Today dawned beautifull again, we are very lucky with the weather so far, they are predicting storms on Wednesday/Thursday. We had decided we were going to have brunch at the Peabody so gave breakfast a miss (except Maria who had some cake left from yesterday and claimed ’she didn’t want to have to throw it’).
It was still early, so we thought we’d investigate the trolley and see if we could get a 3 day pass. It was an interesting ride, to the accompaniment of mutterings by Maria on the subject of mountain goats, her age etc. The steps up weren’t that high!
 
We went all the way to the end of the line where the MATA offices are, and where you’re supposed to be able to get season tickets, but everywhere was shut. So we got on another trolley and took the Riverfront loop. Some pretty run down areas and some very up market areas. We got off at Peabody Place intending to browse in the shops but it seems Memphis has a lie in on Sundays, so we just headed for Peabody hotel and brunch. If the Skyway restaurant is anything to go by I’m looking forward to moving on Tuesday. The food was excellent, the choice tremendeous, the service friendly (John’s face was a picture when our waitress called him ‘honey’),and the champagne flowed freely. When it came to dessert (my favourite part of a meal) I was spoilt for choice.Â
 
In the end I had to go with 2 desserts, a cheesecake and a layered chocolate mousse.
We eventually staggered out and headed for the river. After we’d negotiated the cobbles (apparently brought here from England as ballast in boats coming to buy cotton) we got some tickets for the Memphis Queen. A tour down the Mississippi. The tour guide was very interesting, Maria kept muttering about the lack of Mint Julips (??) but I enjoyed the beer. I think the heat got to me a bit.
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We walked back to the hotel via a Crawfish Festival along the riverside. I can’t see why people would even think of eating crawfish, who on earth first looked at these creatures and thought, ‘mmm… I bet they’re tasty’. Mind you John quite fancied some , until he saw the queue!!!!!
We had a brief break and phoned home to make sure everything was OK. Then Maria was still moaning that she hadn’t had a Mint Julip or even a Dacquiry so John offered to take her accross the road to the Peabody Lobby Bar. I must admit Strawberry Dacquiry is EXCELLENT.
We were recommended Blues City Cafe for excellent BBQ ribs, chilli etc. The place looked as if it hadn’t been redecorated since about 1950, formica tables, no 2 chairs matching etc. but it was very busy and the ribs and chilli were superb. We can’t get over the prices here, you get so much more for your money! We walked back along Beale Street, well worth a proper visit.