Han30

I would absolutely love to be able to play piano - how people can play really impresses me - I just can't comprehend how you can remember which keys to press and all that jazz - I mean, I can touch type pretty quick but that is slightly different An oboe is an instrument I adore - the sound of it is fantastic - I would love to be able to even play my damn recorder but any instrument that requires focused breathing on I'm pretty much useless at. I really want to get back into playing my electric violin - partly to cheese off my neighbour who enjoys having a damn good argument with himself on a weekly basis and when he isn't slamming ever door not once, but twice . I got my violin just over 10 years ago and would practice every day (it came with "silent strings" which aren't hugely silent!). Problem is that I need a new bow and the whole violin restrung which I can't do myself because I would bodge it up royally and I refuse to go to the shop I bought it from - to say they are posh in there is an understatement and when I broke the G string I went in to get it replaced - at that point I didn't know it was the G and the woman gave me a look of utter disgust when I told her "it's the one on the end". Found a brill shop out of town which are far nicer and much cheaper. My problem is technique - as in, I have none. I used to have violin lessons in middle school but had to give up when I moved to secondary school as it was too expensive. Although lessons never really helped me - I can't and could never read music so any piece I was given to play I would just figure it out and wing it - none of my teachers ever noticed! Also I found it rather off putting that not one but two violin teachers had flatulence - and when you let one off in front of a 10/11 year old you can't really get angry when they laugh...which I did. Might have a look on YouTube to see if there are any tutorial vids available

nice!!

The usual merlin parks and hopefully if all goes to plan Germany in September with @Roodie It will only be the second time I've gone abroad in my life so I'm excited and I won't need to fly either . Was a toss up between Europa or Phanny land but we've gone for the latter.

May see you and Mer there! Shame about Stealth and DBGT not being available but I'm just happy I managed to get tickets after not being able to first time around

"Ride Baco until you break your backo" - love it! Have a great time guys - my huge fear of flying means I am a no for this one so I wanna see plenty of pics

I should probably be able to make this meet so pop me down as a yes if you would be so kind

Great meet guys! The weather was a tad chilly but that didn't get in the way of having a good laugh with great company. Thanks to Paige for organising everything and everyone for making the day good fun - I currently have a pretty sore throat after screaming on a tame ride but I think it may have provided entertainment at the time . Also had the scariest ghost train ride ever ? Cheers guys!

I live in Farnham in Surrey which is possibly the most boring town.....ever. No cinema or anything mildly entertaining unless you enjoy scabby skateboard parks. We don't even have a McDonalds or Burger King

On Facebook - I can keep you updated!

Hmmmm maybe DBGT causes stress induced psychosis after people have queued for 4+ hours .

Aye- agree with you there. Last year it was just mega rough for me (horrific at the back) so I didn't actually bother riding it much.

I'll see you AT time machine! I ain't going on that evil spatula ride - once was enough!

Oh God that makes for grim reading! Okay - myself and @Roodie are now definitely able to attend this meet. Look forward to seeing everyone!

Had a great time at the meet - nice to see lots of people and have a laugh. Not sure I can ever ice skate again - I only managed a lap and a half (and that was with a 20 min break in between)! But myself, Roodie and MarkC were gasping for a coffee and a cig Thanks Ryan and Paige - hope to see everyone again soon!

Had my 2 fillings done today and am so glad it's over with - had to get extra injections because at a couple of points I could feel pain when she was drilling. But despite that I think my fear has somewhat subsided - although I had to sit for a while afterwards as I felt really faint (I'm such a wuss). My new dentist is actually really nice and I'm back in 3 months to sort out my uber skanky tooth and then sort out a root extraction. I think your meant to go every 6 months but I don't know how many people do. I will generally go if I'm in agony - not that that is the right thing. I went 4 years before visiting a dentist but I wouldn't recommend that

Should be able to make this ?

I used to love the farm - but the water buses used to freak me out a bit. Was gutted when it closed but, as Pluk says - the farm wouldn't fit with Thorpe at its current time. It was a nice place to go and chill - I can't see them getting animals again but to have a little island to go to would be great - there are few place at Thorpe where you can escape - ok there is Sunken Gardens but it's hardly huge and you can hear Stealth. Realistically I can't see it happening as they would have to sort out CCR - and I imagine that would cost a fair amount

Did you actually overhear that?!

Oh God I hope not - the ride itself doesn't scare me but the thought of being chased by something does - only because even the thought of running doesn't fill me with joy

Ahh I used to swear the water was dyed but figured I must have dreamt it - the good ol' days

Ooooh Seastorm - they are pushing the boat out

Hmm yeah you may have a point

Glad Hex is returning but Twirling Toadstool closed for TLC? For over a year? Do they thing the general public are idiots?! I really hope NST makes a come back at some point - I've only experienced it once and didn't expect much but was pleasantly surprised. And it's only a few years old

Totally relate to your post - I rode Space Mountain back in 2000 and absolutely loved the music to it (am I right in thinking that they changed the audio?) it took a little while to find (as finding stuff like that back then wasn't as easy as it is these days) but yeah - bought back memories! I love love theming too but music just really evokes emotions - and when it's theme park related it's generally uplifting - I have a fair few theme park/ride soundtracks on my iPhone playlist which I always listen to when out walking. Can't beat a bit of Samurai music when power walking!

Agreed - but didn't they do the same last year regarding not announcing the ride line up until after the sale? There must have been people who had bought an annual pass to then discover multiple ride closures and been a bit miffed. The rumours of ride closures were circulating for a while on social media but AT did not confirm it until after the sale which is a bit sneaky. I only visited AT once last year, in April - and whilst the park was relatively quiet and queues weren't horrific, I really missed The Flume, Ripsaw and Hex. And as for the new opening times - are they for real? For a park the size of AT those hours are not long enough especially when you factor into the equation when the park has relatively big queues. I've not checked but have they increased the entrance price again this year?