I don't have a random memory. But I do have a feeling. With Nemmy celebrating 25 years. Also 25 years since my first visit and every time I step off the monorail. I get that feeling. Feeling of Joy, excitement and the greatest feeling of all. Contentment. There are 3 places in life I get this feeling. One is Anfield Liverpool. Football gives you something that nothing can replicate. The second. At home with Mrs Slugjc and the two hounds. The third is the towers.
I know in the 25 years. Times they have a changed. The park is different. We are all different. I remember when the Hotel opened. I needed to go and experience it. I needed to check in into that place. My parents would never do that. There was times during mu single years that I thought. Just go. Check in. Enjoy the park. Sleep in the hotel. You don't need a friend. I never did it. Never got the courage. When I got with Mrs Slugjc we did it. During scarefest It may not be the greatest hotel and the price is, well, lets just say it has a price. But it was what I wanted. The fountain at the front shone in that October sun and once I stepped inside. The hairs tingled upon the back of my neck. Forget the damp in the room, forget that the entertainment was as loud in the room as it was in the bar. I had spent the night at Alton Towers and loved it. Rode till the late night and rode in early morning. Yes I would rather stay at the chained oak now. Last year I had the joy of seeing some friends daughters experience the towers for the first time. Which meant staying in the splash landings. What a joy to be around.
That feeling of childish excitement never leaves me about the towers. There is a lot of talk of Merlin has done X,Y and Z to it. Frankly, never bothered me. As long as I could go, as long as I could experience it. As long as every so often I could walk out of the monorail, through the barriers. Into Towers street and see the Towers in distant. That's all I need I need. That first sigh off Nemmy, Air, Oblivion. Rides from Teenage years. Old friends. Old memories, that can only bring a smile to my face. Memories of a school friends jaw dropping at the sight of oblivion. The same friend who we sang loud and proud. "Yorkshire moors and Tetley bitter." As we did the Rapids. To going with Mrs Slugjc for the first time and knowing that finally I had met a women that not only liked going Would do the rides as well.
Its not only the park I love. I am a lottery win away from moving to the area that I think is stunning the summer. Equally as stunning in the wind and rain.
This is my memory of the Towers. Its a feeling. Its a feeling that I hope never loose.