Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Gator Adventure Golf at the Escape Entertainment centre in Chorley

A visit to the Gator Adventure Golf course at Escape Entertainment in Chorley.


The last new course we played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was Gator Adventure Golf at the Escape Entertainment centre in Chorley, Lancashire last August!

Gator Adventure Golf at the Escape Entertainment centre in Chorley

The 18-hole indoor layout was the 955th course we've been to since September 2006.

Gator Adventure Golf at Escape Entertainment  in Chorley

Gator Adventure Golf at Escape Entertainment  in Chorley

Gator Adventure Golf at Escape Entertainment  in Chorley

Gator Adventure Golf at Escape Entertainment  in Chorley

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

Toys R Us store in Enfield, London

A look at the old Toys R Us store in Enfield, London.


A big thank you to my cousin Elaine for sending me some photos of the former Toys R Us store in Enfield.

Toys R Us in Enfield. Photo by Elaine Jones, May 2021

Toys R Us in Enfield. Photo by Elaine Jones, May 2021

Toys R Us closed in the UK in April 2018. Luckily you can still find signs of the brand on some retail parks in the UK. I worked in the Gipsy Lane store in Luton, Bedfordshire back in the year 2000.

New Lane7 venue opening in Glasgow

A new Lane7 venue is planned to open at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow.


The new location at the St Enoch Shopping Centre will include mini golf, ping pong, ten-pin bowling and more.

A new Lane7 venue with mini golf is planned to open at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow

Visit the Lane7 website for more information.



Minigolf at Lane7 in Newcastle upon Tyne

The old Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton

A look at the old Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.


The old Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton

The old sign at the former Blockbuster Video store on Regent Street in Nuneaton was uncovered when the last tenant of the building moved out.





Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Mini Golf at Sunderland Bowl

A new miniature golf course is opening at Sunderland Bowl.


A new mini golf course is opening at Sunderland Bowl

The Sunderland Bowl tenpin bowling centre is opening a new indoor minigolf course.

As well as tenpin bowling and minigolf there will also be darts and shuffleboard at the venue.

Visit the Sunderland Bowl website for more information.


The layout will be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Tenpin bowling and miniature golf

With the boom in the popularity of minigolf and the growth in new courses, a number of tenpin bowling centres have added minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses.

Traditionally the two leisure activities have been quite separate and distinct, with people choosing to do either one or other and most operators running either a minigolf course or tenpin bowling centre.

We're fans of both games and we've been to quite a few places on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour that have both entertainment options.

New Globalls crazy golf venue opening in Brighton

Globalls at Brighton Marina is planning a move with a new and larger venue opening nearby later this year.


The existing Globalls indoor minigolf location will remain open until the new unit is ready.

Globalls crazy golf at Brighton Marina is planning a move with a new and larger venue opening nearby later this year

The new Globalls UV glow-in-the-dark location will be home to two indoor crazy golf courses as well as other games and a UV cocktail bar.

Visit the Globalls website for more information.


It's been quite a few years since we've been to Brighton so we haven't managed to play at Globalls yet.

Monday, May 10, 2021

The Minigolf Nations Cup 2008

We made our Great Britain team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland thirteen years ago today!


The 2008 Minigolf Nations Cup

Our Great Britain Minigolf team, sponsored by UrbanCrazy, finished the tournament in 13th place. In the individual rankings I finished in 51st place and Emily was 53rd.

In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland
In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried
The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried

Richard Gottfried - International Minigolfer

Emily Gottfried - International Minigolfer

We've also played for the Great Britain national team in World Minigolf Sport Federation and European Minigolf Sport Federation tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

The Beton Concrete Mini Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere was the 50th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Eternit Miniature Golf course was the 51st and the Swedish Felt Minigolf course there was the 52nd played. We've now been to 958 courses since 2006.

Hollywood Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

Spotting an advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf course in Great Yarmouth.


My brother and charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Christopher Gottfried recently spotted this advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf in Great Yarmouth. Photo by Christopher Gottfried May 2021

We've both played the indoor minigolf course, but haven't yet had a game against each other there.

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began in 2006 the course at the Windmill Theatre was one of only two indoor miniature golf courses in the UK. There are now more than 100 indoor courses!

Visit the Hollywood Adventure Golf course website for more information.

Saturday, May 08, 2021

Happy National Miniature Golf Day!

Today is National Miniature Golf Day.


Minigolf courses we've played on Miniature Golf Days

National Miniature Golf Day is always marked on the second Saturday in May.

Miniature Golf Day

Each year there are two 'minigolf days', the second of which is Miniature Golf Day. It is always on the 21st September. This year that will be a Tuesday.

Friday, May 07, 2021

National Miniature Golf Day Eve

Tomorrow is the BIG day!


There are two annual minigolf 'days' dedicated to celebrating the game each year. First up is National Miniature Golf Day. It is always marked on the second Saturday in May. This year the date is Saturday 8th May.

A selection of courses played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

The world's first miniature golf course

The first miniature golf course in the world opened in St Andrews, Scotland in 1867. The Himalayas Putting Course is still open and is a marvellous place to have a round.   

Thursday, May 06, 2021

New miniature golf course in Chorley

There are plans for a new 12-hole miniature golf course to open at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire.


There are plans for a new 12-hole miniature golf course to open at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire

Visit the Glendale Golf website for more information on the Duxbury Park golf centre.


Chorley is fairly close to us so it'll be interesting to swing by for a game on the new layout when it opens.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean's Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth

A look at the Jungle Adventure Golf course at the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth.


Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Our friends Sophia and Karl Moles recently had a short break at the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth and sent us these photos of the Adventure Golf course at the park.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021
I do like seeing crashed plane theming on a course

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021
A crocodile - or alligator - lurking near the course

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Visit the Parkdean website for more information.


Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021
What's that croc had for dinner?

The Moles family have found and played a fair few minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses on their travels. Including one on a cruise ship!

It's always brilliant seeing new courses and those we haven't been to on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

New adventure golf course opening in Maidstone

A new adventure golf course is opening in Maidstone, Kent.


There are plans for a new indoor adventure golf course to be created at the Prison Island escape room venue in Maidstone, Kent

There are plans for a new indoor adventure golf course to be created at the Prison Island escape room venue in Maidstone, Kent.

Visit the Prison Island website for more information.


It's another new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. It'll be interesting to see if the theme continues along the prison line. That'll be a relatively new theme for us to play.

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf on Shanklin Seafront

A look at the Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course on Shanklin Seafront on the Isle of Wight.


Shanklin Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Our fellow minigolfing explorer Matt Dodd sent me these snaps from the new Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf on Shanklin Seafront following his visit last summer.

Shanklin Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Shanklin Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Check out the Shanklin Seafront website for more information.


Matt and his family have visited hundreds of courses on their crazy golf adventures and it's always brilliant to meet up with them for a game. Matt has managed to track down and play quite a lot of courses that we're yet to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

We have played minigolf on the spot that the Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course now sits - in fact we played it in its two previous forms.

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton

Checking out the former Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.


Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021

Earlier this year the old sign at the former Blockbuster Video store on Regent Street in Nuneaton was uncovered when the most recent tenant of the building moved out.

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021

The unit had been home to a 365 Bargains store which has now moved-next-door-but-one on the same retail park.

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021
The sign at the rear of the store has also been removed and the ghost outline of the Blockbuster Big Ticket logo sign can be seen

It's always marvellous to find remnants of lost brands that evoke memories of a bygone time.

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021
What film or game would you rent out if you could?

We were also lucky enough to spot an old Woolworths ghost sign while we were having a walk round Nuneaton town centre!

Blockbuster Video

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of the year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The remaining stores closed on the 16th December that year.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster stores around the world. There is now just one remaining store open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

Luckily for us there are still relics of its time as a retail powerhouse on the high streets and retail parks of the UK.

Blockbuster Video Express


Blockbuster visits

Miniature Golf at Dunton Hills in Essex

A look at the Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Golf Centre in West Horndon, Essex.


Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

A big thank you to my friend and crazy golf rival Stephen Skinner for these photos of the Miniature Golf course Dunton Hills golf centre in West Horndon, Essex.

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Check out the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre website for more information, opening times and prices.

Playing minigolf at Dunton Hills


The layout at Dunton Hills is an incredibly tricky, long and wide minigolf course, but great fun and a good test to play.

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash

A look at the new Woodland Adventure Golf course at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, Plymouth.


Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

My mate and minigolf rival Simon Brown hit up a new minigolf course over the weekend as he teed-off on the Woodland Adventure Golf course at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, Plymouth.

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

The 18-hole adventure golf layout opened last year.

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Check out the China Fleet Country Club website for more information, opening times and prices.


It'll be a new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we return to Plymouth in the future.

Jabba the Putt

Happy Star Wars Day.


Jabba the Putt at Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston in May 2018
Jabba the Putt at Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston in May 2018

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park in Taunton

A look at the Mini Golf course at Vivary Park in Taunton, Somerset.


Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

My friend and crazy golf rival Simon Brown swung by the Crazy Golf course at Vivary Park in Taunton and sent over these snaps of the ace course.

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

We played the layout on our road-trip around the South West in 2015 and it was a pleasure to have a game there. It's such a well designed course and a real test of putting skill.

Visit the Vivary Park Crazy Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Today is Star Wars Day

May the 4th Be With You.


A selection of Star Wars characters and props I've seen on my travels - clockwise from top left at the Merseyway Comic Con in Stockport, at Collectorabilia in Leeds, at Stockport Comic Con, at Milton Keynes Outdoor Market, at Dunstable's Party in the Park, in an action figure box at John Lewis in the Trafford Centre, on a speeder bike at the Merseyway Comic Con, in a games shop in Norwich, on the planet moon of Endor at Warrington's Geeky Christmas Market
A selection of Star Wars characters and props I've seen on my travels - clockwise from top left at the Merseyway Comic Con in Stockport, at Collectorabilia in Leeds, at Stockport Comic Con, at Milton Keynes Outdoor Market, at Dunstable's Party in the Park, in an action figure box at John Lewis in the Trafford Centre, on a speeder bike at the Merseyway Comic Con, in a games shop in Norwich, on the planet moon of Endor at Warrington's Geeky Christmas Market