02/02/2011 - 28/02/2011 - Las Vegas - San Francisco - LA - Las Vegas

The girls have arrived and I've been trying to update the Blog - but I must admit this is one of the hardest blogs to write, I can't seem to remember the days too clearly, okay I can remember some of the days but not the nights or the early mornings they all seem to blur together. One of the great things about having Sim and H here is that there is always one of us who remembers the nights / early mornings and is more than happy to replay the events for the other one / two. So here goes, but I do apologise if this is inaccurate, but this is the best that my memory can do.

02/02/2011 - Las Vegas - I didn't get a lot of sleep last night I was so excited that Simone and Heather were about to arrive - a bit like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. We arrived at the airport early - not wanting to miss them coming down the escalator. Unfortunately, their flight had been changed - even though they were still arriving at the same time - their carrier and flight number had changed, we did not know this. So I was pacing up and down the arrival point - not so patiently. And then all of a sudden we could see this big black boot coming down the escalators and I knew they had arrived. It was so great to see them, I was so excited - they looked fantastic, perhaps a bit tired. We all piled into Shooter and headed off to the RV Park at Circus Circus. The girls unpacked had a shower, and the first of many many many many wines to come before we headed out to Circus Circus for dinner, drinks and a bit of a gamble. I knew after our first pitcher of Margarita's at dinner that it was only going to get ugly from here - 21 days to go...

03/02/2011 - Today the girls and I headed off to do a bit of shopping at the Outlets - a few bargains were found before we headed back home to Stubbie to have a bite to eat before going out to the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. The big fella was good enough to be our driver and dropped us off outside the Bellagio - Simmy's foot has come in handy. We had a great night out and all arrived home safely - even though H had a bit of trouble negotiating the stairs into Stubbie.

04/02/2011 - Today we went to Bally's to the Price is Right Show - we had a great night but unfortunately none of us where called up, so we didn't get a chance to win any prizes. After the Price is Right we headed on out to the Paris Casino. Yet again another night full of drinking and gambling - fun all around.

05/02/2011 - Tonight we all head on out to the Italian Restaurant at New York New York for a lovely meal. After dinner we do a bit of gambling before saying goodbye to the big fella. After New York New York we head on over to the MGM and for me it really gets ugly. We end up drinking well into the night before hitting the nightclubs (yes I thought I was 20 again - and no my dancing hasn't improved). I believe we got home around 4:30 - my memory failed me around midnight. H's memory didn't fail here and she was so happy to let Simmy and I know how much fun we had. I must admit I couldn't stop laughing when H

recalled the story of whilst we were in the first night club, Simmy decided that her foot was way to sore after all her dancing and walking that night and couldn't possible walk to the taxi, so H organised a wheel-chair for her. But of course, I wasn't ready to go home yet (so H tells me) and decided that we really really needed to go to another nightclub, so Simmy being a great team player asked the guy who was pushing her in the wheel chair to take her into the nightclub - where I believe we kept on dancing, well that's what I called it.

06/02/2011 - I spent nearly all the day and night nursing an awful hangover. The girls went and did a bit of souvenir shopping and then stayed in Stubbie and played some cards and yes drank some more wine.  I couldn't even stand the smell of it.

07/02/2011 - Today we have decided to start the drive to San Francisco. I must admit I'm still recovering from my hangover. We drive for about an hour before we get to our first stop Buffalo Bills, Pimm Valley. Sim and H go and visit the Outlet Shops and then being real troopers decided to head on over to the casino, I'm staying in.

08/02/2011 - Today we drive from Pimm Valley to San Fernando. On the way we stop at some more outlet shops, where not only do I leave my mobile phone in the leather shop, I also need to purchase a new leather jacket, as I left my leather jacket in a taxi. (I finally confessed to The Big Fella a few days after the girls left). When we arrived in San Fernando I needed to go and purchase a new phone, so whilst we were out we stopped off at the Red Lobster for a delicious meal, where I could finally stomach an alcohol beverage.

09/02/2011 - San Fernando - San Francisco. The drive from San Fernanco to San Francisco is quiet a long boring drive (about 6 hours drive) - not for Sim though, she has found her place on the lounge and can fall to sleep in about 10 minutes after we head off, not great company for H, who doesn't have this luxury. We had been driving for about an hour or two when we pull over to change drivers and Sim wakes up and asks if we are there yet.

10/02/2011 - San Fran - Today we have dropped the girls off at the wharf area to do the Hop-on Hop-off tour that goes around the city and surrounding areas including the Golden Gate Bridge.  Unfortunately, we dropped the girls off at one of the hop-on hop-off tours that only does the city.  So the girls didn't get the real feel of the city and were disappointed with San Fran.

11/02/2011 - San Fran - Today the girls are going on the Alcatraz Tour - this time we took them to the ticket counter and made sure they purchased the right tickets.  Dave and I wandered around and looked at the sights - Dave was thinking about buying a new lens for the camera, but decided against it.  When the girls arrived back from Alcatraz (which they really enjoyed) we went for lunch down at the Fishermans Wharf.  Well that was enough walking around for Sim, so we headed on back to Stubbie - which of course meant cards and wine (again).

12/02/2011 - San Fran - Shooter needs to go into the workshop so us girls catch a taxi down to the wharf area.  We all jumped on the Cable Cars to take us into the downtown area.  We managed to get a bit of shopping in before heading to The Cheesecake Factory for a delicious lunch - oh and a bottle of wine.  So after the wine we decided to head back to Stubbie and yes you guessed it more wine and more cards.

13/02/2011 - San Fran - San Simeon.  On our drive down the coastline we stopped for a break to enjoy the scenery and let the Big Fella have some afternoon team - of course us girls opted for a glass of wine.  We were lucky enough to spot a couple of whales. We then went to see the Elephant Seals and the Squirrels.  It was the first time that H had seen wild squirrels and they were so friendly they would come right up to you - hoping for food of course.  It was really amusing to watch H and Sim try to get close to them - they had a fear of them biting them.  We spent the night at the National Park and had a great BBQ dinner of Salmon and Salad whilst sitting around the campfire having a few drinks - I think this was one of Dave's favourite nights.

14/02/2011 - San Simeon - LA - The drive down the coastline is spectacular and Dave and I spotted a beautiful RV Park right on the beach that we would love to go back to when the weather warms up - we are really looking forward to getting some warmer weather.

15/02/2011 - LA - Today we head on down to Santa Monica for a go on the Segways (something I've always wanted to do).  The Big Fella decided to give the Segways a miss, so he was our photographer for the day.  We had originally planned on doing a 2 hour guided tour - but there was no tours operating so we opted for the 2 hour hire.  Learning to ride the Segways in the office was quite funny - you need to be able to control the Segways before heading out.  One of our little tests was to ride around and through two hats, of course one of us just happened

to ride over the hat (H) lucky we were still getting the hang of it and it wasn't a child.  We were told before we left the office that if it started to rain that we were to return immediately, originally we had been told that we would be given a credit if we couldn't complete the two hours because of the weather.  We told the instructor (very patient instructor) that we were not going to be in LA long.  After we had paid cash and were on our way she did let us know that if we only used one hour (due to weather) that she would refund (cash) half our fees.  We had rode the Segways from Santa Monica Pier down to Venice Beach when it

started to rain - so we decided to head back to the office were we received half our money back - what a bonus.  We really had got the hang of the Segways and we were all happy to go back - so in the end it worked out better than we could of planned.  After our exhausting day we went to Forrest Gumps restaurant.  We then went up to a viewing point to see the Hollywood sign then onto Hollywood Boulevard before heading on over to Rodeo Drive.

16/02/2011 - LA - Pimm.  On our way back to Pimm we needed to stop at the outlet stores to pick up my lost phone.  After picking up the phone we decided that it was time for Simmy to get behind the wheel of Stubbie - I don't know who was more nervous Simmy or Heather.  Simmy did really well for the couple of miles that she drove - except she kept speeding and Dave had to remind her to slow down.  When we arrived at Pimm we went out to dinner at Denny's before hitting the slots.  I forgot to mention earlier that we decided to have a kitty for a gambling fund - so far we had put in about $50.00 each and we were now up to $400.00 - we were very happy about that - as we had been doing some gambling.

17/02/2011 - Pimm - LV.  Before we were on our way back to Vegas, it was H's turn to hop in the driving seat (in the car park), so after a couple of laps around the car park, Dave jumped into the drivers seat and we were on our way back to the bright lights.  Simmy actually sat up the front and even though it was a 45 minutes drive managed to stay away.  When we arrived back to the park the girls thought it would be great to get on top of Stubbie and take some photos.  Of course it was a lot easier going up then down.  Sim had a go at getting down first, but then decided that H should show her the way.  The Big Fella was down the bottom to catch them both.  Tonight we went to the Hooters Casino (off the strip) for a bite to eat and of course a gamble and some drinks. 

18/02/2011 - LV.  Tonight we are going to see 'O' Cirque De Soleil at the Bellagio, the 9pm session. Whilst we were out doing a bit of shopping we all (the girls that is) purchased some false eyelashes, of course we walked out of the store without the glue, so back in H goes to buy some.  I was the first person to get their eyelashes done, H was doing a great job until Simmy decided to help and put one of the eyelashes on upside down.  Lets just say that the eyelashes were not that successful, I was the only one who ended up going out with them on.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner prior to heading on

over to the Bellagio - we watched the show which was disappointing for a Cirque De Soleil,  Not only was the show disappointing the gambling hasn't been going to well - and our funds are dwindling fast.  But the drinking is still continuing - thank goodness we only need to tip a dollar or two for our drinks - otherwise our pockets would be empty.

19/02/2011 - LV.  Tonight the girls and I were heading out to see some of the other Casino's, so the Big Fella (yet again) dropped us off at Excalibur, where we had a few drinks lost some more of our Kitty, so decided to go to the Luxor, were the pattern continued before we headed onto Mandalay Bay Casino for a taxi back to Circus Circus.

20/02/2011 - LV.  Today we head on down to downtown Las Vegas.  Dave and I really love the old downtown and I think so do Heather and Simmy now.  The old downtown is a mall with more of the older type casinos on either side, it is great just to walk down and watch everything that is going on.  Of course the girls still had to stop at every souvenir shop along the way of course as you can tell by the photo below Dave just loves his shopping.  We decided to hang around until the night lights are turned on. So of course off to the Golden Nugget were we continued our down hill slide, the Kitty is now running low and needs a top up.

21/02/2011 - LV - More shopping today and then off to the Hypnotist show.  Whilst we are waiting outside to go we get to meet the Hypnotist Michael John's.  When they call for volunteers onto the stage H is up and running.  There are10 people up on stage.  Micheal John's tries to hypnotise them all - but only 8 go under - thank goodness H is one of them.  One of the acts that the hypnotist gets them to do is to pretend they are smoking dope - he has told them that they will have no adverse effects and that for tonight it is totally legal.  Watching H trying to smoke this was one of the funniest things I have ever seen (wish I had my Teena ladies on)  nearly every time she tried to bring this imaginary smoke up to her mouth she missed, she was really giving herself a few upper cuts, sometimes the nose, the forehead or even the chin. 

22/02/2011 - LV - Last minute shopping, then off to Circus Circus and Slots of Fun for the girls last night - I'm starting to get sad..  I'm sure that Dave is hiding is sadness.

23/02/2011 - LV - Time for the girls to pack their bags.  After the girls have packed their bags we head off to an Olive Garden prior to dropping the girls off at the airport.  I must admit I was very sad to see them go.  I gave Simmy one last quick hug before saying good-bye.  I had just turned around to start walking away when the tears came flowing fast.

A couple of little notes:

It took Sim 2 weeks before she asked how to turn the stove on so she could make her first cup of tea.

H really loves her Club sandwiches.

4 bottles of wine a night is not enough before going out.

We should of put a plastic cover under where Simmy slept - she really does dribble (with her mouthguard in).

Any spare time that we had was filled in with drinking and cards - oh how I miss my cards and beating Sim.

Sim can sleep anywhere at anytime - much like her husband.

My Liver has been drowned - I need some recovery time and some AFD's (Alcohol Free Days as H calls them).  I don't need that last drink.

Sim shouldn't buy white...

A two day hangover, a lost leather jacket is way too high a price to pay for a night I can't even remember.

I learnt that I can make really good poached eggs - but make a woeful cup of tea.

I have some really wonderful memories and absolutely loved having them both here.

23/02/2010 - 02/03/2011 - LV.  Dave and I are still in LV - getting a few things down to Stubbie.  We now have new upholstery on our front chairs, new foam in our dinning seats, carpets have been shampooed plus many more little chores have been completed.  Tomorrow we are heading over to the Las Vegas Speedway for the NASCAR races - apparently this is something that you must do - so more on that in the next Blog.