Minigolf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

April 14, 2015, 10:07 pm

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A visit to the miniature golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, West Midlands.

Hole 1 at Dorridge

We recently visited the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull for what would be the last minigolf tournament to be held on the 12-hole course - the 2015 MMGC Midlands Open. Over the years the venue has hosted many British Minigolf Association tournaments and we've competed in quite a few of them. The course has always been a pleasure to play (even when it's been punishing) and is far more difficult to master than it first appears.

The tricky second hole

Back in September 2008 the course became the 72nd played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. I visited the layout while en route to the Monday night league at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham.

Hole 3

There are plans to create a new adventure golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre. The existing course will be removed. It will certainly be missed.

Hole 4

Hole 5

Hole 5's obstacle

An even closer look inside the castle on hole 5

And hole 5's green

Hole 6

Hole 7 - the scene of many a minigolfing nightmare!

Hole 8

Hole 9

Hole 10

Hole 11

Hole 12

Hole 2 from another angle

Playing hole 5

Having a shot on hole 9

Over the humps on hole 10

Emily playing the first

For more information check out the Four Ashes Golf Centre website.

Links:
- Four Ashes Golf Centre
- British Minigolf Association

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Dorridge

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M&S gluten free Rice Porridge

April 15, 2015, 2:50 am

≫ Next: Plonk Golf in Dalston, London

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Trying the new Made Without Wheat Rice Porridge from Marks and Spencer.

While Spring and Summer may not be the seasons for warming breakfasts, after spotting a new gluten and wheat free product in the York city centre branch of M&S I had to give it a try.

The boxes contain eight sachets of the gluten free porridge (made of brown rice flakes and ground maize porridge)

I had a bowl, made using milk, for breakfast and it tasted great. It filled me up until lunchtime too. This is a glowing endorsement as I have never been one for breakfasts (although this is probably something to do with 27 years of undiagnosed Coeliac Disease and feeling immediately ill after eating breakfast).

I like the fact the box contains individual sachets of porridge. And even though it contains no oats at all, it tastes like porridge. I'll be buying it again.

Links:
- Marks & Spencer website
- Marks & Spencer Made Without Wheat page
- Coeliac UK website

Related blog posts:

- Gluten free

- Coeliac
- M&S
- Cereal
- Breakfast

Plonk Golf in Dalston, London

April 15, 2015, 4:01 am

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New Crazy Golf / Snooker hybrid course opening in east London.

The capital will see the opening of a new miniature golf course this month as Plonk Golf pitches up at Efes Pool and Snooker Club in Dalston.

The 200ft long 9-hole Crazy Golf course has been created by The House of Revelry and with it's mix of putting and cue sports it sounds intriguing. I'm looking forward to giving Plonk Golf a play on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The pop up course was previously open for private bookings over the festive period, but will be open to the public from 29 April.

For more information, opening times and booking details visit the Plonk Golf website.

On our travels we've played a few Minigolf/Cue Sport crossover games including Pit-Pat, Q Golf and a bizarre hole at the Golf Apocalypse.

Playing Crazy Golf on a Snooker Table at the Golf Apocalypse of 2012

Link:
- Plonk Golf

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

National Golf Day 2015

April 15, 2015, 8:22 am

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Happy National Golf Day 2015.

Lining up a putt from the very edge of the green at Stockwood Park in Luton - I'm not the best at pitching, but I'm a decent enough putter

My fellow minigolf enthusiast (and Putt Putt pro) Matt Bellner alerted me to the fact that today is National Golf Day!

The tweet Mattie 5 sent me shows Jon Guhl, CEO of the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America hitting the ceremonial putt to tee-off the Congressional Putting Challenge. Proof that 'regular' BIG golf is all about the Putting. I look forward to seeing the Putting Challenge results.

National Golf Day is organised by WE ARE GOLF - a coalition of leading organisations in Golf including the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA TOUR, The PGA of America, the U.S Golf Manufacturers Council and the World Golf Foundation.

The 2015 event is the eighth annual edition. For more information about National Golf Day check out the WE ARE GOLF website.

In the minigolf world there are three 'Mini Golf Days' taking place around the world this year (and every year) - National Miniature Golf Day on Saturday 9 May 2015, Miniature Golf Day on Monday 21 September, and Minigolf Tag in Austria (date TBC for 2015).

Links:
- WE ARE GOLF
- National Golf Day
- Mattie 5 Bellner

Related blog posts:
- Mini Golf Days in 2015
- Golf

Minigolf at Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo, Majorca

April 15, 2015, 8:25 am

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Finding a miniature golf course in Porto Cristo, Mallorca.

The minigolf course at Restaurante Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo

Charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Christopher Gottfried has come up trumps again, as on a recent holiday to Majorca he managed to find an unplayable Minigolf course!

An interesting looking hole

The layout was at the Restaurante Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo.

Restaurant, minigolf and pool

That's quite a big boat obstacle

This looks like a tricky hole to putt on

There's a great sea view from the minigolf course are Porto Cristo

The last course Christopher spotted on his travels was the Crazy Golf at Ladram Bay in Devon, that layout also had a magnificent sea view.

Courses visited by Christopher Gottfried and Nina Dukes 2011-15:

- Brighton - Crazy Golf

- Paignton Pier - Crazy Golf

- Herne Bay - Mini Golf
- Great Yarmouth - Windmill Theatre Indoor Crazy Golf

- Margate (Cliftonville) - Little Oasis Crazy Golf

- Newquay - Mini Golf

- Letoonia Golf Resort, Belek, Turkey - Minigolf

- Mundesley - Adventure Island Golf

- Ladram Bay - Crazy Golf

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Christopher Gottfried
- Nina Dukes
- Mini Golf in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Links:
- Restaurante Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo on Facebook
- MiniatureGolfer.com's list of Minigolf courses in Spain

A new minigolf blog by The Putting Penguin

April 16, 2015, 10:04 am

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My fellow minigolf enthusiast Pat Sheridan has entered the world of blogging.

Having had his entry to the USPMGA US Open tournament accepted, pro-putter Pat Sheridan is readying himself for a tilt at the title. In the lead-up to tee-off he'll be keeping the world up-to-date on his new blog.

Since 2001 Pat and his colleague Mandy Ranslow have operated the world's largest miniature golf course review website - The Putting Penguin.

Veteran minigolfer and rookie blogger Pat Sheridan about to tee-off at Putt in the Park in London, England

The 2015 US Open competition will be hosted by the Champions Golf Learning Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina on 15 and 16 May.

Pat has played in 36 minigolf tournaments in his career, winning three events in 2011 - the Ice Breaker Tournament, Ocean's 18 Tournament and Mulligan's Warm Up Tournament. In USPMGA events Pat recorded a 12th place finish at the 2014 US Open, and was 5th in the 2014 Maine State Dolphin Open.

Read the first posts of the new blog at 'The Check is No Longer in the Mail' and 'What's in a tournament? (Part I)'. I'm looking forward to following his progress and wish him all the very best in the US Open.

The Pro Minigolfers at Putt in the Park

Last month Emily and I had the pleasure of meeting Pat while he was on a trip to the UK. We had a fun round at Putt in the Park in Wandsworth, London.

Links:
- The Putting Penguin blog
- The Putting Penguin website
- US Pro Mini Golf Association (USPMGA) website
- Champions Golf Learning Center website

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf with The Putting Penguin at Putt in the Park
- The Putting Penguin

My new favourite colour

April 16, 2015, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Pirate Island Adventure Golf in Castleford

≪ Previous: A new minigolf blog by The Putting Penguin

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Putting Green by Dulux.

As a fan of all things minigolf-related I was pleased to see there's a colour of paint called 'Putting Green'!

This is Putting Green

Over the years on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour we've Putted on a number of different coloured playing surfaces including green, red, white, silver, brown, black, white and even blue.

Playing the Mini Golf Grass Putting Green in Ayr, Scotland last summer. One of a number of Putting Greens we've played on our tour

I'll have to get a pot of Putting Green paint for The Crazy Golf Museum.

Check out the Dulux website for more details of the Putting Green colour of paint, products available and coordinating colours.

Links:
- Dulux website
- Putting Green colour on Dulux website
- Dulux on Twitter
- Dulux on Facebook
- The Crazy Golf Museum

Related blog posts:
- Putting Green
- Types and Variants of Miniature Golf visited and played
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Pirate Island Adventure Golf in Castleford

April 17, 2015, 11:02 pm

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Playing the Pirate Island Adventure Golf course in Castleford.

On Sunday 12 April we were heading back from a trip in York and Knaresborough and decided to swing into Castleford for some minigolf action.

A view of the Smugglers Bay course in Castleford

We didn't know it when we arrived, but Pirate Island Adventure Golf at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village was celebrating its first birthday, with lots of people out on the two 18-hole courses, despite the chilly weather.

Pirate Island Adventure Golf has two 18-hole courses

With 36-holes of minigolf available we decided to play the slightly less busy Smugglers Bay course and great fun it was too. There were plenty of hole layouts and obstacles we hadn't seen before.

This was a particularly nice looking hole involving a tunnel and plateau

The Smugglers Bay course became the 358th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 592nd visited overall. The Skull Cove course was the 593rd visited.

Watch out for the BIG octopus on this minigolf course

Emily lining up a putt

I almost aced this hole. Almost

Emily about to play through a castle ruin

Firing a shot at the hole

Close, but no cigar. At least it stayed up on the plateau

The giant snake was an interesting obstacle

You can play through the snake, or around it

A tap in for Emily

In our match-up on the Smugglers Bay course I beat Emily with a score of 38 to 44.

I won the gold medal this time (available at the kiosk for only 30p)

For further information, opening times and prices visit the Pirate Island Adventure Golf website.

Before we played the course we bumped into Pirate Island Adventure Golf's minigolf mascot, Stow-Away Sam!

Stow-Away Sam on the course

We're looking forward to returning to play the Skull Cove course at Pirate Island Adventure Golf in the future.

We'll take on Skull Cove next time we're in Castleford

Our tour has also taken us to the Pirate Island courses at the Abbey Hill Golf Centre in Milton Keynes and Hoebridge Golf Centre in Woking. We've yet to play the Pirate Island course at Ramsdale Park Golf Centre in Nottingham.

One of the crocodiles (or is it an alligator?) lurking on the course

Links:
- Pirate Island Adventure Golf website
- Pirate Island Adventure Golf on Twitter
- Pirate Island Adventure Golf on Facebook
- Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village website

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Castleford
- Crazy Golf Crocodiles and Adventure Golf Alligators

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Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire

April 19, 2015, 3:19 am

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Playing the Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape in Castleford.

On Sunday 12 April we were heading back from a short-break in York and Knaresborough and decided to swing into Castleford to play some minigolf.

Xscape Yorkshire is home to Volcano Falls Adventure Golf and its two 18-hole indoor minigolf courses.

Emily tees-off on the T Rex Trail

The T Rex Trail became the 359th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 594th visited overall. The Volcano Valley course was the 595th visited.

While I get scared off of the BIG dino on the course

There are some tricky second putts on the 18-hole course

There's some great theming on the course

Some 'cave paintings' showing the time travelling nature of our journey 65 million years into the past

Emily is lucky on this putt as the wind storm effect had just been on!

Neither of us were lucky on the last hole

In our match-up on the T Rex Trail I beat Emily with a score of 40 to 45.

It was great to see Volcano Falls merchandise on sale at the course. I treated myself to a branded cap

You can find the Volcano Falls course on a 'mysterious island' indoors at Xscape Yorkshire. Its just off Junction 32 of the M62.

In winning the match against Emily I also awarded myself a great Adventure Falls key ring

For further information, opening times and prices visit the Volcano Falls Adventure Golf website.

After 18-hole on the busy course we escaped unscathed

We're looking forward to returning to play the Volcano Valley course at Volcano Falls Adventure Golf in the future.

We'll be heading past Castleford on another road trip and pop in for a round then

Xscape Yorkshire is a great indoor entertainment centre with loads to see, do and play.

Links:
- Volcano Falls Adventure Golf website
- Volcano Falls Adventure Golf on Facebook
- Volcano Falls Adventure Golf on Twitter
- Xscape Yorkshire website

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Castleford
- Indoor Mini, Crazy and Adventure Golf courses

Gluten free mixes from Spice Queen

April 6, 2015, 10:20 pm

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On a trip to Ipswich we stopped off in Chelmsford and enjoyed a walkround the town centre and market. we've always got our eyes peeled for gluten free things and so were pleased to see the Spice Queen stall selling a range of mixes that were gluten free.

The chap on the stall was very knowledgeable about gluten free needs and offered some samples which Emily tried and liked. We bought the Chicken Tikka, Chicken Curry and Any Bean Curry mixes.

The pots of flavour come with a recipe sheet and Emily made some great dishes with the mixes. Some photos of the prep and results of the delicious Chicken Tikka and Chicken Curry are below.

Ingredients and recipe sheet for the Chicken Tikka

Getting messy marinating the chicken

Sealing in the flavour

We like to cook chicken using the 'beer' can method. As I'm gluten free we opt for cider cans instead

The curry mix ingredients

A fine gluten free curry. A nice treat. Especially with an obligatory gluten free beer

You can find the Spice Queen team at farmer's markets across Essex. For more information visit the Spice Queen website.

Links:
- Spice Queen website
- Spice Queen on Twitter
- Spice Queen on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac
- Emily's cooking
- Gluten free beer

Mini Golf courses in Castleford

April 19, 2015, 11:13 pm

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There are plenty of options for Adventure Golf in Castleford.

Putting on one of the two outdoor Adventure Golf courses in Castleford

Since our last visit to Castleford in 2010 there have been some more exciting additions to the leisure and retail area just off Junction 32 of the M62.

On Sunday 12 April 2015 we were heading back home to Leagrave after a weekend in York and Knaresborough and decided to stop-off for a look at the courses and a round or two.

The area has become a minigolf hotbed, with six minigolf courses across three sites and a total of 87-holes! This is a huge amount of holes in a relatively small area. And especially so for an inland location.

Most seasides in the UK have some type of minigolf course. Often a Crazy Golf, Putting Green or Adventure Golf, and sometimes a few different types. Cleethorpes has 73-holes over five courses, Hastings has 72-holes (54 at the sea front and 18-hole of Putting at White Rock Gardens). At last count Great Yarmouth was home to 69-holes over five courses, while Blackpool had 60-holes across its four sea front courses and Hunstanton has 57-holes spread along the front.

Looking at those places we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour only Skegness outdoes Castleford in terms of the number of holes. Skeggy has 102-holes spread across nine seafront courses.

When we visited the Xscape centre in 2010 we played the 199th and 200th courses on our tour at the Cosmic Golf courses.

The Glow-in-the-Dark Adventure Golf course is now called 4D Golf

The 6-hole 'Search for Atlantis' and 9-hole 'Curse of the Mummy in 3D' courses are both indoor black light mini golf layouts. They're now called '4D Golf'.

Under the sea

Playing the Curse of the Mummy minigolf course

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Centre features 36-holes over two 18-holes courses - Smugglers Bay and Skull Cove.

Emily playing the Smugglers Bay course

Playing at Pirate Island Adventure Golf

Back over at Xscape Yorkshire are another 36-holes of Adventure Golf. The Volcano Falls layout is spread over two 18-hole courses - the Volcano Valley and T Rex Trail.

On hole 18 of the T Rex Trail

Putting on the lucky last hole

Of course if you fancy taking a break from the minigolf while there you can always go shopping at the Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village or explore the other fun and games on offer at Xscape Yorkshire. There's lots to do and play, including laser tag, a laser maze, amusement arcades, ten pin bowling, a cinema, climbing walls, skate park, indoor ski slope and snow zone, skyride and more.

Links:
- 4D Cosmic Golf website
- Pirate Island Adventure Golf website
- Volcano Falls Adventure Golf website
- Xscape Yorkshire website
- Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village website

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Castleford
- Indoor Mini, Crazy and Adventure Golf courses
- Cosmic 4D Golf at Xscape Yorkshire
- Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Junction 32 in Castleford
- Volcano Falls Adventure Golf at Xscape Yorkshire

Gluten free at El Piano restaurant in York

April 20, 2015, 11:52 pm

≫ Next: Gluten free at Filmore and Union in York

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A brilliant gluten free and vegan meal at El Piano in York.

While visiting the wonderful city of York I found that I was spoiled for choice when it came to options of where to eat. So many restaurants and takeaways had gluten free options, or stated they could cater for special dietary requirements.

Having so many choices and so little time (and capacity) to eat at all of them on this trip was a nice problem to have. While walking around the city centre on our arrival on the Thursday we'd spotted the El Piano restaurant and the brightly coloured menu outside. It clearly stated that they offered food that is vegan, has no gluten, is nut-free, and without palm-oil. The menu served 'all plant based dishes with no gluten-containing ingredients'.

The brilliant menu at El Piano

The menu also clearly stated that dishes containing soya, coconut, sesame or mustard (4 of the official 14 allergens) were shown in BOLD red text.

We decided that we would definitely dine there on our stay and so after a long day of shopping, postcard hunting, playing Bar Billiards and walking we headed there for dinner on the Friday evening. And I am so glad we did.

It was one of the best meals I've had. There was so much to choose from and we had great service from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The restaurant looked great and it was so pleasing to see the other diners excited to be eating there too.

We spent a while looking over the menu and there was a lot to choose from. I quite fancied having Bob's Best Burger, but then Emily and I both decided to go for the interesting main courses where you got to 'build your own plate'.

My main course

The options offered gave an around-the-world flavour. You chose a principal dish, added fritters and then a cold salad. There were also Greens gluten free beers available on the drinks menu. Always a nice touch for gluten free diners to be able to choose a beer with a meal.

A very happy Coeliac diner indeed

I went for the Chow Mein, with Pineapple Croquetas (fresh pineapple with a hint of madras) and the Big E Salsa. Emily went for the Mexi Trio, Pestolitos and Hummus. I also treated myself to a side order of Mathematical Chips (square root veg chips) with El Piano ketchup.

Emily's Mexican main course

We couldn't leave without having a dessert. I had a lovely sticky toffee pudding, while Emily had a chocolate mousse pie that she couldn't finish. Unfortunately I had to scoff the last of it.

All of the food was amazing. With so many different flavours and new things to try it was brilliant for us to be able to taste off of each others plates with no fear of cross-contamination. This was the first meal out we'd had since my diagnosis with Coeliac Disease where we weren't scared, or unable, to do this and it felt pretty much 'normal'.

The restaurant is now in its 18th year and long may it continue.

I can't wait to go back to York and we'll definitely be eating at El Piano again.

Visit the El Piano website for more information and menus.

Link:
- El Piano website

Related blog posts:

- Gluten free

- Coeliac
- Gluten free beer

Gluten free at Filmore and Union in York

April 21, 2015, 11:47 pm

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On our first evening in York we headed to Filmore & Union on Petergate. Ahead of our trip we'd searched for gluten free places that were suitable for Coeliacs and Filmore & Union was highly recommended.

We had a starter and a main and very good they were too. I had the seared pigeon breast with watercress and bean sprout salad, followed by the sesame and sumac trout fillet with roasted red peppers.

The menu is nice and clear and states the allergens. Filmore & Union have also received Coeliac UK Accreditation which is good to hear.

Our waiter and chef were confident in their answers about the gluten free options available, understood needs of Coeliac diners and explained the procedures to reduce cross-contamination. All plus points.

Unfortunately we were so hungry on this occasion that no photos exist of our meal there!

As well as dining in there are also takeaway options for lunch including a gluten free wrap and Brown Bag crisps.

I noticed that they also sold Daas gluten free beers which I think is always a nice touch. It's great to have the option of a GF beer with a meal, rather than always having to opt for soft drinks, cider or wine.

Check out the Filmore & Union website for more information, menus, restaurant locations and details of their offerings for special dietary requirements.

Links:
- Filmore and Union
- Filmore and Union York
- Brown Bag Crisps
- Coeliac UK

Related blog posts:

- Gluten free

- Coeliac
- Gluten free beer

A Putt-Putt Postcard from South Africa

April 22, 2015, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

≪ Previous: Gluten free at Filmore and Union in York

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We recently visited York and attended the International Postcard Expo held at the racecourse to see what miniature golf postcards we could find. We found a bumper crop.

We picked up 31 minigolf postcards for our collection at the York CardExpo

The very first postcard we bought at the fair was from Brian Lund of Reflections of a Bygone Age who had saved a great old Putt-Putt card from South Africa for me.

The card is from Putt-Putt Southdale, a suburb of Johannesburg, and doubles as a FREE game card!

Putt-Putt is the only patented game of miniature golf and began in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1954. In the 1960's Putt-Putt franchises began opening outside of the US, in locations such as the one on the postcard, as well as Australia and Japan. You can read the Putt-Putt story on the Putt-Putt Fun Centres website.

There are currently Putt-Putt courses in a number of US states as well as a competition circuit operated by the Professional Putters Association.

The PPA website has an archive of Putt-Putt World Magazine - a great resource and an interesting read indeed.

Check out MiniatureGolfer.com for details of minigolf courses in South Africa.

Links:
- York International Postcard Expo
- Reflections of a Bygone Age
- Picture Postcard Monthly Magazine
- Putt-Putt Fun Centres
- Professional Putters Association

Related blog posts:
- Postcard
- Postcards

Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

April 22, 2015, 11:32 pm

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Our visits to the Lost World Adventure Golf course in Hemsby.

Back in May 2009 we visited the Norfolk seaside resort of Hemsby and played the great 9-hole Lost World Adventure Golf course on Beach Road. It became the 88th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Lining-up a putt as a dino looks on

Since then we've revisited the course for some fun rounds and two Pro-Am contests, with Emily and her 'pro' Brad Shepherd achieving third place in the 2010 contest, while me and my 'Am' William Collins were runners-up in 2011.

Brad 'The Pro' Shepherd and Emily in the wonderful setting that is the Lost World Adventure Golf course in Hemsby

Putting as another dino looks on

More of the great theming on the course

Emily in amongst the skulls on spikes

The Aztec temple

Emily on the last hole

The Lost World Adventure Golf course is a must-visit if you're in Hemsby

For more information, opening times and prices check out the Lost World Adventure Golf website.

As well as the minigolf course you can also Pan for Gold, play the Jungle Jeeps and get food and drink from Madisons next to the course. Hemsby is a great British seaside resort with plenty of amusement arcades and a great beach.

Links:
- Lost World Adventure Golf website
- Lost World Adventure Golf on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf Course Visit Number 88 – The Lost World, Hemsby

- Hemsby

- Norfolk

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A gift from Paradise

April 23, 2015, 5:34 am

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Finding out about the miniature golf courses at Paradise Fun Park in Canada.

As a big fan of all things minigolf-related I was very pleased to receive a package from paradise - Paradise Fun Park in Canada that is.

A great selection of minigolf ephemera and promotional material from Paradise Fun Park

I've been in touch with the team at the seaside resort in British Columbia since 2011 and it's really nice to speak to other people within the world of miniature golf. I love finding out about new and interesting courses, andit's always wonderful to get ephemera and merchandise for my collection and that of The Crazy Golf Museum.

Five postcards from Paradise Fun Park showing the miniature golf courses - Surf 'N Turf and Treasure Island

Paradise Fun Park was built 27 years ago and is a family business. In that time millions of people from around the world have enjoyed visits to the park. There are two 18-hole mini golf courses at the park, with the Turf 'N Surf built in 1988 and the Treasure Island layout introduced two years later.

The Paradise Fun Park mini-golf scorecard

The rules for Paradise Mini-Golf

I do like seeing courses putting in time and effort to their scorecards. This is a well designed and useful tool - it's packed with  adverts for local businesses

In addition to the two Miniature Golf courses, Paradise Fun Park is home to Bumper Boats, a Games Arcade, Snack Bar and Ice Cream Parlour, motel, and an RV park and camping ground. The park on Vancouver Island is located beside Parksville Bay and its sandy beaches.

The brochure for Paradise Fun Park

Two lovely pieces of minigolf ephemera

A look inside the brochure for Paradise Fun Park - the mini-golf courses have some very BIG obstacles including a fully rigged pirate galleon, treasure cave, water mill, Victorian mansion, Bavarian clock and a Dutch windmill

You can find Paradise Fun Park at 375 West Island Highway, Parksville, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Visit the Paradise Fun Park website for more details of the park, opening times, prices and photos of the minigolf courses.

A token from the games arcade at Paradise Fun Park

I look forward to visiting Paradise Fun Park in the future. It sounds like exactly my kind of place.

Links:
- Paradise Fun Park website
- Paradise Fun Park on Twitter
- Paradise Fun Park on Facebook
- The Crazy Golf Museum
- Miniature Golf courses in Canada at MiniatureGolfer.com

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Ephemera
- Postcards

Gluten free at Six Poor Folk in Knaresborough

April 23, 2015, 9:45 am

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A gluten free meal at the Six Poor Følk restaurant in Knaresborough.

While in Knaresborough we were looking for somewhere to eat and while checking the restaurants in the town centre we spotted a bottle of Mongozo gluten free beer lined up with some other beers in the window at Six Poor Følk at Castlegate.

We checked the menu and noticed it said gluten free options were available. We managed to get a table for two and I double checked with the waiter what was gluten free. I was told that much of the menu was gluten free, so it was one of those occasions when I had to pick something and get the waiter to double check with the kitchen if it was OK. Unfortunately the Pork Belly dish I had spotted on the menu outside had run out, but there were options for a starter and main so we decided to dine there. I also ordered a bottle of Mongozo.

Emily had the Ham Hock Terrine, Chicken Schnitzel and Lemon Posset. My gluten free choices were the Warm Duck Salad, Pan Fried Coley (pictured) and another Mongozo beer for pudding

Six Poor Følk is worth a visit. We had very good service and tasty food. Emily really enjoyed her (non-gluten free) three courses too.

For more information visit the Six Poor Følk website. Interestingly when looking at the menus online there is an Allergy Menu that can be viewed/downloaded (April 2015 here). As mentioned, when I ordered in the restaurant I wasn't given a copy of the allergy menu, but had to relay my choices from the 'normal menu' via the waiter, to the kitchen and back to me again.

Link:
- Six Poor Følk website

Related blog posts:
- Gluten free
- Coeliac
- Knaresborough
- Gluten free beer

The Golferholics Board Game

April 23, 2015, 11:54 pm

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A new old golf-based board game.

The Golferholics Board Game - an 18-hole Golf Game

On our recent minigolf meet-up in Dorridge my mate and BIG miniature golf enthusiast Paul 'Johnson Paul Johnson' Johnson gave me a Chad Valley Miniature Golf set from the 1960's. He also gave me a board game from the 1990's - The Golferholics Board Game.

The Golferholics Board Game - an 18 hole Golf course

The game was created and designed by A.L.E.M. in 1999.

The board is a large 18-hole golf course layout, with space on the side for the two different sets of cards

The scorecards are very well made and high quality

  

Lovely putt - the ideal result

The set is very well made and the copy Paul gave me for The Crazy Golf Museum is in great condition

Links:
- Golferholics at Board Games Geek
- The Crazy Golf Museum
- Miniature Golf and Crazy Golf toys and games at The Crazy Golf Museum

Related blog posts:

- The Crazy Golf Museum

Plonk Golf Crazy Golf at Efes Snooker Hall in London

April 24, 2015, 2:21 am

≫ Next: Stonehaven, Kincardineshire Official Holiday Guide

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Playing the pop-up crazy golf course at Efes Snooker Hall in Dalston.

On St George's Day 2015 I attended the preview launch night of London's newest mini golf course - Plonk Golf.

Along with former minigolf Pro Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd we went along to put the course through its paces ahead of its full launch to the public on Wednesday 29 April.

Hole 7 - the half-pipe-tunnel - looks like an easy ace...it's not

The Crazy Golf course layout is within Efes Snooker Club on Stoke Newington Road and is set-up on either side of the snooker hall with 9 very tricky holes to master.

The second half of hole 5 involves a Pool table!

Plonk Golf has been created from reclaimed materials that have been repurposed to create a very unique miniature golf course. There's a working volcano on the first hole, a birdcage on the hill at the third, a loop-di-loop to tackle on the fourth, and a pool table making up half of the hole on the fifth hole. There are also more pipes and tunnels than you can shake a stick (or golf club) at!

The working and smoking volcano on hole 1 at Plonk Golf!

The Plonk Golf course is the brainchild of the team at The House of Revelry and will be open on Wednesdays (6pm to 12.30am) and Thursdays (12pm to 1am) from the 29 April. A round on the course will cost £7.50 per player.

Plonk Golf poster

The course was the 596th visited and 360th played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

At minigolf course visit #596

In our match-up on the Plonk Golf course I defeated Brad in round one, scoring a 20 to his 27 and setting the clubhouse record.

Hole 6 was one of my favourite holes

In our second game we both shot scores of 20. we were very happy to both finish with a hole-in-one on the incredibly tricky 'Jump into the bucket' shot on the ninth hole!

Brad about to play the 6th hole at Plonk Golf

The minigolf course will be changing through the duration of its pop-up at Efes, with new obstacles and hole configurations, which'll certainly make it even more crazy.

Results of the Plonk Golf Pro Challenge

You can find Plonk Golf at Efes Snooker Club, 17B Stoke Newington Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 8BH. The nearest station is Dalston Kingsland (Overground).

Efes Snooker Hall is housed in a nice Art Deco building on Stoke Newington Road

For more information and booking details check out the Plonk Golf website.

Links:
- Plonk Golf website
- Plonk Golf on Facebook
- Plonk Golf on Twitter
- Efes Snooker Hall on Twitter
- The House of Revelry website

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Plonk Golf in Dalston, London

Stonehaven, Kincardineshire Official Holiday Guide

April 24, 2015, 10:41 pm

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Finding an old Official Holiday Guide, including Mini Golf Putting, for the town of Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.

While on a day out in Bedford I noticed an Antiques and Collectors fair going on at St Paul's Church so popped in to see if I could find any minigolf postcards or ephemera.

I was in luck as I found an interesting old Official Guide for visitors to the seaside town of Stonehaven.

The Stonehaven Official Guide, designed and produced under the authority of the Town Council by Mearns Publications. Printed by Langstane Press, Aberdeen

Flicking through the guide I spotted a half page photo of the Putting and Bowling Greens on page 19.

Some of the entertainment and leisure facilities on offer to visitors to the town

On page 22 it states there were two putting courses in the town, and on page 35 the cost per round is given as 6d.

Stonehaven is on the north east coast of Scotland and lies 15 miles south of Aberdeen. Stonehaven is now a part of Aberdeenshire as Kincardinshire lost its administrative status in 1975. I couldn't find any other dates of publication of the old guide, but it is pre-decimal (before 1971). Very interesting to see the old phone numbers listed too - only four-digits long!

At a guess I would say the guide was produced in 1966. A recent event shown is the reopening of the old tolbooth by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1963. There is also an advert on the inside back cover for Milne's Soft Drinks and Cordials - they are endorsed by Andy Ross, the 1965 winner of the Suffolk Point to Point.

Looking online the current official website for the town is the Stonehaven Guide. You can still find a Putting course at the Stonehaven Recreation Grounds Club. Its existence was confirmed by George McGillivray of the Stonehaven Guide.

The old guide is great find, with some nice minigolf and seaside holiday history.

Over the years Emily and I have enjoyed some very nice trips to Scotland on our travels.

Links:
- Stonehaven Guide website
- Stonehaven Guide on Twitter
- Kincardineshire
- The Crazy Golf Museum

Related blog posts:
- Putting courses
- Putting greens
- Scotland