Day 2: Parc Astérix

After an early start and a breakfast of pre-fabricated croissant, cold pooped egg (© Steve F) and cereal sans-spoons, we were on the coach ready to make a move for Parc Astérix, France's second theme park - the first being Disneyland Paris which I visited last month.

Then we noticed something on the skylight...

A warning from the locals? A failed pigeon post delivery? Bird flu? A curse?

Cursed or not, we made it safely to Parc Astérix - again a little earlier than scheduled. Unfortunately our new feathered companion didn't make it that far. We lost him/her somewhere on route: no doubt quite a surprise for a Parisian walking along the street early in the morning only to have a dead bird hurtling towards them from the roof of a big blue coach!

Probably served better quality breakfast

We had a while to wait and amuse ourselves before we were let in

We were met by one of the park people and led into the world of cartoon vikings (not pictured, honestly)

Our day started with a 30 minute ERS on Tonnerre de Zeus

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip for me - I think everybody enjoyed it

Simon complains he always looks grumpy in photos, but I think I can just about see a smile creeping slowly across his face

Best wooden coaster I've ridden to date

As the crowds entered the park we headed for Vol D'Icare but it wasn't running so we went on to Transdemonium, a very stylishly themed dark ride

Waiting for the rest of the group to emerge from the darkness

Transdemonium was full of evil theming. Goudurix was full of evil.

It looks fantastic, but it rode almost as rough as King.

Much more comfortable was La Trace Du Hourra, a Mack bobsled themed for a change as something other than a snowy bobsled run

L'Oxygénarium provided the most fun of the morning. Six adults crammed into an oversized rubber tyre spinning wildly down a water filled trough is always good for a humorous moment or two.

After riding what must be the slowest and most boring carousel in the world it was lunchtime. Group meals are always nice on club trips as it gives a good chance to chat with everybody else and find out about rides you may have otherwise missed. Group meals are not nice on club trips when it takes 90 minutes out of your day ... apart from if it is raining as heavily as it started to on Sunday.

The ECC goes undercover

With the rain still bucketing down (part of the pigeon curse?) we all went to watch the stunt show with its nice big covered seating area. I was expecting it to just be somewhere to keep out of the wet, but the show itself surpassed the non-expectations I had. One of the best I've seen. Walt Disney Studios' stunt show has marginally better stunts, but Parc Astérix's is put together much better and flows very well.

With our time at the park nearly up and the queue for a repeat ride of Zeus far too long, Paul and I filled in the last 20 minutes of the day with this boat ride around some nice gardens and statues.

Good photo opportunity!

Parc Astérix was a brilliant park. Due to the rain I didn't have time to explore more than half of it, but that gives a good excuse to return. Tonnerre de Zeus is worth the trip on its own.

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