The Purple Penguin

The first flight, between Lexington and Dallas, wasn’t too bad. They are only dinky little planes going out of Lexington. We were seated in different rows (Joe right behind me) but the bloke next to Joe moved to a single and I then moved into his seat. Actually I had to wait until after take off, then the seatbelt light never went off. But I got back there -thankfully as the bloke I was sat next to was all over the place.

We were on time and had plenty of time to make the connection in Dallas. Which, with the chaos due to the weather seemed a bit of a miracle. Between Dallas and Vegas however we were in hold class. Very last seats. Behind two good old boys. With an engine right next to us. Misery doesn’t come close to discribing it. Not the worst ever flight I’ve been on, but comes close. Still, have a little bit of time before I have to do it again.

And we got to Vegas! Couldn’t see (the engine completely blocked the window – so why do they put a window there?) but caught glimpses every now and again as we came in to land. Finally off the plane and got our bags and decided to be lazy and get a taxi. Warning, they ask all sorts of difficult questions like ‘freeway or local?’ erm. ah. We went local and right down the strip. Which was a good choice – though slow. We managed to gawp at everything. Of course, we’re exhausted – still were getting used to east coast time, now we’ve got an extra three hours! Jet lag is another reason to really dislike flying.

Got to the hotel to discover we have a one bedroom flat. On the 38th floor. It’s marvy! Walked in and just said ‘wow’ before running around and checking it all out. Then fell into bed (did I mention the jet lag?) Woke up far too early (4am – did I mention jet lag?) then tried to go back to sleep. Gave up around 6, came out and looked out the window to see the view and got sunrise over the mountains. So woke up Joe and he grabbed his camera and got some photos. We are now admiring the view (construction work and all) while having our morning coffee and planning our day.

We all meet up at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then split up we had a drive round taking a few picture of the old bridge and the winery we had eaten at the night before, trying to get the same angle as the original picture we had.

Then back to meet up for dinner at Halls on the River. Taking the back road out which we had totally missed on our drive around.

After beer cheese dip , beer cheese soup, cat fish, hot brown & steak, no room for pudding, but a complementary bourbon at the end then to bed.

And now at the Lexington airport waiting for our flight to Dallas where we change for a flight to Vegas.

Got to Lexington and more snow. Waited at the airport until midnight for Allison to come in, then drove through the snow to the hotel. Then sleep. When we got up the snow had stopped but we had a good bit on the car to brush off.

Visted for most of the day. Dad had heard of a winery, which is a house where my great-grandmother lived when she was dating my great-grandfather. We decided to go have a look and dinner. It is Jean Ferris Winery and the building is lovely. We were very early so we could have a look around and sat and had various tastings. Very good wine. My great aunt had a photo of the house from 1910 and showed it to the staff, who then got a copy for the owner. Then we had dinner. Wonderful meal and lots of food. Highly recommended.

After dinner drove to the Kentucky Horse Park for their annual Christmas lights. You drive through the park looking at Christmas lights – quite fun and very popular.

Now we’re back ready to sleep!

Very sleepy in Houston waiting to fly to Lexington. Flight left about an hour late, but we made it here in plenty of time to get our bags sorted and sit for ages waiting for another flight. Going to be an even longer day as we’ll wait in Lexington to pick up my sister. Will sleep well when we finally get to the hotel! And of course poor Joe has a cold.

Waiting for the flight. Probably delayed. Most likely delayed as it’s suppose to go at 10.05 and we’re not even thinking about boarding! Oh well.

Up far too early, here in plenty of time for the utter chaos that BA consider fast bag drop. None of the boards giving proper information, crowds of people milling about and joining queues just to be in a queue. Joe got us to the front and bags dropped in good time though. We then had a lovely breakfast in Gordon Ramsey branded restuarant. Now just sitting and waiting.

And who thinks wearing a bottle of scent before getting on a plane is a good idea? Obviously the woman sitting behind me. It will be a long flight.

Watching it snow. Hoping it doesn’t snow so much we can’t leave for our holiday. It’s snowing the other end of the flight as well. If we can escape that bit then we’ll have no snow. Though knowing our luck it will snow for the first time in Death Valley as soon as we arrive.

Back home, back to work, but nearly the weekend.

The weirdest thing about our trip home – we had to change trains in Lille; however, when our train came in it was the Disneyland train! How annoying. We were also surrounded by the family from hell, but made it home and straight to bed.

Joe now has nasty cold but we soon have the weekend and can sleep!

Slept in again (we are on holiday) but up early enough to have breakfast at the hotel. We were at the end of the breakfast rush and it was a zoo. Not a lot left after the hordes had cleared it out for their lunches! But we had coffee and a croissant and then off to see where we could leave our bags and Joe to get some last photos. Went to the front and discovered Minnie Mouse dancing to La Bomba! So Joe got some photos of that and left me to wait to ask about the bags. Opted for the Disney Express to get the bag to the train station and we were off to the park.

Really didn’t do much today – almost no rides. Just walked about and got photos. Got a couple of the rides we’d missed the other days and caught some of the singing and music. Caught an African drummning act and had a coffee – took Joe nearly half an hour to get the coffee so he saw the beginning and the end of the drumming. The reason it took so long? Because there were two groups in front of him (only a couple of families, not large groups) that decided to be difficult. Oh well. We also poked out those areas we’d somehow missed. Got to see a kid get *very* excited about seeing Woody and another burst into tears of excitement when Minnie’s train went by!

We also had a lovely three course lunch at Walt’s restaurant which was very good. From there we could also watch Main Street and the people. We also managed to catch the parade before dashing off to the train station and heading home. On the train to Lille now.

Slept in and once up went to the spend the morning in the Disney Studio Park. Had a coffee while we waited for the park to open then, once in, headed for Crush’s Coaster. The queue is nifty – good ol’ Australian Harbour and the coaster cars are turtle shells. It’s a ride on the East Australian Current, dude, and the shell turns as you ride. Great fun!

We then did the Armageddon special effects show – not that interesting – then off for very early lunch. Walked out of the diner and straight into the Moteurs: Action Stunt Show Spectacular which was marvy. Loads of car and motorbike stunts very well done. Then off to try the East Australian Current again because it was so much fun the first time! We also just walked around and got loads of photos as well as saw the ‘Stars in Cars’ parade. Just a general good time.

We’d pretty much done the park by about 3ish so we headed over the Disney Park. Joe had several photos he wanted to get. We headed to the ice cream parlour on Main Street and as we came out with our cones the Minnie’s Train with friends with just going by. So we stopped and watched. We just kept getting the parades and shows today! We wandered around the castle and saw the sleeping dragon and caught Mickey’s big party dance. Rode a few more rides and clambered around Adventure Island getting lost in the caves. And, last thing, rode Space Mountain just to make sure they hadn’t changed anything since yesterday.

Then off to Billy Bob’s for a drink and to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner.