Las Vegas

The main reason for stopping at Las Vegas was to visit the Grand Canyon. As the helicopter flew off the forest area and into the canyon area, it was one of most breathtaking views I have seen. It was my first flight in a helicopter, sitting in the front seat I had an uninterupted view of all around as we flew from south to north rim and back. It was worth getting up at 3.30am for the beginning of the day.




The evening before the trip, I went to see the show 'Ka' - a Cirque du Soleil production which was very exciting to watch. I stayed for two nights at the Excalibur which is down in the south end with MGM Grand diagonally opposite.


I walked up and down the strip, visiting Casinos on either side, and it appears they all want to outdo each other in displays. the ceilings are made to appear like daytime with clouds and birds, so that at say 2am you could be thinking you could go on for hours more. How much did I spend on the pokies, would you believe $5. Seeing the people feeding the machines with little in return, I couldnt be bothered wasting my money.



My return to Australia was the inaugural flight of the A380 from USA to Aust. Its lovely and new but room wise around the seat, its the same as the previous plane. On landing, was able to walk through first class and that is something to talk about - its almost a small room per person.

USA

For 10 days I was able to spend time with Lucy, Fiona and Andrew. We visited the beach, aquarium, horse-drawn carriage ride in downtown Willmington and had plenty of time to play and read. Lots of fun and enjoyed my visit.

Hawks win

Hawthorn upset Geelong to win their first AFL Premiership in 17 years at the MCG. The Hawks won18.7(115) to 11.23 (89) despite having nine fewer scoring shots, in front of a crowd of 100,012, the biggest attendance since 1986

semi-final

The sound of mowers and whipper snippers echoed around the neighbourhood this morning and John joined in. It was the second warm day in a row and I spent it in the garden. Had to cover the strawberries otherwise the birds would be having a feast soon. John wore his Hawthorn t-shirt to visit Rodney this afternoon. It was a very good score last night and now its the wait to see if he can get a ticket to go to the final next week.

Afternoon Tea

We got together for afternoon tea as Louise had a surprise - she is getting engaged and will marry in a couple of years. All the ladies were surprised but had suspected something like that. Everyone is well and a couple of the ladies are travelling in the next week, Joan to west coast of USA with all her family, and Margaret and Bill are off to Melbourne for a few days. Its work

for the rest of us. During the week I had a rostered day off and spent it at the Dendy in Newtown with Margaret. We saw - In Bruge, The Visitors and The Savages. All good movies and was able to fit in lunch between the first two.

Father's Day 08

Yesterday it rained all day so it was a pleasure to have a fine beautiful day. John had a good day with two phone calls from his lovely daughters and a chat with Lucy. Hawthorn won, John went over to the wine shop and he opened a nice bootle of wine. What more could a man want.

Wet Sunday

Big win to Hawthorn over Carlton. Buddy kicked his 100th goal. Huge mayhem at the game - stopped for 8 minutes. Finals start next week - Hawthorn plays Footscray. John worked in the shed and made much needed shelf space. I got into the garden when the rain eased in the afternoon and planted the seedlings Graham gave me - lettuce, cabbage and tomato.