Hi! I’m Kip Hakes, I’m a 42-year-old Blogger, Vlogger and Designer. I’m married to Vicki and I’ve got two children, and a Cavachon called Duggee. We live in the Essex countryside just outside of Colchester.

I’ve blogged since 2008, and my blogging subjects include – Parenting, Technology, Reviews, Photography, Rants and Raves and more. I’m Designer of stuff by day, and a total nerd at night.

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Blog

Looking Back..

It’s very nearly a year since I had the surgery on my spine – it’s [...]

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Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 – Line-Up Announced – A Daz Games Maze?!

The press release has hit my inbox – the Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 Line Up [...]

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Outside of Thorpe Park 2023
Thorpe Park 2023 – A trip with My Mate Vince – Trip Report 4/7/23

Once again, instead of making a vlog, I’ve written a little trip report of a [...]

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Chessington World of Adventures Resort 2023 – Trip Report – 26/06/23

I thought when I haven’t vlogged a day out, I’d do a little trip report [...]

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Alton Towers reveal new Nemesis track ! What will be the new name for Nemesis ?

So, you may or may not be aware, that the iconic, world renowned rollercoaster, Nemesis [...]

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The NickWatch – a smart watch designed for kids

When you’re a technology blogger / vlogger with children, I quite often get press releases [...]

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The Curse at Alton Manor Header Image
The Curse at Alton Manor – Finding ALL the Easter Eggs

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months – you’ll know [...]

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Eighty Four

It’s Sunday! Which has recently seen a new routine added to it – sorting out [...]

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Courting Controversy

It’s funny returning to here after quite the break. I used to write SO MUCH, [...]

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Off Menu

I’m obsessed with familiarity – I like the same foods, drinks, TV shows – I [...]

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All change please!

It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve written anything on here, and to be [...]

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CBeebies Land at Alton Towers sees THREE new attractions opening in 2022

Alton Towers Resort have today released some ‘behind-the-scenes’ images of the brand-new attractions coming to [...]

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YouTubeVisit my Channel

Thorpe Park's new logo is proving to be quite controversial - I took a look at their extensive design process...
How did Thorpe Park make their new logo? I think I know.. #thorpepark #themepark #design
Okay - this is a really DRY video, but it's SO important - today I'm trying to get round how to wire up my arcade machine, and sort out the JAMMA harness. I explain why we have it, how it works, and why it is so important to the build.Here's the JAMMA Harness I was using - UK - https://amzn.to/3N9wd6e / USA - https://amzn.to/3uGLxRP Here's the Label Printer I used - UK - https://amzn.to/3N7kNA6 / USA - https://amzn.to/46Aoc17Drop a comment below!JOIN my channel here - https://kiphak.es/joinmychannelOur channel is powered by Hyperoptic fibre broadband - https://kiphak.es/hyperopticIf you fancy getting me a coffee go here - https://www.ko-fi.com/kiphakesPeruse my Wish List here - https://wishlist.kiphakes.tvOr follow me on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kiphakes Threads - https://www.threads.net/@kiphakes Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/kiphakestvThe Amazon Wish List is here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PDMIQX3CYPZ500:00 Start & Titles 00:15 Introduction 00:42 Behold the JAMMA Harness! 02:41 JAMMA - Power Connections 04:34 JAMMA - Video Connections 05:24 JAMMA to VGA Conversion 08:09 JAMMA - Coin Door Connections 10:59 Thoughts on Power in the Arcade Machine 13:20 JAMMA - Player Controls 14:26 Why JAMMA connectors are important 16:34 What are these wires for?! 19:39 Wrapping up! 20:58 GAME OVER!
JAMMA Harness - Arcade Machine Wiring Fundamentals - Building an Arcade Machine - Part 5
In today's video I'm looking at some of the BEST Outdoor and Indoor Christmas lights you can buy - the  @Twinkly  Curtain Lights.I'm going through the whole process in this video, unboxing, testing, installation, setup and linking my two curtains together - a Twinkly feature I've never used before!These are the lights I've got (two sets!) - UK - https://amzn.to/3uwFxuP / USA - https://amzn.to/3uCKbreThese are the Hooks I used - UK - https://amzn.to/3N0hRFo / USA - https://amzn.to/47wCqBtThese are the Cable Ties I used - UK - https://amzn.to/3GgjYkL / USA - https://amzn.to/41cyUdrDrop a comment below!JOIN my channel here - https://kiphak.es/joinmychannelOur channel is powered by Hyperoptic fibre broadband - https://kiphak.es/hyperopticIf you fancy getting me a coffee go here - https://www.ko-fi.com/kiphakesPeruse my Wish List here - https://wishlist.kiphakes.tvOr follow me on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kiphakes Threads - https://www.threads.net/@kiphakes Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/kiphakestvThe Amazon Wish List is here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PDMIQX3CYPZ500:00 Titles 00:10 Introducing the Twinkly Curtain Lights 00:56 Twinkly Curtain Light Dimensions 01:13 Unboxing the Twinkly Curtains Lights 05:02 Layout of the Twinkly Curtain Lights 07:33 Plugging in the Twinkly Curtain Lights 07:59 Adding lights to the Twinkly App 11:42 Map Twinkly Lights in the Twinkly App 13:58 Controls for the Twinkly Curtains in the Twinkly App 15:05 Planning the Installation of the Twinkly Curtain Lights 16:00 Best way to hang Twinkly Curtains from Hooks 16:44 Best hooks for Outside Lights 17:13 How I installed the Twinkly Curtain Lights 18:36 How to Group / Link Multiple Twinkly Lights 20:29 Looking at the Twinkly App and Light Settings at Night! 22:53 Create a Playlist in the Twinkly App 25:38 GAME OVER!
Twinkly Curtain Lights - The BEST Outdoor and Indoor Christmas Lights
In today's video I'm taking you back to 2004 - Tony Blair was Prime Minister, Cha-Cha Slide was sliding up the charts, and all the Dads were VERY interested in the music video for 'Call on Me' by Eric Prydz. I've recently been going back through my home video archive and found some old DV Camcorder tapes of my old theme park adventures.. I've spent hours upscaling and using the latest tools to these ancient videos look half decent.Today we're at Alton Towers in January and February of 2004 - January was the 10th birthday celebration of Nemesis (sadly Nemmy was being repaired so didn't open). February was some kind of 'soft open' day, where not many rides were available, but bits of the park normally closed off were accessible for a little mooch around..Watch and see what I got up to in my first ever UK theme park Vlog!Drop a comment below!JOIN my channel here - https://kiphak.es/joinmychannelOur channel is powered by Hyperoptic fibre broadband - https://kiphak.es/hyperopticIf you fancy getting me a coffee go here - https://www.ko-fi.com/kiphakesPeruse my Wish List here - https://wishlist.kiphakes.tvOr follow me on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kiphakes Threads - https://www.threads.net/@kiphakes Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/kiphakestvThe Amazon Wish List is here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PDMIQX3CYPZ500:00 Titles 00:20 Introduction 00:31 My first ever Vlogging Camera 01:12 The FIRST UK Theme Park vlog? 01:44 What the footage looks like at a low resolution 02:24 When did I film this footage? 03:16 Alton Towers 2004 Photos! 04:26 Air at Alton Towers Off Ride Footage - 2004 06:36 Broken Nemesis in January 2004 07:11 Dynamo - SBNO January 2004 07:23 Duel - January 2004 08:02 X-Sector - February 2004 08:37 Enterprise - February 2004 09:39 Oblivion Off Ride Footage - February 2004 10:46 Alton Towers in 2004 11:04 Hex in 2004 11:17 Toyland Tours in 2004 11:29 Tweenies Theatre in Cred Street 11:40 Ug Land in 2004 11:50 Ug Swinger 2004 12:01 Bone Shaker 2004 12:24 Corkscrew Off Ride Footage 2004 14:27 Nemesis at 10 Years Old in 2004 15:47 Swan Boats removal in 2004 16:10 A hidden AquaLand sign! 16:49 Spinball Whizzer Construction and Carriage Delivery 17:18 Wrapping up and Conclusions 18:15 GAME OVER
Alton Towers in 2004 - First EVER UK theme park Vlog!
The Black Friday Offers at Flic are only available until November 26th via here - https://flic.io/shop/blackfriday-vip?aff=99 - Use password KIPVIP for earlier access!Get the Flic Hub LR here - https://flic.io/shop/flic-hub-lr?aff=99 Get the Flic Buttons here - https://flic.io/shop/flic-2-three-pack?aff=99 Get the Flic Twist here - https://flic.io/shop/flic-twist?aff=99In today's video I'm taking a deeper look into the world of Flic and the Flic Hub LR and the Flic Buttons - it's an awesome system with so much POWER in a tiny button!Drop a comment below!JOIN my channel here - https://kiphak.es/joinmychannelOur channel is powered by Hyperoptic fibre broadband - https://kiphak.es/hyperopticIf you fancy getting me a coffee go here - https://www.ko-fi.com/kiphakesPeruse my Wish List here - https://wishlist.kiphakes.tvOr follow me on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kiphakes Threads - https://www.threads.net/@kiphakes Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/kiphakestvThe Amazon Wish List is here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PDMIQX3CYPZ500:00 Intro and Titles 00:17 Flic have sent me a Black Friday Box! 01:06 What's in the Box? 02:05 What is Flic? 02:47 Flic Glow in the Dark Stickers 03:12 A quick look at the Flic Twist 04:03 The Flic Buttons IN BLACK!! 04:43 The Flic Hub LR Unbox and Quick Look 06:02 Setting up the Flic Hub LR 07:14 Adding a Flic Button to the Flic Hub LR 07:40 Configuring a Flic Button to work with Philips Hue 10:48 Controlling my Studio Lights with a Flic Button 12:34 Wrapping Up and Thoughts 14:40 GAME OVER!
This TINY Button Controls EVERYTHING! The flic Button and flic Hub LR
Turns out today is the 13th birthday of my YouTube Channel! Happy Birthday to me, and thank you to the millions that tune in! :)
Happy Birthday to my Channel!! #birthday #youtuber #party
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Recipes

Mushroom Pie

This Mushroom Pie is AMAZING! It’s fantastic for veggies and packed full of flavour, carnivores [...]

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Vegetarian Chicken Tikka Masala with Coriander and Lime Rice

This is a favourite of mine, it’s got a bit of a kick to it, [...]

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Super Simple Katsu Curry

This super simple Katsu Curry is a regular on the Hakes family meal roster. With [...]

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Paneer, Tomato and Spinach Curry

This is a great curry. I really do love Paneer, and I’ve tried a few [...]

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Alleppy Quorn Curry – Vegan Friendly

This started life as an Alleppy Prawn Curry, and it looked amazing. I pondered how [...]

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Creamy Cheese and Pea Pasta with Vivera Veggie Bacon Pieces

As a vegetarian, something I get asked a lot is.. “Do you miss bacon?”. The [...]

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Reviews

Review – Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress

You might remember, we’ve been happy Simba Hybrid mattress customers for while now. However, when [...]

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Testing out SmartBuyGlasses.co.uk

Smartbuyglasses.co.uk Ease of Use Product Selection 5 Summary I got the sunglasses I wanted, at [...]

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Review – Glamp at The Priory

As an adult, I’ve never been a fan of camping – why stay in a [...]

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Review – Tulleys Christmas Experience 2019

Tulleys Christmas Experience Overall 5 Summary I cannot recommend Tulleys Christmas Experience enough. We had [...]

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Review – Chessington Howl’o’ween 2019

Chessington Howl'o'ween 2019 Atmosphere Mazes 5 Summary I was utterly charmed by Chessington Howl’o’ween 2019. [...]

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Review – Horror at Hinchingbrooke House 2019

Horror at Hinchingbrooke House 2019 5 Summary It’s really hard not to love Horror at [...]

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Travel

8 Best New York Bars to Visit this Summer

No matter your reason for visiting New York City this summer, you are sure to [...]

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brown bridge on green grass field near mountain
The Best Family-Friendly Heritage Sites in York-shire

Planning a family staycation? Many families have discovered the many benefits of a staycation and [...]

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Top Unique Holiday Ideas Travelers Will Love

Everyone wants to go on holiday every once in a while. When they do, they [...]

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5 Beginners Tips For Adventure Travel

If you’re the type of person who gazes in awe and wonder at Instagram pictures [...]

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How to Run an Eco-friendly Caravan Park

From reducing carbon footprints to actively supporting local ecosystems, it’s fantastic that caravan park owners [...]

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Review – Glamp at The Priory

As an adult, I’ve never been a fan of camping – why stay in a [...]

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