Usually on our trips to Vegas we go to the Outlets and buy 2 or 3 pairs of shoes each as they are so much cheaper here than at home. This time however we had left the shopping until now as we really didn't want to be carting excess baggage all over the USA!

I had done a bit of research at home and discovered a new Outlet Mall just about 20-30 minutes south of Memphis, actually over the state line and in Mississippi.... yay another State to add to the list! First of all though we had to hire a car for the day. I hadn't bothered doing this before now because I was trying to be a little more flexible but had done my research and knew that Avis was only a few blocks down Madison which is not far from where we are staying. Didn't take us long to walk there and organise a car, a lovely little VW polo (I think)..... and we were parked at in the Mall by 9am after a very easy run out of town and down the freeway using google maps on my trusty iPhone!

The place is obviously very new but full of all the brand name shops. It's a Tangers chain and to me looked very like the North Strip Mall in Vegas being an outdoor open style Mall with much the same range of shops. The place was deserted but it was a Wednesday morning at precisely 9.01am!! Didn't take us long to find all the shoe shops and find 3 pairs of shoes each, we both bought Sketchers because they are just THE most comfortable shoes I've ever worn! The prices were definitely cheaper than home but with the exchange rate being so bad at the moment the savings weren't nearly as good as we've had in previous years. 

Shopping done it's time to head to Graceland once again using google maps on my phone. There is good signage pointing to the car park, which at this time of year was fairly deserted, and then you walk down a pathway that leads into the ticketing area. Once tickets are bought, and we only got the basic cheapest option but you can also buy entry to the car and plane exhibits, we headed in the direction we were pointed. The obligatory photo is taken and you are entrusted with an iPad and headphones to enhance your experience then onto a shuttle which drives you across the road and right up to the front door of Graceland. 

As soon as we got off the bus we were ushered up to the front door and inside to start the tour, which you do yourself following the iPad directions. I would have liked to be able to take some photos of the front of the house or wander a little around the front garden area to get some nice pics of the front but it all felt a bit liked being frog marched inside! 

The tour itself was fantastic with lots of extra photos and video clips on the iPad. We spent 3 hours there and could have spent more but my feet and back were getting sore and my belly was grumbling for some lunch.... Rodd just shakes his head and says "you and food"!! I can't help it if I've got to eat!!

I was at a bit of a loss where to go when we left Graceland, so we just headed back in the general direction of Memphis with me navigating to keep us on back roads not the big motorway. Funnily enough, without me meaning to, we ended up only a few blocks from No Regrets Tattoo where I have a 4 pm appointment for my new tattoo!

  We decided to try The Outback Steakhouse..... yes it's an Aussie chain but Rodd was keen for a steak and I can usually find something to eat on any menu. 

First impressions, not so good, we walked in and waited to be seated even though the place was almost empty, the staff weren't overly friendly and when we ordered a couple of drinks we were told by our server that he had to wait for his manager to come and check our ID before he could serve us. I understand that this is the law and I'm fine with that but I wanted my wine (!!) and we had to wait probably 15 minutes for the Manager (a 21 year old) to get around to us. General impression was absolutely no captain running this ship!! I asked the server to check with the kitchen if the potato soup was completely meat free, he forgot and I had to ask him again and I could see the "oh s***" look on his face when I asked ever so politely if he'd had time to check with the kitchen! He assured me there was no meat in it so I ordered it but surprise, surprise it was made with chicken stock..... I mean REALLY did he think just because there's no chunks of meat that it was meat free??!! Just as well I had also ordered a jacket potato with cheese, chives and sourcream NO BACON on top PLEASE!

Somewhat refreshed and still several hours before my appointment we headed back to the Hotel to drop off our shopping and have a quick nanny nap. 

Time to go get inked! Downstairs we went and who should we bump into but Dan, Lena, Ginny and Bill. There had been a few texts between us but with us busy all day hadn't caught up before now and really no time to do more than a quick hug and hello with the plan to meet back here about 6 before it was time for us to dash out the door.

 We arrived at the shop right on 4 pm but had to wait 15 minutes or so for Al to be ready to start. OMG, it started out not too bad but this really hurt, at times I thought he had a pen knife and was carving it in and was sure there would be blood streaming from my wrist! I lay there with eyes closed and didn't make a peep but was very pleased when he had finished the outline and had to pop out to do a consult with another vicitim.... oops client!!

  I had assumed it would take maximum an hour to get this tattoo, after the quick 1/2 hour job in Miami a couple years ago, however it was after 6 before it was all done and we were on our way back. Not that I minded, he did an amazing job with this tattoo and I'm very proud to have my Mums frog with me permanently. We had texted Lena and Ginny letting them know we'd be late and we'd meet them at Silky O'Sullivans. The original plan was to drop the car at Avis on the way back but too late for that now so we had to pay $12 to park in the Hotel car park. 

Never mind... time to jump on the trolley and go have some fun with the gang.... well not all the gang..... all the gang will be here Saturday night!

We found them at Silky O'Sullivans and they had chairs saved for us, which was great because the place was packed and jumping! We managed to do a bit of catching up between songs, these guys are great, I'm so glad we met them 4 years ago and have kept in touch. 

 Barbara Blue was singing and she's very good, really engages with the audience and gets everyone involved. Lena and Dan have been coming here for years as it's only a 2 hour drive from Little Rock and have known Barbara for years. She came up after the show and we were introduced and we made a plan to go out for dinner with her and her partner tomorrow night at a Thai place she knows. 

After the show we were all a bit peckish so we went to Blues City Cafe... can't believe I didn't take one photo! We had a lovely time all chatting merrily over dinner and drinks. Time for bed... the others were all going to grab a taxi but when we said we were going to get the trolley they all followed along. We had more fun chatting with everyone on the trolley and then it was time to collapse, it's been a big day and tomorrow John and Stephanie arrive!