Monday, August 21, 2023

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

There's an Adventure Golf course on Paignton Pier in Devon.


Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

A big thank you to our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge for sending us these photos of the Lost City Adventure Golf course on Paignton Pier from his recent visit.

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier

Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier. Photo by James Trubridge, August 2023
Someone ignored the rules on the sign at Lost City Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier!

Jam is a big fan of Paignton and on an trip to the seaside resort earlier this year he saw the course under construction.

Paignton Pier Crazy Golf under construction. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier under construction, April 2023

Paignton Pier Crazy Golf under construction. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier under construction, April 2023

Paignton Pier Crazy Golf under construction. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Adventure Golf on Paignton Pier under construction, April 2023

It's another new course for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


We visited Paignton in 2015, but there wasn't a course there then.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Boom Battle Bar in Southend

A new Boom Battle Bar venue is opening in Southend, Essex this year.


A new Boom Battle Bar venue with Crazy Golf is opening in Southend, Essex this year

Boom Battle Bar will soon have a location at the Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend on Sea, Essex.

The venue will be home to a crazy golf course, as well as games such as shuffleboard and beer pong.

Boom Battle Bar Southend is due to open in October 2023.

Visit the Boom Battle Bar website for more information.

Friday, August 11, 2023

Mini Golf now open at Play2Day in Wisbech

There's a new Adventure Mini Golf course at Play2Day in Guyhirn, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.


There's a new Adventure Mini Golf course at Play2Day in Guyhirn, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

We heard about the plans for the new course back in 2021 and have seen photos of the new outdoor minigolf course on the Play2Day Facebook Page - and it's railway-themed!

It looks ace.

With an address of "The Old Station Yard" was the course going to be anything other than train-themed!

We often pass through Wisbech en route to see family and friends in East Anglia, and have driven past Play2Day before. We're looking forward to swinging by on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

You can find out more about the Adventure Golf / Mini Golf course on the Play2Day website and Facebook Page.

Checking out the info on the Play2Day centre they've also got a Lazer Tag! Another of my favourite sports.

Crazy Golf plans for King's Lynn

There are plans for a Crazy Golf course to open in King's Lynn, Norfolk.


There are plans for a Crazy Golf course to open in King's Lynn, Norfolk

The indoor Crazy Golf course is planned to open on the Hardwick Industrial Estate in King's Lynn.

It'd be a new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've got family in Norfolk and often stay in King's Lynn when visiting.

The business behind the Crazy Golf plans is Oceanus Leisure, owners of Little Sharks Soft Play Centre in the town.

Mini Golf at Ballerz Clubhouse in Farnham

There's a new indoor Mini Golf course in Farnham, Surrey.


There's a new indoor Mini Golf course in Farnham, Surrey

The 9-hole indoor Mini Golf course at Ballerz Clubhouse in Farnham is an adults-only venue.

Check out the Ballerz Clubhouse website for more information.

It's another new venue for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Urban Street Golf at Gravity MAX Liverpool at Liverpool ONE

There's a new indoor minigolf course at the Gravity MAX Liverpool entertainment centre at Liverpool ONE.


There's a new indoor minigolf course at the Gravity MAX Liverpool entertainment centre at Liverpool ONE

It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Gravity MAX Liverpool at Liverpool ONE is home to Urban Street Golf, Bowling, Darts, E-Karting, Shuffleboard, Batting Cages, Esports and more.

Check out the Gravity MAX Liverpool website for more information.


Janken: The International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012

A look back at the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London.


We competed in the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London eleven years ago this week. Time certainly flies!

We teamed up with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Dave Barry and his daughter Sophie from the USA to take part in the huge event.

The San Marino Rock Paper Scissors team at the Rock Paper Scissors International in London
The San Marino Rock Paper Scissors team

More than 150 athletes from 16 teams competed in the Wacky Nation organised tournament held at the Knight’s Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London.

As we couldn’t play as a combined "UK-USA" team we decided to represent the plucky nation of San Marino instead.

Prior to the start of the competition I challenged football hard man Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock to a 'friendly' RPS contest to warm-up. Needless to say I won the shootout! It was an ill-tempered clash with plenty of foul language and gamesmanship. The heated battle almost resulted in a knock-out punch too!

International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012
Clash of the titans

International Rock Paper Scissors

Matches in the Round Robin stage of the main-event were played in a ‘first to four points’ format with each player in the team taking it in turns to win a point by competing in a ‘best of three’ Rock Paper Scissors game. Our team managed to rack up a win loss record of won four, lost one.

Before any teams could advance from our pool a play-off was required as Austria and Lapland A had also finished with four wins and one loss!

Thankfully our team was able to win both matches to advance alongside Lapland A, with the Austrians sent home.

The first semi-final saw San Marino take on the Vatican City team in a ‘first to six points’ match.

Unfortunately we lost and were therefore unable to go for gold.

Sadly we just missed out on the podium, suffering defeat to Great Britain in the repechage to ultimately finish in fourth place.

The final was a battle between the might of Lapland A and the Vatican City, with the Laplanders finishing on top and grabbing the gold medal.

Getting to the semi-finals of the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships was the furthest I ever reached in an RPS tournament, having been knocked out in the preliminary rounds of national competitions held in 2010 and 2011.

Wednesday, August 09, 2023

Crazy Golf in Ardrossan, North Ayrshire

The seafront Crazy Golf course in Ardrossan, Scotland is being refurbished.


The Ardrossan Community Development Trust is undertaking work to develop the promenade in the seaside town. Part of the redevelopment will see the 18-hole Crazy Golf being refurbished.


Crazy Golf in Ardrossan, July 2014
Crazy Golf in Ardrossan, July 2014

Visit the Ardrossan Community Development Trust website and Facebook Page to find out more about the project.


We really enjoyed our holiday along the Scottish coast and really need to book a return visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk.


Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Many thanks to our friend Sophia for sending over snaps of the Crazy Golf course at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton.

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

It's always brilliant finding our about, and seeing courses, we didn't know about already!

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Visit the Searles Leisure Resort website for more information.


Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne

A look at the Blockbuster Video Express store in Colne, Lancashire.


We visited the former Blockbuster Video Express shop in Colne on this day in 2020.

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne. August 2020
Blockbuster Video Express in Colne, Lancashire

Exploring during the coronavirus pandemic


As our out-of-home minigolfing adventures were curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic I needed to scratch my exploring itch somehow. During the first nationwide lockdown Emily and I spent our daily outside exercise time walking around the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport where we managed to visit and photograph every one of the 265 pubs, bars and clubs in the area!

On our limited travels we also photographed as many pieces of Covid-19-related signage as we could.

The next mini 'tickable list' urban exploration challenge tapped into my interest in ghost signs, shops, retail marketing and old brands. Ever since I found the remnants of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been amazed to see the brand still has a lingering presence in other places too.

Here's the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Colne and how it looked in August 2020.


Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
Some of the exterior signage

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
Blockbuster Video Express

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
A notice of Administration taped on the inside of the shop window. Note the tape used is Blockbuster branded

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
The old QuikDrop box

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
The sign on the front of the shop was long gone

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
A look inside the former Blockbuster Video Express store. Still recognisable as a video shop

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne






Blockbuster Video in the UK


Blockbuster Video entered the UK video rental market in 1989 following the purchase of Ritz Video.

I remember going to the Ritz Video shop on the Peachcroft Estate in my home town of Abingdon, Oxfordshire in the late 80's and early 90's. That store became a Blockbuster and I rented some classics from there back in the day. Check out this post from the excellent Abingdon Blog to see a photo of the shuttered shop in 2014.

Most Blockbuster Video Express stores were somewhat smaller than regular Blockbuster shops. Although all of the stores expanded to include video game rentals. Old signage for the games area has been clearly visible on both the Fallowfield and Colne stores I've been to.

In 2013 there were over 500 Blockbuster locations in the UK. Throughout that year the number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. On the 16th December 2013 all stores ceased operations.

Blockbuster Video store locations we've visited


Tuesday, August 08, 2023

Plans for a new mini golf course in Oxford

There are plans to create a new mini golf course at Bury Knowle Park in Headington, Oxford.


The mini golf would be an addition to the park along with several other activities including table tennis and shuffleboard.

Bury Knowle Park in Headington used to be home to a Swedish Felt B-Run type of minigolf course.

The former minigolf course at Bury Knowle Park in Oxford
This was the old course at Bury Knowle Park


Playing minigolf at Bury Knowle Park in Headington, Oxford
Playing the old the old course at Bury Knowle Park in the late noughties. How time flies!

It'll be interesting to see if the plans for the new course are approved and I look forward to giving it a play on a revisit to my home city if it does.

Monday, August 07, 2023

Puttstars Mini Golf at Hollywood Bowl Leeds

There's a Puttstars Mini Golf course at the Hollywood Bowl in Kirkstall, Leeds.


The recently refurbished Hollywood Bowl tenpin bowling centre in Kirkstall, Leeds is now home to a 9-hole Puttstars mini golf course too.

Puttstars Mini Golf
Puttstars Mini Golf in Rochdale. Visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in June 2021

The course is the second Puttstars to open in Leeds. There's also a Puttstars Mini Golf venue at The Springs retail and leisure park.

Check out the Puttstars website for more information.

Sunday, August 06, 2023

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Playing the Crazy Golf course at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere.


Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

We managed to have a game on the Crazy Golf course at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere during our short break in the Lake District earlier this summer.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

In our round on the 9-hole Crazy Golf course Emily won with a resounding 26 to 33 scoreline.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

The course became the 567th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, having previously been visited in 2012.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Check out the Glebe Park website for more information.


Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Saturday, August 05, 2023

New Crazy Golf at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth

A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth, Hampshire.


A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth, Hampshire

The Putt Hutt is an 18-hole indoor Crazy Golf layout and opened at Clarence Pier today (Saturday 5th August).

Check out The Putt Hutt website for more information.

The new course is next door to Treasure Island Adventure Golf, the first place we played crazy golf back in 2006 on what would become our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

It'll be interesting to play The Putt Hutt on our next visit to Portsmouth and Southsea.

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf in Barry Island, Wales

A look at the Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course in Barry Island, Wales.


Thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge for sending us these photos of the Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course in Barry Island, Wales earlier this year.

Barry Island Adventure Golf. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Barry Island Adventure Golf

Barry Island Adventure Golf. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Barry Island Adventure Golf

We played the Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in August 2009. 

Minigolf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

A look at the miniature golf courses at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside, Cumbria.


Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

We had a nice long weekend in the Lake District in June where we revisited some courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf and Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf and Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside is home to a Crazy Golf course and a Pitch N Putt layout.

Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside


Croquet at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Croquet at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

The Pitch N Putt looks like a nice tricky layout and the views and location are very pleasant indeed.

Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside