Alton Towers 2004

For those that weren't aware the third Saturday in June is the annual hockey fans day at Alton Towers. So this year it fell yesterday.

It's something the London Knights fans started a few years back, and now is reasonably popular around all UK hockey. We saw a bunch of Fife fans getting off a coach as we were leaving Keele services - they must've left at around 2am in the morning. It put my complaining at having to get up at 7am into perspective. I agree though it is worth getting there earlier rather than later.

The park wasn't as busy as last year, but the weather probably put a lot of people off. The turn out hockey-fan wise seemed to be only slightly reduced. Although I can only estimate the number who gathered in front of the towers for the traditional 2pm photo.

Myself, I managed five rides, which isn't that bad. Knowing that you're going gives plenty of chance to look out for the offers, so I only paid £15 for a ticket - making it around £3 a ride. Considering the top rides are £4 to £6 at Blackpool Pleasure Beach it's fairly good value.

We were a little disappointed on the Congo River Rapids. We went round just after one of the brief showers (if you're already wet from the rain - what's the big deal with going on a water ride?), and although there was no queue we weren't allowed to stay on and ride again.

Finally, Rev is now better known as "The Wuss" or the wimp if you prefer. He bottled out of the new Spinball Whizzer ride claiming that he was too tall. To be fair it was a little cramped, and I'm not sure that he would've fitted in - but he obviously didn't want to go on the ride and used his height as the excuse.

All in all, it was a good day, and I'm looking forward to next year. Wonder if other people would go for making it a weekday though? From past experience the park's much quieter and you normally get many more rides in for your money!