flashman181

Seems a quiet room at present which is great for a hotel. Body clock a bit out of whack still but slept ok. Decided to head for Central Park while snow still on ground and it was booteeful as always

The thing you need to remember about NYC is wind chill, it can be biting. Still sickly which makes it that much harder to get temperature right. Some cars were going to have fun getting out this morning and interesting to see the impact of Trumps cutbacks on the police force

The Hotel Beacon is an impressive building from all angles and being in a corner studio on 22nd floor gives great views

The Daily Show at 3 pm today so may be time to make up for that alcohol free day yesterday not that I can taste much of course. It would be better if still worked as could feel I could just relax for a few hrs and do nothing but as that is the norm back home seems kinda pointless here 😏

Got my weekly metro card and then hopped on the 1,2,3 (I forget which) which is very close at 72 nd street and went to Times Square for no real reason. Had a walk around, remembered why I don’t come here, and headed back home. The only real trick with subway, as easy as may sound, is remember if going uptown or downtown! Dropped into Amsterdam Ale House for a quenching Ale and a bite to eat and then will rest up for a couple of hours as ankle not good at all. Made sure I didn’t break any laws in the pub either 😏

Headed off a bit early for the 25 min walk which turned out to be 40 mins, thanks Google. Still was first to line up even though it was 4 pm which was advertised time for “guaranteed seat”. Slowly people turned up but we still stood outside for 90 mins. Then we moved inside, went through security, and stood for another 30 mins. Finally seated in full studio by 6 pm which was same timeframe from Jon Stewart show. Then we sat for 45 bloody mins with head splitting music playing. Still sick, overdressed warm wise for hike home and sitting between 2 big men. Not fun. Finally stand up comedian came out and he was very good. Pretty well straight after Trevor started and also very good. No exciting guest but a great show. Then the 40 min walk home in freezing weather. It was a great 45 mins of entertainment but the other 4 hrs wasn’t . I need sleep

And when it comes to cold its the “real feel” u need to look at. Trust your Uncle Flashy

Rough nights sleep with cold and noise of planes. Also a hopeless AC in room that kicked in every now and again with full blast in your face and in between room was warm. Still only had to get through to 0530 and then off to QC club at TBIT and a relaxing flight in PE to JFK. Or so you would think

As always a quick check on Qantas app to see all ok. Flight is on time…..What the fuck. It’s a 0900 AA flight in economy! QF 11 just cancelled no idea why. Some snow in NYC but AA are flying at present. I carry my Aussie Sim in old iPhone as some messages still set up with that number. Sure enough a message from Qantas but basically only saying ‘ flight chnaged’ check online. So quickly have to accept the hand dealt and quickly choose a seat, check in and see if earlier flight . Not ideal at 6 am in morning with cold and no glasses. All full, you can go on standby and your luggage will go on 7 am flight, which is full, even if u don’t ! Ah no thanks that has disaster written all over it. Breathe Breathe. Settle into Admirals Club and at this stage just hope we get to NYC. Main issue with economy is still being sick. It’s a 5.5 hr flight

So flight left on time and had decided to upgrade , for nix, to exit row in AC and seriously had the most room ever. Pretty good flight. We picked up 20 mins and then sat on tarmac for 21 mins😏 . Very basic snacks and no grog – not a bad thing – so all in all not that bad but be chasing down Qantass for my credits and eligible flight to maintain Silver FF Status. (There was a muffin top though) Not for Qantass mind you but the Ruby OW status which has been a god send this trip. Oh, and The Irwins were on the flight. Walking past arrivals info and you would think QF 11 had landed!

The flat rate $52 taxi fare to Manhattan is good deal but soon adds up with tolls,surcharges and tips so hand over $80 and walk away. Treacherous road conditions, he did well. Check in smooth enough and do have my “deluxe corner king studio above 18th floor” as booked so very happy. Will be interesting to compare a hotel stay to usual apartment one. Think worse aspect will be laundary

Amazingly that is 3 flights in a row either cancelled or significantly delayed . Yes all worked out ok in end but a lot of stress and quick action required. Plan now is to start holiday again, in Winter, as no flights for two weeks! Just need NYC weather to co operate. Miserable at present after snow so just slush now. Supposed to improve over coming days .

Just hope I do

So we all remember cocky boy at start of week when everything just kept falling into place ? It couldn’t last and hasn’t.

First up sick as a dog with a cold developing. No doubt being too sociable with GU. Then yesterday afternoon got email from Ziggy saying my one booked tour in NYC this Saturday has been cancelled. Next up on way to Airport this morning with 2 hrs to flight when get notification flight is delayed another 5 hrs and now leaving at 2 pm rather than 0930 😰 Apart from sitting around airport for hrs also screws up plans for this afternoon of a visit to Santa Monica Pier. I will say AA are pretty good in customer service and even One World Ruby status gets you some good treatment. So was able to switch, no charge, to an 11 am flight which is better than first alternative. Santa Monica still a chance but probably need to Uber it.

So at airport all checked in, must be time for some breakfast. Let’s see smallest item on menu. Help

Thought no harm in trying to access the Airspace Lounge at SD which does welcome AA Admirals Club. Yep, straight in as a QC member. Not the best club in the world but is quiet and comfortable. And the GU are outside . And I did some research. Apparently you feed a fever and drown a cold

Of course the normal boarding time comes around and so the big board at gate flashes “boarding now” because in 2019 technology cant cope with subtle changes. People start lining up so lady eventuaally says we will board soon, we are just waiting for plane to arrive at gate and then to decamp. No shit sherlock, maybe why the 3 pilots are standing over there ya reckon? Delays happen fine , just don’t treat us like morons

So we got on pretty quick to be fair , about 20 mins late, and such a short flight of only 30 mins to a 52 alphabet gate so needed shuttle. Bag second off though and walked the 20 mins to hotel and in room by 1 pm . Like my stomach, things were on the turn

Time to Uber down to Santa Monica on a glorious day . Walked the pier straight up of course. The beach is rather amazing as well and all was pretty busy for a Monday . Then walked more into town because rather hungry by now and found a couple of places that tickled my fancy and warmed my tonsils

Filled in a couple of hours nicely before time to head back down and watch the sun set over the pier. Would have liked to stay until lights took full effect but have early start in morning and given the cock up about to round the day it was a wise call

I had left it to close to 6 pm to try and avoid some of traffic but was always going to be a nightmare. Now in my defence I was feeling crap by now again so maybe that , and fact no glasses, that I put in Courtyard Marriott but didn’t check which one. Also made mistake of getting Uber Pool. About 90 mins later am dropped off at CM in Beverly Hills ! Then have to try and get one back to LAX version. Eventually did but it was an expensive exercise and also a long one of around 2.5 hrs. A great day in the middle but bookended by real crap

Hey I hear planes, there must be an airport near here. Oh joy

And on the 7th day he rested . From alliteration. If its good enough for Old Whiskers then its good enough for Young Stubble. A tad seedy today but not from alcohol per se but maybe the smoking. Have a sore dry throat which could be start of usual vacation cold or just response to the smoke. Hope it is the latter but as someone who doesn’t mix much with the GU I fear it is the former. Couple of flights in next couple of days which are never pleasant if not well. Time will tell but for today time to get out in fresh air and walk around as seems a nice day has dawned. The washing and packing await this afternoon 😰 Oh joy.

First up is usual Cortado and then a quick check in for tomorrows morning flight. Hoping to be able to leave bags at hotel near LAX and then head down to Santa Monica for afternoon. Would be a real knobber of course if could actually get into my room at 11 am but lets not set bar too high

I shall declare today an alcohol free day just to freshen up for the next journey. Lovely walking around in sun down on waterfront but certainly seems cold is developing

The place does get busier on weekends and one thing we know for sure is Americans love their big meals especially if pancakes may be involved

That’s it for me today folks. Not well so time to settle in for some golf from just up the road at Pebble. Mind you they did have a hail storm this morning 😳 Farewell San Diego

To be truthful only two of those are guaranteed but have so fallen under the spell of alliteration I cant help myself. A 3 hr brewery tour is booked for 10 am and does include a BBQ lunch. Forecast not as good for today but at present just cloudy . We are in a covered Pinzgauer apparently which is a Vintage Swiss Safari Vehicle built for an ultimate beer exploration. Let’s hope the roof is not made of Swiss cheese 🧀. If I don’t get a complimentary block of Toblerone on boarding going to be well pissed off. Not a lot of walking expected except to loo and back on several occasions. Breweries we visit are still a pleasant surprise much as it will be for the staff when I rock up. It’s a 12 seater and tour is full so seems another 11 Yanks are about to get a lifetime memory to share. Would be nice if one day another Aussie fronted on one of these tours just to lessen the burden

Ah nope

A quick trolley to Santa Fe station had me ready to board and hook in

First up a quick check

Babes 👍🏻
Partners 👍🏻
Chances 😰

Looked like a great group and even had two “buses”including a bucks party. What could go wrong? First stop Ballast Point

4 good samples and back on transport. Things were rocking. Next stop Bay City Brewing and also some BBQ lunch. For some reason someone brought along Jenga which was good fun

That was pretty well end of tour as advertised at 1pm. Not surprisingly we kicked on. Great group of people. We had some beers at Stone Brewing Taproom then ended up somehow at a cigar/hookah place . Then, apparently , we had some dinner at Werewolf. So they tell me

Great day but officially half cut and already 7 pm. Help

The weather has cleared to a cool clear day and thus faced with second scariest task on solo travel – the first use of Public Transport. Most scariest of course is first use of washing machine! First up plan is to catch ferry to Coronado to see the famous Hotel Del Coronado of movie fame and then loiter around for some other attractions. At least two main points of interest that linger in memory of a young boy……

Stop for requisite Cortado on way of course and then gaze in awe once more at USS Midway in morning glory. The ferry before 9 am is free which is a great service and again simply stunning views all around the waterfront. The similarities to a similar trip from San Fran wharf to Alcatraz come to mind but hope I am not locked up this time

Once on Coronado thought would use my Compass day pass and catch the 904 local bus. Ah no, doesn’t start until 0930 Tourist Clown and not wasting any of this glorious weather. Time for Uber which sadly had to come from SD but still at the hotel 20 minutes later. What a stunning place and a superb beach out front as well. Strangely no yachts in the harbour either

Then caught the local 904 bus back down to the Ferry Landing area but more specifically the Coronado Brewery 🤓 It was after 10 am after all. If buses can run I can drink ok. Quite peckish after a light breakfast so basically had to go with burger so lets call it an early lunch. Only ate 13 fries honest

Was keen to travel over the famous bridge that is quite high and scares some people . Probably the same idiots that like it hot. Now I knew I needed the 901 and bus stop was on Orange and 3rd. Given how well first few days went I just assumed the fact it arrived 7 mins early was another knob kiss. Ah no. By the time the Hotel loomed on horizon I fronted up and asked driver “Is there any chance I am going the wrong way and not ending up in downtown SD” “Well, yes and no sir. You will end up there but in about 90 mins u idiot. You wanted the bus stop across the street back at Orange and 3rd” . Thanks Chauncey I will get off here now . Hello Uber? $11US and I was back in apartment in 15 minutes although how he parked in living room I will never know 🤠 I see a lot of Uber in immediate future.

Time to chill for a little bit and a quick FaceTime with CLP and plan out afternoon. I have an active day pass that cost $5 and don’t want to waste it. That’s almost another beer after all. Let’s see this park they named after Rocky. Odd, thought he was from Philly ? Bit of a walk and then a bus had me at Balboa Park entrance lickety split. What a massive park it is. A cut lunch had me at the first “museum” which was tres impressive. Was keen to climb to top of tower if only to finally let my hair down in SD but you had to join a guided tour that went for 40 mins. Pass. So walked around the area and crumple my sheets if I didn’t stumble across a craft brewery outlet near the 17th museum. I decided to give the zoo a miss as, although am sure it is great, have seen enough zoos this decade. Time to catch a different bus home and a slight detour on walk home to pick up dinner

So another great day in SD with simply glorious weather . Just about ticked off main tourist attractions , and certainly most of the population, apart from Golf Course which will do tomorrow. A bit of planning then required to explore some more neighbourhoods and also have two tours lined up mostly involving drink, walk, drink, eat, drink. Luckily there is a day in between

Remember the 1970s, that time of innocence when you could believe what you were told . Sadly, another myth shattered

It’s a gloomy day only brightened by the enthusiasm of the weather presenters on Good Morning San Diego! To be fair they probably don’t get to slosh around in puddles much in SoCal. Well at least back in 1972…..

Now little optimist moi shan’t be deterred (speaking of which I am now , thanks to all the fruit I ate yesterday – ya with me 🤠). As a noted Seinfeld man I always hark back to the Even Steven episode. Was very lucky yesterday with the flying caper so saw two attractions had pencilled in this morning. Just as well really. Only concern now is Segway planned at 2pm. Always use this in a new city early on to get lay of land . Mind you after walking 5 kms yesterday I would suggest it is flat

San Diego, like San Fran, does seem to have a significant homeless problem made more distressing I imagine by the lousy weather. The waterfront area and convention centre seems a lovely area but not far away is the less salubrious Gaslamp district and I am a bit piggy in the middle. Speaking of which, time to check out the local cafe scene. I assume there are some nearby . Hard to see at 6 am in the dark and rain. And to think, I even packed my dick stickers for this first week . Damn, have to work on my sickenly positive outlook on life . My Accuweather forecast says break in the rain in 11 mins for 3 mins 27 s and when was the last time they were wrong. Ah yeah, in 11 mins time. Fair call

So turns out about a 3 min walk to Cafe 22 and now I remember I am in the US – massive meals and lousy coffee. Staff were great though. Then it was time to walk the streets for a while as weather not too bad at all. Also an opportunity to catch up with some old girlfriends….

Now to walk that off. Great walking city with wide streets and wide footpaths. Makes you wonder why so many wide women? Ah yes of course the massive meals duh. Headed in general direction of waterfront with a detour via Conference Centre and Petco Park. Man, that conference place is enormous. May book that for the next Fans of Flash annual shindig.

Of course by now I was thinking of going back for the dick stickers as rather warm and bright and here am I in wet weather gear and no sunglasses! It’s a great marina and very strong Mexican influence in many buildings . Very pleasant walk and before you knew it I was back at the USS Midway. Does that I mean it was going to take me as long to walk back …… here all week try the tacos.

Time to head back sadly as ankle was giving me grief now but not sure why. Oh yeah thats right

On way back found a great coffee place that serves Cortado and also a massive supermarket all within easy limping distance. Rest of week sorted , knobber knobber

Back home now for a couple of hours before Segway to see if can get the swelling down. To be fair, I probably should rest the ankle as well eh.

I know I went to Sunday School a few times as a youngun but someone on high is certainly looking after me so far on this holiday but doubt it’s Old Whiskers. The weather cleared for Segway and was only one on it. Um, I mean tour not the actual Segway itself which of course is a one man ride 😏 And it pissed down 5 minutes after returned to store. As suspected SD is perfectly suited to Segway and was a smooth ride around downtown. To be truthful had seen many of the areas already but there was some good history thrown in. SD is scooter crazy with same Lime ones as Brisveags uses but about 2000 more on streets . They are everywhere and likely hurt the Segway trade. There was even a Golf conference on in town so can now claim whole trip on tax. Oh, thats right I don’t pay any. Carry on.

So, another full day and already seen so much in just over 24 hrs. Plans for next couple of days will depend on weather but forecast is looking good. Really? Did I just put faith in a weather forecast. I need a beer.

Hey there’s one. Later dudes and dudettes