Boxing Day Beats

Date: Boxing Day, 2025 Location: Xscape Yorkshire, Castleford

After the intensity of the football on Boxing Day morning, I needed a change of pace for the rest of the holiday. There is no better place to escape the cold (and work off some Christmas dinner leftovers) than Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford.

It turned into one of those perfect, spontaneous days—filled with arcade lights, spicy chicken, and a reminder of why I love carrying my camera with me.

High Scores & High Stakes at Fun station

We headed straight for Fun station, which was buzzing with that carnival atmosphere. It’s impossible not to feel like a big kid in there.

We loaded up the Fun cards and got stuck in. I’m usually focused on shutter speeds and angles, but today was all about timing on the coin pushers and aim on the carnival toss games. And for once, luck was on my side! We actually did really well, racking up enough tickets to claim some good prizes from the counter—not just the usual small sweets, but some proper wins to take home. There’s a specific kind of satisfaction in walking away with a prize you "earned" on the arcade floor.

The Nando’s Refuel

All that gaming builds an appetite, so we headed to Nando’s for dinner. You can’t go wrong with a cheeky Nando’s, especially when Xscape is this busy and lively.

We grabbed a table, ordered a spread of Peri-Peri chicken, chips, and garlic bread, and just relaxed. It was nice to sit back, prize winnings by our side, and enjoy the food without rushing.

Spotted: The Sony Shooter

While we were relaxing, a group of teenagers at a nearby table noticed my gear. I had my Sony camera sitting on the table—it’s hard to miss if you know what you’re looking for!

They came over, clearly interested in photography, and asked, "Is that the new Sony?" It’s always nice to meet fellow tech enthusiasts. They asked if I could take a few photos of them since they were all dressed up for the holiday and struggling with selfies.

I was more than happy to oblige. I switched into "pro mode" for a minute, directed them into some better light, and snapped a few portraits for them. They were absolutely buzzing when I showed them the results on the back screen—crisp, sharp, and miles better than a phone snap.

A Good Day

It was a small moment, but after struggling a bit with my focus at the football match earlier in the day, it felt great to pick up the camera and make someone smile with a good photo.

Good food, great prizes, and a bit of photography fun. You can't ask for a better Boxing Day than that.

★★★★★

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