Friday, October 08, 2021

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

A revisit to the Pavilion Adventure Golf course in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

We took a look at the Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea during our visit to the town on our East Anglian Road-Trip.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

We first played the course in May 2009 when it was a 10-hole layout. It was the 94th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 973 courses since September 2006.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
These holes haven't changed much since we first visited


Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
One of the original holes

On our visit in August the name of the course had changed from Augusta Adventure Golf to Pavilion Adventure Golf and it was a 14-hole course.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
This is part of the new additions

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

Visit the Clacton Pavilion website for more information.

2 million pageviews on the Ham & Egger Files

My blog has received 2 million pageviews as of today!


2 million pageviews on the Ham & Egger Files

Thank you to everyone for reading and contributing to the site since my first post back on the 21st December 2006.

4,813 posts published and counting...

Thatched Roof Putting at Kirkley Cliff in Lowestoft

A revisit to the Putting Green at Kirkley Cliff in Lowestoft, Suffolk.


We swung by the Putting Green at Kirkley Cliff in Lowestoft, Suffolk during our East Anglian Road-Trip in August.

Thatched Roof Putting at Kirkley Cliff in Lowestoft

We first visited the Kirkley Cliff Putting Green on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in February and June 2009. We played it when we returned in August 2011. It was the 264th course played on our travels.

Thatched Roof Putting at Kirkley Cliff in Lowestoft

The course is now known at the Thatched Roof Putting and the layout still looks to be in excellent condition.

Thatched Roof Putting at Kirkley Cliff in Lowestoft

As with many things in Lowestoft, the grass miniature golf course at Kirkley Cliff is the most easterly thing of its type in the British Isles.

Visit The Thatch Restaurant website for more information.

Blockbuster Video Express in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

A look at the ghost signs on the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We found some brilliant ghost signs and a QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea during our trip to the seaside town in August.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We had a good idea that the QuikDrop video return box would still be visible on the front of what is now a Tendring Community Clothing charity shop. Partly from our research in advance, and partly because the day before the charity's spokesperson had been interviewed on BBC Look East news outside of the shop and you could clearly see the QuikDrop box there!

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

What we hadn't expected was that the side and front of the shop would still have ghost signs on them! It's wonderful to see these pieces of retail history on display.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The inside of the charity shop itself has had very few changes made to it since it was a Blockbuster, with the colour scheme, walls and till desk all looking very Blockbustery!

Inside the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex



Blockbuster Video

Our interest in old Blockbuster Video stores was piqued when I found one close by in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019.

Since then we've found quite a few more signs of the brand on the high streets and retail parks of the UK.

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.

Blockbuster Video stores we've visited

Check out the posts about other former Blockbuster Video stores we've been to in:

Thursday, October 07, 2021

Halloween in the City returning to Manchester this month

Halloween in the City is returning to Manchester city centre.


Halloween in the City is taking place in Manchester on the 30th and 31st October with a number of large-scale monsters adorning buildings around the city centre as well as other themed activities.

Halloween in the City Manchester Monsters in 2019
Halloween in the City Manchester Monsters in 2019

Check out the Halloween in the City website for more information.




Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

A visit to the Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea.


Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

We swung by the Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea during our East Anglian Road-Trip.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

The course opened in May 2016 and replaced the Carpeted Miniature Golf course that had been on the same spot for many many years. We played that layout in May 2009 when it became the 93rd we visited on our travels and revisited in May 2011 and June 2015.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

The Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea became the 973rd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

We're looking forward to a return visit to Clacton and a game there in the future.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Check out the Greensward Cafe and Adventure Golf website for more information.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea
Rules and regulations at the course

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

Bagatelle at the Hyndburn Heritage Museum in Accrington

Spotting a Bagatelle display at the Hyndburn Heritage Museum in the Accrington Arndale.


Bagatelle display at the Hyndburn Heritage Museum in the Accrington Arndale

We spotted this Bagatelle table on display in the window of the Hyndburn Heritage Museum while walking through the Accrington Arndale.

Bagatelle display at the Hyndburn Heritage Museum in the Accrington Arndale

It's a pretty rare game and not really played much anymore. Most tables are to be found in Chester.

Bagatelle display at the Hyndburn Heritage Museum in the Accrington Arndale

Playing Bagatelle


One of our favourite pub games is Bar Billiards and the rules of that game can appear complicated to a newcomer. Bagatelle is no different in that respect. However, while the cue, table and green baize ball games may also appear to be similar in appearance, looks can be deceiving. 

Visit the Hyndburn Heritage & Community Group website for more information.

Monday, October 04, 2021

Crazy Golf at Vickersway Park in Northwich

A revisit to the Crazy Golf course at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Cheshire.


Crazy Golf at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Cheshire

We were in Northwich at the weekend and while there had to swing by the Crazy Golf course at Vickersway Park.

Crazy Golf at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Cheshire

The 9-hole layout was the 700th course overall we visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in September 2016. We returned in January last year - it was one of the last courses we visited before the pandemic hit!

Crazy Golf at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Cheshire
A Covid-19 sign at the Vickersway Park Crazy Golf course



Vickersway Park in Northwich is a very pleasant spot and lovely for a wander.




Vickersway Park is also home to nice grass Putting Course.

Putting Green at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Cheshire
The Putting Green at Vickersway Park

Social Distancing signs at SEA LIFE Blackpool

A look at the social distancing signs at the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool.


Social distancing signs at the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool

I spotted these nice social distancing signs outside the SEA LIFE centre on the promenade in Blackpool on my trip to the seaside town last month.

Social distancing sign at the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool

Social distancing sign at the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool

Social distancing sign at the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool

Social distancing sign at the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool

I've been documenting all of the Covid-19 signs I've seen during the pandemic on my Instagram account and here on the blog.

Sunday, October 03, 2021

A sign of panic buying

Spotted at a pub in Northwich, Cheshire today.


A panic buying sign - for beer - in Northwich
A sign of the times

Friday, October 01, 2021

InterTan is still around...

I recently found these new old stock 3.5" Double Density Diskettes in a second hand shop in Blackpool.


InterTan Tandy 3.5" Double Density Diskettes

A lovely bit of Tandy / RadioShack history.

InterTan Tandy 3.5" Double Density Diskettes

My first job was at a Tandy franchise shop in my hometown back in the 1990s.

InterTan Tandy 3.5" Double Density Diskettes

Graffiti Golf on Blackpool promenade

A look at Graffiti Golf in Blackpool (September 2021).


Graffiti Golf on Blackpool promenade

We first played there back in 2009 when it was a Pirate Adventure Golf course. It was the 151st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Since then the venue has changed hands and look a couple of times. We played the Graffiti Golf version of the layout in August 2018 and swung by in May this year.

Graffiti Golf on Blackpool promenade

Visit the Graffiti Golf website for more information.