Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Disused railway stations - Felixstowe Beach in Suffolk

As a bit of a train nerd I recently joined the Disused Stations group on Facebook and last weekend found the perfect station location to take a photo of for the group while revisiting Felixstowe in Suffolk.

As we were driving over the level crossing on our way to the seafront we remembered there was an old platform to the left of us.

The disused Felixstowe Beach railway station
The disused Felixstowe Beach railway station on a sunny Sunday in May

Felixstowe Beach railway station taken closed to goods in 1966 and passengers in 1967. The station buildings were demolished in 2004.

Links:
- Disused Stations website
- Disused Stations Facebook Group

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

A visit to the minigolf courses at Eaton Park in Norwich.


On Friday 19th May we visited the superb Crazy Golf course and Putting Green at Eaton Park in Norwich.

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

The weather hadn't been great in the morning so we weren't sure if the courses would be open. As we parked up we noticed a sign on the side of the kiosk, thankfully it said 'Open'!

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

After collecting our putters, balls, scorecard and pencil from the man in the hut we hit the 18-hole course for a great, fun round of minigolf.



It was a close contest, but a disastrous five on the 17th did me in to gift Emily the victory with a 43 to 44 scoreline.

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

After our first round the man (Rob) was eager to hear our scores and was impressed we'd shot fairly low scores. Rob told us the course record stood at 36. If we'd played a few more rounds we could've got close and maybe even beaten it. The first three holes are great ace opportunities, although there are some holes you really need to concentrate on or else you could pick up a four or five.

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

As the course was so good we had a second round and this time tied on 40 shots apiece. Although that did mean Emily won by one-shot overall.

Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

While we didn't have time to play the Putting course this time, we will head back for a round in the future.

Eaton Park Putting Green in Norwich

Eaton Park Putting Green in Norwich

Eaton Park Putting Green in Norwich

Eaton Park Putting Green in Norwich

The Crazy Golf course was the 432nd played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The layout was the 734th visited overall and the 707th we've been to in the UK.

Playing Crazy Golf at Eaton Park in Norwich

Eaton Park Crazy Golf has the right mix of hole-in-one opportunities and tricky second putts. The skill-based layout was unique and well maintained, with each of the holes presenting a different challenge. It's one of those courses I could happily play all day long.

Playing Crazy Golf at Eaton Park in Norwich

Check out the photos below to view the 18-hole Crazy Golf course and visit the Eaton Park Crazy Golf website for more info, opening times and prices.

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 1

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 2

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 3 
Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 4



Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 5

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 6

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 6

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 7

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 7

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 8

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 9

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 9

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 10

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 11

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 12

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 12

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 13

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 14 
Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 14



Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 15

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 16

Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 17 
Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich
Hole 18



Eaton Park itself is a large heritage park and is also home to a pitch & putt course, a miniature railway, cafe, bandstand, gardens and a very impressive pavilion.

The pavilion and bandstand at Eaton Park in Norwich
The pavilion and bandstand

Parkside station on the Miniature Railway line at Eaton Park in Norwich
Parkside station on the Miniature Railway line

Links:
- Eaton Park Crazy Golf
- Friends of Eaton Park

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Videos:
View of the Eaton Park Crazy Golf course in Norwich
- Playing hole 9 at Eaton Park Crazy Golf course in Norwich
- View of the Eaton Park Crazy Golf and Putting courses in Norwich
- View of the Eaton Park Putting and Crazy Golf courses in Norwich
- Hole-in-one on hole 13 at Eaton Park Crazy Golf course in Norwich
- Hole-in-one on hole 15 at Eaton Park Crazy Golf course in Norwich

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Dementia Friendly Minigolf Putting in Prestwick

Putting Plus offering Dementia Friendly Minigolf on the prom in Prestwick.

The team at Putting Plus in Prestwick, Scotland are launching Dementia Friendly Putting on the Putting Green at Prestwick Prom this Friday, 26th May, between 2 and 4pm.

Dementia Friendly Minigolf at Putting Plus on the prom in Prestwick

Dr John Hunter from Putting Plus said "The healthy benefits for Putting include improved hand /eye coordination, visual perception, motor skills, and spatial awareness as well as getting out in the fresh air."

He added "Please note that if the weather is doubtful a message will be left on the weather line 07471 914 725 to confirm if the event is going ahead."

See Putting Plus and Dementia Friendly Prestwick for further info.

We visited Prestwick while in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Unfortunately the weather wasn't too kind on the particular afternoon we were on the prom, so we didn't get to play the fine looking seafront Putting course.

Putting Plus on Prestwick Prom
Prestwick's Putting course in 2014

Breakers Miniature Golf course in St Ouens Bay, Jersey

Playing Mini Golf at Les Mielles in Jersey.


This time last year we hit another BIG minigolf milestone as we played the 400th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we visited Breakers Miniature Golf at Les Mielles Golf and Country Club in St Ouens Bay, Jersey.



We were lucky enough to have the course to ourselves during our visit to the most southerly course in the British Isles on Monday 23rd May 2016.

Breakers Miniature Golf course in St Ouens Bay, Jersey
The Breakers Miniature Golf course is a huge layout

Visit the Les Mielles website for more info, opening times and prices. Check out the links below to see more photos and videos of the course.

Breakers Miniature Golf course in St Ouens Bay, Jersey
On the first hole

Link:
Les Mielles Golf & Country Club

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Mini Golf at Les Mielles in Jersey
Breakers Realistic Miniature Golf at Les Mielles in Jersey

Videos:
Minigolf at Les Mielles in St Ouens Bay, Jersey 1 of 5
Minigolf at Les Mielles in St Ouens Bay, Jersey 2 of 5
Minigolf at Les Mielles in St Ouens Bay, Jersey 3 of 5
Minigolf at Les Mielles in St Ouens Bay, Jersey 4 of 5
Minigolf at Les Mielles in St Ouens Bay, Jersey 5 of 5