Family trip to Alton Towers on a dry if cloudy day
A fair lay in before our morning drinks eventually at 9.00am. a wait for breakfast as I read The Sunday Times without spotting any trace of my Friday interview with Computer Correspondent, Jane Bird, on the IBM/BT telecom licence issue. A fine cooked breakfast when we discuss the day ahead and resolve (with great reluctance and lack of enthusiasm on the part of all else) to go to Alton Towers. This is a large Disney-style amusement park near Alton, Staffordshire, set on the top of a hill on the site of an old castle. Daniel is upset at not being able to play with his friend Paul, but he soon cheers up when we agree the destination. Eventually off at 11.00am with a well packed Jaguar and video equipment in tow. Averaging 100mph on the motorways, the Jaguar eats up the miles and we finally stop at the M6 service area nearest to Alton for a fine hamburger lunch. The Towers are at the back of beyond and we finally arrive after 2.00pm, making the family more than a little impatient to get started as I prepare to film the home movie.
In the end a most enjoyable afternoon. Daniel played the ‘Corkscrew,’ several ’Magic Carpets’ and, with Deborah and Di, a trip on the water shute. Deborah loves the rides on the Dragon mini roller coaster, the Octopus circular ride and the normal roundabouts and side shows. We see enough to like the Towers very much and resolve to return with more time to spend. We eventually leave after 6.30pm when all the rides have finished and the park is closing up for the night. We find a Little Chef restaurant open before the family drop off to sleep in the back and then I drive them all home for 2/3 hours and wake them up on arrival. The weather today stayed dry and cloudy but the sun came through from time to time.