I’ve had quite a bit of interest on our recent trip to Vegas with people asking where to stay and go etc; this is the first of a series of blogs on that trip.

The idea to visit Las Vegas with my friends and family for my 50th birthday was concocted in April 2005, after a visit to Edinburgh for Joe Kirby’s half century celebrations.

The day came round all too fast and a group of ten of us set off for Gatwick on the 11th Nov 2009. Namely; Myself and the wife, our daughter Leanne, my niece Sophie, Joe and Heather Kirby, Graham and Anne Darnell, Anne’s brother John and his girlfriend Alison.

Things were pretty uneventful on the way down to Gatwick other than the sat-nav let us down and we struggled to find the hotel for the overnight stay. It’s worth mentioning though that if you need an ‘overnight’ at Gatwick, ‘The Worth’ hotel is cheap and cheerful and they’ll drop you off at the airport (15mins) and deliver your car there on your return. ‘Brilliant’!

Thursday 12th Nov. Day 1...

Up at 6-00am and after a cup of ‘mud’ in the room, we went down to reception to find everyone else was ready and raring to go.

Gatwick was heaving, but after a fairly effortless check-in we boarded the plane and our little sub party of four (Me, Diane, Leanne and Sophie) were delighted to find we’d been allocated extra leg room until, Leanne announced, “We’ve got NO TV’s!” Searching the seats and the big ‘partition’ in front of us, nothing that looked remotely like a TV could be found.

“I’m NOT putting up with this!” exclaimed Sophie and quickly called a steward over. He was an Australian bloke with a wicked sense of humour and he began to explain that you didn’t get TV’s in extra leg room seats, it was only when he saw Sophie and Leanne’s sadden faces that he bent over and ‘produced’ a small TV from under the seat!

I must say at this point and to quote the very same steward; “Virgin Airways have some of the BEST cabin crew in the world!” Sadly, they were all flying out of Manchester that day!

Half descent food, a couple of films and a kip, - At this point please refer to the photograph of Sophie in her Virgin Airways ‘sleeping’ outfit; SUPER SOPH! - Ten hours just ‘flew by’!

2-30pm;McCarran airport is the 3rd busiest in the USA but it’s virtually on ‘The Strip’ in Vegas and so, by 4-00pm we were in the comfort of ‘The Mirage’ hotel.

By 7-00pm the four of us were en-rout to Freemont Street, where we’d all arranged to ‘meet up’, as the rest of the party were staying at the top of the strip in ‘The Stratosphere’ hotel.

Freemont Street is in the ‘Old Town’ district and with its ‘street scene’ bars and cafes as well as live bands and fantastic light show - Two million light bulbs in its roof! - It is a must for any visitor. Street artists and ‘look-a-likes’ wander around looking for photo opportunities to earn a few ‘tips’ and you mingle with people from all over the world. Nigel however, being Nigel, managed to get ‘clocked’ with a couple of ‘Good ole Boys’ per say REDNECKS! - It was like sitting having a pint with Barnowl and Pobbles!

They seemed friendly enough, but when they started to get a bit ‘too friendly’ with Leanne and Sophie I thought it was time to intervene. “I got a gun license boy” says one of them to me. “I don’t care if you’ve got a rocket launcher,” say I “touch my daughter again and we’ll find out what is what!” - For obvious reasons I can’t write here what was really said! - Suddenly the guy ‘backs off’ apologising profusely. I thought well, that’s told him, but it turns out he thought Leanne was my girlfriend and therefore ‘fair game’ (nutter!) but when he realised she was my daughter he explained how ashamed his mother would be of him disrespecting a ’female’ in front of her father! Just as well really because he was a big bugger! (See photo).

Anyway, time was against us and by 12-30am after a ’no show’ by the rest of the gang (Where’s your mates when you need them!) we set back for the hotel in need of some kip. - UK time was now 8-30am so the body clock was knackered!

Back at ‘The Mirage’ it was like New Years Eve! I’ve never seen so many people, but after half an hour in the casino we were ‘goosed’ and so, turned in for a nights sleep in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, Leanne and Sophie went clubbing!

Day 2...

Up at 6-00am and down to B B Kings restaurant in ‘The Mirage’ for breakfast; Steak ‘n eggs, pancakes, three meat omelettes, the list was endless but we settled for the traditional full English.

By 9-00am we’d had a quick look round the hotel to get our bearings and decided to head for the Mirage pool area; the temperature was hitting 70f.

The afternoon was spent exploring the shops and bars on ‘The Strip’, well, mostly the bars to be honest, but this is where you meet the locals - especially on an afternoon - and to be fair, they’re brilliant and can’t do enough for you. Average price for a bottle of ‘Bud’ in these bars is about $3, half the price of the hotels UNLESS your gambling when its absolutely free! All you need to do is ‘tip’ the waitress at whatever rate you feel, so say you order four gin and tonics, all you need do is ‘tip’ the waitress say $5, unless your Joe Kirby, then a $1 will do; BRILLIANT!

That evening, Leanne treat us to drinks in the outside cocktail lounge - she’d won $130 in the casino! - and we set off to have a look at the ’Bellagio’ and their famous fountains.

I have to say, this is a ’must’ for any visitor and well worth seeing at night as it includes a light show and all totally free.

Back to the Mirage and another free show is their ’erupting’ volcano. It’s quite an amazing sight with fire, lightning, laser beams and a fantastic soundtrack that makes you feel like your on a Polynesian island.

12-30am; an early night was called for. We had two busy days coming up, including a ‘World Title Fight’ and a trip to the Grand Canyon.

Still no sign of the rest of the gang!

To be continued……..