A quick wee-stop on the way (and also a chance to escape from the stop/start queues around Kettering). Mikey-P scoffs one of his packed sandwiches

To add to the fun, part of the A14 was completely closed, necessetating an ad-hoc diversion through Kettering itself

A completely empty A14 (if only...)

DH and Guv in the queue for something

Destination 1: Oblivion - a pretty scary vertical drop rollercoaster, but good fun (and completely terrifying on the way down)

Mikey-P and Claire share a hug moment

A close-up of Oblivion on the way down

The gang pose for a pic outside Oblivion's drop-hole

Strolling past the house

It's probably ignored by most visitors, but Alton Towers' gardens are impressive in their own right...

...and used to be the only thing there and the sole reason people visited (which Nosher can remember in the 1970s!).

Luckily the gorgeous gardens are still well maintained

Queueing for the Log Flume

Nosher sit behind Bill, who acts as a handy water shield

Mikey-P shows off his very wet jeans

Next ride up: the Rapids. Fairly gentle, but good fun - another opportunity to get wet, and a way of building up Mikey-P to "the big one"

DH and Phil, "The Water Magnet" or "The Sponge", prepare for more wetness

Running through the waterfalls

Bill tries to dodge a splash

Bill's suffers an acne outbreak. Oh wait... it's only a mask

Another map consultation

Guv and Mikey-P in the queue for "Air"

"Air"'s pretty amazing, and the queueing crowd gets to be very close to the action. It's probably Nosher's favourite rollercoaster ever.

Another check of the map

Wandering back through the gardens

Past the old Orangery, which has fallen into slight disrepair since Nosher can remember it as a child of eight or nine

Mikey-P and Clare take the low road

Looking back at the Orangery. It's quite sad to see so few people in the gardens now.

Guv takes a break