15 September – IOA, Universal Studios, Ponderosa and Pool

The alarm goes off as expected but Pat hardly moves, rolling over and snoozing. I go off and make tea and coffee and return to the bedroom, and she stirs a bit, a little bit but it takes until 7:15am for her to wake fully. We shower and get dressed, and because we need more dishwasher powder, I ring and order some from customer services. This means we are leaving the room just about 8am – almost as we planned!

So set the Sat Nav, set off and arrive in the parking area at about 8:35am. Almost straight through security, the delay very minimal and then head up to Islands Of Adventure. Through the ticket barriers -just before 9am, although we were expecting to be held back as the official opening time was 9am, so go straight towards Skull Island: Reign of Kong. There is quite a lot of people already in the park, but lots are stopping at Hulk and Spiderman which are before our goal. Get there and the wait time is showing at 5 mins – but its closer to 10 – but still a hell of a lot better than the 90 earlier in the week!

The ride is quite good, you enter a truck and take a drive around Skull Island. It is a bit confusing as things happen on both side of the truck – so it's a bit like watching a tennis match from the net! Is it worth the 10 min wait – yes – would it be worth a 90 minute one – NO – definitely NO!.

As we leave Kong the ride times are beginning to increase – Spiderman is now showing as 30 mins. Discuss what we might do – and because we are close, we decide to go to Hogsmeade and ride the train across to Universal Studios. Almost straight on the train and we get a carriage to ourselves. Arrive at Kings Cross in Universal Studios and as we are there go to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts again. We get a photograph done this time, but the photographer does not look like she is particularly interested, she appears fairly miserable - but hey!

Ride and when we get off go and look at our picture, it is quite good, so decide to get it. There are machines where you can view and order the pictures and choose what you want (photos keyrings etc.) but as we are trying to use the machine a very nice guy comes over to help as he can see we are a bit confused and then takes us to pay. The picture comes out of the printer but he is not happy with it as we are not that central, he calls it back up on his system, does some cropping etc. and then redoes the picture for us. It is now almost perfect (me in a picture don't you know – ha ha). Thank you sir!

Photo taken in Gringotts Bank

Out from Diagon alley, and temperature is back very high again – so slowly walk around to Men In Black and this time Pat beats my ass big time without me stating the gun was to blame! Back to do The Mummy – wait time only 5 mins – round to Transformers that one is 30 mins – so forget that.

Decide as it's so warm and we are quite hungry to head off going home via Ponderosa again!

We get the Sat Nav set and off we go, only not listening when it says Ponderosa on your left as usually we approach from the right – DOH! We have to do a U turn and then park. Into the restaurant after a quick ciggy – but we are a bit disappointed as our server is going to be "Mr Miserable" from earlier in the week. However, we are a little surprised as not only he is smiling at us he is almost chatty and appears happy to see us. Big difference a couple of days makes, or maybe he remembered that he got a decent tip even when he was crap! Pat decides to try the pork chops. Unfortunately, they are not as good as she hoped – but still OK(ish). My steak is as usual cooked beautifully, and very succulent. Usual deserts and then we are off back to the Fountains via Walmart, again needing to replenish some supplies.

When we get back to the apartment there is no sign of the dishwasher stuff. I get back on the phone and request some more, only to find some under sink, along with new sponge and washing up liquid. Funny thing is that when they deliver the extras, it is for the washing machine! We get changed into our swim wear and head down poolside, for a late afternoon chill. Pat really wants an Icee – but when I go to get her one they tell me the machine is now broken, and indeed they will not be getting a replacement as it keeps breaking down. Pat has a coke as I have the obligatory Bud Light!

As the clouds gather, we head back upstairs, and get everything ready for our evening's entertainment. As I prepare the computer and TV Pat prepares some ice cream and cookies. Settle down a couple more Penny Dreadfuls, and then sleep calls. Just before I fall asleep, I set the alarm again as tomorrow it is Busch time and that is a little excursion!