h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I suspect from this entry you are a lover of Alton towers. I went there a couple of years ago in a cataclysmic rain storm. Consequently, there was hardly anyone there and all the rides were surprisingly open. Cool.

3 times on Nemesis, 3 times on Oblivion Wow! I also liked the spinny ride which sprayed water in your face - forget its name (the Buzzsaw or something). Go when its raining, saves all that tedious queuing.

Rollercoasters are the best rides by miles. Have to say I've been unimpressed at efforts in other theme parks in the UK over the years though. Maybe they have improved now. I grew up near to London and East Anglia so I'm really talking about Pleasurewood Hills (if it still exists) and Thorpe Park. I live in Birmingham now.

Could you recommend some as I'd love to try them? I believe Drayton Manor Park is quite close to me. Haven't got up to Blackpool as yet for the biggie there. Bear in mind I'm a real adrenaline junkie. Oblivion and Nemesis are out of this world but the Black Hole and The Corkscrew at Alton Towers seem a bit tame these days (great in their day though!).

I always get a little twinge when I drive past the Alton Towers turn off on the M1 or M6, it's great. I used to live in Blackpool and so have been on the Big One a fair few times but I think the Nemesis kicks its big blue metal arse!

The Big One is well worth a visit to Blackpool (and if you're in to thrills you should also go up the tower and stand on the glass section of flooring that they've got at the top while you're there). It's VERY high - and looks more so because there's not many buildings over four stories for some distance - and the first drop (the Big One) is fantastic. I find it's a bit like the Oblivion though - there's not really much else. Not that that's entirely bad, I just prefer the constant thrill of the Nemesis - it keeps the pace and the mad looping all the way round (in fact, is there a straight section?).

Where's Drayton Manor? I think I want to go. Now!

I went to Drayton Manor when I visited my auntie in Coventry, it was about a 15-20 minute drive, that's all I can tell ya until I find my souvenir park map, oh wait, here it is.....

Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 3TW. Tel: 01827 287979

There's some free advertising for them, a suprisingly small park when you look at the map, but the rides are truly awesome, there is the smallest ever mine truck coaster there and it's all enclosed and when you get to it, it's pretty damned intense with loops and all and tons 'head chop' sections, you know the ol' 'fast-drop-where-there-is a-piece-of-track-near-your-head-that-makes-you-duck-even-though-you know-you-aint-gonna-hit-it-but-there's-no-chance-in-hell-you-are-gonna-risk-it-anyway. And the shockwave and apocalypse are great, details on their website,
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Went there yesterday!

Klondike is the tiny mine coaster- brilliant.

But - AWESOME! - Shockwave and Apocalypse! Shockwave is up to Alton Tower standards - a very cool rollercoaster.
Apocalypse - just terrifying when it cranks you up to the top. What a thrill on the way down!

Most impressed and nowhere near the queing of Alton Towers. In fact I walked straigh on to the Shockwave twice! Must have been a load of wusses there yesterday because queues elsewhere *were* bad. We queued for an hour to get on the Stormforce 10 log flume.
Worth it though - it knocks the log flume at Alton Towers into a cocked hat. Don't sit at the back unless you want a total drenching though. I did and I couldn't have got wetter had I just dived into the water! One of its drops is backward!

Favourite ride ever - still the Nemesis!

Been on all those rides. Stormforce 10 is definitely the best log flume ever. I queued for a long time for it too. Went on shockwave, that was a 5-10 minute Q and i went on apocalypse twice, walked straight onto the standup one, dragged me sister on for good measure, she hated it, i loved it. Shockwave should be longer though. Nemesis is probably my fave ride 2, been on that and Oblivion 4 times each