Wednesday, January 29, 2020

When eating gluten-free isn’t a choice - This Is MedTech

When eating gluten-free isn’t a choice


Champion miniature golfer Richard Gottfried spent years feeling ill before he discovered that he had coeliac disease and gradually regained his health.


Believing he had a common digestive disorder called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Richard took IBS medication to ease his symptoms, which included bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe lethargy. However, he was unaware of the real cause: gluten-containing foods. When he continued to feel ill, he thought he just had to put up with it. “When I look back, I can’t believe I lived so long eating what I did,” remembers Richard, who would often avoid food altogether because he didn’t want to be sick.

“I was so thin but bloated, so I looked like I’d been eating all day long. Often I would only have a bowl of corn flakes for breakfast, be violently ill, and then not eat anything else for the rest of the day,” he tells This Is MedTech. After several years Richard’s condition became progressively worse until he felt so ill that he went back to the doctor.

“I had a thorough check, including a blood test, an endoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy,” he says. This led to a diagnosis of coeliac disease as well as a wheat allergy. “I was referred to a gastroenterologist and a dietician, and that’s when I finally began to understand the impact and implications of my diagnosis.”

I need to be gluten free, not a glutton (or any number of other misspellings of gluten)

According to Coeliac UK, coeliac (pronounced see-liac) disease affects at least 1 in 100 people in the UK and Europe, but only 30% of people with the condition are currently clinically diagnosed. It’s a genetic autoimmune disease that’s triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It’s not a food allergy or intolerance, or IBS. For people with coeliac disease, eating gluten damages the lining of the gut, which prevents normal digestion and absorption of food. Serious health problems can be associated with coeliac disease including osteoporosis, cancer of the small bowel and increased risk of other autoimmune diseases.

There is no cure for the condition and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. “It can be a real drain both mentally and physically, but you have to stay as positive as possible,” comments Richard, who hasn’t wavered from his gluten-free regime in the decade since his diagnosis. “Once you’re on a gluten-free diet, it can take years for your body to recover. I’ve only just started putting on weight again in the past couple of years. Still, there’s always a risk that you’ll be ‘glutened’ which can set you back days or weeks.”

Richard says Coeliac UK and his local coeliac group were extremely helpful, especially in the beginning. “Back then, there weren’t really gluten-free options in supermarkets. The coeliac groups gave me tips on gluten-free food, cooking, storage, places to shop, etc. They also held dinners and other events, and I made some good friends. We still go out together.”

There are only a handful of 100% gluten-free restaurants in the UK, so one of Richard’s aims is to increase that number by talking about it on his blog. “We recently went out to a 100% gluten-free pub in Cambridgeshire, and it was so nice to be able to go out and feel normal.”

Having a superb 100% gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Having a superb 100% gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds

He also believes it’s important to raise awareness about coeliac disease by talking openly about it, as people can be embarrassed to discuss their symptoms. “You’ll never get well if you don’t go to the doctor,” he points out. “Diagnosis is the first step. Once you know what’s wrong, you can start tackling it.”

Interview by Karen Finn for This Is MedTech, January 2019.

Link:
- This Is MedTech

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac Disease
- Gluten Free

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Putt Club opening in Hull

A new indoor Crazy Golf course is opening in Hull this week.


Putt Club, a new 9-hole motorsport-themed indoor Crazy Golf course is opening in Hull this Friday, 31st January.


Putt Club, a new 9-hole motorsport-themed indoor Crazy Golf course is opening in Hull on Friday 31st January

Visit the Putt Club website for more information.

Monday, January 27, 2020

Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

A look at Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Centre in Castleford.


Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

Last weekend we visited the leisure, entertainment and shopping area at Junction 32 of the M62 in Castleford, West Yorkshire.


Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

You can find two 18-hole outdoor adventure golf courses at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Centre.


Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

When we last visited Castleford in 2015 the courses were known as Pirate Island Adventure Golf.

Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

The courses were the 592nd and 593rd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 945 courses in total.

Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf in Castleford

You can find Mr Mulligans courses in Basildon, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Castleford, Cheltenham, Milton Keynes - outdoors and indoors, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Sidcup, Stevenage, Tonbridge and Woking.

Visit the Mr Mulligan website for more information.

There are six courses in Castleford. They were among the 20 minigolf layouts we visited in the first 20 days of 2020.

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Volcano Falls indoor Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire

A look at Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at the Xscape Centre in Castleford.


Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at the Xscape Centre in Castleford, West Yorkshire is home to two 18-hole indoor adventure golf courses - Volcano Valley and the T Rex Trail.


Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire

The Volcano Falls Adventure Golf courses were the 594th and 595th visited on our travels back in 2015.


Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire

We revisited Castleford on our way back from a weekend away in Doncaster last week.

Visit the Volcano Falls Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire

The entertainment and retail area at Junction 32 of the M62 in Castleford is a real minigolf hotbed.

There are six miniature golf courses with a total of 87-holes to play. They were among the 20 courses we visited in the first 20 days of 2020.

There's a Volcano Falls Adventure Golf centre at Fountain Park in Edinburgh that we've got to visit too.

Saturday, January 25, 2020

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

A look at the glow-in-the-dark Cosmic Golf courses at the Xscape Centre in Castleford.


Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford, West Yorkshire is home to two indoor Cosmic Golf glow-in-the-dark courses.


4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

One is the Search for Atlantis. A 6-hole layout with an underwater theme.


4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

The second course is the Curse of the Mummy in 3D (or 4D depending on which sign you read).


4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

This is a 9-hole courses and one where you need to wear 3D glasses to enjoy the full effects as you putt around the layout.

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford


Check out the Xplore website for more information, opening times and prices.

4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore at the Xscape Centre in Castleford

The two courses at Xplore were among the 20 courses we visited in the first 20 days of 2020.

The entertainment, leisure and retail area at Junction 32 of the M62 in Castleford is a real minigolf hotbed.

There are six miniature golf courses with a total of 87-holes to play.

A Dolly Parton Challenge minigolf meme

Here's a minigolf meme jumping on the Dolly Parton Challenge bandwagon.

A Dolly Parton Challenge minigolf meme

Friday, January 24, 2020

Minigolf in Castleford

A return visit to Castleford.




On our way home from a weekend away in Doncaster we made a stop at the entertainment, leisure and retail area at Junction 32 of the M62 as it's a real minigolf hotbed.


There are six miniature golf courses with a total of 87-holes to play in a very small area!


Xplore at the Xscape Centre is home to two indoor Cosmic Golf glow-in-the-dark courses. One is a 6-hole layout called the Search for Atlantis. The other is the Curse of the Mummy in 3D (or 4D depending on which sign you read). The 3D course is a 9-hole layout and one where you need to wear 3D glasses to enjoy the full effects.

Search for Atlantis Cosmic Golf at Xplore in Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford
Search for Atlantis Cosmic Golf at Xplore in Xscape Yorkshire

These two Xplore courses were the 199th and 200th visited on our travels back in 2010. We've now been to 945 courses!

Curse of the Mummy 4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore in Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford
Curse of the Mummy 4D Cosmic Golf at Xplore in Xscape Yorkshire

Towards the back of Xscape is the two course, 36-hole indoor Volcano Falls Adventure Golf centre.

Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford
Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford

Players can play on the Volcano Valley and T Rex Trails.

Heading out of Xscape and over the road to the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Centre you will find two outdoor 18-hole courses at Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf.

Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Centre in Castleford
Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Centre in Castleford

When we last visited Castleford these courses were known as Pirate Island Adventure Golf.

The six courses in Castleford were some of the 20 minigolf layouts we went to in the first 20 days of 2020.

Once you arrive at Junction 32 in Castleford you don't require any further transport to get to any of the courses there. It has the most minigolf courses of any inland place in the UK.

Of the places we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Skegness is the town with the most minigolf courses in the UK. Skeggy has 120-holes spread across ten seafront courses.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Pop Up Mini Golf at the Castle Quarter in Norwich

There will be a FREE to play Mini Golf course at the Castle Quarter in Norwich this weekend.


The free to play pop-up Crazy Golf course will be set-up at the Castle Quarter shopping and entertainment centre in Norwich on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January.


Pop Up Mini Golf at the Castle Quarter in Norwich
My brother - and Norfolk resident - Christopher spotted the advert for the pop up Mini Golf course in the lift at the Castle Quarter shopping centre

For more information check out the Castle Quarter website.

Aces at Paradise Island Adventure Golf Manchester

A look at some holes-in-one at Paradise Island Adventure Golf Manchester in the Trafford Centre.


About to ace hole 2 of the Tiki Hut Trail at Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Manchester
About to ace hole 2 of the Tiki Hut Trail

We returned to Paradise Island Adventure Golf Manchester for the third time this year and hit some more holes-in-one on the Tiki Hut Trail and Temple Ruins Adventure courses.
















We've now made 22 minigolf course visits and revisits in the first 22 days of 2020.


Paradise Island Adventure Golf Manchester was the last minigolf venue we visited in 2019. We've been there three times this year already.

Last year we visited a total of 82 miniature golf courses and revisited and replayed a lot of layouts.

We've now been to 945 courses since September 2006.

Visit the Paradise Island Adventure Golf website for opening times and prices.

Fore Play Crazy Golf heading to Edinburgh

A new Fore Play Crazy Golf course is opening in Edinburgh.


The team at Fore Play Crazy Golf in Scotland will be opening their second venue with an adults-only pop-up minigolf site in Edinburgh this Spring.


A new Fore Play Crazy Golf course is opening in Edinburgh

The original Fore Play Crazy Golf course opened in Glasgow in 2018.


The new Edinburgh course will be a pop-up and opens this Spring.

In addition to the Edinburgh-themed Crazy Golf element the venue will feature a bar and street food.

Visit the Fore Play Crazy Golf website for more information.

Related blog posts:
- Fore Play Crazy Golf
- Edinburgh

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

New Ghetto Golf course opening in Leeds

The new Ghetto Golf location in the Burley area of Leeds, West Yorkshire has been given the green light and it's hoped that the venue will be open in October this year.

There's a new Ghetto Golf course opening in Leeds this year

The adults-only Leeds venue will join the existing Ghetto Golf courses in Liverpool, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne.

A bowling-themed hole at the original Ghetto Golf at Cains Brewery in Liverpool
A bowling-themed hole at the original Ghetto Golf at Cains Brewery in Liverpool

Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham
Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham

One of the holes at Ghetto Golf at Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne

One of the holes at Ghetto Golf at Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne
All of the Ghetto Golf courses feature UV glow-in-the-dark sections of the course

Related blog posts:
- Leeds
- Ghetto Golf

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Crazy Golf at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster.


Crazy Golf at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster
The last hole of the 11-hole Crazy Golf at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster

On Sunday we visited the Crazy Golf course at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster.


Crazy Golf at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster
The course was one of 20 we visited in the first 20 days of 2020

The course was the 945th we've been to since September 2006.














Check out Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm on Facebook for more information and opening times.

Crazy Golf at Hexthorpe Flatts Park in Hexthorpe, Doncaster

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Hexthorpe Flatts Park in Hexthorpe, Doncaster.


A Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit to the Crazy Golf course at Hexthorpe Flatts Park in Hexthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.


Crazy Golf at Hexthorpe Flatts Park in Hexthorpe, Doncaster
The 9-hole Crazy Golf course at Hexthorpe Flatts Park in Doncaster

The course was the 944th we've been to since September 2006.





Mr Mulligans Business League Competition

Information about the upcoming Mr Mulligans Business League Competition in Stevenage.


The Jungle Explorers course at Mr Mulligans Lost World Adventure Golf in Stevenage
The Jungle Explorers course at Mr Mulligans Lost World Adventure Golf in Stevenage

We're big fans of minigolf competitions so it was brilliant to find out that Mr Mulligans Lost World Adventure Golf in Stevenage, Hertfordshire is hosting its first Business League Competition next month.


Teams of between 4 and 6 players will tee-off on Tuesday 4th February with the champions winning a corporate party for 10 and a trophy.


You can find out more and register for the tournament on the Mr Mulligans Business League Competition Facebook Event Page.

Good luck to all of the players and teams taking part in the minigolf competition.

The two courses at Mr Mulligans Lost World Golf at Stevenage Leisure Park were the 685th and 686th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. They were the last courses we visited when we still lived in the south.

The Ocean Adventurers course at Mr Mulligans Lost World Adventure Golf in Stevenage
The Ocean Adventurers course at Mr Mulligans Lost World Adventure Golf in Stevenage

There are now Mr Mulligans courses in Basildon, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Castleford, Cheltenham, Milton Keynes - outdoors and indoors, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Sidcup, Stevenage, Tonbridge and Woking.