Travel with us to the birthplaces of Jazz, Blues, Country and of course Rock 'n Roll.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Nashville
Travel to Nashville was a rental car delivered the next morning after a bit of a delay. Maurice drove and after a slightly wrong turn getting out of Memphis we actually had not gone far wrong and the journey was straightforward after that apart from ghastly rain and huge trucks. A pit stop as taken in a run down diner half way and we made it to Nashville by around 3 without any difficulty.
That night was Opry night so we just got our bearings and had a rest before heading out around 6.30. The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman exceeded all expectations - the acts were good, the atmosphere great and our seats - we could touch the stage! After the gig we went to bar around the corner which was pretty busy. All of town was heaving as there was also a hockey game on. We had a few beers and some bar food before heading back to the hotel.
The weather the next day was pretty grim so we decided on a bus tour at 1.00. We then had a wee walk to the town while it was relatively dry.
Breakfast in the hotel was included but Maurice needed some lunch so we grabbed McDonalds (unfortunately) and then waited for our pick up.
The tour was ok, included was a tour of Ryman and then the Country Music Hall of Fame. This is a mega museum with so much to see and do. We finished around 5 and came back to the hotel for snooze and refresh before going out again.
We tried a different bar and got talking to two very drunk Canadian hockey fans who had driven down for the game on Thursday which we were thinking of going to. After going back to the same bar as the previous night and grabbing some food we headed back to the hotel. It was perishing cold by this time.
Thursday was a beautiful day but cold. After breakfast we caught up with a few things in the room - Maurice had to do a bit of work.
We left the hotel and headed for Bridgestone to buy the hockey tickets. We opted for the $10 tickets. We then headed for the water front and walked around there for a bit before going for the trolley tour. This left around 12.25 and took us to some of the locations we had been to before. It also included a more in depth tour of the Millennium Park which was very interesting. I would recommend this tour over the Discover Nashville one we took the previous day - especially since we were located near downtown and could get to key attractions like the Country Hall of Fame ourselves.
When we finished our tour we had lunch at Demos which had been recommended to us and this was excellent and very good value for money. We went back up to the hotel where Maurice had a snooze and I went over to the Frist Gallery of the Visual Arts for a wee wander. There was an Egyptian exhibition which was interesting and some other strange exhibits. A small gallery but worth a visit.
We had a beer while getting ready to go out and then headed for the ice hockey game. This was really good value for our $10 even if I nearly had a panic attack trying to negotiate to my seat. We were very high up. Nashville Predators won 4 - 1 so when we went out afterwards there was a good vibe around! We went into a honky tonk bar with great country music being played by a good band. After a few beers there we headed up the road and visited the Flying Saucer where we had some bar food and finished off the evening.
Impressions of Nashville: I really liked Nashville. It had a good atmosphere, lots going on downtown, felt relatively safe and there was plenty for us to see and do. We didn't get to RCA Studio B or to Opryland itself so another day there would not go amiss.
Friday was our last day. We checked out and headed for the airport where we spent a bit of time before heading to Houston. Our short stay in Houston was marred by the location of our hotel and its lack of facilities, although a perfectly reasonable room complete with full fridge freezer, microwave, cooker and even a dishwasher. I visited the Galleria on the Friday afternoon and also the Saturday morning where I bought a couple of tops. Friday evening was spent trying to find suitable bars - result, nil. And somewhere to eat - result found an overpriced Indian restaurant after playing 2 invisible customers in another restaurant nearby. A costly and disappointing evening.
Headed for the airport around 12 on Saturday. This was the best part of our Houston experience. Painless check in and a good KLM lounge with good eats and drinks! Then an 8 hour flight, connection via Amsterdam and home. Back around 11.30 on Sunday.
That night was Opry night so we just got our bearings and had a rest before heading out around 6.30. The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman exceeded all expectations - the acts were good, the atmosphere great and our seats - we could touch the stage! After the gig we went to bar around the corner which was pretty busy. All of town was heaving as there was also a hockey game on. We had a few beers and some bar food before heading back to the hotel.
The weather the next day was pretty grim so we decided on a bus tour at 1.00. We then had a wee walk to the town while it was relatively dry.
Breakfast in the hotel was included but Maurice needed some lunch so we grabbed McDonalds (unfortunately) and then waited for our pick up.
The tour was ok, included was a tour of Ryman and then the Country Music Hall of Fame. This is a mega museum with so much to see and do. We finished around 5 and came back to the hotel for snooze and refresh before going out again.
We tried a different bar and got talking to two very drunk Canadian hockey fans who had driven down for the game on Thursday which we were thinking of going to. After going back to the same bar as the previous night and grabbing some food we headed back to the hotel. It was perishing cold by this time.
Thursday was a beautiful day but cold. After breakfast we caught up with a few things in the room - Maurice had to do a bit of work.
We left the hotel and headed for Bridgestone to buy the hockey tickets. We opted for the $10 tickets. We then headed for the water front and walked around there for a bit before going for the trolley tour. This left around 12.25 and took us to some of the locations we had been to before. It also included a more in depth tour of the Millennium Park which was very interesting. I would recommend this tour over the Discover Nashville one we took the previous day - especially since we were located near downtown and could get to key attractions like the Country Hall of Fame ourselves.
When we finished our tour we had lunch at Demos which had been recommended to us and this was excellent and very good value for money. We went back up to the hotel where Maurice had a snooze and I went over to the Frist Gallery of the Visual Arts for a wee wander. There was an Egyptian exhibition which was interesting and some other strange exhibits. A small gallery but worth a visit.
We had a beer while getting ready to go out and then headed for the ice hockey game. This was really good value for our $10 even if I nearly had a panic attack trying to negotiate to my seat. We were very high up. Nashville Predators won 4 - 1 so when we went out afterwards there was a good vibe around! We went into a honky tonk bar with great country music being played by a good band. After a few beers there we headed up the road and visited the Flying Saucer where we had some bar food and finished off the evening.
Impressions of Nashville: I really liked Nashville. It had a good atmosphere, lots going on downtown, felt relatively safe and there was plenty for us to see and do. We didn't get to RCA Studio B or to Opryland itself so another day there would not go amiss.
Friday was our last day. We checked out and headed for the airport where we spent a bit of time before heading to Houston. Our short stay in Houston was marred by the location of our hotel and its lack of facilities, although a perfectly reasonable room complete with full fridge freezer, microwave, cooker and even a dishwasher. I visited the Galleria on the Friday afternoon and also the Saturday morning where I bought a couple of tops. Friday evening was spent trying to find suitable bars - result, nil. And somewhere to eat - result found an overpriced Indian restaurant after playing 2 invisible customers in another restaurant nearby. A costly and disappointing evening.
Headed for the airport around 12 on Saturday. This was the best part of our Houston experience. Painless check in and a good KLM lounge with good eats and drinks! Then an 8 hour flight, connection via Amsterdam and home. Back around 11.30 on Sunday.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Memphis
The Saturday was travel to Memphis day. We departed around 11.15 and checked in to our flight. Not much going on at the airport where we didn't get into the Delta lounge as we were on a domestic flight.
We arrived in Memphis around 3 ish and took a cab to the hotel. We were pleasantly surprised to find the hotel was very near Beale St and a lovely hotel too. An added bonus for Maurice was that we were right across the street from the Gibson guitar factory - which did guided tours! After some difficulty getting the room key card to work the lift, we were helped by a guy we later found out was Alonso Mourning who is a well known ex basketball player. He was getting a civil rights award that evening.
We decided to just explore Beale St and ended up in a very busy BB Kings where an act had just finished. We ended up staying there once we had a few beers and watching two acts - a young guy called Will Tucker and then the BB King All Stars. Both were excellent. Will Tucker was only 17!
We had ribs 'n. hickey before heading back to the hotel for a relatively early night around 10.
The next day we had booked the Gibson tour for 12. So we had breakfast a local cafe first. The tour was interesting lasting about 45 minutes or so.
After that we went and got the tram around the loop which took us along the riverside and then we got off at the National Museum of Civil Rights. This was a very moving tour which was extremely interesting and informative.
After a short break back at the hotel we went back to BB Kings but I went back after food around 8.30 and Maurice went back out. It was not such a great night at BBs things were very quiet although there were good acts again. There were a couple of drunks who kind of spoiled it and just danced randomly in front of the stage.
The next day we walked up to Sun Studio and after purchasing the 11.30 tour we went to local cafe The Trolley Stop, and had a pizza breakfast! The Sun studio tour was very interesting and lots of pics were taken. After that we got the free shuttle to Graceland. A good bit smaller than expected but none the less over the top and actually rather moving. Elvis had been very happy there and it was most definitely a home for him and his family and vast array of friends.
We took the shuttle back to the Rock and Soul Museum and after a wee break in the hotel we then went to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks parade at 5. Bonkers! We then finished off our day at the Rock and Soul Museum. A busy day and very interesting.
The last evening was spent once again in BBs with ribs as our food of choice!
The All stars were playing again. A good evening for our last one.
Impressions of Memphis: certainly the downtown area is a bit seedy. There is plenty to do and see but historic Beale St is now pretty trashy and full of large groups out on party nights. The exception was BBs on the Saturday night. Graceland is quite moving to visit - Elvis was and still is hugely popular. Seeing his grave and those of his parents and grandmother was very sad however. Grandma outlived them all! The museum of civil rights was very moving and the history of segregation and racial violence in the south really worth knowing more about.
We arrived in Memphis around 3 ish and took a cab to the hotel. We were pleasantly surprised to find the hotel was very near Beale St and a lovely hotel too. An added bonus for Maurice was that we were right across the street from the Gibson guitar factory - which did guided tours! After some difficulty getting the room key card to work the lift, we were helped by a guy we later found out was Alonso Mourning who is a well known ex basketball player. He was getting a civil rights award that evening.
We decided to just explore Beale St and ended up in a very busy BB Kings where an act had just finished. We ended up staying there once we had a few beers and watching two acts - a young guy called Will Tucker and then the BB King All Stars. Both were excellent. Will Tucker was only 17!
We had ribs 'n. hickey before heading back to the hotel for a relatively early night around 10.
The next day we had booked the Gibson tour for 12. So we had breakfast a local cafe first. The tour was interesting lasting about 45 minutes or so.
After that we went and got the tram around the loop which took us along the riverside and then we got off at the National Museum of Civil Rights. This was a very moving tour which was extremely interesting and informative.
After a short break back at the hotel we went back to BB Kings but I went back after food around 8.30 and Maurice went back out. It was not such a great night at BBs things were very quiet although there were good acts again. There were a couple of drunks who kind of spoiled it and just danced randomly in front of the stage.
The next day we walked up to Sun Studio and after purchasing the 11.30 tour we went to local cafe The Trolley Stop, and had a pizza breakfast! The Sun studio tour was very interesting and lots of pics were taken. After that we got the free shuttle to Graceland. A good bit smaller than expected but none the less over the top and actually rather moving. Elvis had been very happy there and it was most definitely a home for him and his family and vast array of friends.
We took the shuttle back to the Rock and Soul Museum and after a wee break in the hotel we then went to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks parade at 5. Bonkers! We then finished off our day at the Rock and Soul Museum. A busy day and very interesting.
The last evening was spent once again in BBs with ribs as our food of choice!
The All stars were playing again. A good evening for our last one.
Impressions of Memphis: certainly the downtown area is a bit seedy. There is plenty to do and see but historic Beale St is now pretty trashy and full of large groups out on party nights. The exception was BBs on the Saturday night. Graceland is quite moving to visit - Elvis was and still is hugely popular. Seeing his grave and those of his parents and grandmother was very sad however. Grandma outlived them all! The museum of civil rights was very moving and the history of segregation and racial violence in the south really worth knowing more about.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
New Orleans
It was a lovely visit with Les but off now to New Orleans!
Flights were great - early even and I got to the hotel around 3.20 after a slight mix up with transport. I just remained in the room until Maurice came back around 5.30. We got ready and then went off to join the boat for the river cruise.
We met up with Sian and Steve Searle and socialised the night away in pleasant company with good food and the usual free drink!
We finished off the evening on Bourbon St but not too late as I was pretty tired.
The next day I had a bit of a sore head and went to Walgreen's for headache pills and McDonald's for coffee. Once I had a bath I went in search of Sian and found her gate crashing lunch at the seminar! We then had an afternoon of shopping before returning to the hotel to get ready for the Aquarium for the evening entertainment. Not much food but plenty drink and social chit chat. The rest of the evening was spent in Bourbon St again and we finished off with a hot dog on the way back to the hotel.
Maurice's first day officially on holiday was spent in the French Quarter first of all where we got a mule drawn buggy tour which was interesting. Then we visited the St Louis cemetery where a scene from Easy Rider was shot. After popping back to the hotel we then took a cab to the Garden District to wander around the mansion houses but don't think we quite got to the right place. We got a very packed trolley back to town . Hot and sour soup beckoned and so we had a quick bite from the nearby Chinese before going back to the hotel.
After a short snooze (him) and a bath (me) we got ready and ventured out to Bourbon St to see Steamboat Willie. He was all that we expected - a great entertainer and some great music. Sian and Steve came along just after 8 and we were joined later on by another delegate from the conference. It was an outside venue and getting pretty cold so we went on to a warmer venue but realised that Friday night on Bourbon St was absolutely crazy - the music was louder and more geared to youngsters too. After a quick drink at a bar next to the hotel we went back to our room.
Impressions of New Orleans: a great city with lots for visitors to see and do. The French Quarter is really interesting and the party atmosphere makes for a good time. Weekends do seem to be a bit different and full of groups of younger people with hen night and stag night intentions! But through the week there are more tourists and probably business folk or indeed conference visitors too.
Flights were great - early even and I got to the hotel around 3.20 after a slight mix up with transport. I just remained in the room until Maurice came back around 5.30. We got ready and then went off to join the boat for the river cruise.
We met up with Sian and Steve Searle and socialised the night away in pleasant company with good food and the usual free drink!
We finished off the evening on Bourbon St but not too late as I was pretty tired.
The next day I had a bit of a sore head and went to Walgreen's for headache pills and McDonald's for coffee. Once I had a bath I went in search of Sian and found her gate crashing lunch at the seminar! We then had an afternoon of shopping before returning to the hotel to get ready for the Aquarium for the evening entertainment. Not much food but plenty drink and social chit chat. The rest of the evening was spent in Bourbon St again and we finished off with a hot dog on the way back to the hotel.
Maurice's first day officially on holiday was spent in the French Quarter first of all where we got a mule drawn buggy tour which was interesting. Then we visited the St Louis cemetery where a scene from Easy Rider was shot. After popping back to the hotel we then took a cab to the Garden District to wander around the mansion houses but don't think we quite got to the right place. We got a very packed trolley back to town . Hot and sour soup beckoned and so we had a quick bite from the nearby Chinese before going back to the hotel.
After a short snooze (him) and a bath (me) we got ready and ventured out to Bourbon St to see Steamboat Willie. He was all that we expected - a great entertainer and some great music. Sian and Steve came along just after 8 and we were joined later on by another delegate from the conference. It was an outside venue and getting pretty cold so we went on to a warmer venue but realised that Friday night on Bourbon St was absolutely crazy - the music was louder and more geared to youngsters too. After a quick drink at a bar next to the hotel we went back to our room.
Impressions of New Orleans: a great city with lots for visitors to see and do. The French Quarter is really interesting and the party atmosphere makes for a good time. Weekends do seem to be a bit different and full of groups of younger people with hen night and stag night intentions! But through the week there are more tourists and probably business folk or indeed conference visitors too.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Asheville
I started the trip in a beautiful sunny Aberdeen, sun setting and a near cloudless sky. Up and away, I have never seen such a beautiful sky from a flight. It was stunning. The flight was early for once so got to Amsterdam earlier than expected . Found the Yotel easily and checked in. The room was tiny I mean minuscule! But all that was needed for a restful night. And it was surprisingly good.
Up at 6 quite refreshed and out to the gate after a coffee and donut. The flight to Detroit was ok as economy squished seats go and I arrived listening to Razorlight singing America on the iPad shuffle - a bit spooky! Plenty time to get through all the immigration palaver and get to the gate. Detroit has a very pleasant airport.
The flight to Asheville was on time and arrived early. Once I picked up my case, looked about and within 5 minutes there was Les!
She drove me to the Biltmore village to walk around the historic area. I bought a pair of socks! After a further explore in the car, we stopped to watch a gorgeous sunset behind the Blue Ridge mountains. We got to her lovely home around 6.30 and after a short time getting my bearings we went out for pizza . I was doing pretty well considering I had been up for well over 18 hours. But after pizza and beer I was ready for bed.
The next day was Monday. We had a leisurely start to the day and some breakfast before setting off for the Biltmore Estate. An amazing house and wonderful visit lasted all day! We lunched at around 3.30 and then visited the winery. Missing the best of the sunset we drove up to the Inn and walked in to look around. We drove back through the downtown area and arrived home about 7.
An evening of slides followed. Great reminiscing and some red wine and left over pizza. Bed around 11 was followed by a reasonable night's sleep.
In the morning I learned the terrible news of wee Clouseau's death. What a shock and all the more awful being so far away from him so we couldn't say goodbye.
We went out around noon to the downtown area for some therapy of the retail variety! After buying shoes and socks, we wandered up the road to a place that seated outside so we could enjoy a lovely lunch in the sun. We also visited a church and lit a candle for wee Clouseau. Then we did some food shopping for the party in a speciality store which was full of great organic foodstuffs. We got home at 4.20ish to get ready for the gathering that evening.
About 10 or so friends attended and we ate lovely nibbles, drank wine and chatted. It was very convivial. The last guest left around 8 and Les and I watched the US equivalent of strictly! We got to bed around 10.30.
The next morning was the last one in Asheville and we got going reasonably early. Les made grits which I didn't much like and I got some last photos of the garden.
Up at 6 quite refreshed and out to the gate after a coffee and donut. The flight to Detroit was ok as economy squished seats go and I arrived listening to Razorlight singing America on the iPad shuffle - a bit spooky! Plenty time to get through all the immigration palaver and get to the gate. Detroit has a very pleasant airport.
The flight to Asheville was on time and arrived early. Once I picked up my case, looked about and within 5 minutes there was Les!
She drove me to the Biltmore village to walk around the historic area. I bought a pair of socks! After a further explore in the car, we stopped to watch a gorgeous sunset behind the Blue Ridge mountains. We got to her lovely home around 6.30 and after a short time getting my bearings we went out for pizza . I was doing pretty well considering I had been up for well over 18 hours. But after pizza and beer I was ready for bed.
The next day was Monday. We had a leisurely start to the day and some breakfast before setting off for the Biltmore Estate. An amazing house and wonderful visit lasted all day! We lunched at around 3.30 and then visited the winery. Missing the best of the sunset we drove up to the Inn and walked in to look around. We drove back through the downtown area and arrived home about 7.
An evening of slides followed. Great reminiscing and some red wine and left over pizza. Bed around 11 was followed by a reasonable night's sleep.
In the morning I learned the terrible news of wee Clouseau's death. What a shock and all the more awful being so far away from him so we couldn't say goodbye.
We went out around noon to the downtown area for some therapy of the retail variety! After buying shoes and socks, we wandered up the road to a place that seated outside so we could enjoy a lovely lunch in the sun. We also visited a church and lit a candle for wee Clouseau. Then we did some food shopping for the party in a speciality store which was full of great organic foodstuffs. We got home at 4.20ish to get ready for the gathering that evening.
About 10 or so friends attended and we ate lovely nibbles, drank wine and chatted. It was very convivial. The last guest left around 8 and Les and I watched the US equivalent of strictly! We got to bed around 10.30.
The next morning was the last one in Asheville and we got going reasonably early. Les made grits which I didn't much like and I got some last photos of the garden.
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