Southend Halloween Parade & Fireworks

To start our Halloween weekend we headed in to Southend yesterday (the newly promoted City in Essex) to watch the Halloween Parade and the seafront firework display. The fireworks have been cancelled for the last 2 or 3 weeks due to weather and the murder of David Amess, so we knew this weekend would be super busy with the Parade on as well. So we decided to take the train rather than drive as we figured the cost of fuel and parking probably would make that much difference, but would be a lot easier and less stressful.

The parade was ok. I think Holly enjoyed it but the boys weren't impressed. There were some very good displays and floats and then a lot of local clubs etc which was not all that interesting. But some of the costumes were very impressive. The fireworks were absolutely amazing this year and I have to say it is really impressive that Southend council put this on every year completely free of charge. We sat there with soem nice chip and donuts and really enjoyed the 15-20 min firework spectacular.

On the way home the train was definitely the right option as the traffic coming out of Southend was absolutely rammed. Since we were on the train we also indulged in a new first for the kids and bought a couple of kebab's for them to try. It was probably the first time in 15-20 years that I have had a kebab and certainly the first time any of the kids had tried them.

It is not often Holly goes on a train so she was happy with our decision to not drive.

The ghostly drum band started the parade off and were very good.

Super base on the drums and they all lit up as well which looked really cool.

Some of the costumes were very good.

There had to be Ghostbusters there somewhere.

The Mask.

Not quite sure why Minie Mouse was in a Halloween Parade, but Holly was happy to see her.

The RNLI float.

This large dragon was really impressive.

This picture really shows the size of the dragon.

Some very tall Halloween costumes.

More from the large characters.

Very colourful.

The wicked witch.

Holly and Tina watching the parade.

Some very colourful skeletons.

Along comes the coffin.

A very large skeleton costume.

Even Batman was there.

I thought this costume was pretty amazing.

As was this one.

Another very impressive dragon that looks great with all the led lights.

Whilst we waited for the fireworks the kids had a little go on some of the arcades.

Of course Holly played her 2p machines and won a poppet in the shape of an ice-cream.

We had prime spot right in front of the barge for the fireworks.

They didn't disappoint as they illuminated the night sky at Southend seafront.

More of the fireworks.

The big finale before heading for the train home.

Alton Towers Day 2

Day 2 at Alton Towers started with a 7am alarm to go to the restaurant for a full English breakfast. This was a pleasant surprise as we didn't realise we had breakfast booked with our accommodation. After that we pretty much headed straight back in to the park with the objective of getting on Rita, Wickerman and Smiler (which were the 3 big thrill rides we didn't make it on yesterday).

The day didn't start off well as we went to Wickerman first and found out they had a delayed opening and wasn't sure when it would be running. Then we checked the App and found out Smiler was closed all weekend. So we dashed back over to Rita (all the way over the other side of the park) and jumped in the queue there. Luckily once they opened the ride we were only 10-15 minutes from the front and it was well worth the wait. Accelerating from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds is pretty amazing.

After Rita we took a punt on Wickerman opening and waited outside the ride. We struck gold again as within 15 mins it opened and we were right at the front of the queue. Fortunately Holly could also ride Wickerman so this was a rare occasion where all 5 of us got to have a ride together. Wickerman was so good as it captured the rustic old wooden coasters but with the thrill of a modern coaster and a Halloween type of theme as well. 

So it was mission accomplished for Day 2 and as they queues for the big rides increased to 90-120 mins we spent the rest of our time on the smaller rides, having some lunch, some souvenir shopping and playing on some of the side stalls. The boys had been nagging all weekend to try one of the basketball side stalls and Holly desperately wanted to win a teddy which we kept delaying her to the end saying we couldn't carry it around all weekend.

So I eventually forked out £10 for 8 basketballs expecting 3 each for the boys and 2 for me. But no, they insisted on 4 each and none for me which was a complete waste of money as they both missed every shot. I then forked out another £5 for 3 balls for me. The first ball was a little off and both boys started taking the mickey saying I was worse than them. But this was just gauging the weight of the ball and the trajectory as the second shot was clean through the ring. So Holly was a happy girl with a giant new dog teddy bear, the boys were both humbled and I had wasted a tenner but had the pleasure of ribbing them for the rest of the day about how useless they were and that I hit it in the second shot!

We didn't stay too late on the Sunday as we had done all the rides and the queues were getting too big. Plus everyone was starting to feel a little tired and jaded. Fortunately we had a much better drive home than on the way there and was soon back home safe and sound after what seemed like a really long weekend away.

7am start as we headed to the restaurant for a full English.

Joshua taking a morning stroll through the enchanted village.

Surprisingly very quiet at 7am.

Brandon trying to escape without being photographed.

Our little garden area in front of our lodge.

Holly and Tina at our lodge (this time in daylight).

Whilst we waited for the park to open, Holly started collecting all the pumpkins which had been put out on display.

And playing in the park areas.

Our little Princess.

Quick Halloween photo stop as we head over to the main entrance.

Halloween characters dotted around everywhere.

Joshua even managed to fit in a spot of fishing.

Holly and Tina in CBeebies whilst me and the boys queue for Rita.

Spot the Holly (with a dog, Tina!).

Holly and Tina on another ride in CBeebies land.

Holly seemed more than happy on some of the smaller rides as she couldn't go on all the thrill rides.

Unfortunately the River Rapids was closed so this was as close as Holly got to a water ride.

No ideas what this is????

Or this, seems I am out of touch with kids programmes.

Sorry still no idea, but Holly is being Sassy as always.

Well she did pass her licence yesterday, so why not let her drive.

Not sure what these do as I was with the boys on Rita at the time.

Holly enjoying more of the smaller rides.

Including the gunpowder barrels.

Gutted that Wickman was initially closed, but our patience paid off.

Soon Holly joined the wait as we realised she was tall enough to ride in Wickerman.

Getting closer to the front of the ride.

Looks old and rickety, but this is a quite new and modern attraction for Alton Towers - not to mention very popular.

Getting out of the rain watching some sharks in the Sealife Centre.

Not often you get to see prehistoric horse shoe crabs.

Not a great picture of the sharks.

Or the rays, but it was no flash photography.

The seahorse on the other hand enjoyed posing for the camera.

Holly and Brandon in the shark tunnel.

Anyone seen the Beluga whale?

Taking shelter for lucnh and Holly met another character at the theme park.

As the kids were already wet they didn't seem to mind going on the Galleon ride and getting completely soaked.

So the kids raced around the castle to board their boat as I got ready at the water guns to soak them.

Here they come, let battle commence.

On the Galleon circling around the castle.

Finally they come around to where I was waiting with a water gun.

Holly wears a poncho but I still gave her a good soaking.

We waited for nearly an hour for Gangster Granny before being kicked out of the line because the ride broke down!

The only positive was that Holly got to meet a very tall London guard.

Holly riding some of the smaller rides which didn't have big queues.

Holly on another ship ride (which luckily she can ride on her own).

Joshua all smiles pretending he won this teddy for Holly, but he was useless at basketball.

But Holly was a very happy girl, regardless of who won it for her.

At the entrance on a wet day as we head to the monorail to go for a round of crazy golf before heading home.

Farewell Alton Towers - it has been good.

Nemisis was the first hole on the crazy golf (which I got a hole in 1).

The Alton Towers theme park is very impressive.

As always Holly has to rush to be first at each hole (which really annoys the boys).

Josh and Brandon contemplating the best option for this monster.

Brandon about to T-off.

As always this one was far more difficult than it looked.

You can take the easy route if you like, but no, our egos all want to try the loop.

Galactica themed hole.

Joshua in action, about to ditch his ball.

Trying to find a hole through this large stump.

A very tired little girl sleeping on the way home next to her new teddy. Good job I didn't want to see out of the rear view mirror really!