Major Apple

Blimey, if that's a ducky in 7 then Big Mike must be insane ! I'm still happy with a guess of 9 and think the image is nothing more than a lightbulb. We shall see.

After much eye/screen fatigue (+ many lost work hours) I would now like to declare 9 Duckies. And you can quote me on that.

I like this. The ducky game has transcended from simple eye spy to a cut throat strategy game ! Us "pro" ducky players would never be so foolish as to post a guess so soon without checking out competitors guesses first. So no guess from me .......... yet. Who's gonna blink first ! Also, should I be concerned that Mrs Apple is now shouting out Big Mikes name in her sleep ? Regards The Major

Thanks for your....ermmm...."flexibility"....over the competition rules Big Mike as it's more fun when you make them up as you go along. Mrs Apple now thinks you are a bit of a hunk and thought you looked "sweet". At first I thought she said "sweat" but it seems I was wrong as she went on to enquire of your marital status ! Regards

I've already guessed 9 but after pouring over every inch of those photos (Even Mrs Major is now hooked on this thread) I think I have spotted another of those damn ducks ! So I have to now say 10 and throw myself on the mercy of Big Mike not to disqualify me in the first round ! Regards

The reason for this edited post is nothing to do with having a second guess on the ducky competition because Big Mike had made it so difficult. It was just a post praising Big Mike for being an all round good bloke, but I realised that I had, in fact, not praised Big Mike ENOUGH ! So from all your fans that are not worthy to tread the ground you walk on a big thanks for the EXCELLENT TRs and being a LEGEND in your own lifetime ! (Phew, I think I got away with that !)

Nice report Large Michael. Like you said, some of those duckys are pretty hard to spot but I think I got them. One possible problem though. The competition really should be time zone adjusted as I can forsee grumblings from your international friends and readers. For example, if you post first thing in the morning then this favours the Europeans (Good), but if posting late at night this favours Australians (Bad). Perhaps Big Mike could get Bill Gates to knock up a fiendishly complicated programme to "time adjust" all entries ? (On second thoughts, if you needed a program that works call Steve Jobs ) Just a tounge in cheek thought and look forward to the next installment of the BMRS ! Regards

Another long time lurker who was drawn to post on the BMRS thread like a moth to a flame. Big Mike Regarding the "ducky" competition. Why not get guesses BEFORE posting the pictures. That way it can be easily rigged so a close friend (or relative) gets to win. Genius. All the best and enjoying the Road Show immensely.

Cyclone was demolished today. Full story at http://www.southportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=50367604

The latest is that BPB have said " that they are ensuring the safety of the ride over the winter" Since when does that involve cutting the end of the track off ? Errr, yep, OK. Blackpool PleasureBeachs' solution for over wintering rollercoasters. Cover the track with a special "invisibility" tarpaulin.

anyone good at German ? Cyclone meets the Fatherland http://www.coastersandmore.de/previews/pleasureland/pleasureland.shtml And whatever you can do to prevent your favorite coaster getting A.C.E recognition then do it. It's the chuffin kiss of death I tell you. Regards The Major

The fact is that BPB got their whole business plan for this park completely and utterly wrong. Southport and Blackpool are two completely different towns. Blackpool is all the razzmatazz, lights, nightlife which appeals to the younger element who also appreciate the white knuckle rides of the Pleasurebeach. As an aside, whilst you were on tour did any of your party visit Funnygirls in Blackpool ? http://www.funnygirlsshowbar.co.uk/ A really good night which isn't seedy in the slightest. TPRers would love it. I digress. Southport on the otherhand is much more genteel and posh and really is a town on the up. So basically BPB implement the same business model in S/Port as they do in Blackpool and invest a shitload of money into taller and faster scream machines. They therefore need pretty high returns and they need them pretty damn fast to recoup the investment (£15 squillion ?) What they should have done is realise that Southport will NEVER be Blackpool, not gone for big hitters, but spent more modest amounts on just tidying the place up, a few decent flats a good darky and the pressure on returns would have been considerably lower. BPB were up to their necks in debt anyway so why invest so much on just one ride (TRAUMAtizer) ? One good ride doth not a park make. They played the big stakes game and lost. I don't believe they had to. Southport could have been a really nice family park with far less money spent overall. Regards The Major

And here was I thinking Astroworld was a disgrace ! This is downright disgusting. That coaster has been there for nigh on 70 years and yet the local council afforded it no protection whatsoever and just simply handed it over to Blackpool Pleasurebeach to pull the old "it's not viable" trick. Is there a condition beyond absolutely livid? Because, I tell you, Im there !