ALTON TOWERS

  Thursday

I yawned and stretched sleepily, pressing 'Snooze' on my alarm. It was 4.30am after all.. I mean come on!!!! A few more minutes wouldn't hurt. Five minutes later and the harsh ring tone coaxed me awake again.This time I climbed out of bed with enthusiasm. I was going to ALTON TOWERS! WOOOOOO!!


   I was suitably nervous having not driven such a long distance before, so with the satnav fixed firmly on the dashboard and my other navigator, (boyfriend) sitting nervously in his seat we set off! The motorways were practically bare as it was so early and after a somewhat stressful drive ('This way'.. 'No THIS WAY!') we arrived in UTTOXETER! We couldn't check in till around 2 so we decided to explore the town.

 Me showing off my ballet skills.

Finally we could check in the to the bnb. We were greeted by the cleaner who gave us our room and we also met the cutest dog ever, a golden retriever called Milly!! We settled down as we were not going in the park that day and both ended up falling asleep for like 3 hours! When we awoke we were both starving so ventured back into the town centre (free parking) and went to an Indian the bnb had recommended. It was yummy if a little empty as we went so early! As usual we ordered way too much food. But not poppadoms you can never have enough. Afterwards we went back and got a good nights sleep!

Millie!

Our lovely bnb room! 'oh hi tom!'

Good morning! Enjoying a lovely fry up! 

<3

Friday

I awoke around 7.30 (I know!!) on Friday morning buzzing with excitement! Even though I have been to Alton Towers many times before I just love it! I was so excited to get on the rides especially as Tom hadn't been before, so I could get to watch him squirm mwahahah! I had had a good nights sleep and jumped in the shower and was dressed before I managed to haul my boyfriend out of bed - aka jumping ontop of him like a hyperactive child shouting 'get up get up!!!' - and we both went to the breakfast hall for a well needed fry up!
  The fry up was lovely and we could have as much toast as we like! There were plenty of cereals on offer and yoghurt's too! What a bargain for £55 pounds a night it is well worth a visit!

We were soon on the way to the park and after parking up (£6.00!!!) we went on the monorail into the park. As we had arrived early we had a few minutes to wait around so we took this time to buy our tickets for the next day, only £5 as we had got a sun ticket so our whole entry cost us £5 for two days in the park - bargain!

Hmmm where to?

The crowds were gathering at the ropes waiting to run to their favourite rides. My boyfriend and I were shocked at the volume of chavs - I have never seen so many trakkies in one place. This made us very angry hahaha! Sooo annoying! When the gates open our anger was forgotten and we sprinted to the first ride, Spinball Whizzer! woooo!!! When we got off my boyfriend was a little pale.. maybe not the best ride to go on straight after a fry up! I was certain he would like the next ride and we ran - well me running like an over eager child and my boyfriend self consciously power walking not wanting to look like an over eager child - over to the 'Dark Forest' which has my favourite ride RITA, and TH13TEEN. We decided to ride TH13TEEN first as last time I came it had the longest queue all day!! I was so excited as we got on! We got cranked up the hill and were sat at the back - the best seats in my opinion! Infront of us sat a man who lets just say was having a bit of an overload of fragrance. What a old dog. As we went down a drop I practically choked on the whiff of aftershave and shouted (I believed subtly) to my boyfriend ' woahhhhhhhhhh too much aftershave' to which the man turned round and gave a cheesy smile haha cringe.My boyfriend really enjoyed the ride and I think its really good fun if you take it for what it is - a spooky family fun ride!!

We got off and then went on Oblivion ( RITA had a massive queue) . It was here my boyfriend started to shit himself. I was also very nervous in the queue arghhh!! Ridiculous as I had been on this ride many times before. But still the sound of the carriage crashing down into darkness made me shiver! Arghh!!! We were strapped into our seats finally, after shoving Tom on the end of the carriage (poor boy) I began the routine exercise that involves me slamming my restraint down on myself as hard as I can to ensure that I cannot breathe. That is the safest way right???! I have a massive fear of my overhead restraint pinging off on this ride when I'm hanging over the drop.

Oblivion!

Soon, we were approaching 'Oblivion'. Everyone was screaming, cheering, some, like me, had their eyes shut and were wishing that we would not die. 'Harriet, open your eyes!' demanded my boyfriend who was clearly doing all he could to not close his own. I opened my eyes and glanced down, promptly shutting them again after realising how high up I was. 'OH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....' I screamed as we plummeted down. My breathe was cut short as my stomach felt a million miles above. As we tore through the tunnel at great pace everyone caught their breath and then came screams of relief. I love this ride!!! The fear turns to adrenaline once you drop and the feeling of being weightless is one I both love and hate at the same time!

After this we made our way to the Katanga Canyon and went on the runaway mine train where my boyfriend narrowly avoided being smacked in the head by multiple wooden beams haha. Then we went for lunch and got some wrap thing which was overpriced and just not that good!

Little shrimp things!

After lunch we headed to Air which had a pretty big queue but we passed the time by playing a few 21 question games. Finally we got on Air, I do like this ride however I hate being strapped in at the start, as I find it very claustrophobic. We went around screaming aand laughing woooo. We pulled back into the station and that was when disaster struck! If you have been on Air before you will know that when you 'prepare for Air' your seats are pulled up backwards so you are facing the floor. Well we were stuck in this position! We were only in the station but I started to panic. I felt really restrained and like I could not breathe. The staff assured us that a technician would be round soon. Luckily my boyfriend helped me and we played a game to calm me down! What a babe! Finally we were out and I was a bit shaken up but then we went on to more rides!! We visited Duel which was hilarious as Tom shat himself many times when the zombies jumped out, and we also went to the aquarium where some little shrimp things cleaned my fingers for me! How cute! We then looked at the castle as it had been restored, it was good but so high up! I am terrified of heights and my hands were getting clammy even though we were surrounded by walls. Tom took the opportunity to jump out on me many times (bastard).

Veiws from up the towers

After a long day (we didnt get on RITA :( or NEMESIS as queues were too long so planned to do them the next day) we returned to the bnb for a rest before going out for dinner.We went to Frankie and Bennies which wasn't far. I was starving! The skyride at the park had broken so we had literally probably walked around 5 or 6 miles! I was crippled!!

We had a nice meal at Frankie and Bennies then returned home to get a good nights rest before another busy day!

Saturday

'Happy Anniversary!' my boyfriend kissed me on the cheek! We had been together 6 months! :) and what a way to celebrate.. trapsing around a bloody park queuing for ages surrounded by chavs. Hhaha joking it was THE way to celebrate!! We again had another fry up which was just as yummy as the previous day and checked out of the bnb. We were both sad to leave as it was really lovely and will definitely be returning to it when we next come Alton Towers!

woo hoo my favourite ride!

In the park by the opening gates we met a group of friends Lydia and her boyfriend Luke, Luke's sister Roxy and her 'lover' Jack hehe. They ran to go on Oblivion first and instead as Tom and I had been on it yesterday we went over to RITA! What a ride!! I love it!!! We screamed the whole way. We then met the rest of the group who wanted to go on RITA so we queued up again. Ha. This time I sat next to Lydia and we deafened our boyfriends by our constant screams and laughs. Our eyes were watering as we got off from laughing and so much wind hitting our faces haha. We then went on TH13TEEN where we all attempted a group pose - I must say the boys pouting on this ride really was up to scratch whilst I was just a mess off blond hair with no face - we all laughed at the on ride photos and went off to ride Nemesis!

Nervous?

I like Nemesis but because I am too small for the carriages it always makes my head bash around and makes me incredibly dizzy. Therefore I adopted the brace position, head back into seat as far as it would go and teeth out grimacing, HOT right?? Everyone screamed and we got off and looked at our photos; me looking suitably awful but not much better could be said for the others, WANKERS!

We then went to the Pirate bay which had loads of rip off games where you could win toys. Here Tom won me Edgar the owl haha who was shoved into the rucksack after winning him.

We went on some more rides untill we were all tired out.PHEW it had been another long day in the park. We all said our goodbyes and Tom and I made our way to the Premiere Inn where we were spending our third night (as the bnb had been booked up waaaa) This place is okay but horrendously overpriced £72 for one night alone and breakfast another £8 ontop of that - needless to say we passed on breakfast. We ordered Pizza Hut takeaway and stuffed pizza and relaxed.

On ripsaw.. I can't stomach the spinny ones..

What a brilliant two days! I love Alton Towers and can't wait to go back!!!!

xxxxx

1001...

MOVIES YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE 

(2010 Edition)  

After a painful wait for this book, I peeled open the amazon packaging, revealing a giant Na'vi's face staring back at me. 'YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY' I exclaimed..could this be the best present ever?  

........Yes

Rocket in another compromising situation.. standard

I have the 2010 edition, which ends with 'Inglorious Basterds' (2009). The newest edition will be out in October so I am hoping to get that too.. BUT for now I am pretty occupied with 1001 films to watch. Well actually less than that but HEY! 

Suave as ever

Not only does the book give you factual information such as cast, Oscar awards and nominations, it also is a very relevant and helpful book for me as a film student, drawing on the film's aesthetic, reception and focusing on their most memorable moments : 'I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse...'  Brando you old dog. But regards to whether film is your passion (like moi) or a mere flicker of interest, this book is thoroughly enjoyable, although I have to say those with wider knowledge or interest in film will find this book more readable. I would perhaps go as far as to say it is not aimed at the typical block buster audience. Thats not to say don't buy it though.. even if your not interested in most of the films the pictures are interesting to look at and some are pretty scary/shocking!

Poor old rosemary 

One complaint that may arise is the selection of films taken from any year, e.g 'What is ''Traffic'' doing in the 2000's section and ''Mission Impossible II'' not?!' Well despite the fact the latter made tons at the box office, it is not considered, by Schneider at least, a film that's going to have any lasting impact on you, it wasn't a film that set a bench mark of style or plot, or dealed with controversial issues relating to its context. Its notable that these factors have been seriously considered when the films in this book are selected, and that's what makes it so good; it isn't full of your generic block busters (although some rightly do get a mention and reasons are explained ofcourse) but rather films that are beautiful, controversial, powerful and moving. 

Soooo I have started on my quest to watch all these films. Some of the films I am certain I will hate  (bloody Star wars) however.. I have to give them a chance otherwise that doesn't make me a very good film student does it...