Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Tuesday 11 June – We win on the one-armed bandit!

We're both really tired after our exhausting day yesterday; today will be another catch-up day. Besides, we have some financial sorting out to do. We pay our credit card bill on line, plus a bit extra as well (even though payment isn't due yet, it will hopefully give us more credit). We then phone the credit card company to ask why our card was declined; as we thought, it was because we've exceeded our limit. The bank are able to check that we've paid the last bill, and immediately unfreeze our card. That's a relief.

Re the lost Caxton card, I can't praise Caxton enough for their customer service. When my Global Traveller card was stolen in Kazakhstan 2 years ago they were brilliant, and they've come up trumps again now. Yesterday, as soon as we realised my card was lost, we phoned to block it; today I email Caxton and ask them to transfer the remaining credit from my lost card to Reg's Caxton Card. Within half an hour they've emailed me back, to say that they've done it. That's what I call exceptional customer service.

By the time we've sorted out our financial issues it's nearly 12 noon and we decide to phone Elaine for a quick catchup. Her friends Alex and George have just arrived for the evening so I don't stay on the phone long; we'll try to phone again at the weekend, so that Reg can have a chat with Elaine. It's so important to us to keep in touch with family and friends. Marianne, our lovely daughter in law often sends us photos and little videos of our beautiful grandson, which always bring tears to my eyes! (Reg loves looking at them too!)

We decide to investigate what “The Stratosphere” has on offer for brunch. They have an all-you-can-eat buffet at a reasonable price – I'm amazed at the selection on offer. Numerous varieties of fresh fruit in a fruit salad, cereals, porridge, eggs cooked to order, toast, bacon, ham, meats, Asian food …..we have a wonderful breakfast, which will definitely last us until evening. I say to Reg that I think this is what it will be like on our mini cruise on the Queen Mary at the end of our trip ….

After “brunch” we still feel really tired and return to our room, so that Reg can have a sleep …. and I can write the blog, a bit later than usual today. Then it's my turn to have a nap! Soon it's 7 pm, and we've only left our room today to eat! We decide to try the evening buffet, as the brunch was so good – again, for a reasonable price, there's an amazing selection of food on offer, including starters and deserts. Our waistlines will expand if we eat like this every day, but it's nice for a treat.

It's been 40º c (104º F) outside today, although in our air-conditioned room, we haven't noticed it. We step outside just to feel the air; even at 8.30 in the evening, the heat hits you immediately.

I tell Reg we have to have a little flutter on the one-armed bandit, and I put in a dollar. It's great fun, but very noisy! After half an hour, with beginner's luck we've doubled our money. Reg makes me take the voucher for $2 and promises we'll use it on another occasion.

But I'm on a roll,” I say.

That's what all gamblers say,” says Reg. “That's how they suck you in. You have to quit while you're winning.”

I'll enjoy spending our $2 credit at another time.... who knows, I might win the jackpot on that machine.. which I think is about $40 at most.

Reg wants me to write the blog tonight, so that we can start off bright and early tomorrow morning, to drive the 150 miles or so to the Zion National Park.






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