Category Archives: Bits and Pieces

Driving from SLC to Las Vegas! – Thursday – October 20th 2011

First of all, big thanks to Amy who drove us from Salt Lake city to Las Vegas, then Los Angeles and back to SLC!  Poor Amy’s car died a horrible death a few days after we returned to the UK.  Thankfully she got a great deal on a new car; but I’d like to pay tribute to Amy’s generosity for getting us there and home safely!

Driving from Utah to Las Vegas was incredible, the changes in terrain were very obvious and astoundingly evident every 50 miles or so; I loved how the red rock started to appear the more we moved out of Utah and into Nevada (and sometimes Arizona) along with the introduction of strange cactus/tree hybrids and dusty dessert prairies.  If it’s one thing you HAVE to do in the States; it’s go on a road trip.

You can’t help but fantasize about the history as you pass through the vast expanse between cities; how did the pioneers and Victorian age travellers manage to survive the journey?  The journey from SLC to Las Vegas takes about 4-5 hours by car; how long must it have taken people on horseback?  On foot?  It’s mind boggling to consider how people tranversed such distances a hundred years ago?!?!

We passed through a winding canyon that left me completely awestruck byt he sheer scale of geographical beauty that surrounded us.  The rocky mountains stretch right up to kiss the sky (Hendrix was the man!) and rushing creeks saunter through them, almost like a network of rich veins providing the lifeblood for all the wildlife that persists within the valley.

I know I’m 34 years old, but I couldn’t help but imagine a group of bandits sitting around a campfire skinning snaked; draw pilgrim!

The journey went surprisingly quickly and we made a couple of stops at some dusty truckstop ‘gas’ stations.  Big shout to Dave with regards to the Stag.

You can see Las Vegas about 15-20 miles in the distance as you drive into it from the Interstate; the Stratosphere tower is unmistakable and I felt extremely excited seeing the plummeting ride that sits atop of the tower.  The other high rise buildings glisten in the glorious sunshine.  We enjoyed temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius on the 2 days that we were there (well, one and a half) and I tanner rather quickly; being the mixed race cheeky monkey that I am!

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Chill with Brett, IHOP and Tablet Shopping! – Wednesday 19th of October, 2011

Wednesday was a much needed chill out day for me!  I had planned on spending the day golfing with Brett (one of Amy’s brothers) but we opted to take ‘Hank’, a Corgi that he and Whitney (Brett’s wife) were dog sitting, for a run down the local park instead.  Whitney’s grandparents house is situated in a gorgeous American neighbourhood that epitomised everything that I love about the States; tidy vibrant green lawns surrounded by flowers, grand houses and wide roads.

We had to cancel our golfing trip because Brett was having a bed delivered; after they dropped it off we headed out to Best Buy and I picked up my Galaxy tablet along with a few other bits!   Yes, I’m in love with this tablet, it’s geek heaven!

Ooooooh, I almost forgot, Brett and I went to IHOP (International House of Pancakes) which was a blast from the past!!!  I’m not a massive fan of pancakes (loved my Dads and that’s about it!) so I opted for the country style breakfast which included fried eggs, sausage links (sausages basically!), bacon and hash browns; with a good sprinkle of Tabasco sauce!

After saying toodle pip to Brett we headed back to Brad and Beccas and packed for our impending trip to Las Vegas and LA; Lorraine and Amy had spent the day shopping (poor Amy) and sampling a rather brutal massage!

Salt Lake City – Monday 17th October, 2011

Howdy folks!  There’s a snake in ma’ boot!

I write this having returned back to the UK after my latest trip to the States between the 17th and 25th of October, 2011.

I was lucky enough to take my sister Lorraine away so that she could shop till she dropped; only she didn’t drop!  Our flight through Chicago was a little less eventful than the one I’d experienced recently in June; I say a little less because our bags were delayed yet again, and it was only through Amy’s relentless intervention that we got our cases within 24 hrs (early hours that following morning to be precise!).

Monday 17th October, 2011

Both Lorraine and I slept pretty much the whole way, so we arrived refreshed and ready to go!  Our first stop was to pop to the Guitar Centre in Salt Lake City where I picked up an Electro Harmonix Ravish Sitar pedal and an Electro Harmonix Big Muff pedal for good measure!  I got a fantastic deal on both gadgets, the Ravish sitar pedal is absolutey sick!

We then popped to Walmart and I did some Christmas shopping (scandal!) and grabbed a few bargains.  Lorraine loved Walmart, it is a fantastic place to get good deals!  Amy and I introduced Lorraine to Applebees beforehand, and I retired for bed, rather full from gorgeous steak and baby back BBQ ribs!  Lovely jubbly!  We stayed with Brad, Becca and several other members of Amy’s family; a pleasure to see them as always!

You know you’ve arrived in American when……………

Happy Birthday Mum (65 years young!) and Happy Diwali 2011!

Happy Diwali all, hope you have a very prosperous New Year!

Was rather nice coming in today for my first day back and receive some texts from Desi friends wishing me a Happy Diwali; I’d totally forgotten!!! It seems rather fitting that my family are going out this evening for a curry (at my favourite buffet) to celebrate my Mum’s 65th Birthday.

I have a special link with Mum’s birthday because it’s the first day that she held me (back in 1977!) because I was rather poorly when I was born!

So, onion bhaji’s all round!

Mum doing her impression of ‘Granddad’ from Only Fools and Horses.

Selsey – Revisited (again)

Popped to Selsey again, was really different going by car this time rather than by the bike!………different in a good way though.

Going by car meant that I was able to relax and take everything in a lot more; whereas on the bike you begin to ache a little after about an hour and are generally a lot more fearful of potholes and the chance that you’ll get ambushed by a Deer with a deathwish at any time!

Selsey was SO quiet as well, it felt a bit odd to tell you the truth.  I think the videos I have attached below show that!

As always, the Riviera Restaurant (Rivvy!!!) was great value for money, although even the Rivvy was quiet (you NEVER saw an empty table back in the day!).

D SECTION – (Site where our caravan used to be)

WHITE HORSE – Ballroom, Harness Room, Anne’s Prize Bingo and all that jazz.

WEST SANDS – Embassy and swimming pool

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Alresford, Hampshire

Alresford is a lovely little town about 2 miles outside of Winchester, full of delightful tea rooms, shops and places of Medieval interest.

I saw a documentary on it quite recently; showing how Winchester and the towns surrounding it would import brick and slate from Bruges.  I really loved going to Bruges; the similarities between the cities is astounding.  Suppose it makes sense in that they used the same construction supplies and techniques?

My favourite thing about Alresford is the old Pulmans Railway; you can book up a steam train ride for a reasonable price, I had a quick look around on the platform and enjoyed seeing the old signal tower still in operation before the train chugged away.

The river Arle or Arle (from whence the town getsthiths nameth ‘Olde English speak’) runs around the outskirt of the town, you can see sizeable Trout in the clear waters as you head down alongside it.  There were also some lovely thatch roof cottages down there too which reminded me of Selsey!

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Cheeks Versus the Walmart toy

I picked Mr. Cheeks up a toy whilst out in the States; Walmart has a funky section for pets, then again it has a funky section for everything usually!

Here’s some footage of him in the garden, complete with guest commentary by Mum.

Sonic – America’s Drive-in Restaurant

Sonic burgers are amazing.

I think I’ve spoken before about my love for going to Sonic.  It’s old fashioned, you can drive up, hit the telecom button, tell someone what you want and they bring it out on rollerskates!

Well, normally they do.  One poor guy made the fatal mistake of bringing out the wrong sandwich to Amy; and he got reminded about EXACTLY what should have been in her choice!

GALLERY

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Vid 1

Vid 2

Vid 3

Sub Zero Ice Cream

After bowling, Whitney,  Brett’s delightful young lady, suggested that we go to a place called ‘Sub Zero’ for some unique ice cream!

Sub Zero was like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate factory; they use liquid nitrogen to cryogenically fast-freeze their products.

I had the cherry flavour (no surprises there) but you could have absolutely anything you liked.

My verdict – Sub Zero, wins.

LINK HERE IF YOU’D LIKE A LOOK

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VID