Americas Heart & Soul - Part 3 - "Memphis"

Day 6 we hit the road early and the planned stop at a family run restaurant was cancelled due to the amount of people expected. There had been a big religious convention in St Louis (judging by the hats i saw was thinking Royal Ascot).
It was agreed to stop and get food at a large Walmarts which was actually fine as i don't mind a sandwich at Lunch. Also gave a few of us chance to do some bargain shopping and i came away with a couple of pairs of Wrangler jeans for $22 each (about £14 to my reckoning).

At this stage need to say we had a birthday on the coach, not just any birthday it was Dawns 40th so we all gave her a rendition of the song while Stephen our Tour Manager presented her with a cupcake with 4 candles on (one for each decade).

On arrival in Memphis we stopped at the visitors centre to use the facilities, steal all their leaflets and pick up some scruffy bloke who was out city guide. Now Memphis is a city you look at that on the surfice looks awful but actually provides some of the holiday highlights sadly our tour wasn't one of them. We did go to the Lorraine Motel (national civil rights museum) to see where Martin Luthur King was shot but most of us were dissapointed we didn't have time to go in.

Still at the end of the tour we got one of the highlights when we visited Sun Studios albeit a little late, the tour of the small studio was fantastic with a really enthusiastic bloke telling us the history in a humerous fashion. You do feel in awe when you stand at the microphone where the likes of Wolf, Cash, Perkins, Lewis and someone called Presley once stood.






We then got to our hotel which was located only a couple of blocks to Beale Street where everyone was heading for the food and nightlife. So it was a quick shower & shave and hit Beale, group i was with decided to eat at Silky O'Sullivans Irish Bar, was a woman singer on and by the looks of the black rings around her eyes think she was on something sronger than aspirin. She had a decent voice but killed a few songs by been too loud (or am i getting old).

After the meal had a walk up Beale looking in a few souvenier shops so June & Steve could compete in the fridge magnet competition.
For entertainment we had decided on Blues City Cafe where a group called Hillbilly Casino where playing, they were a Rockabilly act from Nashville and when the walked on stage the looked crazy but was they good, awesome i would and what a range of songs. Some people bought their teeshirts but for some unknown reason i wanted one but ended up with their Christmas Album. Latest night out of the holiday but definately a Memphis highlight.

Following morning and breakfast at TGI Fridays which was ok it was off to Church and a Gospel Service, turned out interesting but even if you didn't like it you couldn't leave judging by the bouncers on the doors keeping people in. The Gospel singers were amazing nd the lead singer had a cracking voice and they even had a guitarist & drummer in the church.
Now the reverand was something out of the movies and he gave a sermon like you've never seen he also encouraged a lot of friendship and we all had to give people near us a hug on more than ne occasion. Certainly was a experience.

Following our escape from the hugs and handshakes it was on to Graceland where we spent 5 hours, for me 4 hours would have been enough but appreciate more ardent Elvis fans would want to stay all weekend.

Was impressed though enjoyed touring the house and the various museums and its well worth doing even if you are not his biggest fan. Passing the grave was quite touching.

















That night some of us decided to eat at TGI Fridays food was fine but they took an age for them to find us some knifes & Forks, ok for those with chips but me as i had mash with my meal. Poor service to be honest and didn't really deserve their tips that we gave them.

Afterwards it was a walk to Beale for a couple of Beers but it was much quieter on a Sunday night as most of the weekend crowd had gone home.

So thats Memphis and following Day it would be on the road again for the trek to New Orleans.