Purplepills

^Excellent news. Pleased Spinball is open now too, be interesting to see if anyone notices any changes in the way its run, given the changes reported last week for the other coasters when the park reopened. Very pleased given we're due for a hotel stay at the resort in 2 days time, was getting a bit worried it would still be shut. In terms of the investigation does anyone know if this means the HSE have left the site now? In other news, Kay Burley's interview whilst getting many complaints will not be investigated by Ofcom. Whilst a little harsh, the interview didn't break any of the rules so there's nothing to really investigate. www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/alton-towers-crash-ofcom-not-5885947

Everyone I know who has been on it (i.e. the GP) has said they really liked it. More than anything it actually made me laugh as its a lot of fun, so I guess it did its job

Watched Struck by Lightning today. One of those films where they show you the ending first, only in the one the main character dies...at the very start/end. Was quite entertaining really, not bad for a film on Amazon Instant! Quite often we seem struggle to find a 'good' comedy movie we havent yet seen on it.. 6.7/10

Adam Richman (Man vs Food) favourited, retweeted and loved the photo I tweeted him of me copying the pose on his new book...whilst holding his new book simple things please simple minds

Indeed, nice to actually see something from that paper that just appears to be a genuine interview without all the crap surrounding it which has been put out in the last week and a half. No sensationalism, just giving him a platform to tell his side of it.

I did think It wouldn't surprise me at all if some journalist threw the big clip under air!

So, ever since The Smiler accident, the media now want you to believe Alton Towers is genuinely falling to pieces. A large metal clip was found supposedly under Air. As for the Runaway Train, even a late opening actually makes the news now.

Thought I'd just look at the ride times out of interest since I'm there this time next week. Whilst the times are low, the number of thrill rides open vs those closed doesn't make nice reading...

Well in a more positive move, The Guardian have updated the article (or replaced it with another) titled: Alton Towers ride evacuated because technical delay panicked customer Which good because it points out the fact nothing was actually wrong and the customer caused the evacuation. However, they report the ride is going to be closed ALL DAY today whilst they thoroughly investigate it.

So, apparantely the Octonauts coaster was evacuated. There a big report about it HERE. Because theres a lot of danger on a single train kiddie coaster which stopped as it should. The guy who has been quoted in the story decided to leave the park at that point and complain to guest services because 'They did absolutely nothing to stop the children and parents going into that part of the park to witness what was going on.' Sounds like they only evacuated because one of the passengers got agitated anyway, normally it would be reset. Maybe its just me but I would've thought you'd be better off explaining to your child whats going on and that the people aren't in any danger, rather than removing them immediately from the park. Each to their own I suppose.

^I also love Oblivion! If I don't get to ride it its not the end of the world, but with that closed (and to a lesser degree Enterprise) It means longer lines for the other rides too. Not forgetting Spinball might still be closed then too. As for the Smiler, I've no idea how long HSE investigations take but not expecting anything any time soon.

Seen over on Towers Times that The Smiler is testing today with water dummies, seemingly to do with the HSE investigation. Really hoping they are done in a weeks time as we've got a couple of nights booked in the hotel. I'll be a little disappointed if X Sector is still closed...

Wow, thats pretty special. Just clickbait, with a headline 'Alton towers Shuts Another Rollercoaster'. It even says in the damn article it was shut for 'routine operational purposes'.

^Sadly thats a typical response from people who would rather listen to media hype than choose to sit down and learn about rides. My wifes cousin actually said she wouldn't feel safe on rides if it wasn't for me reassuring her (she has OCD and worries a lot) and telling her how they work and why they are safe. I tend to find just a basic explanation of all the fail safes seems to help people worry less. Some people don't want to hear it though...

^Thats scraping the barrel for stories isn't it? With frightening scary things as: or Still like you say, people wont read it properly and just talk about how Alton Towers covered up 30 accidents to keep them from the papers.

Seems everyone who went in today was given free tickets to return another time as a 'thank you for coming'.

Very sad indeed...few more details in there about one of the other riders suffering 'two broken knees and substantial hand injuries'.

Wow, can't really fault that at all. Pleased to hear the way its been handled.

^haha made me chuckle

Not sure how much longer this will be the case for, but tickets for tomorrow are still acceptable at Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures or LEGOLAND Windsor. Suppose they only announced at 5.30pm today they'd be open, its a bit short notice really so people would probably have already been thinking to go to one of those other parks with their AT tickets.

My Mother in Law, who has never been to a Theme Park in her entire life, has just informed me that she thinks the Smiler is 'probably shut for a couple of weeks' Not that weird but she said it with quite some authority as if she knew something we dont

Hopefully X-Sector wont be shut for too long....

Maleficent Wife really wanted to watch this, its been on the rental list for ages and finally came this weekend. Whilst well done, it wasnt really for me. Wife loved it though. 5/10 Once Upon a Time in America This movie is 3.5 hours long. Normally I would avoid things this long, but I'm (very) slowly working my way though the IMDB top 250. As it happens, I loved this one, and could happily have watched it for another hour, it didn't feel at all too long for me. The plot jumps around a bit over a period of 50 (?) years. The makeup for the most recent scenes was excellent, Al Pacino looked basically like he does now. An excellent gangster movie. 9/10 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel I thought I would hate this film. I'm not a huge fan of British comedies like this, but I try to be open minded with movies so will usually give them a go if they get good review. I actually really enjoyed this one. Its a nice, light hearted comedy, with a good (I suppose you might say charming) storyline. 7.5/10

^That definitely counts Yes, hardly go though. Do you like spicy food?

No! Have you eaten any fruit today?