Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Swingers Crazy Golf at Cocktails in the City

Play the Swingers Crazy Golf 'Battle Green' at London's Cocktails in the City.


Cocktails in the City is taking place at Bedford Square Gardens in London on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th June. Swingers Crazy Golf will be in attendance with their Battle Green pop-up crazy golf game.

We've played at Swingers on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, but haven't played the Battle Green game yet. It looks fun. I'm sure we'd be VERY competitive playing against each other on it.

Swingers West End Crazy Golf in London

Find out more on the Cocktails in the City website.


Visit the Swingers Crazy Golf website for details of their two London courses and new US venue opening in Washington D.C.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

New Mini Golf at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales

A new Mini Golf course has opened at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales.


Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Many thanks to my friend, minigolf rival and fellow crazy golf enthusiast Martyn Williams of the Welsh Minigolf Club for letting me know about a brand new Mini Golf course that recently opened at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar.

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

It looks like an ace layout and Martyn tells me it plays very nicely indeed.

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

It's another course for us to visit when our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour returns to Wales.

Check out the Parc Bryn Bach website for more information.


Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Mini Golf course at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Martyn also sent me this snap of a brilliant social distancing sign he spotted while visiting the park.

Social distancing sign at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, Wales. Photo by Martyn Williams, June 2021

Thirteen years gluten free

Today marks my thirteen year Coeliac Anniversary - my Coeliacversary.


Coeliac disease and gluten free

I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease thirteen years ago today. And so began my journey into the gluten free world.

What is Coeliac Disease?


Coeliac Disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

Living a gluten free life


Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form
My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form

While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great free from food and drink I've found since 2008.

Thank you to everyone for their support, tips, help and recommendations over the years. It's been very much appreciated.

For more information on Coeliac Disease visit the NHS Choices and Coeliac UK websites.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Corn on the Club Crazy Golf at York Maze

There's a crazy golf course at York Maze.


There's a crazy golf course at York Maze

I've found out that there's a crazy golf course at York Maze.

I've also discovered that York Maze is Europe's biggest maze!

We've played minigolf in York on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour before and look forward to doing so again. Corn on the Club Crazy Golf sounds like brilliant fun.

Checking out the course on the York Maze website the layout looks to be of the Swedish Felt variety (and is the perfect colour for a corn-themed course). There are some fun looking corn characters on it too.

Each year York Maze creates a different maze layout. This year's theme is to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Mr Men and Little Miss characters.

Visit the York Maze website for more information.

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Minigolf courses on the Fylde Coast

There are a number of minigolf courses on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, with layouts to be found in Fleetwood, Blackpool, St Annes on the Sea, Lytham and Lytham St Annes.


Check out my posts below for more info on each course.


Crazy Golf at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood


Pitch & Putt Miniature Golf at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood


Crazy Golf on Princess Parade in Blackpool


Dino Adventure Golf course at the Blackpool Tower


Graffiti Golf on the Central Promenade in Blackpool


Adventure Golf at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool


Krazy Golf at Stanley Park in Blackpool


Putting course at Stanley Park in Blackpool


Crazy Golf on St Annes Pier in St Annes on the Sea


Pennines Putting at the MiniLinks in St Annes on the Sea


Crazy Golf at the MiniLinks in St Annes on the Sea


Par-3 Golf at the MiniLinks in St Annes on the Sea


Adventure Golf at Fairhaven Lake in Lytham St Annes


Crazy Golf at Lowther Gardens in Lytham


Putting course at Lowther Gardens in Lytham


Check out our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour post to see all of the courses we've been to since September 2006.


If you know of any other courses we haven't yet visited please do let us know.

Ghetto Golf opening in Glasgow next month

The latest Ghetto Golf venue is opening in Glasgow in July.


A new Ghetto Golf venue is opening in Glasgow next month

The 18-hole indoor crazy golf course will be opening on Lancefield Street in Glasgow city centre.

Ghetto Golf at Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle

Ghetto Golf Glasgow is the latest location for the minigolf brand, following sites in Toxteth, Liverpool; Digbeth, Birmingham and Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Ghetto Golf at Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle

Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham

Check out the Ghetto Golf website for more information.


Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham

Today is Ghostbusters Day

Happy Ghostbusters Day.


Ecto-1a and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man at the Eden Square shopping centre in Urmston, Greater Manchester at Halloween in 2019
Ecto-1a and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man at the Eden Square shopping centre in Urmston, Greater Manchester at Halloween in 2019

Ghostbusters was released in the USA on this day in 1984.

Slimer at Ghetto Golf at Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle
Slimer at Ghetto Golf at Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle

Slimer and a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on a tenpin bowling themed hole at Ghetto Golf in Liverpool
Slimer and a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on a tenpin bowling themed hole at Ghetto Golf in Liverpool

Monday, June 07, 2021

Covid-19 signage at Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew

I've been writing about minigolf during the time of coronavirus and blogging examples of Covid-19 and social distancing signage and measures that I've seen or had shared with me during the pandemic.


Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew
It was lovely to be back at the seaside

During the pandemic we've visited ten new minigolf courses to us (as well as a few revisits). Our first new course visit of 2021 was in April when we swung by Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Teesside.

Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew
Covid-19 guidelines

Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew
Course rules

Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew
Social distancing markings at the entrance

Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew
Hole 1

It'll be nice to have a round on the 10-hole seafront course in the future.

Lofty's Crazy Golf course in Seaton Carew

In addition to the minigolf signs I've been documenting all of the Covid-19 signs I've seen on my Instagram account.

Australian-themed minigolf course planned for Macclesfield

There are plans for a new Australian-themed Adventure Golf course to be created at Adlington Golf Centre in Macclesfield.


There are plans for a new Australian-themed Adventure Golf course to be created at Adlington Golf Centre in Macclesfield

It would be a new and fairly local course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Putt Club Crazy Golf at London Docklands

There's a new Putt Club indoor minigolf course opening in London this month.


There's a new Putt Club indoor crazy golf course opening in London this month

The team at Putt Club are rolling out their third venue following Hull and Watford with a new location opening in London's Docklands on the 11th June.

Visit the Putt Club website for more information on the 9-hole motorsport-themed indoor crazy golf course.

New mini golf course on Canvey Island

There's a new mini golf course at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island in Essex.


There's a new mini golf course at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island in Essex

Fantasy Island on Canvey Island is now home to a new 18-hole mini golf course.

Visit the Fantasy Island Facebook Page for more information.


Fantasy Island (previously Cheeky Monkey's) was home to an Arnold Palmer Putting Course. That layout was the 87th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When we played it the classic course had been cut from 18-holes to 9.

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island
The former Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course at Fantasy Island

We're looking forward to a return to Canvey Island in the future and a game on the new mini golf course at Fantasy Island.

Check out some of my previous posts about Canvey Island:

This week is MuseumWeek

Happy MuseumWeek 2021.


MuseumWeek

MuseumWeek was created in 2014 and is the worldwide festival for cultural institutions on social media. It has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries.

Each day of MuseumWeek has a themed hashtag, kicking off with #OnceUponAtimeMW

MuseumWeek 2021's themed days are:
  • Monday, June 7: #OnceUponAtimeMW
  • Tuesday, June 8: #BehindTheScenesMW
  • Wednesday, June 9: #ChildrensEyesMW
  • Thursday, June 10: #EurekaMW
  • Friday, June 11: #CaptionThisMW
  • Saturday, June 12: #ArtIsEverywhereMW
  • Sunday, June 13: #WordsForTheFutureMW

Check out the MuseumWeek website for more information.


As the Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum I'm always keen to spread the word about the game of minigolf.

Once upon a time the pastime and sport didn't exist. That changed in 1867 when the world's first miniature golf course was created at St Andrews in Scotland.

The Himalayas miniature golf course at St Andrews
Emily playing the world's first miniature golf course

The Himalayas Putting course at St Andrews was created in 1867 specifically for female players to use. Emily and I visited and played the layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2012. It's a wonderful course in a marvellous setting, and a must-play course for fans of minigolf.

Some of the other key dates in world minigolf are:
  • 1916 - The first minigolf course in the USA. James Barber opened the 'Thistle Dhu' layout in Pinehurst, NC.
  • 1926 - The very first Crazy Golf course in the UK opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.
  • 1926 - The first artificial miniature golf course in the USA. Garnet Carter created the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.
  • National Miniature Golf Day always falls on the second Saturday in May.
  • Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st of September.

The Crazy Golf Museum


The Crazy Golf Museum

The Crazy Golf Museum is celebrating it's eleventh year in 2021. The worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera opened its online doors to the world on the 15th July 2010.

Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website, Facebook Page & Group, Twitter and Instagram to see more.

National VCR Day

Today is National VCR Day.


Do you still own or use a Video Cassette Recorder? I do.

There are still some great and rare films and programmes that can only be seen on video tapes these days, so I'm glad we've still got our TV/Video combination set.

Over the last year or so we've been documenting the remains of Blockbuster Video stores in the UK - visiting 19 of the former video shop locations so far.

The QuikDrop box on the old Blockbuster Video store in Southampton
The QuikDrop box on the old Blockbuster Video store in Southampton


We were also lucky to find a video shop still operating and renting out tapes last year! It's in Little Lever, Bolton.

Bolton Video Centre in Little Lever

Friday, June 04, 2021

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

A look at the Fairhaven Adventure Golf course in Lytham St Annes.


Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

We swung by the Fairhaven Lake Adventure Golf course in Lytham St Annes while staying in nearby Bispham.

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes



The 18-hole course opened in September last year and we also took a look at it as it neared completion.

We had a nice evening stroll around Fairhaven Lake. It's a very pleasant spot on the Fylde coast.

Social distancing sign at the Fairhaven Adventure Golf in Lytham St Annes

Visit the Fairhaven Lake website for more information about the course, opening times and prices.