Thursday, June 03, 2021

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

A visit to the Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale.


Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

We're big fans of miniature railways but until very recently never knew there was one at Springfield Park in Rochdale!

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Visit the Rochdale Society of Model & Experimental Engineers (RSMEE) website for more information and running times of the railway.

Adventure Golf advertising

We spotted this advert for the Dino Islands Adventure Golf course at Sandham Gardens in Sandown Bay on the Isle of Wight at the Red Funnel Ferry Terminal in Southampton.


Sandham Gardens Adventure Golf advert in Southampton

We're yet to play the Dino Islands Adventure Golf course at Sandham Gardens on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, but did play the course that was on the same spot before it.

Visit the Dino Islands Adventure Golf website for more information.

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

A look at the Pitch & Putt miniature golf course at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood.


Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

We took a look at the Pitch & Putt course at Marine Gardens on our recent trip to the seaside town.


Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood


The Marine Gardens Crazy Golf course and part of the old miniature railway line
The Marine Gardens Crazy Golf course and part of the old miniature railway line

There also used to be a Crazy Golf course a stone's throw away at Marine Hall Gardens. We played that course in 2009. Sadly it was removed in 2012.

Marine Hall Gardens in Fleetwood
Marine Hall Gardens in Fleetwood

Harry Hot Dog at Blackpool Fish Factory

When in Blackpool...


Harry Hot Dog at Blackpool Fish Factory
...you've got to have a snap with a hot dog man!

Let's Talk Leisure with Briq Bookings

Let's Talk Leisure with Marketing Consultant Richard Gottfried.


I was recently interviewed by Steven Helder from Briq Bookings for their Let's Talk Leisure series with people in the world of leisure and entertainment.

Let's Talk Leisure with Briq Bookings



You can find out more about how Briq Bookings are helping leisure and entertainment businesses improve the online booking journey for their customers on the Briq Bookings website.

Pac-Man at Southampton Inside/Out

We spotted Pac-Man and a blue ghost while walking around Southampton last month!


Pac-Man at Southampton Inside/Out

They were created as part of the social distancing floor markings as part of the Southampton Inside Out dining campaign to create more places to dine out during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pac-Man at Southampton Inside/Out

Blue Ghost at Southampton Inside/Out

Pac-Man at Southampton Inside/Out

Only Foods and Sauces in Southampton

I've spotted a few different homages to Only Fools and Horses on my travels over the years - the latest being Only Foods and Sauces in Swaythling, Southampton.


Only Foods and Sauces in Southampton

Only Foods and Sauces in Southampton

Only Foods and Sauces in Southampton

Check out the Only Foods and Sauces Facebook Page for more information.

East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton, Hampshire

A visit to the East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton, Hampshire.


East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton

We were recently down in Southampton and while there swung by the East Park Mini Golf course.


Nu Game Arcade in Southampton

It was a nice surprise to find the Nu Game Arcade in Southampton last month. It was also brilliant that we happened to be the first customers on the opening day too!


Nu Game Arcade in Southampton

We spotted the sign for the Nu Game Arcade on the first floor as we were leaving the Marlands shopping centre. We're glad we did as it's been a while since I've played at an arcade.

Nu Game Arcade in Southampton

It was brilliant to have a go on two of my favourite games - Metal Slug on the Neo Geo MVS and Robocop.

Nu Game Arcade in Southampton

Check out the Nu Game Arcade Facebook Page for more information.

Elephant Parade in Southampton

Finding an art trail in Southampton.


Elephant Parade in Southampton, May 2021

We enjoy finding and following art trails on our travels and we spotted two while in Southampton. The first was The Mayor's Mayflower Mosaic Trail and the second was the Elephant Parade - the world’s largest art exhibition of decorated elephant statues - where there were 25 elephant statues at the Westquay shopping, dining and entertainment centre.

Elephant Parade in Southampton, May 2021

Elephant Parade in Southampton, May 2021

Elephant Parade in Southampton, May 2021

Elephant Parade in Southampton, May 2021

Visit the Elephant Parade section of the Westquay website for more information.

Toys R Us in Southampton

A visit to the old Toys R Us store on the Western Esplanade in Southampton, Hampshire.

We made a trip to the former Toys R Us store at Western Esplanade in Southampton last month.

Toys R Us in Southampton

There was still a lot of signage up on the large old unit.

Toys R Us in Southampton

I worked in the Gipsy Lane Toys R Us store in Luton, Bedfordshire back in the year 2000.

Toys R Us closed in the UK in April 2018. It's interesting to see that there are still remnants of the brand on some retail parks in the UK. 

Check out my blog posts below about other former Toys R Us stores:

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

A visit to the former Blockbuster Video store in Southampton.

We made a visit to the old Blockbuster Video store on Portswood Road in Southampton, Hampshire last month.

The former Blockbuster Video store in Southampton

Work was underway to open the location as a new business but luckily there were still some traces of the Blockbuster brand on the wonderful Art Deco building.

The former Blockbuster Video store in Southampton

One of the best things still visible was this elaborate QuikDrop box!

The former Blockbuster Video store in Southampton

Toys R Us in Basingtoke

A visit to the old Toys R Us store at the Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke, Hampshire.


Toys R Us store at the Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke, Hampshire

We visited the old Toys R Us store in Basingstoke last month. There was still a lot of signage on display at the former store.

I worked in the Gipsy Lane Toys R Us store in Luton, Bedfordshire back in the year 2000.

Toys R Us closed in the UK in April 2018. It's amazing to see that there are still remnants of the brand on some retail parks in the UK. 

Check out my blog posts below about other former Toys R Us stores:

Blockbuster Video in Basingstoke

A visit to the former Blockbuster Video store in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

We took a look at the old Blockbuster Video store at the Chineham shopping centre in Basingstoke last month. The unit is still vacant, but somewhat recognisable as a Blockbuster shop - especially as the QuikDrop box is still there.

Former Blockbuster Video store at Chineham shopping centre in Basingstoke

Former Blockbuster Video store at Chineham shopping centre in Basingstoke

With our interest piqued by the discovery of the abandoned Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield in 2019 we've now visited a number of former Blockbuster locations, including:

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Princess Parade Crazy Golf on Blackpool's North Shore

The Crazy Golf course at Princess Parade, Blackpool is now open.


The Princess Parade Crazy Golf course on Blackpool's North Shore

Blackpool and the Fylde Street Angels and Blackpool Fulfilling Lives joined forces to refresh and reopen the Princess Parade Crazy Golf course on Blackpool's North Shore in 2019 and a number of other people and groups have been a part of the project. You can see what the course has looked like over the last few years in some of my previous posts.

Check out the Princess Parade Crazy Golf Facebook Page and the media release about the activity for more information.


We're looking forward to getting back to Blackpool again later this summer and playing a few more rounds on the course.

Here's a video of me playing the Princess Parade Crazy Golf course on Blackpool's North Shore at the launch event on Friday 28th May 2021.