Direct Rail Services Nuclear flask train passing through Abergele and Pensarn in Wales (September 2017)

A Direct Rail Services Nuclear flask train passes through Abergele and Pensarn railway station on Friday 22nd September 2017.

Each nuclear flask shipping container weighs more than 50 tonnes (110,000lb), and usually transports no more than 2.5 tonnes (5,500lb) of spent nuclear fuel.

This train - Hauled by two Class 68 diesel-electric locomotives - had three of the containers, so was carrying up to 7.5 tonnes of nuclear materials!!!

Towards the end of the video you can see the Sea World Crazy Golf course at the Surfside Amusements. A course we were playing when the nuclear train rolled past.

Check out my train and rail playlists for more:

• Trains
• Direct Rail Services
• Freight trains
• Transit Systems

Related blog posts:

• Trains
• Abergele
• Pensarn

Minigolf on Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public Radio

Check out the latest episode of Audacious with Chion Wolf.

The new episode of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public Radio is about minigolf!

Listen at "Discover a hole lot of life lessons hiding within a mini golf course".

It was brilliant to be a part of the episode, along with several other minigolf enthusiasts.

Connecticut Public is Connecticut’s only state-wide, community-supported public media service.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Find out more:

• Connecticut Public
• Audacious with Chion Wolf
• Discover a hole lot of life lessons hiding within a mini golf course

New indoor adventure golf at two Parkdean Resorts holiday parks

New indoor adventure golf courses are opening at Skipsea Sands Holiday Park in the East Riding of Yorkshire and at Thorness Bay Holiday Park near Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The Fairground Golf courses at the two Parkdean Resorts holiday parks will be new activities for 2027.

Visit the Parkdean Resorts website for more information.

Neon Mini Golf at Blackout Wirral

There's a new neon mini golf course in Birkenhead, Wirral.

Formerly known as Mini Golf Adventures, Blackout is now a neon golf and interactive darts venue.

The indoor neon golf course is an 18-hole underwater & space-themed neon adventure golf layout.

Find out more.

Visit the Activity For All website for more information on Blackout Wirral.

Happy Back to the Future Day 2026

Today is Back to the Future Day.

The 21st October is 'Back to the Future Day' as Marty McFly and Doc Brown travelled from 1985 to the 21st October 2015. So, the future was actually eleven years ago now!

I got to see a DeLorean time machine at MediaCity in Salford back on the 13th March 2020. How different times were then!

We found a (now lost) video rental shop in Little Lever, Bolton in October 2020. It was stocked with loads of VHS tapes - including Back to the Future Part II. It was like stepping back in time!

A Back to the Future DeLorean at MediaCityUK in Salford in March 2020

Mini Golf at The Outpost Burra in the Shetland Islands

There's a mini golf course at The Outpost Burra on Burra in the Shetland Islands.

The Outpost is located on the island of East Burra.

Find out more.

Visit The Outpost Burra's Facebook Page for more information.

The northernmost minigolf course in the UK.

The Shetland Islands are the northernmost part of the United Kingdom. Therefore the mini golf course at The Outpost Burra is the northernmost mini golf course in the UK.

The previous holder of the most northerly minigolf course was Burray, one of the Orkney islands. The crazy golf course in Burray opened in 2016.

Jurassic Golf at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norfolk

A revisit to the Jurassic Golf course at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norfolk.

My brother Christopher and his family recently revisited Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norwich, Norfolk.

Find out more.

Check out the Pettitts Animal Adventure Park website for more information.

The park is also home to a miniature railway

Related blog posts:

• Jurassic Golf at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norfolk (2021)
• Jurassic Golf at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norfolk (2026)

41 years of Blockbuster Video

The first Blockbuster Video store opened on the 19th October 1985.

A sign at the former Blockbuster Video shop at Fallowfield Retail Park Manchester, England in 2020

The first Blockbuster Video store opened in Dallas, Texas, USA on this day in 1985.

The former Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton, England in 2021

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 stores around the world. 500-plus of those were in the UK.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Billingham, England in 2021

From 9,000 to 1.

There is now just one Blockbuster Video store left open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

There has been a boom in nostalgia for the brand in recent years. The Bend store is now a destination for people wanting to rekindle some of that 90's spirit.

Blockbuster in the UK.

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of that year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The last stores closed on the 16th December.

Even now, there are still some clearly visible remnants of the brand on the high street and on retail parks. And we've been to most of them on our travels!

Related blog posts:

• Blockbuster Video
• Video Stores
• Video Shops

Videos:

• Blockbuster Video in the UK YouTube Playlist

Minigolf course advertising for Junkyard Golf in Manchester

Spotting some Junkyard Golf Club crazy golf course advertising on Oxford Road in Manchester.

I spotted this crazy golf course advertising for Junkyard Golf in Manchester on a walk around the city centre today.

Find out more on the Junkyard Golf Club website.

Playing at Junkyard Golf Club in Manchester.

The three courses at Junkyard Golf Club in Manchester became the 795th, 766th and 767th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we attended the launch party at First Street in 2017.

Junkyard Golf Club first popped up at the Great Northern Warehouse before moving to Piccadilly and has now settled into its permanent venue at First Street.

Junkyard Golf's First Street venue in Manchester was the last course I played before the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown back in March 2020!

Related blog posts:

• Crazy Golf
• Junkyard Golf
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Manchester

A SELNEC Central bus and a Metrolink Tram in Manchester

A mix of the present and the past of travel in Manchester city centre.

I spotted this double decker bus in a SELNEC Central livery in Manchester city centre today. It was interesting to see it being passed by a Metrolink tram.

SELNEC was the Passenger Transport Executive in the area from 1969 until it was renamed Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) in 1974.

The SELNEC Central area covered Manchester and Salford. There were also SELNEC Northern and Southern.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) itself ended in 2011 when it became part of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Related blog posts:

• Vintage SELNEC bus in Stockport
• A SELNEC Central bus in Manchester
• One of the last buses out of dodge
• A vintage SELNEC bus in Eccles
• SELNEC
• GMPTE
• TfGM
• Bee Network
• Metrolink

Jason Voorhees at Spookapalooza at Killmonster Underground Market

Meeting Jason Voorhees at Spookapalooza at the Killmonster Underground Market in Manchester.

Spookapalooza launched the Killmonster Underground Market in Manchester city centre on Saturday 17th October.

Links:

• Spookapalooza
• Killmonster Underground Market

Related blog posts:

• Friday the 13th
• Jason Voorhees

A tram at Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink tram stop (October 2026)

A look at a Metrolink tram at Manchester Piccadilly tram stop.

A tram at Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink tram stop

A double Metrolink tram (3046 and 3007) to the Etihad Campus departing from Manchester Piccadilly tram stop on Saturday 17th October 2026.

You can see a compilation of Metrolink trams at Manchester Piccadilly tram stop - Platforms A & B in September 2026 in this video.

Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink tram stop

Check out my rail, tram, train and transit system playlists for more:

• Trams
• Metrolink
• Bee Network
• Transit Systems
• Trains

Related blog posts:

• Metrolink tram stop at Manchester Piccadilly railway station
• Metrolink
• Trams

Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train at Stockport railway station (October 2026)

A Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train (323239) in the sidings at Stockport railway station in Greater Manchester on Saturday 17th October 2026.

The Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train at Stockport railway station

Unit 323239 is currently the only Northern train in Bee Network livery.

I've seen it at Stockport station and Cheadle Hulme stations before.

The Bee Network is an integrated transport network in Greater Manchester comprised of bus, tram, cycling and walking routes. Commuter rail routes are planned to join the Bee Network in 2028.

Related blog posts:

• Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train at Cheadle Hulme railway station (August 2026)
• Bee Network train videos on YouTube
• Trains

Video links:

• Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train at Stockport railway station (April 2026)
• Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train at Cheadle Hulme railway station (August 2026)
• Bee Network branded Northern Class 323 train at Cheadle Hulme railway station (August 2026) - Short

Video Store Day 2026

Today is Video Store Day.

This year is the 16th Annual International Independent Video Store Day.

'International Independent Video Store Day' is observed on the third Saturday of October each year.

Do you still have a video store near you?

This was Northgate Video & DVD in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England earlier this year

Check out my blog post from Video Store Day 2025 where I wrote about the video stores we've visited on our travels, Blockbuster Video, video shop speakeasies, Blockbuster-themed crazy golf holes, non-rental video shops, 'Free Blockbuster', and more!

Related blog posts:

• Video Store Day 2025
• Video Shops
• Video Stores
• Video rental shops in the UK (January 2026)
• Video shop speakeasies in the UK

Blockbuster Video themed crazy golf hole at Golf Fang minigolf in Nottingham

A look at the Blockbuster Video Themed Minigolf Hole at Golf Fang Indoor Crazy Golf in Nottingham, England on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in August 2025.

The Golf Fang indoor crazy golf course in Nottingham was the 1,088th course visited and 587th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006.

Related blog posts:

• Blockbuster Video
• Minigolf

Check out my YouTube Channel for more minigolf, Blockbuster (and train!) videos.

Mini Golf at FullSwing Sports, Bar & Grill in Chichester

A new mini golf activity will be at FullSwing Sports, Bar & Grill in Chichester, West Sussex.

FullSwing Sports, Bar & Grill is opening in Chichester this month.

One of the games available will be interactive mini golf.

Find out more on the FullSwing Sports, Bar & Grill website.

Interactive Mini Golf at PLAYBOX 2.0 at BOXPARK Croydon

There's a new mini golf game at PLAYBOX 2.0 at BOXPARK Croydon in London.

PLAYBOX 2.0 at BOXPARK Croydon has opened with an interactive mini golf game.

PLAYBOX 2.0 is also home to a number of other games and activities.

Find out more.

Visit the PLAYBOX Croydon website for more information.

Winning the Weymouth Mini Golf Open tournament

I won the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament on this day in 2008.

The inaugural Weymouth Open minigolf tournament was held on the 18-hole Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth, Dorset on Sunday 12th October 2008.

Weymouth Open results.

I had an excellent career record in Weymouth Open events. As well as winning the individual title in 2008, my team-mate Chris Harding and I were the Weymouth Open doubles champions in 2011.

I was also runner-up in the 2009 and 2011 events and seventh in 2010. In the 2009 tournament Kevin Moseley and I were tied after two rounds and it took 4-holes of a sudden-death play-off to separate us.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course was the 77th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Find out more about the course at Weymouth Sea Life Centre.

Visit the Weymouth Sea Life Centre website for more information on the Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at Lodmoor Country Park.

Find out more about minigolf tournaments in the UK.

The British Minigolf Association organises several minigolf competitions each year. Visit the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) website for more information.

Find out more about minigolf tournaments around the world.

The World Minigolf Sport Federation is the world governing body for the sport of minigolf. Its national and continental member associations organise competitions around the world. Visit the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) website for more information.

Related blog posts:

• Weymouth
• Competition
• Tournament
• British Minigolf Association
• Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
• Minigolf Player Profile - Richard Gottfried

Mini Golf at The Wine Chambers in St Helens, Merseyside

A new mini golf course has opened in St Helens.

The Wine Chambers pop-up wine bar in St Helens, Merseyside has opened a 12-hole mini golf course.

Find out more on The Wine Chambers Facebook page.

New Adventure Golf at the Thatched Hamlet in Lancashire

There are plans for a new adventure golf course at the Thatched Hamlet near Preston in Lancashire.

The course would be an 18-hole outdoor mini-golf layout.

Find out more on the Thatched Hamlet website.

Trains at Stockport railway station (October 2026)

A variety of trains spotted at Stockport railway station in Greater Manchester on Wednesday 7th October 2026.

Related blog posts:

• Trains
• Transport
• Stockport

Check out my YouTube Channel for more train (and minigolf) videos.

The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre in Stockport - 94 today

The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre in Stockport opened on this day in 1932.

Link:

• The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre

Related blog posts:

• The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre
• Art Deco
• Stockport

Destination...

...Final!

'The Rio Revival' InterCity 125 train in Shaw Heath, Stockport (October 2026)

Spotting an InterCity 125 train in Shaw Heath, Stockport.

An InterCity 125 train - 43025 'Exeter' - passing underneath Adswood Road in Shaw Heath, Stockport, Greater Manchester at 15:26 on Sunday 4th October 2026. This was on the Buxton Line between Davenport and Stockport stations.

The train was 'The Rio Revival' InterCity 125 12:06 service from St Pancras International to Manchester Piccadilly.

The train was a celebration of 50 years of trains travelling at 125 mph on the railways of Great Britain. The first public trains operated at 125 mph on the 4th October 1976.

'The Rio Revival' InterCity 125 was operated by the 125 Group.

Check out my rail playlists for more:

• InterCity 125 trains
• Heritage trains
• Trains

Videos:

• 'The Rio Revival' InterCity 125 train in Shaw Heath, Stockport on Sunday 4th October 2026
• 'The Rio Revival' InterCity 125 train in Shaw Heath, Stockport on Sunday 4th October 2026 - Short

Liminal space in Leeds

A look at a liminal space in Leeds.

It looks like it could be an area of a Resident Evil game!

The Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle upon Tyne (October 2026)

A look at various Class 555 trains and the Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle upon Tyne on Thursday 1st October 2026.

Class 555 trains at West Jesmond station on the Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle upon Tyne

Related blog posts:

• Trains
• Trainspotting
• Newcastle upon Tyne

Video:

• Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle upon Tyne (October 2026)

Finish & End

A look at some of the Finish & End holes we've seen on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels have taken us around the UK and to several countries overseas. During the last 20 years we've seen a few courses clearly spell out where the end of a round is!

Crazy Golf at Singleton Park in Swansea, Wales 14th August 2009

Crazy Golf at Gynn Gardens in Blackpool, 5th September 2009 (now a lost course)

Crazy Golf at Kings Parade Gardens in New Brighton, 19th March 2011

Putting course at the Wales National Crown Green Centre in Rhyl, 29th September 2014

Crazy Golf at Stanley Park in Blackpool, 27 August 2018

Crazy Golf at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood, 28th May 2021

Related blog posts:

• Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

A token blog post

A look at some 1980's Putt-Putt tokens from the USA.

Putt-Putt Golf.

The very first Putt-Putt Golf course was created by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA back in 1954.

In the 1960's Putt-Putt franchises began opening outside of the US, in locations such as South Africa, Australia and Japan. There were also courses in the UK, the first of which opened in Sunderland in 1968. Others followed at Flamingo Land in Yorkshire and in Buxton, Derbyshire. However, information on these UK courses is limited.

Minigolf tokens today?

Do you know of any adventure golf, crazy golf or minigolf courses that still have tokens nowadays?