A blog about our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. With a sprinkling of nostalgia and urban exploration for good measure.
Thursday, June 03, 2021
Tommy Chip Cone says "Stay safe."
I spotted this pandemic-themed sign on a chip cone mascot at Tommy's fish & chip shop in Middleton, Rochdale earlier this week.
Labels:
Chips,
coronavirus,
face covering,
face mask,
facemask,
Fish & Chips,
funny,
Mascot,
Middleton,
pandemic,
Rochdale,
Sign
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
Mini Golf at Puttstars in Rochdale
Playing Puttstars Mini Golf at Rochdale Riverside.
We played our first games of indoor minigolf since last August when we swung by Puttstars Mini Golf at Rochdale Riverside yesterday evening.
We played two of the three 9-hole courses at the venue, with Pinball becoming the 545th course we've played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the Zig Zag layout number 546 since 2006.
The scoring system differs to other minigolf courses and your strokes add up to points - with bonus points given depending on whether you play a 'joker' during your round. I won on one course and Emily got the win on the other. There are no paper scorecards, print outs or results sent to you after your round so you better be quick and take a photo of the screen at the end of your game!
Visit the Puttstars website for more information, opening times and prices.
We've now been to a total of 958 miniature golf courses on our travels. When our adventures began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK, with just two of those indoors. There are now more than 1,000 courses in total and more than 100 of those are indoor locations, with more new courses opening all the time.
Labels:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Greater Manchester,
Indoor Mini Golf,
Mini Golf,
Minigolf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Puttstars,
Rochdale
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale
A visit to the 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!
Visit the Rochdale Society of Model & Experimental Engineers (RSMEE) website for more information and running times of the railway.
Labels:
Greater Manchester,
Miniature Railway,
model railway,
Park,
Railway,
Rochdale,
Springfield Park,
trains
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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.
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.
Labels:
Adventure Golf,
Advertising,
Dino Golf,
Dino Islands,
Hampshire,
Isle of Wight,
Marketing,
minigolf marketing,
Sandham Gardens,
Sandown,
Southampton
Location:
Southampton, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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.
We took a look at the Pitch & Putt course at Marine Gardens on our recent trip to the seaside town.
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.
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Marine Hall Gardens in Fleetwood |
Labels:
closed,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Fleetwood,
Lancashire,
Not Open,
Not Played,
Pitch & Putt,
Pitch and Putt,
Pitch Putt,
Revisit,
Wyre
Location:
The Esplanade, Fleetwood FY7 6HF, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
Harry Hot Dog at Blackpool Fish Factory
Labels:
Blackpool,
Blackpool Fish Factory,
Harry Hot Dog,
Hot Dog,
Hot Dog Guy,
Hot Dog Man,
Mascot
Location:
67 71Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5AA, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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.
Check out the discussion at Let's Talk Leisure with Marketing Consultant Richard Gottfried.
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.
Labels:
Adventure Golf,
Briq,
Briq Bookings,
Business,
Crazy Golf,
Marketing,
Minigolf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
minigolf marketing,
Richard Gottfried
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
Pac-Man at Southampton Inside/Out
We spotted Pac-Man and a blue ghost while walking around Southampton last month!
Labels:
bootleg,
coronavirus,
Hampshire,
Pac Man,
Pac-Man,
Pacman,
pandemic,
Social distancing,
Southampton
Location:
Southampton, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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.
Check out the Only Foods and Sauces Facebook Page for more information.
Labels:
bootleg,
bootlegs,
funny,
Hampshire,
Only Foods and Sauces,
Only Fools and Horses,
Parody,
Southampton,
Swaythling,
takeaway
Location:
Swaythling, Southampton SO16, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton, Hampshire
A visit to the East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton, Hampshire.
We were recently down in Southampton and while there swung by the East Park Mini Golf course.
Labels:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
East Park,
Hampshire,
Mini Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Minigolf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Revisit,
Southampton
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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!
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.
It was brilliant to have a go on two of my favourite games - Metal Slug on the Neo Geo MVS and Robocop.
Check out the Nu Game Arcade Facebook Page for more information.
Labels:
Arcade,
Arcades,
Hampshire,
Nu Game Arcade,
Retailtainment,
retro,
Shoppertainment,
Shopping Centre,
shoppingtainment,
Southampton,
videogame
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
Elephant Parade in Southampton
Finding an art trail in Southampton.
Visit the Elephant Parade section of the Westquay website for more information.
Labels:
Art,
art trail,
elephant,
elephants,
Hampshire,
Retailtainment,
Sculpture,
Shoppertainment,
Shopping Centre,
shoppingtainment,
Southampton
Location:
Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1QF, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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.
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:
- Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke
- Central Retail Park in Manchester
- Deepdale shopping centre in Preston
- Enfield Retail Park in Enfield
- Festival retail park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
- Gemini Retail Park in Warrington
- Interchange Retail Park at Copdock Mill, Ipswich
- Riverside Retail Park in Nottingham
- Teesside Retail Park in Stockton-on-Tees
- Western Esplanade in Southampton
- Wyvern Retail Park in Derby
Labels:
Abandoned,
Hampshire,
retail,
retro,
shop,
shopfront,
shopfronts,
Shopping,
Southampton,
storefront,
Toys R Us,
urban exploration,
urbex
Location:
Western Esplanade, Southampton, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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.
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.
One of the best things still visible was this elaborate QuikDrop box!
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:
- Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Barnsley, South Yorkshire
- Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Billingham, Teesside
- Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
- Chester, Cheshire
- Chorley, Lancashire
- Colne, Lancashire
- Fallowfield, Manchester
- Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Hastings, East Sussex
- Leigh, Greater Manchester
- Marple, Greater Manchester
- Nuneaton, Warwickshire
- Oldham, Greater Manchester
- Prescot, Lancashire
- Southampton, Hampshire
- Telford, Shropshire
- Wythenshawe, Manchester
Labels:
Abandoned,
Art Deco,
Blockbuster,
Hampshire,
history,
Lost,
retail,
retro,
shopfront,
shopfronts,
Shopping,
Shops,
Southampton,
storefront,
urban exploration,
urbex,
video shop
Location:
Portswood Rd, Southampton, UK
![](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigodgfQL5TKqmXJ0w2ElTSA9dj2RW9mfbl7lNleLoI3JGnMbIr2_BuFSH_sHW7BWAhlGQ4yL6GyDO4II18ZMK9lQObUaHxxRu3P2wDfYCKg7j93RntfCvELWhC9-OPu14/s113/Terry%27s+Traditional+Crazy+Golf+in+Cleethorpes+20+May+18+%282%29.jpg)
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