My band had a gig in Penzance last Sunday, I did a quick search for any available creds en route and realised that Devon's Crealy was still open in the off season.
So I made a picnic for the rest of the band to eat in the car park whilst I dashed in to get the Vekoma Junior cred (they're lucky to have me, I know.)
Devon's Crealy describes itself as an 'Adventure Park' - which I discovered is the official term for a minimalist amusement park where at least 85% of the attractions consist of slides. Further research has shown me that the distinction between an Adventure Park and a Water Park is a slippery slope.
I dashed passed the millions slides straight over to Maximus, the parks one and only coaster.
Considering I had no expectations, I was surprised/impressed at their efforts to theme it
On a family coaster scale of one to Th13teen, I would place Maximus somewhere above a Big Apple but below Treetops at Oakwood.
I set about exploring the rest of the park, and here's where the disappointment really started to kick in.
This shack looked like it may house something spook-tacky-ular left over from Halloween
But it was just a shack with nothing inside.
Then I had to wave goodbye to my hopes of riding the log flume
But took a lovely, pretty photo of it which should make the front cover of the park's brochure next year
I applauded Crealy's wise decision to close their warm, indoor arcade on a cold winters day
I went to look at the Shetland Ponies but all I got was this sign
Now, I'm not suggesting that animals should be kept outdoors in the cold just so I can look at them, but
"Shetland ponies originated in the Shetland Isles, located northeast of mainland Scotland. The harsh climate and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals." - quoted from Shetland Pony Society.
Due to the wet weather I now wanted to enclose myself in some shelter too, perhaps a nice indoor show or something - wouldn't that be lovely on a cold winters day?
Evidently not.
Or perhaps I could buy some expensive warm food?
No chance.
Headed over to the indoor animal area, which is essentially a slightly more exotic Pets At Home shop
Most of the enclosures were empty, apart from the ones with guinea pigs in. I'm always excited to catch a glimpse of these rare, elusive rodents
Fascinating creatures.
The highlight of my trip was walking out of the park and finding this lovely pygmy goat.
But I was still cheesed off with my 45 minutes at Devon's Crealy. If I'm nitpicking, I would have really liked for not just the park to be open, but it's attractions to be open too - but hey, you can't have it all at once.
Like any rational person, I confounded my feelings toward a disappointing adventure park in a pie chart
But at least I can now say, Devons Crealy - bin there, done that
And even the bands didn't seem too unhappy with the cred / picnic stop!
So I made a picnic for the rest of the band to eat in the car park whilst I dashed in to get the Vekoma Junior cred (they're lucky to have me, I know.)
Devon's Crealy describes itself as an 'Adventure Park' - which I discovered is the official term for a minimalist amusement park where at least 85% of the attractions consist of slides. Further research has shown me that the distinction between an Adventure Park and a Water Park is a slippery slope.
I dashed passed the millions slides straight over to Maximus, the parks one and only coaster.
Considering I had no expectations, I was surprised/impressed at their efforts to theme it
On a family coaster scale of one to Th13teen, I would place Maximus somewhere above a Big Apple but below Treetops at Oakwood.
I set about exploring the rest of the park, and here's where the disappointment really started to kick in.
This shack looked like it may house something spook-tacky-ular left over from Halloween
But it was just a shack with nothing inside.
Then I had to wave goodbye to my hopes of riding the log flume
But took a lovely, pretty photo of it which should make the front cover of the park's brochure next year
I applauded Crealy's wise decision to close their warm, indoor arcade on a cold winters day
I went to look at the Shetland Ponies but all I got was this sign
Now, I'm not suggesting that animals should be kept outdoors in the cold just so I can look at them, but
"Shetland ponies originated in the Shetland Isles, located northeast of mainland Scotland. The harsh climate and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals." - quoted from Shetland Pony Society.
Due to the wet weather I now wanted to enclose myself in some shelter too, perhaps a nice indoor show or something - wouldn't that be lovely on a cold winters day?
Evidently not.
Or perhaps I could buy some expensive warm food?
No chance.
Headed over to the indoor animal area, which is essentially a slightly more exotic Pets At Home shop
Most of the enclosures were empty, apart from the ones with guinea pigs in. I'm always excited to catch a glimpse of these rare, elusive rodents
Fascinating creatures.
The highlight of my trip was walking out of the park and finding this lovely pygmy goat.
But I was still cheesed off with my 45 minutes at Devon's Crealy. If I'm nitpicking, I would have really liked for not just the park to be open, but it's attractions to be open too - but hey, you can't have it all at once.
Like any rational person, I confounded my feelings toward a disappointing adventure park in a pie chart
But at least I can now say, Devons Crealy - bin there, done that
And even the bands didn't seem too unhappy with the cred / picnic stop!
