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Tuesday, March 27

OK this Sunday I will be busy.

The morning I'm signing my new book "Something funny happened on the way to Heaven". I put together the funniest moments that have happened to me in my life. Plus a load of observations. The publisher loved it and thought i should get it out their on the streets. So approached Wesley Owen who sadly are closing next week I thought it would be a tribute to them to open on this Sunday morning at 9 to sign and give away 50 copies.

I would love you to be there. A number of people have expressed how they are unable to make it. But if you would love a copy then why not send me a text or an email saying how much you want my book released this Sunday and I'll send you one.

Normal cost will retail at £5.99 and you will be able to buy it from Sunday on this website.

All monies are going to help the Juniper Oasis Kenyan Education School. So thanks in advance for your support.

PLUS Bristol Rovers! Its our biggest game ever this season to win the Johnstone Paint Trophy. Come on it doesn't get bigger than that!!!

YEAH... bring on Sunday 1st April....

See you at Wesley Owen.

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Saturday, March 24

So its Saturday and ive been up for hours.

Had the kids all day and its been great. They are all asleep now (me thinks) and ive stolen a few moments with Jonny Depp and BBC2.

Well i was going to watch Match of the Day but what is the point when England lost again. Boy do we like to leave it and chance it to the last games. Oh sure we can win... hmmm NOT.

Having been to Lyme Regis today was really good. Saw Irve and Isabelle, Lilly and Holly hurrah.. Picked up Irves tracks from his "One Mighty Shed". Really cool. I love music but never really got into that much...

So the clocks go back. RUBBISH. but at least the kids will get up later? oh i can nver work it out.

Hurrah.

So tomorrow off to Alina's Baptism and 18th. Amazing. Cause it means Ive know Colin for just under 18 years. WOW.

Ho hum..

And Im on earlies this week which means i must sleep early tomorrow... grr..

Oh well. Talk soon.

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Thursday, March 22

RIP My Auntie Veronica. 1937-2007

Some members of your family stick out better than others.

Veronica was my dad's sister. One of 3.

Living in Desborough we saw her once a year.

At my wedding she was the only person I've ever known to give out 3 first aid kits as a present.

Married to my Uncle Arnold and my cousin Derek. Both who relied on her immensely.

One year at Christmas they came to visit my mum and dad. Being the family they are made me laugh. My mum came in the room and asked Derek if he wanted a cup of tea. He then turned to Arnold and asked if he wanted a cup of tea. He then turned to Veronica and asked if she wanted a cup of tea. Veronica then turned round to Arnold and said "yes" who then turned round to Derek and said "yes" who then turned to my mum, who'd heard the complete conversation, and said yes we all want tea. My mum then asked if they wanted Sugar. The same conversation took place.... lol

Auntie Veronica you'll be missed for ya smile, your fun and dead pan voice. love ya.

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Tuesday, March 20

Comic Relief.

So i watched it and was challenged.

I must admit i must be one of many people who see the videos and are touched by them. I was reminded of the time i spent in the slums in kenya exactly where they were filming.

It was heart renching.

Actually made me think about going back. Not straight away but some time after the kids have grown up. I just want to make a difference. I want to make a difference here first and then use the things Ive learnt to make a difference with people there.

If you've not given to comic relief please give.. we can make a difference

www.rednoseday.co.uk

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Monday, March 19

Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 8 - only 24 hours from home...

Having had a late night I really needed a lie in. So i tried to sleep. But you know when you need a lie in and you don't get one and you then get frustrated because you cant sleep.. that was this night. YAWN.

I guess knowing we have to be out of the room by 11 you start thinking should i get up and pack. Although last night i was living out of a suitcase. In fact i was really good this holiday in the clothes sense! I mean i only brought what i wore. You know when you go on holiday and you pack a zillion things that you clearly were probably never going to wear but you pack it just in case. The first time i went to the USA I packed 5 jumpers. Ok my parents never told me it'd be hot. I just imagined everywhere being like the UK. Cold 1 hour Warm the next and so on..

Still using the amazing tv technology we checked out at 1059 from the room tv. Great we get at least another 30 min or so...

Having taken the suitcase back to the car (actually seems heaver) we headed out towards the top of the tower.

The lift travels at 21mph. Surreal or what. Climbs 1800 ft. Oh boy. When you walk out of the lift you can not help but be amazed at the shear height that you are at. I love flying but tall buildings that's another thing! lol.

Some amazing views of the surrounding area did it for me. Vegas, mountains, the airport and a patch of grass!

We watched the 3 crazy rides that they have on top of the building. So we are miles up and they have 3 rides.

1. it goes up and down. ta da. that's it. I think i could cope with that.
2. it rotates like a roundabout. but does this over the edge of the building. also doing this at an angle of 70 degrees. so you are practically facing down.. not sure about this one...
3. it shoots you off the edge of the building. that's right you sit in a car. at 30 mph it flies you off the side on a track. then it does it again but this time it drops 35 degrees. So not only do you feel Iike you are flying off the side but you now feel like you are falling.

It goes to say i felt sick watching them. Let alone get on the ride. Hmm perfect love casts out fear. Not on a ride 1800ft up!

Having a starbucks coffee at the highest starbucks was about as adventurous as i could get. Bought some last minute gifts.. come on... and we then headed back to the car.

The last drive down the Strip was as about as adventurous as the first. It's day time. Vegas is a night time city. Everything in Vegas looks better at night.

Finally found the Hertz rental place and gave back the car. Then on the bus back home to the airport. Your body gets the idea you are going home so you start to flake.. i had started to flake..

In the queue a man asks us if we'd like to stay behind. Ok he's not a stranger or some weirdo but from Virgin. Offers us a night in the hotel, free food and free travel. Sounds ok. Then he offers us 50,000 air miles to be used anytime over the next 3 years OR a return trip anywhere in the world. UNREAL. So we offered. Ok work at home had been covered. Would have cost me a bit more but not at the price for 50000 air miles. YEAH. So then we have to wait. 30 mins seemed like a long time. But it turned out that we weren't needed in the end BUT because of the inconvenience (to who) we were given at £10 voucher for the shop. YEAH...

Dragging ourselves through customs we sat down and realised that our seats weren't together. i was about 10 rows apart from Rach.

So we go back to the boarding area and explain is their any chance of some seats together. The man eventually finds some seats but their is no entertainment ie tv on the back of the seat. It didn't matter as i was hoping to sleep...

So boarding the full plane we get to our seats and discover people are in them. Politely i say to a stewardess our seats are full.. they rush us into the galley and we get drinks..

Then two seats are found. Sadly the people who'd been sitting their had left the plane due to illness.

We were on our way home.

The customary movie to start the flight off with "De JA VU". Really good. Although the trailers are slightly misleading. Then i think i shall sleep.. try and fail so watch another movie.. then try and sleep. cant. try. cant. try. cant... grrr.

Then after al that trying you get more food. Meanwhile the little boy on my right had decided to sleep on me. Hurrah.

I'm not that great when I've had no sleep.

Landed. got bags. got drink from whsmith. got to bus stop to discover we'd missed the bus and it was now 1035 (0235 vegas time). I was shot away. the next bus was at 1200. Grrr. phoned a few friends, one of whom i told i had landed at heathrow when i was at Gatwick, and we then decided to go back to marks and spencer and get some food.

Eventually via every terminal at Gatwick arrival and depart we headed back to the hotel. Via a garage to fill up with Red Bull and petrol we headed home. Admitted got as far as Membury and i was dying. So slept. 20 min and i felt better. Dropped Rach off in Bristol and said goodbye. Then the final trek... A small stop at taunton and then to my house and my bed. Well right after I had a meal with Lyn and Geoff. VERY grateful.

So I love my bed. I was determined to stay in it as long as i could.. 8p.m i jumped in.. who cares if i snore.. i live on my own now... lol

THE END.......

LAST CHANCE FOR PHOTOS

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Sunday, March 18

RIP

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer dies

Woolmer took over as Pakistan coach in June 2004Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer has died after being discovered in his Jamaica hotel room on Sunday morning.

The 58-year-old former South Africa coach, who played for England between 1975 and 1981, was found unconscious at the Pegasus Hotel at 1045 local time.

He was taken to the emergency ward of the nearby University hospital but did not regain consciousness.
"It is very shocking news to all of the team and the team management," said Pakistan team manager Pervez Mir.

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Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 7 - A long way from home.

Yesterday was a long day. So i need to sleep but i realised today would be another long day. WE all got up and packed.

Dave and Emma were off to San Francisco. After their talk about LA and the potential visit to San Fran I kinda wished we'd taken these places in.. Vegas has been great and cool but the best days have been away and coming back to the strip.

We took Dave and Emma to the airport and waved them goodbye.

Rach and I set off for Stratosphere the last hotel on our visit. This hotel had the car park attached to the hotel and so it was much easier to get our bags to our room.

After dropping them off we hit starbucks for a great coffee. I was going to try and book us in for the virgin flight whilst Rach went off to see if she could book a flight over the canyon.

I'll be honest i wanted to see the canyon. After our disater day out we wanted to still see the canyon. Ok the price looked quite high.. but Rach was keen.

So after a wasted time on the computer Rach came back and it was all sorted. That afternoon we'd be travelling out to Boulder City and flying over the Hoover Dam and the west rim of the canyon.

I needed to sleep though so i went to bed for an hour whilst Rach wandered around the casino.

We met again about 1230 and headed into the Foyer. Got picked up and then via Circus Circus to pick up some more people we left for Boulder City.

The timing was really cool. Not to hot and the sun was setting. We'd see the Canyon as we wanted to see it.

What seemed like an age we got on to the aircraft and hit the runway for take off.

I dont mind flying and was really excited about the thought of seing everything from the air.

Amazingly the hoover dam and lake mead was very very cool. the colours were incredible. Having seen the dam up close it was fantatic seeing it from the air. You really appreciate the size of something up close and then seeing from a distance gives you a great persepctive.

Then the Canyon appeared which majestic grandeaur. The commentary on our headphones was right you'd never see the canyon again like you'd seen it that day. The shear colours and depth was amazing. Sorry words really arent enough to describe the sight set before you.

Still got the shots i wanted and then sat back and just enjoyed the flight.

45 min later we were home and back on the ground.

It was and had been incredible. Bought the DVD. hmm more like a promotion for the company!! Still it worked when i got home.

That evening we had a really nice meal at an Italian Restuarant. Then spent about 2 hours on the roulette table. Ok i spent $20 but for 2 hours... most other people were spending loads and loads.

Then bed. A great last day in Vegas. Tommorrow we head on home...

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Friday, March 16

Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 6 - Its Grand Canyon Day..

I awoke with much excitement for it was Grand Canyon Day. It finally had arrived and well I couldn't wait.

Hurrah.

Indeed I'd already awoken because Dave and Emma had awoken earlier so they could get ready for their flight across the canyon.

Hairdryers at dawn pointed towards heads!

So we were to travel by car. I thought, ok i knew, it might be a long day and i needed some mental preparation for the time out. Sadly I wasn't.

To get to the car we traveled the 25 minutes that it took to get from the room to the roof of the car park. Having already bought water we were ready to rock n roll.

Got the the freeway and away we headed towards St Georges Utah (a sign me thinks). The shear beauty as we left Vegas was amazing. At one point we were heading towards mountains and I'm thinking and where to next? But a fantastic roadway slipped through the mountains and we were engulfed by the size of rock that surrounded us.

Many of the roads we travelled on were empty. For many miles we saw no one. nothing.

Then randomly a town would appear.

Arriving at St Georges we stopped for breakfast/lunch. And i had a Texas Whooper. Man alive this was big. Think Big Mac and double it in size. Whoo hoo. Everything i needed to start me off. Plus Red Bull which was excellent. Ha ha..

Also I bought some sunglasses which having lost my other pair really needed them.

Oh and then i put some petrol in and filling the tank cost me £11. Unreal. No wonder people drive 5 litre wagons.

So a small stop and we are off again. Using the cruise control was a great idea. But knowing the speed limit would have been a better use of reading the material included in the car.. The Sheriff seemed to think this as well. As i pulled over and got out. Rach thought i was wanting to take a photo. No i explained the police had just stopped me.

Using my best UK accent seemed to be my best asset at this point.

The sheriff noticed this and asked for my driving license and then the insurance documents. Ok this is a hire car so I had no idea if we had any... lol. Opening the car door on Rach and getting the docs out was the not the best idea. Firstly Rach wanted to get out. I was saying no and leave this to me.. but no Rach wanted to get out.

Ahem at this point I'm trying to sort out the police (sheriff of UTAH) and helpful comments like "oh yeah you never know how fast you go in these cars".. not helpful.

The license was checked out and the Sheriff came back saying be more careful next time..

I said thank you and wanted just to go..

but rach wanted a photo with the Sheriff. And no i was not going to take it.

Time to move.

Leaving their and then we were off. More towns and more roads.. Everything was taking forever... Bored or what!

Climbing higher and higher we reached 6,500 ft and i needed a wee. (exciting huh). We stopped at the sign that said wee place (ok it didn't say that). This was amazing place. We suddenly had driven into a snow covered area. The temp said 79 c and yet outside was snowy.

The toilet was funny. Ok. It was a cubicle with a lock and a door. Lifting the loo seat we see mountain. Ha ha. Lets just say draft city.

The view however was incredible. The distance, the heat, the depth, the colours were all breathtaking.

30 min later we were back on the road.. Grand Canyon was only 30 miles away.

30, 29, 28, 27 , 26, 25 ,24 etc the miles slipped by.

With 20 miles to go we came across the sign "Welcome to Kanobi National Park" and below we saw the sign across the road "Grand Canyon Closed". Seriously we'd traveled 5 hours, 300 miles and the Canyon is closed.

Rubbish.

Not to be be deterred we saw a road to the right that was slightly snowy..

Starting to drive down this road i said perhaps more than once "Hmm its really quite snowy"..

I realised I really ought to turn round. At this point we are surrounded by snow and the road is pretty slippery.

The car turned round ok. But on a corner we slid. Ta da... we slid off into the snow and promptly got stuck.

I reversed and went forward, and reversed and went forward.. Hurrah. Stuck.

No mobile signal. No body around. Prayer life about to increase...

At that point the Waltons turn up. They helpfully tell me to reverse etc... We then put leaves under the wheels, then we try pulling the car out via the dog chain (which snapped). But to no avail.

So we were stuck.

They decided to go get some help. Rach goes with them. I'm on my own in the middle of nowhere and bum Rach may not even come back. She could actually be stolen by the Chainsaw massacre family... hurrah.

So that was it. I was determined to clear as much snow as i could. Using sticks, my feet and more i cleared as big a path as I could.

45 min later I was about to try and move the car... Then a van turned up with rach and 3 loggers. Beefy guys who used their brute force to push me out. Hurrah.

Slightly embarrassed. Ok i was really embarrassed. We drove up the road and quickly made our way home. Rach wanted to stop and say thank you.. I couldn't do it. Blush..

So the trip home was a blur. Some how we drove and we got back to Vegas. I say we I mean me.

Yawn.

We stopped at Circus Circus for food and to finally finish the day off we came across Sue.

Sue was a live wire. It felt like she was being powered by electric and someone turned up the voltage. "Hi Guys" she boomed at us.

I asked for drinks and we then told her the story of our day.

Remember when i said how much the Americans overreact.

Well Sue was exactly like that.

OMG she cried when i told her the story. She then promises that eating at Circus Circus will cheer us up and she will make our evening the best.

Things were going well. Until I asked for another drink! She forgot my drink and when i reminded her of this.. Well the over topness came back again. Bring it on.. I was too tired to appreciate Sue's sense of kindness. But she said "OMG i cant believe it. I've ruined your day even more I'm so sorry wait their and i will sort out your drink straight away!" I was too tired to laugh or say not to worry.

She ran off and got my drink.

Surprisingly the drink was off the bill. Yup I didn't have to pay for it.

hurrah.

I foolishly gave her a tip. Sue in her quiet way pronounced around the cafe how happy she was and thanks for the tip. These people get paid $5 a hour. unreal.

I could hear my bed calling... dragged myself knowing i had a short drive and then another walk to my bed...

yawn.. well an eventful day even if i didn't see the canyon... and sleep.

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Thursday, March 15

Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 5 - Its a Dam big Dyson..

Once again mouth dry and realising I've been snoring. The rest of the room not so happy. Ho Hum. Honestly I didn't realise that it was that bad.. But being sooo tired I guess doesn't help really.

Anyhow this was the day we were heading out to the Hoover Dam.

Oh and why do they put hairdryers in bathrooms. And why do they then have signs on the hairdryers not to be used near water. AND why do they plug them in next to the sink!

unreal.

Anyhow a top breakfast at McDonalds. Well we'd actually missed breakfast menu so it was a Burger and fries. Dave then told us the story of how he'd asked for a Hot Dog and Chips in LA. He was then given a Hot Dog and a packet of Crisps!! lol

Using what could only be described as a pocket map with straight lines on it and some random numbers we headed to Boulder City! So what did Boulder City have that we went to see? Nothing. That's right. We eventually arrived after hitting the freeway and random small roads. Discovering nothing. Nothing apart from normal buildings. Hurrah.

Boulder city we turned left and head out to Lake Mead. Amazing the pure blue colour and shear size. Although from the land we only had a small perspective.

Coming down the winding road we saw the dam for the first time. Admittedly I'd only seen it on Golden Eye (opening sequence) and perhaps a photo somewhere.

IT WAS HUGE!

So we drove over and crossed the border into Arizona and promptly lost an hour. Apparently its an hour difference. Anyhow being a cheap skate we parked for free. Then took photos and walked over the dam. Apparently we couldn't take our pets. Which was a shame. lol.

Paying our $11 we did the tour. Amazing film to start with then we joined the queue to go down the lift into the heart of the dam. To enter the dam we were security checked. It turns out they are really worried about someone trying to blow up the place. Hurrah.

Taking the lift at a huge speed and lets be honest all lifts in the USA perhaps only in Vegas travel at a massive speed. Jumping floors like no ones business.

Anyhow at this point we reach the heart of the dam and see the generators which each one powers 100,000 people. Their are 17 generators in total. Ok I'm sold. Water generated power is a big big yes. no emissions but just electric. Going back in lift and then down another floor or floors we are taken to the room where we see the original pipe that took the water around the dam.

Jack, who is our story guide, tells us about the dam. How the dam took 4 years to build, how it took 6 years to flood Lake Mead, then he told us of the story of the 2nd man who died who was J. G. Tierney, who was killed on the job in 1922. He then pointed out the last man to die was Patrict W. Tierney. Who turned out to be the son of the first man. Honestly people do like to exaggerate but the Americans went over the top. OMG shouted some people. Gasps of Awe and mutterings of amazement. Seriously i nearly covered myself in water and shouted flood to divert the attention.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS (its about the dam..)

So back up the top we do the shop, the cafe and another exhibit that lit up. Whoo hoo.

Then realising we'd been there about 4 hours it was time to go.

We arrived back in to Vegas as the darkness was settling. So instead of hitting the room we hit downtown Vegas. Oh dear...

Passing about 6 or 7 wedding chapels (really honestly not tempted.. ok the drive through one interested me) we found a car park and then walked Fremont street. Feeling slightly less happy as the surrounding people seemed a bit dodgy.. then a walk in and out of the casinos. Downtown felt down trodden.

Still on the hour every hour the Fremont street experience was amazing. The sky lit up and became a HUGE TV screen. Then a full on display appeared in the sky.

Amazing.

However the food afterwards in Paradise Cafe. Well was that bad it became laughable. Seriously the food was awful, the service was awful and the place was a scene out of a bad Disney movie.

Leaving there we headed home and then i went to bed. Another night of the dry mouth syndrome and no friends in the morning.

Tomorrow we hit the Grand Canyon. Can't wait.

DONT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS

1 Comments:

Hey, Emma here - yes, the one who was with you in vegas also!
Flippin right it took ages to get ready, cause some person (!) decided to sleep on in the morning, so there was a gap in between us being ready and you getting up. Anyhow, we may have woken you by 9am, but I thought you'd have considered that a lay in compared to your usual hours - no point in sleeping away valuable time....and yes, you did reciprocate the favour by keeping the 3 of us wide awake til the early hours with your snoring, so all's fair. Glad you enjoyed the holiday as much as we did!
:-)

By Anonymous, at 6:38 PM

Monday, March 12

Chapter 4 - Hey Rach its ya birthday... we're gonna shop like its ya birthday..

I detest shopping at the best of times. but whilst on holiday its not a delight although those that got a present would know i probably got them on the last day!! So shopping early on the holiday hmmm what am I doing.

We arrive at the Las Vegas Outlet Centre. ok its quite small compared to the hotel shops but certainly less designer! After a quick breakfast / brunch of a breakfast pancake.. hmm tasty.

The Shopping Mall was surprisingly small! Esp compared to the shopping areas attached to the Hotels.

So we started at one end and worked our way through mindless amounts of clothes, shoes, bags, small tacky items etc.

My favourite shop was the coffee shop. We walked in and a man approached us saying "Hi how are you?", We smiled. He then asked if he could make our day by giving us a chocolate pretzel. Hurrah i said of course. A few moments later we are approached again then to try some Robin's Eggs. Ok they were blue. Personally I didnt think Robins Eggs were blue but their you go. After these we were trying coffee. Hurrah we were in for the lunch!! so much free food yeah!!!

Not really wanted to leave their but we had to sadly.

Then more shopping hurrah. About 2pm i got bored.

Thankfully we left. leaving Dave and Emma Rach and I went off to the Hilton to the Star Trek Experience.

WOW WOW WOW WOW.

This was really cool. Unreal and amazing.

The first experince we went to was the Klingon one. From the first amazing transport onto the Enterprise, arriving on the deck, in the transporter lift then into the shuttle bay. SO very very cool.

Then rushing round the cafe we came to the 4D Borg line. Oh my gosh. This was a fantastic experince. Not only did we met the crew we also met the Borg and a fantastic 3D show with interaction.

Seriously well worth the £10!!

Hurrah.

Then a short walk around the casino we had to see the lady from the TV programme with Loius Therox. Hurrah we found her and hence the photo!!

The evening was the birthday meal. Entering the Palace forum Shops we ate outside!!! but inside !!! A great meal out.

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Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 3 - EVERYTHING IS LARGE

The one thing i can say for Vegas hotels (esp as i rarely stay in many around the world) is that the curtains are great. Not only great but flippin Sun Proof!! So be aware as you simply edge open the curtain in the morning and you will be blinded. Randomly i need my sleep. its only day 3 im living UK time body but trying to tell it to slow down for Vegas.

We have a great car that we picked up from the airport and today we aim to use it sparingly!

But before that we need to eat. So we wander through the Sahara Hotel and notice it's theme bearing itself on us as we roam around. Arabian Nights and could it be the days of Aladdin. Even the slot machines , which obviously are everywhere, have a theme. So the Sahara Buffet it is.

I think I'm sowing my naive side of things as we enter the buffet at 10am. We pay, grab a table then hit the 6 rows of food..

1. Row of fruit (nice)
2. Row of Breakfast (IE cooked)
3. Row of Salad (OK slightly strange but welcome)
4. Row of Chinese (now i like Chinese for breakfast...not)
5. Row of Cooked Meals (you know chicken and beef plus peas and carrots etc)
6. Pizza

Well plus the drinks etc.

Surreal to say the least. OK and being a stupid (and i fall for this EVERY TIME) I grab everything. My theory on who knows when you are getting your next meal so top up was completely WRONG this time.

I left having felt compelled to eat as much as i could and this was mistaken. You can have too much breakfast... wobbled for the rest of the day

Right after checking out of the hotel we drove to Caesars Palace and dumped the car. Its great every hotel is free to park in and park in it we did. If Ceasers was going to be home for the next few days then makes sense.

So with a short walk up the road we hit McDonalds. Truly needed a drink still after that breakfast. I know McDonalds and their products so hurrah it was a milkshake. Taken aback however by the choice of Small, Medium and Large. To be honest I needed a drink. So went for large. For those who remember Super Size in the UK here i was presented with the same size. UNREAL I would hate to think what the Americans would call SUPER SIZE.

No wonder they stopped it after that man made the movie.

Although the chocolate tasted chocolate and the strawberry had strawberries in it. Large has it's advantages!

Moving down towards the Venetian we saw the Mirage and its huge outside fountain. OK this turned out to be a volcano but i want aware at this time about that! Entering each Hotel was like entering a movie set. Big style and big on impressing you and BIG on helping you believe you could be there.

Standing in St Marks square felt undeniable to the eyes and certainly to the pics. On entry to the hotel you come across a large reception leading to either the casino or the shops. Walking into the shops my mouth dropped. Within seconds you felt you were walking in the streets. Oxygen pumps round, the sky (ceiling) is painted blue with clouds and the floor has cobbles everywhere. The sounds the smells are everything you'd expect. Turn the corner and more cobbles, shops and streets. On your third corner you are greeted with something more amazing. Yup a gondola and man singing in Italian whilst punting around. Cafes with outside eating and bridges crossing the canal. Further on into the hotel we come across a large area 3 stories high and a square big enough for a least 1 football pitch. ALL IN SIDE A HOTEL. I was gobsmacked. EVERYTHING IS DONE LARGE!!

From this experience we headed back to the Palace as Dave and Emma had arrived. An upgrade later we have a room with a marble floor, lounge, jacuzzi and twin beds.

We took them back to the Venetian straight away as we'd loved it.

For dinner though we hit the Harley Davidson Cafe. Loud music, huge bikes everywhere, OK food but way tooo much, rubbish service and tense company....

Hoping into bed.. hmm Emma and Rach's birthday tomorrow... snore (OK i don't know that i snore but 3 people reminded me i did!)

0 Comments:

Friday, March 9

Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 2 - A flight to far

Im sure wake up calls have changed. ok admittedly ive not had many.. hmm let me think maybe ive had one. But im sure that at 6.30 am when the phone rings you dont want to pick it up to the sound of the dial tone. That was more annoying!!

So after a shower the traditional badly tasting room coffee we hit the resturant for breakfast buffett. I was going to make full advantage of this particular activity not knowing when we would eat next..

The hotel laid on a free bus which we caught at 7.15a.m. Whilst on the bus i retold the story to rach about the time my dad took us to heathrow for a fight to florida. We were leaving at 11.15 and dad said we should leave by 4 am to avoid the traffic. Well we arrived at Heathrow at 4.45 a.m. slightly early for the flight. Infact we turned up before the checking in staff. Then as i spoke these words I had a feeling I was turning into my dad. Our flight to Vegas was at 1045 and because i had already booked us in online we were in and out by 745am a whole 3 hours to kill.

I have never seen the point of queuing for the aircraft. A we all have to get on and B we all have a booked seat. So my theroy is wait til the last minute and then walk over slowly. Plus it clearly annoys all those who get on first!! lol.

Nice seat but sadly NO leg room.

Watched Borat (funny but rude in parts), Flushed Away (nice animation) and Little Miss Sunshine (great family trip out!).

You see how else can they fil nearly 11 hours. Yawn Yawn Yawn.

The last 30 mins were really cool as we got to see a bit of the canyon, a bit of lake mead and then vegas from a height. Seriously this place is plastic town. Not just filled with plastic but is plastic. This was all assumed before we'd landed but seriously realised as we got in.

The best decision was hiring the car. Not only an upgrade but freedom to travel.

We got to Sahara at 430pm (Vegas time) but we were still living Uk time at 1230am (next day). So we'd been booked into a show that night and well all i suggested was a sleep. Gosh people change when they've had NO sleep...

Still about 6 ish we got up and drove via red bull to the theatre. picked up the tickets and was entertained by the show that I would say sums up vegas. Glitter, Gold and Dancing Girls. We'd booked in to the Family show!! So no boobies. lol. Great comedian at the interval. holiday had started!!

So having gained second wind and possibly more we walked around the MGM grand. When Vegas does Hotels they do them really well. MGM did not dissapoint. The rainforrest cafe was literally in the rain forrest. Then with their lion theme we actually came acorss 2 lions. Incredible.

At this point i died and realised although it was only 11 pm (uk 6 am) actually we'd been on the go for nearly 24 hours with little sleep the night before..

I think I needed a lie in...

Don't forget you can see the photos to do with this day at http://picasaweb.google.com/onelargeelephant

So go see.

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Thursday, March 8

Viva Las Vegas

Chapter 1 - A journey two begin

It wouldn't have been so bad if i hadn't have had to work the Tuesday. But being up at 5 on any day seems to be a waste especially for my bed. Today i knew would drag. The day before the holiday would always take especially long then the day after holiday would always come too quick.

A trip up to Bristol then back to collect Matt and off again on the M5, A30 roads we'd made our mark on long time ago. Now familiar could possible drive them blindfolded. Although not recommended.

Surprising we hit home after a couple of jobs in Newton Abbott at around 1 ish. A shopping list of things still to do and perhaps a sleep needed to survive journey north and then east later that day. Everything looked possible at this point.

Got more deodorant and all that boring stuff that holidays seem to crave for you to buy whether you need it or not. Then a chance happening, perhaps, but a meeting it was with a director from the Exmouth Blackmore Theatre. Who standing in Home Direct asks me if I'd like to be in "The Importance of being Earnest". Unreal. Especiallyas she was about to ring me that evening and I would be travelling...

On a high I float home and re pack my bags. Hmm enough socks tick, pants tick, toothbrush tick, jumpers tick hmm one or two or being British take more than needed.. stuck with two. surely it wouldn't be cold out in Vegas?

Realising that I could take virtually nothing in my hand luggage i stuck with a puzzle book, script, money etc. Oh and spare pants and socks just in case my bag went missing at the airport.

About 4 via the Directors house I picked up the script. Well it was meant to be a flying visit as i still had things to do and being in a hurry it was bound to take longer. Hmm left at 430. Then a visit to the kids to say Goodbye again. Having already said Good bye the night before you realise that perhaps that was too long before you left and well i took the chance as I could etc.

Then back to Bristol. De Ja Vu!! Picked up Rach who was not ready. Surprise Surprise. Read the information on the hotel she had put us into then put it on the coffee table. Quick moment of relief and then we were off.

Seeing as it was only 2 and a half hours to Gatwick I was determined not to stop as i really needed my bed. The sleep promised to me that afternoon had been taken up by other things i was meant to have done before hand but only remembered at that moment. Gatwick approached when i asked rach for the directions to the hotel. At this point we couldn't find them. At this point you discover things about people and how they handle crisis. Ok it was a case of oh no where is the hotel information. but i was tired and the sign to the holiday inn looked inviting. Rach was clear that no we were staying where she had booked (not paid for). Hmm so a 20 min phone call and time i could have been sleeping.. Apparently the hotel was 40 min away from the airport hmm. Im so rubbish when i get tired.

Still a moment to cheer.

Not that we found the hotel (which we did) but the fact the Bristol Rovers had made the final of the Johnstone Paint Trophy. HURRAH. Beating Bristol City 1-0. COME ON YOU GAS.

Now at this point being tired I remembered I was also hungry. Sadly it had gone past the restaurant and the bar meal time. Room service was sandwiches. So i resigned myself to a sleep. But Rachel well she fancied a kebab. I wasn't out to impress Rach but being a true gentleman i offered to go. Hmmm 45 mins later im trying to get to this damm kebab shop i can see but cant drive to.

Why is it that when you are really tired and you lay down to sleep and you do the alarm clock seems to go off incredibly quickly.

It did and so began another day of travel...

(more soon)

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So checkout the vegas photos online..

more information on them as i find the time to sleep and blog stuff.. Simon

ps did i tell you about the drive through wedding chapel...

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Monday, March 5

well im in vegas with 3 mins left on trying to sign in to check in etc.

on 3rd hotel and knackered!

still lots to tell over next few days...

nearly home...

highlights to come are 1. police 2. snow and 3. outside toilets!!

hmmm

See ya soon

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