series of ladders leading to the top of the tower, and I was eager to climb.

I began climbing the first ladder, but as I was nearing the first floor, getting off the ladder seemed impossible. Feeling nervous, I had no alternative but to go back down. After letting a few others climb, I had another go, but again couldn’t face getting onto the first floor. Someone told me to carry on climbing, so I did, until I could put my bottom on the first floor, then shunt myself backwards sufficiently to be able to stand up. Phew, how I made it I don’t know, now my worry was getting down later. The views were breathtaking and I took several photos before trying to climb the next ladder. Climbing was no problem to start with, until I neared the next landing, at which point I struggled again. Someone said “Come on, your nearly at the second floor now” so I did, and made it on to the landing in the same way as before. My next shock was realising there was still a long way to climb yet. I tried to climb to the third floor, but on nearing the landing, had to return to the second floor. I let a few others climb before trying again, and this time I made it far enough to place my bottom on the third floor in the same manner as previously. The views now were even more breathtaking. Determined to continue, I next tried climbing to the fourth floor, and managed to get on to the landing in the same way as previously. Finally I climbed to the fifth floor, and landed in the same manner as the previous floors. Now I was really high up, I enjoyed the best views yet. I was now above the top of a nearby block of flats. There was one more ladder after that, but someone told me we weren’t supposed to go up that one, so I avoided that one. Other members were on the fifth floor the same time as me, so at least I had company. Shortly afterwards, Nev reached the fifth floor, but he seemed to get from the ladder to fifth floor more easily than me, without the need to sit on the platform. We all shouted “Coaster Crazy”.

My next fear was going down. I made sure there would be at least one person to descend after me. Somehow I managed to get on to the ladder, but once on going down was easy. Great I was back on the fourth floor. Still four ladders do go down. I sat on the floor edge by the ladder and got on to the ladder to go down to the third floor, then did the same for the remaining ladders. I felt so glad to be back on the ground at the end. By now I had oil on my hands.

First Floor of Arcade
Back in 2005, they had go-karts on the first floor of The Arcade, and some of us went up there after lunch the day of the 2005 Summer Bash to ride the go-karts. Now those are no more; I didn’t realise until today that was the case. A member of staff took us up the stairs to where the go-karting once was. The area is now a store room, much of which is empty; a bit of a waste really. Quite frankly, I feel they could make better use of this by putting in an adult-sized indoor soft play area with tube slides, Astra slides, and drop slides just like the Adventure Zone at Devon’s Crealy. Include a large ball pit too for good measure, and let adults (with or without children) play there. Come on David Taylor from Taylor-Made Play Equipment, here’s your next golden opportunity.

Normal Opening Time

We then went to get our half price wristbands, which were valid until 5pm. Whilst getting mine, Andy and Christine Hine were behind me, and it was only now I found I had oil on my backside area of my jeans (Christine alerted me to that).

Woody’s roller coaster
My first ride of the day, and I joined a group of others on to this small family coaster. Okay it’s tame but still worth riding to give it the tick. You go up the lift, and the track goes over the station roof then down and eventually back to the station. One ride was three laps.

Wild River log flume
I then followed the others on to the Wild River log flume. Before getting into a log, I put my cagoule (but not leggings) on. When Big Stevie B saw me about to put it on, he said “It’s not a wet ride”. The log went around, up the lift, around a bend and down to create a mighty splash. When I left the ride, I felt I needed a cagoule on just to stay dry. There were two others in my log who were wet due to having not donned rain gear. When I removed my cagoule immediately afterwards, someone from the Club said “Cheat”. It’s not cheating to wear rain gear on log flumes is it?

Tornado
My first visit here in 2005 for the RCCGB Summer Bash 2005, I had an upset stomach and couldn’t dare ride this, but today I was dying to ride it. I followed the group on to this. There are four sets of four seats on the end of spokes. You sit down and a harness is pulled over you. The whole thing spins, and starts spinning. Eventually it swings really high in each direction (like Rush at Thorpe Park), but the seat unit is spinning. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride, and was singing “Hard Rock Hallelujah” (Lordi – winning entry Eurovision Song Contest 2006 – Finland). Towards the end the ride made smaller swings and eventually stopped.

Unexpectedly it started again, and reached the high swings once more. This time I kept quiet, until someone said “Oggy oggy oggy” and I joined in with everyone replying “Oi Oi Oi” When the ride ended, everyone left.

I asked the attendant if it’s supposed to stop and start again like it did, it’s not. What we had were two goes straight off without having to leave the ride in between! I must say I felt a little queasy after leaving. One go is fun, but I think two straight off is pushing my luck a little.

Klondike roller coaster
Formerly from Drayton Manor, this was new to Funland in 2005, hence why we had an ERS on this during the Summer Bash 2005 (indeed the reason for having the Summer Bash at Funland that year). So I’d ridden this before and knew what it was like. This was my first time of riding it on this visit though. Going up the lift hill, it was really satisfying knowing I’d already walked up and down the side ramp earlier. The first drop, followed by vertical loop and the tunnel all made for a mega fun ride.

Cannibal Pots
Basically a tea cup ride really, but these are cauldron shaped instead of cup shaped. The cauldrons spin on small turntables, and the small turntables spin on the large turntable, which itself spins. In addition you can spin the cauldron faster. I was with two other members and they spun the cauldron clockwise exceedingly fast, way too fast for my liking. For part of the ride I had to shut my eyes, or look towards the cauldron floor. I felt quite dizzy upon leaving the ride, and had to run anticlockwise around a nearby picnic table several times afterwards to counteract the effect.

Super Dragon roller coater
Originally from Drayton Manor Park. I don’t recall this being here during the 2005 Summer Bash, so Funland must have got it second hand since then. Several of us took over this coaster. Again, this is a small family coaster which is tame, but still worth one go just to tick it. One go is three laps. I never returned to this later.

At this point I left the group, and as I wandered around, I met Alan Chilvers and spoke to him briefly.

Blizzard Falls log flume
The time was fast approaching 1pm, and I now took the opportunity to ride this small log flume alone. Once again I put my cagoule on to avoid getting wet. I got into log number 2. The rise and fall are small on this, but it was still worth riding just to tick it. Afterwards I decided to have a second go, this time in boat 3.

Lunchtime
Having enjoyed two goes on Blizzard Falls, it was time for lunch. The little room in the Arcade between Wimpy and the Fun Factory soft play area was booked for us, and we could use it to consume food and drink we’d purchased around the Park, or brought ourselves. Unlike the Summer Bash 2005, no food was provided for us this time, but then again, we only paid £5 this time for cut price wristbands, up against £7.50 in 2005.

I bought a BLT baguette from the cafe next door to Charlie’s Doughnuts and sat in the little room with the other members to enjoy it. Now was a great time to relax and talk to other members.

Baseball Tournament
Just after 2pm, most of us headed across to the outlying green for a baseball tournament. Those who wanted to play got into two teams, Woodies and Steelies.

Woodies: Conor, Andy Knight, Big Stevie B, Lucy, Matthew, Andy Hine, Ashley, Charlotte Hine, Barry Healy, Matt (Coaster Police), Reg Dwight.

Steelies: Andy Wright, Christine Hine, Saint Rowan, Nemesis Nick, Thomas Wright, Charlotte-Emily Wright, Carol, Paul, Alison, Carol Hedges, Phil McAvirty.

The rest just sat and watched.

At the start it was agreed that we would change over when 5 were knocked out.

First half: Steelies batting, Woodies fielding. Each time it was my turn to bat I missed on the first two attempts, but hit it third time, and then ran. It took a while to knock two out, and then the Steelies declared 26-2 dec.

Second half: Woodies batting, Steelies fielding. Initially I tried bowling. My over arm shot went way out, so I was asked to bowl under arm second time, and went way wide of the person batting. In the end someone told me to get to third base and someone else took bowler.

I was better on third base, and a couple of times managed to get the ball and stump the base, though there was one occasion when the ball went near me and I missed it. Looking back, if only I’d spotted it sooner I could have caught it and stumped my base.

With five knocked out the Woodies had achieved 47 runs. Nev asked if we wanted another innings, but no, everyone wanted to return to the Park. The time by my watch was 2:48pm when the match officially ended.

Final score: Steelies 26-2 dec, Woodies 47-5.
However the Woodies won.

Rest of Afternoon

Once the baseball was over, I rode alone for most rides the rest of the afternoon. Where I was with another Club member on a ride I’ve mentioned it.

Drop
Back in the Park, I headed straight for Drop. This claims to be the tallest, fastest, ride on the south coast. The bit at the top with the Drop logo on comes down, locks on to the top of the seating unit and pulls the seating unit up the tower, until the seats are roughly level with the fifth floor of the tower to which I’d climbed earlier. After a short delay the seat unit is released for a freefall drop, until about half way down magnets bring it to a halt and lower it gently to the ground.

I got on and the ride went upwards. At the top I awaited the release, and wow! What a drop! Still I’ve been on drop slides before. I managed not to scream. Afterwards I went on again for a second go.

Break Dancer
I rode this during the Summer Bash 2005, but this was my first go on here for this trip. Basically this is a bit like a waltzer, where you get into cars, which spin on turntables, which themselves spin on a spinning giant turntable. A fun ride, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Not sure two goes straight off would be wise.

Tornado
My first go on this since lunch, and this time I limited myself to just one go. I didn’t sing anything this time.

Helter Skelter
So far this year I’ve visited Puxton Park indoor play barn, Devon’s Crealy and Woodlands, and at all venues I’ve enjoyed dry tube slides, Astra slides and drop slides. Most recently I went on the Cresta Run Astra Slide at Leisureranch Weymouth Saturday 8 August. However this was my first time of going on a helter skelter anywhere so far this year. I thoroughly enjoyed four goes on this. During one turn, a young girl who sat next to me lunchtime was behind me waiting her turn.

At this point, I went to get myself a standard whippy ice cream without Flake. After all, I was by the seaside and you normally have an ice cream on a hot sunny day at the seaside. As I headed in the direction of Klondike, I passed Big Stevie B and he took my picture with my ice cream. Not sure how well it came out, if it’s half reasonable perhaps it would make a good Hall of Shame shot for the 2009 Yearbook. Any chance of me seeing it first on Photobucket, ImageShack, ImageCave, Facebook, Flickr or similar?

Having finished my ice cream, I tried to cram in as many rides as possible.

Woody’s roller coaster
My second and final go on this coaster for this trip. I was lucky enough to have a front row seat, so I had an unobstructed view of the track ahead.

Klondike roller coaster
So far I’d only been on this once for this Club trip in the morning, so it was high time I rode it again being a RCCGB member. After a short wait, I got on to a row close to the back. Having gone up the lift, there was a brief pop of AIRtime on the first drop. The rest of the journey including the loop was really thrilling from this position.

I decided to have a second go, and after a very short wait got on the second row in the front carriage. Okay it wasn’t front row, but it was the next best thing. I could see the track ahead more easily this time, though I didn’t get the AIRtime I did when I was close to the back.

My conclusion: sit near the back to get a pop of AIRtime.

Wild River log flume
Now for a go on the Wild River. This time I had a log to myself, and just this once, I decided not to put a cagoule on. The main reason was, I felt the intense sunshine on it would make me feel too hot during the duration of the ride, so I decided to let myself get wet for once. As expected, my T-shirt did get a bit wet, which was a tad uncomfortable even in the hot sunshine. Moral: always don rain gear on this, don’t let yourself get wet.

Cannibal Pots
My final go on here for this visit. This time I had a cauldron to myself, and didn’t spin it. I just sat back, relaxed and let it spin itself with the flow. Much more fun than when I went on here in the morning, the natural spin speed made for a comfortable, fun ride. Spinning it rapidly just spoils it and turns it into a torture device. No need for that. Take heart.

Tornado
My final go for the day on Tornado. Once again, it was a mega fun ride, and I managed not to scream, but once was enough. I avoided singing on this occasion too.

Drop
I headed for Drop, and luckily Andy, Christine and Charlotte Hine were there too. Nev and I sat side by side in the middle. Someone photographed us seated prior to ascent. Somehow, that picture now reminds me of a photo of this same ride that was published in the 2004/5 Yearbook. The seat unit got to the top, descended a little, and got stuck. It couldn’t seem to be released. Felt worried momentarily, until it rose again, before being successfully released for a rapid freefall drop. The attendant was puzzled as to what had happened there, something definitely went wrong.

Break Dancer
To round off the day, I had one go on Break Dancer. This time I sat in a blue car, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Since the time was 5pm when I left the ride, this had to be my last ride of the day as my wrist band ceased to be valid at this point.

There was no official end to the Club trip, but since our wristbands were valid until 5pm, I left at 5pm. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but after the baseball finished, members gradually disappeared. I don’t recall seeing many RCCGB members between 4:30 and 5pm. Just before leaving, I briefly spoke to Christine Hine by the Drop tower, and said my next Club trip will most likely be next year’s Blackpool Bash, as I’m not intending to do either day of Loopathon. Interestingly the entrance to Drop was now closed off, so those with tokens or evening bands couldn’t ride it at this point.

Summary of rides I went on:
Woody’s roller coaster
Wild River log flume
Tornado x2
Klondike roller coaster
Cannibal Pots
Super Dragon roller coater
Blizzard Falls log flume x 2
Drop x 2
Break Dancer
Tornado
Helter skelter x 4
Woody’s coaster (front row)
Klondike (near back, 2nd row from front)
Wild River log flume
Cannibal Pots
Tornado
Drop (sitting next to Nev)
Break Dancer (my last ride of the day)

TOTAL 25 RIDES

Journey Home
I caught the 17:07 number 31 bus back to Havant. Once there I got myself fish and chips before heading to the station to catch the 18:00 Cheltenham Spa train. Having joined the train, I ate my fish and chips. Ironic that this train was calling at Bath Spa, the nearest station to where I live, but as I was spending the weekend at Dorchester, I changed at Southampton Central to catch the 18:51 Weymouth train to Dorchester South. I got back around quarter past eight, and that was when I took the opportunity to launch this thread with my “newsflash” style post. That was the newsflash, this was my full report.

Outtro

Highlights
Beautiful sunny day for the trip (great weather for mid September).
Meeting members I’d met on previous Club trips again (including Andy and Christine Hine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B).
Guided tour and climbing the lift hill of Klondike.
Eventually (with difficulty) reaching the fifth floor of Drop tower.
Taking part in baseball mid afternoon baseball tournament.
Adding Super Dragon roller coaster to my coaster count.

Lowlights
Low turnout (compared to SAW-Ted and Blackpool Bash earlier this year).

Summing Up
On the whole another super Club trip, well done to Nev for organising it. The rides and baseball game all brought back memories of my first ever Club trip here in July 2005 (Summer Bash 2005). Now this was my 11th Club trip. Although a rather small trip compared to Blackpool Bash, it was still great fun. Best of all was having access to the parts of Klondike and Drop which the public are not normally allowed, as well as the former go-kart area which is currently out of bounds to visitors. The baseball was fun too, okay I may not be that good at it but I still enjoyed playing. Whereas I regularly go circuit training and swimming at Bath Sports Centre, I hardly ever play team games (my last time was baseball during Summer Bash 2005). One other advantage, I was able to make the trip without having to stay one or more nights at a nearby guest house as it was convenient to travel from Dorchester to Funland and back in a day (it would have been equally as convenient to have travelled from Bath to Funland and back in a day). Having to stay at a hotel/guest house bumps up the cost.

Not sure when I’ll next attend a Club trip. For various reasons I’m definitely not attending either day of Loopathon in October or the ski trip at Val D’Isere next January. It would be lovely if we could have a meet-up at an indoor venue some time between November and February, such as an indoor water park (e.g. Splashdown Poole, Waterworld Stoke-on-Trent) or a booked session at an indoor adventure play area suitable for adult use which does adult bookings (e.g. Portsmouth/Swansea Playzone, Fun Centre in Caernarfon), though the location would obviously dictate whether or not it’s convenient for me to attend. Nev told me about the possibility of visiting a theme park next March, but whether or not I attend if and when that goes ahead it another matter (the venue for starters will influence my decision). Most likely my next Club trip will be the Blackpool Bash 2010 next April.

As for the jeans I got oil on when climbing the Drop tower, today I’ve tried washing them twice in a machine, with two pre-treatments and still can’t seem to get it all out. A pity considering they’re only about three months old, but then again, they’re only £3 George “bargain basement” ones from ASDA, not expensive Levi-Strauss or Wrangler ones. Might it be cheaper to just bin them and get another pair than to try to eradicate the stain? Still they’ll come in handy in case we get the chance to climb roller coasters / drop towers on future Club trips. What’s the likelihood of that happening? From my experience in five years’ membership 2005 to 2009, we don’t seem to get that sort of thing often. Looking back I wish I’d taken an old shabby pair of tracksuit bottoms to put on for going up the tower, and I could have binned them afterwards.

Nemesis Nick

Back in March, Big Stevie B wrote in the SAW-Ted thread:

Nemesis Nick

mophead

Well I had a great time at Hayling Island. Me and Carol were planning on heading over to Clarence Pier at Southsea in the afternoon but as the weather and company were so good we stayed at Hayling Island all day. Really enjoyed the park tour (in fact looking at the Klondike was much more fun than riding it - hurts your shoulders somewhat on the corner after the loop) and I managed to climb up the drop tower which I'm sure was also more fun than riding for me it as drop towers tend to scare me silly. Started feeling abit unwell around lunchtime so just watched the rounders game and I couldn't help feeling sorry for Nev. his legs had only just healed from the scar of Robert Nutters teeth when he was visciously attacked by Carol.
After the baseball game we had a round of prat golf with Alan, David, Amy and Adam. I couldn't believe how rubbish Adam was and then it was time for a few more rides in the park. We finished the day with a trip to the beach before returning to the car park for goodbyes. Nev was amazed by my classic car (yes it wasn't held together with gaffer tape anymore!)

Just a few points about previous posts:

Nemisis Nick -
In the rollercoaster enthusiasts hand book it clearly states that waterproof garmets may only be worn on water rides during cold or wet weather so wearing them in the sun really is cheating.
Shortly before lunch I had a conversation with you about what a good ride Infusion is because of it's vertical loop. You neither mentioned this or me in your trip report which has upset me somewhat.
A lot of members enjoy a good spinning ride and what's more it's good practice for when you have an ers on a multi looping coaster in America.
There seem to be some people in the rounders game who weren't actually there.....

stealth fan

STEALTHYBUTBAD

heres my report :
It was an early start for me - the alarm was set for 6am and i left the house just after 6:20. The traffic on the roads was good so i didnt have any major delays apart from reduced speed limits due to roadworks. I got to Funland about 8:45am. I drove round a bit to see what the local area was like. I found a car park to pull up in and do some photos of my care with Funland in the background (These were done for a competition on another site im a member of). I then went back the entrance of Funland and waited for members i would recognise to turn up so i could find out where to park up.
Once i got parked up , i said hello to the other members who were already there and we had a good laugh and chat whilst other members turned up.
Just before 10am one of the Directors of Funland came up to us and invited us to join him for a tour of kondike. The tour was Brilliant as its not very often you get to do that kind of thing. We were all asked to stand still in the middle of the track area whilst an empty train was sent round the track. We were told to look for how much the track wobbled when the train went past a certain part of the track. After that we made our way to the bottom of the lift hill where we were taken up to the top in groups of 6 to see what is checked everyday at the top of the lift hill as well as some photos.
It was then time to decend on the lift hill which was wobbling a bit on the way up and down. After that , it was time to climb the ladder(s) of Drop the drop tower ride to see the view and to get some photos. We were told to wait until the person in front of us had cleared the ladder before climbing the ladders and going down the ladders.
After Drop we were taken into the Arcade and upstairs to a big area which used to be a Go Kart track but is now used as a workshop. We had a quick talk by the Director who had given us the tour of Kondike explaining what they look for on all of the parts of the trains used on Kondike.
After this it was time to get our wristbands which were a fiver if u showed your club card or just said "coaster crazy". Once obtaining my wrisrtband i waited for other members to get their wristband.
Once everyone had wristbands we formed into groups. the group i was in made our way to the kiddie coaster next to the entrance of kondike (not sure of the name) for a take over. We did this for most of the rides including Tornado on which we were doing at maximum setting and got 2 rides straight after the other without getting off ! (Thanks to the ride operator and director for that Very Happy

). The funniest thing on the ride was Nemesis Nick (im not picking on you here) who was singing a song from the Eurovision song contest and holding on for dear life and had his legs crossed and had taken his shoes off (thought i could smell cheese lol ).
After Tornado it was time to do the spinning tea cup (cauldron) ride for a takeover. I sat with Andy knight and Nemesis Nick and did we spin fast in our cauldron - Poor Nemesis Nick looked liked he was not enjoying it. Once our cauldron had stopped we were still spinning if u know what i mean lol.
We were a bit baffled to why Nemesis Nick was running round a table but it did look like fun so i joined him and then ran round it on my own before being joined by Stevie B and Andy knight. We asked Nemesis Nick why he did the running round the table and he explained it was to counter-act the dizziness from the spinning cauldron which was going at a really fast pace (Wicked ! Very Happy

).
After The spinning thingys it was time to get a ride on Kondike. We made our way into the queue line and one member decided to make Nemesis Nick jump (Poor Nick lol) and Did Nemesis Nick jump ! the poor bloke came to a right holt whilst Taking a few steps back ! I know some people will say it was cruel but it was funny and a few of us couldnt stop laughing for a couple of minutes. We got onto the train and i was sat next to Nemesis Nick who i feel sorry for as i think i might have deafened him on the ride as im not a very quiet person on the rides lol - i apologise Nick if i did deafen you.
After that it was time for some of the members to go on the log flume and i videod some of the members going round the ride and coming down the drop. I was fine until a log coming down containing Stevie B , His mate Shaun and Coaster Andy causing a big splash which got me wet (which didnt mind as the waeather was lovely and i knew my hoodie and trackies would dry out very quickly which they did. The video camera got a few drips on it but nothing major - it was certainly fun and funny filming members on the log flume. Nemesis Nick had his waterproof top on whilst on the ride.
After a few more ride take overs Including the dragon coaster (formerly from Drayton Manor before being removed to make way for Thomas land) Which from what i remember was alot smoother at funland than at drayton manor. Shortly after this it was time to get some lunch.
After Lunch it was back out to the park for a little while before making our way to a field for the Coaster Club game of rounders. This was just as entertaining as it was at Oakwood with Nev somehow getting an injury or 2 during the second half when his team (the woodies) were doing the fielding.
After the match it was back into the park where i went round with Sam (who sat with Myself , Carol and Brian G. Smith at lunch) and Lucy for the remainder of the day at the park. We did a go on Tornado , Kondike.
Lucy did a few rides on her own and i did the helter skelter and the dodgems too. Lucy , Sam and myself decided to have a go on the crazy golf which was excellent fun - i think i won but its not the winning or loosing - its the taking part that counts (is that right Nev ?). After the Crazy golf it was time to leave but we tried to find as many people as we could to say goodbye to but most people were no where to be found (either on the beach or in the park somewhere having fun Very Happy

).

I would like to thank the following people :
Nev for organising the trip
The Director of the park for the tour of Kondike and the drop tower and also for Giving me and my fellow members 2 goes straight after the other at the maximum setting ! Good job there ! .
All of my fellow RCCGB Members who let me go round the park with them ! You know who u are !
I would also like thank the weather for being good to us all for the day too !

Thats my trip report for Funland - See u all at Loopathon !
Remember - We're all coaster crazy - What are we ?

stealth fan

Awesome Trip Report Graham. So glad you mentioned us nutters running round the table after the tea cups. It was funny watching Nick running round. I think everyone was in stitches, or wondering what was going on.

STEALTHYBUTBAD

I must admit - im still laughing about that now as well as nicks re-action when he was made jump in the queue of Kondike ! It was a very entertaining day in some ways and others ! lol. I will admit that after running round the table i still felt dizzy ! lol .

Coaster Police

The reason for 2 rides on Tornado was because the first ride was stopped due to safety.

Someone had left a rucksack stood upright on the base of the ride, and not lying flat on the steel platform. As the ride was swinging by peoples feet were only a couple of inches from a carry loop on the top of the bag. If it had got caught in a foot, it'd have certainly damaged the persons leg and god knows where the bag would have ended up (depending on weight).

I was taking pics at the time and watched as Marshall saw it, stopped the ride and adjusted it, before giving you the second go. Thats the official reason for 2 rides - and just like a rollback... BONUS!

Death

Hail all!

I'm going to have a go at doing do the reverse of Nemesis Nick this time around in my trip report, and go for the shortest trip report ever... Shocked

“...”
I was hoping to get to Hayling for the event, but sadly - Being seriously busy the previous day - I wasn't able to set off in good time to get to the park, given that the 50 miles would've taken at least 14 hours to walk... Sad

Nemesis Nick

RCCGB Family Funday 2009 (Funland Hayling Island)

(My report again - after modification)

Date: Saturday 12 September 2009
Venue: Funland Hayling Island
Who Went: Me and many other RCCGB members, including Andy, Christine and Charlotte Hine, Alan Chilvers, Alison, Andy Knight, Andy, Coaster Clare, Thomas, Charlotte-Emily and Hollie-maye Wright, Ashley, Barry Healy, Big Stevie B, Carol, Carol Hedges, Conor, Lucy, Matthew, Matt (Coaster Police), Paul, Phil McAvirty, Reg Dwight, Saint Rowan, STEALTHYBUTBAD.

N.B. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended.

Rationale For Trip
This was an addition to the regular annual programme of UK trips (Blackpool Bash, Summer Bash, Mega-GLOW-Mania and Loopathon). Back at the beginning of March, Nev said “I may add a ‘Family Fun Day’ at a park on the south coast”. This was finally confirmed in AIRtime Issue 77 July/August 2009, with the notice on page 2 “Meet At The Park” Saturday September 12th – Funland Hayling Island. Unlike most other Club trips, where we have to book in advance before the deadline and receive trip badges (e.g. Blackpool Bash, Loopathon), this was a casual “turn up and pay on the day” event.

What remains unclear is the official title of this trip. The said advert in AIRtime Issue 77 said “Meet at the Park”, but was this meant to be called Family Funday? For purposes of this trip report I’ve used Family Funday 2009 in my main header.

Getting To Funland
The day necessitated an early rise for me, I got up at 5:30am. Just after 7am I caught a train to Southampton Central, followed by the connecting 08:33 train to Havant. On arrival I made a quick dash for the bus station and got there just in time for the 9:16 number 30 bus to Hayling Island. Thankfully the single decker bus was almost empty, unlike the double decker I caught from York to Flamingo Land the day of the Summer Bash two months ago.

Welcome To Funland
Having arrived outside Funland around 9:40, I headed into the Park. The place was a ghost town, as the rides weren’t due to open until 11am. A few members of staff were about, but I couldn’t see anyone else from the RCCGB there. Momentarily I wondered if the trip was going ahead after all. I asked a member of staff about the situation regarding a Club meet-up which was to start with climbing the Klondike lift hill and drop tower. He phoned someone, and I was then told everyone was waiting on the beach. So I then went to the beach and everyone was waiting there, what a relief. If only I’d known that’s where everyone would meet at the start, I’d have headed straight for the beach as soon as I left the bus.

I spoke to Nev at the start, and he asked if I’d be singing “Hard Rock Hallelujah” on the Drop tower. I said that the Tornado would be a better ride for singing that on.

Before Opening

Klondike Tour
This trip was unusual in that we didn’t have an ERS on any rides. Instead the day began around 10am with a guided tour of Klondike. We were led up to the unloading platform, and taken for a walk around the ground area within the structure. Whilst placed in a central position, they even ran the empty train around the track once for us to watch.

Having returned to the unloading platform, we were led alongside the trackside to the loading platform. Normally passengers wouldn’t be allowed to ride on the train from the unloading platform to the loading platform, so we were lucky to be taken along a section of the track you cannot travel during a ride. Thinking about it, it’s a pity one go on Klondike therefore isn’t quite a complete circuit of the track. Beyond the loading platform, we queued for the chance to climb the lift hill wooden ramp. Only six at a time were allowed up there, and when it was my turn, I thoroughly enjoyed climbing to the top. My group had a few minutes on the flat bit at the top, and the views from up there were breathtaking. When riding you wouldn’t get that long at the top of Klondike lift hill to admire the view. Even more fun was walking downwards, facing downhill, as you never get to face down the lift hill during the ride. Someone even said “This is better than an ERS”. Once back down at the loading platform, it was back through the “riding prohibited” zone to the unloading platform to exit Klondike.

Drop Tower Climb
I then followed the crowd to Drop tower. Initially we were shown the permanent magnets which slow the seat unit’s descent. After that, those brave enough had the chance to climb the series of ladders leading to the top of the tower, and I was eager to climb.

I began climbing the first ladder, but as I neared the first floor, getting off the ladder seemed impossible. Feeling nervous, I had no alternative but to go back down. After letting a few others climb, I had another go, but again couldn’t face getting onto the first floor. Someone told me to carry on climbing, so I did, until I could put my bottom on the first floor, then shunt myself backwards sufficiently to be able to stand up. Phew, how I made it I don’t know, now my worry was getting down later. The views were breathtaking and I took several photos before trying to climb the next ladder. Climbing was no problem to start with, until I neared the next landing, at which point I struggled again. Someone said “Come on, your nearly at the second floor now” so I did, and made it on to the landing in the same way as before. My next shock was realising there was still a long way to climb yet. I tried to climb to the third floor, but on nearing the landing, had to return to the second floor. I let a few others climb before trying again, and this time I made it far enough to place my bottom on the third floor in the same manner as previously. The views now were even more breathtaking. Determined to continue, I next tried climbing to the fourth floor, and managed to get on to the landing in the same way as previously. Finally I climbed to the fifth floor, and landed in the same manner as the previous floors. Now I was really high up, I enjoyed the best views yet. I was now above the top of a nearby block of flats. There was one more ladder after that, but someone told me we weren’t supposed to go up that one, so I avoided that one. Other members were on the fifth floor the same time as me, so at least I had company. Shortly afterwards, Nev reached the fifth floor, but he seemed to get from the ladder to fifth floor more easily than me, without the need to sit on the platform. We all shouted “Coaster Crazy”.

My next fear was going down. I made sure there would be at least one person to descend after me. Somehow I managed to get on to the ladder, but once on going down was easy. Great I was back on the fourth floor. Still four ladders go down though. I sat on the floor edge and got on the ladder to go down to the third floor, then did the same for the remaining ladders. I felt so glad to be back on the ground at the end. By now I had oil on my hands.

First Floor of Arcade
Back in 2005, they had go-karts on the first floor of The Arcade, and some of us went up there after lunch the day of the 2005 Summer Bash to ride the go-karts. Now those are no more; I didn’t realise until this moment that was the case. A member of staff took us up the stairs to where the go-karting once was. The area is now a store room, much of which is empty; a bit of a waste really. Quite frankly, I feel they could make better use of this by putting in an adult-sized indoor soft play area with tube slides, Astra slides, and drop slides just like the Adventure Zone at Devon’s Crealy. Include a large ball pit too for good measure, and let adults (with or without children) play there. Come on David Taylor from Taylor-Made Play Equipment, here’s your next golden opportunity.

Normal Opening Time

We then went to get our half price wristbands, which were valid until 5pm. Whilst getting mine, Andy and Christine Hine were behind me, and it was only now I found I had oil on my backside area of my jeans (Christine alerted me to that). Once I’d been fitted with my wrist band, I took to the rides as follows.

Just before riding Woody’s roller coaster, I spoke to Coaster Clare about Thomas having ridden his 60th coaster, and said I was amazed at how he could have ridden so many different coasters at such an early age, considering I'm 37 (38 on the last day of this month) and have yet to reach 60 coasters (combined total of wood and steel).

Woody’s roller coaster
My first ride of the day, and I joined a group of others on to this small family coaster. Okay it’s tame but still worth riding to give it the tick. You go up the lift, and the track goes over the station roof then down and eventually back to the station. One ride was three laps. My only gripe is the misleading name, it’s actually a steel coaster, not a wooden one as the name “Woody’s” suggests. Was the designer or person who owned it prior to Funland buying it called Mr. Wood or similar to give the coaster its name?

Wild River log flume
I then followed the others on to the Wild River log flume. Before getting into a log, I put my cagoule (but not leggings) on. When Big Stevie B saw me about to put it on, he said “It’s not a wet ride”. The log went around, up the lift, around a bend and down to create a mighty splash. When I left the ride, I felt I needed a cagoule on just to stay dry. There were two others in my log who were wet due to having not donned rain gear. When I removed my cagoule immediately afterwards, someone from the Club said “Cheat”. It’s not cheating to wear rain gear on log flumes is it?

Tornado
My first visit here in 2005 for the RCCGB Summer Bash 2005, I had an upset stomach and couldn’t dare ride this, but this time I was dying to ride it. I followed the group on to this. There are four sets of four seats on the end of spokes. You sit down and a harness is pulled over you. The whole thing starts spinning. Eventually it swings really high in each direction (like Rush at Thorpe Park), whilst the seat unit continues spinning. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride, and was singing “Hard Rock Hallelujah” (Lordi – winning entry Eurovision Song Contest 2006 – Finland). Well never mind what the others said, this is a lively ride which calls for that style of song. Towards the end the ride made smaller swings and eventually stopped.

Unexpectedly it started again, and reached the high swings once more. This time I kept quiet, until someone said “Oggy oggy oggy” and I joined in with everyone replying “Oi Oi Oi”. When the ride ended, everyone left.

I asked the attendant if it’s supposed to stop and start again like it did, it’s not. What we had were two goes straight off without having to leave the ride in between! I must say I felt a little queasy after leaving. One go is fun, but I think two straight off is pushing my luck a little. Although lively, Tornado is not that scary really, I think it’s tame compared to Bling at Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool.

When I next passed Nev, he said he heard me singing “Hard Rock Hallelujah” on Tornado.

Klondike roller coaster
Formerly from Drayton Manor, this was new to Funland in 2005, hence why we had an ERS on this during the Summer Bash 2005 (indeed the reason for having the Summer Bash at Funland that year). So I’d ridden this before and knew what it was like. This was my first time of riding it on this visit though. Going up the lift hill, it was really satisfying knowing I’d already walked up and down the side ramp earlier. The first drop, followed by vertical loop and the tunnel all made for a mega fun ride.

Cannibal Pots
Basically a tea cup ride really, but these are cauldron shaped instead of cup shaped. The cauldrons spin on small turntables, and the small turntables spin on the large turntable, which itself spins. In addition you can spin the cauldron faster. I was with two other members and they spun the cauldron clockwise exceedingly fast, way too fast for my liking. For part of the ride I had to shut my eyes, or look towards the cauldron floor. I felt quite dizzy upon leaving the ride, and had to run anticlockwise around a nearby picnic table several times afterwards to counteract the effect.

Super Dragon roller coaster
Originally from Drayton Manor Park. I don’t recall this being here during the 2005 Summer Bash, so Funland must have got it second hand since then. Several of us took over this coaster. Whilst waiting the others told me not to sing. There was no chance of that, as this is a small family coaster, which hardly justifies a thrash metal song. Undeniably this is tame, but was still worth one go just to tick it. One go is three laps. I never returned to this later.

At this point I left the group, and as I wandered around, I met Alan Chilvers and spoke to him briefly.

Blizzard Falls log flume
The time was fast approaching 1pm, and I now took the opportunity to ride this small log flume alone. Once again I put my cagoule on to avoid getting wet. I got into log number 2. The rise and fall are small on this, but it was still worth riding just to tick it. Afterwards I decided to have a second go, this time in boat 3.

Lunchtime
Having enjoyed two goes on Blizzard Falls, it was time for lunch. The little room in the Arcade between Wimpy and the Fun Factory soft play area was booked for us, and we could use it to consume food and drink we’d purchased around the Park, or brought ourselves. Unlike the Summer Bash 2005, no food was provided for us this time, but then again, we only paid £5 this time for cut price wristbands, up against £7.50 in 2005.

I bought a BLT baguette from the café next door to Charlie’s Doughnuts and sat in the little room with the other members to enjoy it. Now was a great time to relax and talk to other members.

Baseball Tournament
Just after 2pm, most of us headed across to the outlying green for a baseball tournament. Those who wanted to play got into two teams, Woodies and Steelies.

Woodies: Conor, Andy Knight, Big Stevie B, Lucy, Matthew, Andy Hine, Ashley, Charlotte Hine, Barry Healy, Matt (Coaster Police), Reg Dwight.

Steelies: Andy Wright, Christine Hine, Saint Rowan, Nemesis Nick, Thomas Wright, Charlotte-Emily Wright, Carol, Paul, Alison, Carol Hedges, Phil McAvirty.

The rest just sat and watched.

At the start it was agreed that we would change over when 5 were knocked out.

First half: Steelies batting, Woodies fielding. Each time it was my turn to bat I missed on the first two attempts, but hit it third time, and then ran. It took a while to knock two out, and then the Steelies declared 26-2.

Second half: Woodies batting, Steelies fielding. Initially I tried bowling. My over arm shot went way out, so I was asked to bowl under arm second time, and went way wide of the person batting. In the end someone told me to get to third base and someone else took bowler.

I was better on third base, and a couple of times managed to get the ball and stump the base, though there was one occasion when the ball went near me and I missed it. Looking back, if only I’d spotted it sooner I could have caught it and stumped my base.

With five knocked out the Woodies had achieved 47 runs. Nev asked if we wanted another innings, but no, everyone wanted to return to the Park. The time by my watch was 2:48pm when the match officially ended.

Final score: Steelies 26-2 dec, Woodies 47-5. However the Woodies won.

So does that mean that it’s the team with the most runs who wins, and the number knocked out is ignored? Can someone clarify how it works?

Rest of Afternoon
Once the baseball was over, I rode alone for most rides the rest of the afternoon. Where I was with another Club member on a ride I’ve mentioned it.

Drop
Back in the Park, I headed straight for Drop. This claims to be the tallest, fastest, ride on the south coast. The bit at the top with the Drop logo on comes down, locks on to the top of the seating unit and pulls the seating unit up the tower, until the seats are roughly level with the fifth floor of the tower to which I’d climbed earlier. After a short delay the seat unit is released for a freefall drop, until about half way down magnets bring it to a halt and lower it gently to the ground.

I got on and the ride went upwards. At the top I awaited the release, and wow! What a drop! Still I’ve been on Tango Ice Blast at Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool, other drop towers and drop slides before. I managed not to scream. Afterwards I went on again for a second go.

Break Dancer
I rode this during the Summer Bash 2005, but this was my first go on here for this trip. Basically this is a bit like a waltzer, where you get into cars, which spin on turntables, which themselves spin on a spinning giant turntable. I rode in a red car. A fun ride, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Not sure two goes straight off would be wise.

Tornado
My first go on this since lunch, and this time I limited myself to just one go. I didn’t sing anything this time.

Helter Skelter
So far this year I’ve visited Puxton Park indoor play barn, Devon’s Crealy and Woodlands, and at all venues I’ve enjoyed dry tube slides, Astra slides and drop slides. Most recently I went on the Cresta Run Astra Slide at Leisureranch Weymouth Saturday 8 August. However this was my first time of going on a helter skelter anywhere so far this year. I thoroughly enjoyed four goes on this. During one turn, a young girl who sat next to me lunchtime was behind me waiting her turn.

At this point, I went to get myself a standard whippy ice cream without Flake. After all, I was by the seaside and you normally have an ice cream on a hot sunny day at the seaside. As I headed in the direction of Klondike, I passed Big Stevie B and he took my picture with my ice cream. Not sure how well it came out, if it’s half reasonable perhaps it would make a good Hall of Shame shot for the 2009 Yearbook. Any chance of me seeing it first on Photobucket, ImageShack, ImageCave, Facebook, Flickr or similar?

Having finished my ice cream, I tried to cram in as many rides as possible.

Woody’s roller coaster
My second and final go on this coaster for this trip. I was lucky enough to have a front row seat, so I had an unobstructed view of the track ahead.

Klondike roller coaster
So far I’d only been on this once for this Club trip in the morning, so it was high time I rode it again being a RCCGB member. After a short wait, I got on to a row close to the back. Having gone up the lift, there was a brief pop of AIRtime on the first drop. The rest of the journey including the loop was really thrilling from this position.

I decided to have a second go, and after a very short wait got on the second row in the front carriage. Okay it wasn’t front row, but it was the next best thing. I could see the track ahead more easily this time, though I didn’t get the AIRtime I did when I was close to the back.

My conclusion: sit near the back to get a pop of AIRtime.

Wild River log flume
Now for a go on the Wild River. This time I had a log to myself, and just this once, I decided not to put a cagoule on. The main reason was, I felt the intense sunshine on it would make me feel too hot during the duration of the ride, so I decided to let myself get wet for once. As expected, my T-shirt did get a bit wet, which was a tad uncomfortable even in the hot sunshine. Moral: always don rain gear on this, don’t let yourself get wet.

Cannibal Pots
My final go on here for this visit. This time I had a cauldron to myself, and didn’t spin it. I just sat back, relaxed and let it spin itself with the flow. Much more fun than when I went on here in the morning, the natural spin speed made for a comfortable, fun ride. Spinning it rapidly just spoils it and turns it into a torture device. No need for that. Take heart.

Tornado
My final go for the day on Tornado. Once again, it was a mega fun ride, and I managed not to scream, but once was enough. I avoided singing on this occasion too.

Drop
I headed for Drop, and luckily Andy, Christine and Charlotte Hine were there too. Nev and I sat side by side in the middle. Someone photographed us seated prior to ascent. Somehow, that picture now reminds me of a photo of this same ride that was published in the 2004/5 Yearbook. The seat unit got to the top, descended a little, and got stuck. It couldn’t seem to be released. Felt worried momentarily, until it rose again, before being successfully released for a rapid freefall drop. The attendant was puzzled as to what had happened there, something definitely went wrong.

Break Dancer
To round off the day, I had one go on Break Dancer. This time I sat in a blue car, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Since the time was 5pm when I left the ride, this had to be my last ride of the day as my wrist band ceased to be valid at this point.

There was no official end to the Club trip, but since our wristbands were valid until 5pm, I left at 5pm. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but after the baseball finished, members gradually disappeared. I don’t recall seeing many RCCGB members between 4:30 and 5pm. Just before leaving, I briefly spoke to Christine Hine by the Drop tower, and said my next Club trip will most likely be next year’s Blackpool Bash, as I’m not intending to do either day of Loopathon. Interestingly the entrance to Drop was now closed off, so those with tokens or evening bands couldn’t ride it at this point.

Summary of rides I went on:
Woody’s roller coaster
Wild River log flume
Tornado x2
Klondike roller coaster
Cannibal Pots
Super Dragon roller coaster
Blizzard Falls log flume x 2
Drop x 2
Break Dancer
Tornado
Helter skelter x 4
Woody’s coaster (front row)
Klondike (near back, 2nd row from front)
Wild River log flume
Cannibal Pots
Tornado
Drop (sitting next to Nev)
Break Dancer (my last ride of the day)

TOTAL 25 RIDES

Journey Home
I caught the 17:07 number 31 bus back to Havant. Once there I got myself fish and chips before heading to the station to catch the 18:00 Cheltenham Spa train. Having joined the train, I ate my fish and chips. Ironic that this train was calling at Bath Spa, the nearest station to where I live, but as I was spending the weekend at Dorchester, I changed at Southampton Central to catch the 18:51 Weymouth train to Dorchester South. I got back around quarter past eight, and shortly afterwards I took the opportunity to launch this thread with my “newsflash” style post. That was the newsflash, this was my full report.

Outtro

Highlights
Beautiful sunny day for the trip (great weather for mid September).
Meeting members I’d met on previous Club trips again (including Andy and Christine Hine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B).
Guided tour and climbing the lift hill of Klondike.
Eventually (with difficulty) reaching the fifth floor of Drop tower; a personal achievement to be proud of.
Taking part in baseball mid afternoon baseball tournament.
Adding Super Dragon roller coaster to my coaster count.

Lowlights
Low turnout (compared to SAW-Ted and Blackpool Bash earlier this year).
Getting oil on my jeans when climbing the Drop tower.

Summing Up
On the whole another super Club trip, well done to Nev for organising it. The rides and baseball game all brought back memories of my first ever Club trip here in July 2005 (Summer Bash 2005). Now this was my 11th Club trip. Although a rather small trip compared to Blackpool Bash, it was still great fun. Best of all was having access to the parts of Klondike and Drop which the public are not normally allowed, as well as the former go-kart area which is currently out of bounds to visitors. The baseball was fun too, okay I may not be that good at it but I still enjoyed playing. Whereas I regularly go circuit training and swimming at Bath Sports Centre, I hardly ever play team games (my last time was baseball during Summer Bash 2005). One other advantage, I was able to make the trip without having to stay one or more nights at a nearby guest house as it was convenient to travel from Dorchester to Funland and back in a day (it would have been equally as convenient to have travelled from Bath to Funland and back in a day). Having to stay at a hotel/guest house bumps up the cost. I must admit I couldn’t have gone through all that again Sunday though.

Not sure when I’ll next attend a Club trip. For various reasons I’m definitely not attending either day of Loopathon in October or the ski trip at Val D’Isere next January. It would be lovely if we could have a meet-up at an indoor venue some time between November and February, such as an indoor water park (e.g. Splashdown Poole, Waterworld Stoke-on-Trent) or a booked session at an indoor adventure play area suitable for adult use which does adult bookings (e.g. Portsmouth/Swansea Playzone, Fun Centre in Caernarfon), though the location would obviously dictate whether or not it’s convenient for me to attend. Nev told me about the possibility of visiting a theme park next March, but whether or not I attend if and when that goes ahead it another matter (the venue for starters will influence my decision). Most likely my next Club trip will be the Blackpool Bash 2010 next April.

As for the jeans I got oil on when climbing the Drop tower, on Sunday I tried washing them twice in a machine, with two pre-treatments and still can’t seem to get it all out. A pity considering they’re only about three months old, but then again, they’re only £3 George “bargain basement” ones from ASDA, not expensive Levi-Strauss or Wrangler ones. Might it be cheaper to just bin them and get another pair than to try to eradicate the stain? Still they’ll come in handy in case we get the chance to climb roller coasters / drop towers on future Club trips. What’s the likelihood of that happening? From my experience in five years’ membership 2005 to 2009, we don’t seem to get that sort of thing often. Looking back I wish I’d taken an old shabby pair of tracksuit bottoms to put on for going up the tower, and I could have binned them afterwards.

Steven Burns

Its at this point i wish i had jumped off of the Klondike lift hill.

Why do i always get mentioned? I`m quite and innocent.

Plus my friend Shaun is actually called Ashley. I think we sank on that log flume.

Why did nobody tell me Reg Dwight was there? If people had been told it could have been a larger turn out. Was it he who was hanging around with Phil McAvity all day?

Nemesis Nick

The Saint

Nemesis Nick

Coaster Clare

Nick

Thanks for putting your report up again, but How come I didn't get mentioned or Hollie-maye my 3rd child who attending, perhaps its cos we are so lovely, lol.

Clare Wright

STEALTHYBUTBAD

From what i recall about the stopping the ride on Tornado due to the bag being upright - the director laid 2 or 3 bags down as there was more than 1 upright from what i remember Smile

. I thought we were getting 2 rides straight off - had no idea about the bags.

mophead

Death

Nemesis Nick

USfriends

I didn't realize there was a novelist in the club.
If that is the report for an Unofficial Meet up.....
The trip report for the USA trip that he didn't even attend was longer
than that by any who did!
If he does ever go on a two week trip, there won't be room on the entire server for his report!! Rolling Eyes

Death

smiler

Im going on holiday monday Nick so wont have time to read it from now till then so ill read it when I get back may finish it by xmas tho Laughing

Meet At The Park - Funland Hayling Island 12 Sep 2009

Re: Meet At The Park - Funland Hayling Island 12 Sep 2009