Spotting a disused monorail line in Blackpool.
In amongst the many many many different things I like to spot are monorails. On our recent trip to Blackpool I actually walked under one without realising. It was only when Emily mentioned that it looked like it wasn't used any more and pointed it out that I saw it.
The Blackpool Pleasure Beach Monorail was decommissioned in 2012 by which time there was only one station left on the loop. The ride ended its time as a sightseeing tour of the Pleasure Beach rather than an actual transportation system as it was when it first opened in 1966.
There is a claim that the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Monorail was the UK's first commercial monorail system. A claim also held by Butlin's - whose own monorail opened at the Skegness Holiday Camp in 1965.
Unfortunately I couldn't find any photos of us on the Monorail - or the ride in action - in our archives from trips to Blackpool in 2008 and and 2009. But I did find some other great photos that I'd forgotten all about!
Luckily there is still a monorail to ride in Blackpool - the indoor Pirate Flyer at Coral Island.
In the meantime check out this blog post about the monorail we got to ride at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach this summer.
Related blog posts:
- Monorail
- Blackpool
Link:
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach
A blog about our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. With a sprinkling of nostalgia and urban exploration for good measure.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
The Blackpool Pleasure Beach Monorail
Labels:
Blackpool,
Blackpool Pleasure Beach,
defunct,
Emily Gottfried,
monorail,
Richard Gottfried,
Seaside
Location:
Blackpool, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Mini Golf at Puckpool Park on the Isle of Wight
A visit to the 12-hole Mini Golf Garden at Puckpool Park in Ryde.
While on a recent trip to the Isle of Wight we managed to play a course that we didn't have time to on our only previous visit to the island back in 2009.
In our match-up on the Puckpool Park 'Mini Golf Garden' course I picked up the victory with a score of 30. Emily was runner-up with a round of 33, with Cat Patterson in bronze with a score of 39.
The sign at the gates also said there was Putting in the park as well. We couldn't see any though.
We did however see a sign for Petanque. They've got a very nice terrain there. And a Petanque team.
All in all Puckpool Park was a nice spot for a round of fun minigolf. We'd play there again.
The Puckpool Park Mini Golf Garden was the 415th course we've played and the 705th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.
Video:
- Hole in one at Puckpool Park
Related blog posts:
- Isle of Wight
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Link:
- The Old Barracks at Puckpool Park
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. You can now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.
Puckpool Park's Mini Golf Garden - Built in 2006 by the owners of Puckpool Tea Gardens |
While on a recent trip to the Isle of Wight we managed to play a course that we didn't have time to on our only previous visit to the island back in 2009.
A view of the Mini Golf Garden from up the hill next to it |
In our match-up on the Puckpool Park 'Mini Golf Garden' course I picked up the victory with a score of 30. Emily was runner-up with a round of 33, with Cat Patterson in bronze with a score of 39.
A nice straight shot was required on this tough hole |
A tricky second shot |
Emily tapping home a shot |
The sign at the gates also said there was Putting in the park as well. We couldn't see any though.
There's lots to do in Puckpool Park. As well as the Crazy Golf course we also had a look at the Mortar Battery Emplacements |
Could this be where the Putting course should be? |
We did however see a sign for Petanque. They've got a very nice terrain there. And a Petanque team.
If we'd had more time we'd have had a game of Petanque. A fine sport |
The Petanque Terrain / Boules Piste at Puckpool Park |
All in all Puckpool Park was a nice spot for a round of fun minigolf. We'd play there again.
We played the course in some nice weather. But there'd obviously been quite a lot of rain earlier in the day |
The Puckpool Park Mini Golf Garden was the 415th course we've played and the 705th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.
At course number 705 |
We've played a lot of types of minigolf over the years, but the Puckpool Park course was the first we'd seen called a 'Mini Golf Garden'.
Emily about to get a two from a tricky spot. And during a light mid-round shower |
Photos of the 12-hole Mini Golf Garden at Puckpool Park.
Hole 1 |
Hole 1 - Green |
Hole 2 |
Hole 2 - Green |
Hole 3 - loop-di-loop |
Hole 3 - the tyre loop and green |
Hole 4 |
Hole 5 |
Hole 5 - Green |
Hole 6 |
Hole 6 |
Hole 7 |
Hole 7 - Easter Island |
Hole 8 |
Hole 8 - Green |
Hole 9 |
Hole 9 |
Hole 10 |
Hole 10 - Green |
Hole 11 |
Hole 11 - Green |
Hole 12 |
Hole 12 - Green |
- Hole in one at Puckpool Park
Related blog posts:
- Isle of Wight
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Link:
- The Old Barracks at Puckpool Park
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. You can now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.
Labels:
Boules,
Cat Patterson,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Emily Gottfried,
Isle of Wight,
Mini Golf,
Mini Golf Garden,
Petanque,
Puckpool Park,
Richard Gottfried,
Ryde
Location:
Ryde PO33, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Blackpool's Smallest Pub - The Mitre
We recently visited another pub with a small claim to fame - that of being Blackpool's Smallest Public House.
You can find the cosy boozer just off the seafront on West Street.
Related blog posts:
- Pubs
- Blackpool
- The Corner Bar in Stockport Market
- A visit to the Smallest Pub on the Planet
- The Lakeside Inn at Southport, Britain's Smallest Pub
A nice spot for a quick drink away from the crush of the illuminations crowd |
A BIG claim - but not the smallest pub we've been to recently |
It became The Mitre pub in 1902 |
And was formerly known as 'Ye Old Glue Pot'! |
You can find the cosy boozer just off the seafront on West Street.
The had a dartboard at the pub, but even if it hadn't had a Halloween decoration on it we'd have been squeezed for space to chuck some arrers |
Related blog posts:
- Pubs
- Blackpool
- The Corner Bar in Stockport Market
- A visit to the Smallest Pub on the Planet
- The Lakeside Inn at Southport, Britain's Smallest Pub
Location:
Blackpool, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Butlin's postcards in November's Picture Postcard Monthly magazine
Check out the November issue of Picture Postcard Monthly magazine to read my article celebrating the 80th birthday of Butlin's.
I love the British seaside with all its quirks, eccentricity and traditional entertainment. My family often went on holiday to Butlin's holiday camps in Minehead, Bognor Regis and Ayr - and I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, which was formerly a Butlin's camp.
As an avid collector of miniature golf postcards I've picked up a fair few Butlin's cards along the way - the courses at the camps featured some very big golf balls and tees and make for quite a striking image.
As you can see, cards featuring monorails are a popular theme. In fact it was Butlin’s that introduced the UK’s first commercial monorail system, opening the loop at the Skegness holiday camp in 1965. The second monorail opened at Minehead in 1967 and that's the one I have great memories of.
Check out the Hi-di-Hi! feature in Picture Postcard Monthly magazine, available via the PPM website.
Links:
- Picture Postcard Monthly magazine
- Butlin's
Related blog posts:
- Postcards
- Butlin's
- Happy Birthday Butlin's
I love the British seaside with all its quirks, eccentricity and traditional entertainment. My family often went on holiday to Butlin's holiday camps in Minehead, Bognor Regis and Ayr - and I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, which was formerly a Butlin's camp.
The Chalets, Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness - Valentine's G.7241. A postally unused and undated card from my collection |
As an avid collector of miniature golf postcards I've picked up a fair few Butlin's cards along the way - the courses at the camps featured some very big golf balls and tees and make for quite a striking image.
Holiday camps, miniature golf and monorails - three of my favourite subjects |
As you can see, cards featuring monorails are a popular theme. In fact it was Butlin’s that introduced the UK’s first commercial monorail system, opening the loop at the Skegness holiday camp in 1965. The second monorail opened at Minehead in 1967 and that's the one I have great memories of.
Check out the Hi-di-Hi! feature in Picture Postcard Monthly magazine, available via the PPM website.
Links:
- Picture Postcard Monthly magazine
- Butlin's
Related blog posts:
- Postcards
- Butlin's
- Happy Birthday Butlin's
Labels:
Butlin's,
Butlins,
monorail,
Picture Postcard Monthly,
Postcard,
Postcards,
Richard Gottfried,
Writing
Location:
United Kingdom
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
End of the Petanque season in Stockport. Or is it...
Playing Pétanque at Alexandra Park in Edgeley, Stockport.
Today's session of Pétanque in the Park with the Woodstock Pétanque Club was scheduled to be the last of the season. But with the nice weather and good turnout of players the club are looking at rolling on into the winter months, weather permitting.
In today's session I walked away with a 100% win record. Albeit having only played one match as I was otherwise engaged prior to the normal 1pm start time.
The format of play at the Woodstock Pétanque Club is great fun. It's easy to get involved and pick up the sport and well worth a go if you've never played before.
In our game - the last of three in the afternoon - I was drawn in a triples team with Jackie and Barbara to take on the pair of Paul and Andrew. In this type of situation each of the players in the team of three use two boules each, while the duo get to use three boules each.
With some very close ends played and some fine shooting and pointing from all the players we emerged as winners with a 13-8 scoreline.
The Woodstock Pétanque Club meets-up on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. New players are very welcome. It costs just £10 for the annual membership, with a £1 fee per week when you play - with prizes up for grabs for results over the three games played. The 'normal' season runs from March to October. Check out the Woodstock Pétanque Club's website for more details.
Related blog posts:
- Pétanque
- Petanque
- Boules
- Petanque in Stockport
Links:
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Twitter
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Facebook
- Woodstock Pétanque Club website
- English Pétanque Association
- Geologic
Today's session of Pétanque in the Park with the Woodstock Pétanque Club was scheduled to be the last of the season. But with the nice weather and good turnout of players the club are looking at rolling on into the winter months, weather permitting.
Lovely weather and excellent company. What sport is all about |
In today's session I walked away with a 100% win record. Albeit having only played one match as I was otherwise engaged prior to the normal 1pm start time.
My bright new coche. With my shinyish newish boules |
The format of play at the Woodstock Pétanque Club is great fun. It's easy to get involved and pick up the sport and well worth a go if you've never played before.
In our game - the last of three in the afternoon - I was drawn in a triples team with Jackie and Barbara to take on the pair of Paul and Andrew. In this type of situation each of the players in the team of three use two boules each, while the duo get to use three boules each.
What a match-up the blind drew created |
With some very close ends played and some fine shooting and pointing from all the players we emerged as winners with a 13-8 scoreline.
Related blog posts:
- Pétanque
- Petanque
- Boules
- Petanque in Stockport
Links:
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Twitter
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Facebook
- Woodstock Pétanque Club website
- English Pétanque Association
- Geologic
Labels:
Alexandra Park,
Boules,
Cheshire,
Edgeley,
French Boules,
Games,
Park,
Petanque,
Richard Gottfried,
Sports,
Sports and Games,
Stockport
Location:
Edgeley, Stockport SK3, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
The Corner Bar in Stockport Market
A visit to The Corner Bar in Stockport Market.
There's a lot of debate as to which is the smallest pub in Britain/the UK/the planet. On our travels we've been to The Signal Box Inn at the end of the Cleethorpes Light Railway in Lincolnshire (the smallest pub on the planet) and more recently to the Lakeside Inn at Southport (the smallest pub in Britain).
Well, to add to the mix there's a very very very tiny pub in Stockport's Market Hall - The Corner Bar.
Link:
- Stockport Market website
- Stockport Market on Twitter
Related blog posts:
- A visit to the Smallest Pub on the Planet
- The Lakeside Inn at Southport, Britain's Smallest Pub
- Stockport
- Pubs
There's a lot of debate as to which is the smallest pub in Britain/the UK/the planet. On our travels we've been to The Signal Box Inn at the end of the Cleethorpes Light Railway in Lincolnshire (the smallest pub on the planet) and more recently to the Lakeside Inn at Southport (the smallest pub in Britain).
Well, to add to the mix there's a very very very tiny pub in Stockport's Market Hall - The Corner Bar.
Emily and a visiting Simon Hall at a very small bar indeed. It was well stocked with draught and bottled beer and cider |
We certainly deserved a drink after our tour of one of the more horrifying stops on the Stockport Town Centre Heritage Trail. Luckily there is plenty of outdoor seating at Stockport Market |
Link:
- Stockport Market website
- Stockport Market on Twitter
Related blog posts:
- A visit to the Smallest Pub on the Planet
- The Lakeside Inn at Southport, Britain's Smallest Pub
- Stockport
- Pubs
Labels:
Beer,
Cheshire,
Cider,
Emily Gottfried,
Market,
Pub,
Pubs,
Richard Gottfried,
Simon Hall,
Smallest Pub in Britain,
Smallest Pub on the Planet,
Stockport,
Stockport Market,
The Corner Bar
Location:
Stockport, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
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