For those snowflakes, wokes and libtards who may not be able to cope with some of my Rants etc., then select here:

As we’re here for 6 months the blog will be more sporadic and only on days of interest to me or to vent my spleen on Rants and Religion. Aim to publish an update every two or three weeks.

We’ve an 11:50 flight to Salt lake, as usual with Virgin, as awesome as ever, and Delta is as mediocre as ever.
Only got temporary ticket for our flight from Atlanta so we have to speak to Delta to get the correct ones. After repeating the problem 5 times, being told the tickets we have are valid 4 times they finally print them off. Still for the wrong seats. I realise I might as well chalk pentagrams and stroke a toad.

Try a second Delta desk and finally after two aborted attempts get the correct tickets printed. Do Delta purposely employ people that are as smart as a box of rocks. 6 hour layover in Atlanta is a killer but at least we manage to blague our way into the Delta lounge, one of the benefits of them employing dimwits.

 

 
Don’t ever give me crap from Apple that they care about their customers, environment or anything other than milking their customers for all their worth. When they force you to upgrade perfectly good hardware by making their operating system incompatible. The World would be a better place without marketing employees constantly trying to milk you for it can.

“How to install latest macOS on old Mac: run Ventura on an unsupported Mac
Is your Mac too old to update? Maybe not! Here’s how to update old Macs to Ventura, Monterey or any unsupported version of macOS using a patcher.”

Hotel overnight by 01:00 at SLC airport and Turo car delivered in the morning.

I now I’m back in the USA when greeted by a classic waffle machine for breakfast, along with bacon, scrambled eggs and of course maple syrup.

It’s snowing for the drive up to Park City (PC, aka paradise) but as we turn off the interstate for PC the sun comes out, Is this an omen. Wow they sure have plenty of snow – see pictures – never known it as good. Why Bob’s even complaining that they have too much snow on the ski slopes.

Dinner out at Sammie’s with Bob and Marilyn. Great to see them again after nearly a year.

 

 
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian.”
Henry Ford

Joy of joys it’s a major shop at Walmart and Smiths.

Friday night we’re off to Mike’s for dinner. Great food as alway and great company.

 

 
https://www.prageru.com/video/a-short-history-of-slavery?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_6500243

Yeah, back to Kamas gun club for some clay pigeon shooting with Mike. It’s a gorgeous sunny day with snow all around – good to be alive weather. Those clays didn’t need to be frightened of me, an abysmal score of 11 and 13.

Mike lends me his 1911 9mm Glock.

In the afternoon Carol and Angela pop round to greet us followed by dinner at Bob and Marilyn’s new condo. Brooke’s there, my how she’s grown into such a confident young lady.

 
Watch the end of the San Diego college Basketball game. Won by one point scored in the last second. If ever there was a case to be made for “never give up” then this has to be it. As they say it’s not over until the fat lady sings.

Day 3 and Wendy’s still not had to cook, still living on invites out.

 
Yet another example of woke snowflakes gibberish. It’s a classic example of this insidious madness that has a stranglehold on our society. And can you believe it’s from a supposedly intelligent doctor.

‘Our healthcare system is built for the needs of white people – just look at beige plasters and prosthetics’
‘What colonialism did to medicine and to the body was it created very clear structures of who matters and who doesn’t,’ says campaigner and author Dr Annabel Sowemimo.

In healthcare today, many of the ways that racism and colonial attitudes manifest are far more insidious than they once were. But one small example, says Dr Annabel Sowemimo, is symbolic of how much still needs to change. It’s the way medical devices, including prosthetics, contraceptive patches and plasters, are manufactured in a single, supposedly generic shade of beige – which, in reality, only matches the skin tone of a tiny proportion of the global population.

“People think that’s a really minor issue,” says Sowemimo, “but it’s reflective of the system as a whole; all these devices are made with paler people in mind, and everybody else is just supposed to accept it. It’s become so ingrained in our minds that the status quo of some people not mattering is just fine.”

No I don’t think it’s a ”minor issue”, I think it’s a non-issue from someone who wants to create racism.

Well it’s time for a review of our first week here in Paradise.

Sunday, Wendy and I have a leisure stroll around Willow Creek with Joe, followed by coffee at Starbucks. The paths are still snowbound and it’s quite hard going.

At last Wendy gets to cook a meal as we have Michael and Laurie round for dinner.

Monday, it’s pickleball drop in at last 09:00 to 12:00. Must be 2 years since I played, but never mind such a great game. Wendy’s off to the Christian centre volunteering for the day. I manage a route march up there to meet her, 17 minutes 30.

At last we have a night in alone.

Tuesday, it’s snowing yet again but we risk a Costco run. I80 a mess to drive down, a tad better coming back.
They don’t accept Master card so we have to rely on our Chase Visa Debit card which only has $230 available. It’s a lesson in humility as we discover what it must be like to be poor when you have to go round keeping a running total to make sure you don’t overspend.

Wednesday, pickleball again followed by gun club with Joe. He lends me his 1911 9mm so now I have two guns in my arsenal, Wendy’s not happy. At least there not kept loaded when in the house.

In the evening we go out to Sammies with Michael and Laurie, who leave tomorrow, Stephen and Barbara come along too.

Thursday, were back into ten pin bowling with Joe and Mike down at the Heber bowling alley, it’s a tradition 1960’s retro bowling alley. This is going to be a regular weekly event.

Take the car into Buick to see if they’ll fix the stress crack across the windscreen under warranty. No they won’t.

Then it’s a booze trip over to Evanstone, Wyoming in Mike’s BMW. Everywhere is wrapped in snow and it’s so nice to be a passenger and enjoy the awesome scenery. Mike stays for tea, nothing special.

Friday, well it’s pickleball yet again, then in the afternoon Wendy and I go a stroll down the Rail Trail, hard going with snow under foot. Pick my bike up from Ruths and have a pleasant ride home.

In the evening we take carol and Angela down to SLC to get their flight to Munich.

Saturday, clay pigeon shooting with Mike. My absence hasn’t improved my aim.

Well it looks like we’ve finally settled in, stocked up with all the essentials including booze. An expensive week but a lot of the one time items that are for 6 months. So far Wendy’s only had to cook twice as we’ve been out wined and dined with friends.

Set up our working week pattern as follows:

Monday – Wendy CC; Tony pickleball.
Tuesday – Tony and possibly Wendy on Easy Hike (stroll).
Wednesday – Tony Easy Bike Ride; pistol shooting in the PM.
Thursday – Tony ten pin bowling; Wendy weekly shop
Friday – Wendy CC; Tony pickleball
Saturday – Tony clay pigeon shooting
Sunday – Tony and Wendy road trip and lunch

 
What a great job the Christian Centre do with all these Easter baskets for the kids. Sadly no chocolate in them though.

 

 
More crap from the liberal, wokes and snowflakes. As for mutilating children’s bodies it just beggars belief.

Younger generations are eagerly embracing issues around birth sex and gender identification, with 23 per cent of those aged 18 to 24, known as Gen Z, using non-gendered pronouns.

Nearly half, or 48 per cent, of those aged 18-24 now state their pronoun on their email signature or social profiles. The practice is intended as an act of solidarity with people who do not identify with their birth sex, but many see it as virtue-signalling.

Nearly half, or 45 per cent, of the 2,036 people polled were supportive of people having the right to identify with a gender other than their birth sex, with 34 per cent against. But older generations are more likely to be dismayed by the creep of gender identification into everyday life, the study by OnePoll found.
The majority of the British public think the debate has gone too far, with 62 per cent saying the issue is now “disproportionately pandering to the wishes of a small minority”. This rises to 78 per cent among the over-65s but falls to 48 per cent among Gen Z.

A similar overall majority, or 63 per cent, think British institutions are overreacting to sensitivities around pronouns. This sentiment peaks in those aged 55 to 64, at 79 per cent, and falls to just 33 per cent among 18 to 24-year-olds, of whom 44 per cent think it is proportionate.

There is opposition among older generations to the removal of pronouns in such phrases as “gingerbread man” in favour of “gingerbread person”.
More than half, or 55 per cent, of those aged over 45 think the English language should not be changed “due to the preferences of a niche group of people”. This falls to a third, or 33 per cent, among younger generations, aged 18 to 44, and nearly a quarter, or 23 per cent, think such changes are needed to “keep up with the times”.
More than half of 18 to 24-year-olds are supportive of customer-facing workers being given the option to state their chosen pronoun on name badges, but that falls to just 16 per cent among those over 55.

Across all age groups, there is widespread sympathy for those who “misgender” transgender people, as the BBC’s Alex Jones did during an interview with the pop star Sam Smith. A total of 47 per cent say it is “understandable”. But 38 per cent agree that a person who identifies as they/them has a right to be offended when someone doesn’t use the right pronouns, rising to 65 per cent among 18 to 24-year-olds.

For those snowflakes, wokes and libtards who may not be able to cope with some of my Rants etc., then select here:

Lazy start to a cloudy, breezy yet warm day.

Drive down to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and then have a stroll along the cliff tops to Golden Sands Bay. Stop for the daily Cappuccino, really getting into these girly drinks, need to get back to straight unpolluted black coffee. Then have a drive to Paradise bay. What a waste that place is, only about 30 feet of sand beach.

Back home for a couple of beers, Wendy’s agreed to drive to dinner tonight. Off to Ta Peters again. It’s got a good menu, is pleasant and isn’t too expensive. Octopus to start with followed by Beef Bragioli and then some Imqaret – Maltese date filled pastry, almost like a fig biscuit.

Then it’s back home for more wine and Netflix.

 

 
Vikings: The arrival:

 
Seems reasonable to me. Guilty by association:

DONALD J TRUMP: The world has finally woken to the truth about the Wuhan virus. Now it’s time to hold China to account
* Former President of the U.S. demands $50trillion in reparations over lab leak 
* Comes as FBI say Wuhan scientists ‘probably’ created the Covid virus 

A new viral disease (Covid) broke out in Wuhan, China. It turns out China’s major viral laboratory is in . . . Wuhan. If the new virus has been found in the population just outside the lab, chances are good it escaped from it. It probably walked out on someone’s shoe. China obstructs the international investigation into the source of Covid, if there’s nothing to hide why obstruct.

Everything in your logic says Covid escaped from the Wuhan lab —common sense, Occam’s razor.

Another lazy start to a warm sunny day.

We were going to go to the Marsaxlokk for the Sunday market but decided to give it a miss as it would probably be a nightmare to park. Instead, we drive down to St Julian’s bay as recommended. What a disappointment that was. Walk along the front and around to Sliema, struggle to find anywhere for lunch. Nothing worth seeing there. At least we got a pleasant stroll.

Speg Bol, wine and Netflix in the evening. We sure know how to live.

 
More shit from the wokes and the religion of pieces and permanent offense. The terrible news broke on Saturday: rumors were flying that a copy of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, had been desecrated at a high school. But the authorities had a handle on the situation: the students in question were suspended, the police were called in, and the school assured local Muslim leaders that it was teaching students that the book of Allah must be treated with the proper respect. This is not a news item from Pakistan, Iran, or Saudi Arabia: this took place Wednesday at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield, England. This is not the Merrie Old England of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens, or even the fight-them-in-the-streets England of Winston Churchill. Welcome to the new, Sharia-compliant United Kingdom.

I wonder whether there will be a fatwa out on me for highlighting, on my computer copy of the quran, passages that encourage violence and jihad, there’s a lot of them. And what happens if I delete it into the trash can? Will virtual deletion count?

Why do we tolerate this shit from the islam, wokes and snowflakes?

 
Some U.S. and Canadian scientists have officially proposed that the scientific community phase out the terms “male” and “female” from scientific language in order to avoid “emphasizing hetero-normative views.”

Rather these experts have claimed terms such as “sperm-producing” or “egg-producing” can be used as they are more inclusive. They also recommended the moniker “XY/XX individual” as a sufficient alternative. 

In addition, these scientists with an eye towards inclusivity have claimed that the terms “man,” “woman,” “father” and “mother” are “problematic,” as well as terms like “primitive,” “advanced,” and “non-native.”

Another warm and sunny day. Up early to swap the Hertz Mobile.

Only arranged to swap it because their stupid marketing department offered Presidents circle until January 2024 if you make two bookings prior to 30/6/23 so changed my 12 day booking to a 9 and 3 day booking – god bless the stupid.

What a pantomime Hertz were. Hyundai i20 not quite ready. Then 5 minutes while they photograph it for every minor scratch. When I finally get in the car the tyre pressure warning light is on. Given a cock and bull story about pressures are all checked it’s just the gauge needs resetting. Bull shit, I refuse to drive it with light on. Then have to wait another 30+ minutes whilst they retrieve my previous Kia Stonic.

Drive down to Marsaxlokk For a stroll around the harbour. We passed on the Sunday market visit as it would have been a nightmare parking and who wants to see a tat market anyway.

Have fish of the day by the harbour. The service is terrible, but fish was good. Was going to have a coffee but the service is that bad we pass.

Drive to the Blue Grotto but apparently, the only way to see it is via a boat trip. Not for Wendy so we pass. Settle for a coffee.

Drive back home, call off at the supermarket for tomorrow night’s tea and some cheese. Unusual for us to have a full meal at lunchtime so we settle for some cheese and biscuits, with wine of course, in the evening.

 

 
Meanwhile from the snowflakes in the church of England:

The Church of England is considering whether to stop referring to God as “he” after questions concerning the use of gender-neutral terms were raised by priests.
The topic, which has been discussed by those who follow the Christian faith for many years, is being explored by two commissions in a new joint project.

Perhaps they should change the lord’s prayer to “Our sperm producer who art in heaven…..”, that way we’ll keep the woke scientists happy.

 
https://www.prageru.com/video/the-real-climate-crisis?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_6265856

Another warm, sunny but windy day.

Drive down to the end of the St Paul’s bay peninsula. Have lunch huddled on a form admiring the view, not that warm with the wind.

Then drive to the Sea View cafe for afternoon coffee. Finally get to have a look at the spectacular looking church in Mellieha, all locked up to stop anyone praying.

Then I finally get to have a walk around the Majjistral Nature and history park. I’d been wanting to explore this from the first time we saw it on day 2, but what a disappointment.

 

 

 
The Scotland police recently referred to pedophiles as “minor attracted people.” Many expressed outrage over this attempt to normalize the abuse of children. Now comes this.
The West is sinking deeper and deeper into a kafkaesque mix of socialism and depravity, while the Churches remain largely silent instead of protecting Judeo-Christian values and innocent children.

The “EU project’s use of the term Minor-Attracted People (MAPs) to describe paedophiles” is causing a huge backlash. Let’s hope that those who are dissenting succeed in stopping this abuse. The European Commission “is funding the Drag Queen Shows across Europe,” which means taxpayers are funding it, with no say in where their money is going.

Another lazy start to a warm sunny day.

Off down to St Paul’s bay for a pleasant seaside stroll, coffee and lunch for Wendy.

Get packed in the evening.

 

 
A university department in the US has said it has removed the word “field” from its curriculum because it may have racist “connotations”.
Under the change, phrases including “field work” and “going into the field” will no longer be used, according to a letter from the school of social work at the University of Southern California (USC).

Explaining the decision, it said: “We have decided to remove the term ‘field’ from our curriculum and practice and replace it with ‘practicum’.
“This change supports anti-racist social work practice by replacing language that would be considered anti-Black or anti-immigrant in favour of inclusive language.

Goodbye to Malta today. Drop the car off, processed through check-in and security quickly and soon installed in a great lounge. It’s only Manchester that has crap lounges that have all the ambiance of a Salvation Army canteen for the homeless.

Pretty uneventful Easyjet flight. This time we catch a bus to the plane, another experience for Wendy.

So goodbye Malta. We’ve enjoyed it, one of the better Med experiences but I don’t think we’ll be coming back. If anyone asks we’d rate it as ok.

 

 
Vikings: A Mythology of Peace:

 
More examples of World Madness. Can you believe the nanny state we live in:

What foods must not be in my child’s packed lunch?
 
* Sweets
 
* Chocolate and chocolate-covered biscuits
 
* Cereal bars
 
* Processed fruit bars
 
* Nuts
 
* Pastry products (e.g. sausage rolls, pies, jam tarts, croissants)
 
* Sugary soft drinks (including sugar-free ones as they still cause tooth decay)
 
What happens if I put unhealthy foods in my child’s packed lunch?
 
Packed lunches will be reviewed by school staff.
 
If a child’s packed lunch includes items children must not have, the item/s of food will be returned to your child’s lunch box and a reminder included (e.g. a sticker, a copy of this leaflet etc.). If the child’s entire packed lunch is unhealthy, we will see what spare school dinner we have to give them instead.
 
If a child regularly brings a packed lunch that does not meet our expectations, the school will contact the parent/carer to discuss this.

Healthy Snacks

Children are allowed to bring a healthy snack with them to school to have at break time. The same rules apply to snacks as to lunches so please refer to the list above to see which items children must not bring to school as a snack. As a rule, we recommend a piece of fruit, a couple of plain biscuits or raw vegetables such as carrot or cucumber sticks. If children bring an inappropriate snack to school such as a whole pack of biscuits or a large sharing bag of crisps, these will be removed from the child and returned to them at the end of the school day to take home. 

For those snowflakes, wokes and libtards who may not be able to cope with some of my Rants etc., then select here:

Our Hotel for the night.

Never been to Malta and always wanted to go. It seems to be one of those places people either love or hate, nothing in between, no one says “Yeah, it’s ok”.

Our flights at 14:55 so it’s a leisurely start to the day.

Much to Wendy disgust we’re flying Easy Jet again, what no Virgin Premium. How will she cope. Checkin and security pretty slick. Lounge ok, but not a patch on lounges in the rest of the World Just another aspect of that dump Manchester Airport. But, at least we get a lunch and plenty of drinks. It’s free with our NatWest Dragon pass but if I had to pay £30 I’d think 3 times.

Flights leaves an hour late. We’ve got front row seats so plenty of leg room, but ot’s cold. Complain to the miserable steward and ask if they can turn the heating up only to be told. “Well it’s draught from the door”. “You’re in a tin can”. I say “Bloody hell, you mean this things not pressurised, any minute now the Oxygen mask will be coming down”. They’re useless, rude and miserable. If they were to smile I’m sure they’d shatter into a thousand pieces and no banter with their CUSTOMERS. A budget airline and with service like this will always be seen as cheap, and what can you expect from them. A shame really because they have so many good things going for them just spoilt by money grabbing and useless, rude staff.

Arrive in Malta and quickly through immigration in minutes. Uber for a taxi, just 2 minutes. Brilliant service.

Check into holiday Inn Express it’s in the middle of a trendy up market district infested with youngsters and half clothed birds. Pop out for a cake for our tea and then back to the hotel for a free drink before bedtime.

 

Ricky Gervais

Wendy was kept awake until about 02:00 with the monotonous thumping of teenage tribal music from the local bars and discos.

Breakfast was one of the best ever and the restaurant manager came round and had a pleasant chat with tips on where to go. All the staff were very friendly, the hotel was awesome one of the best but sad to say spoilt by the noise overnight.

It’s a nice sunny day and in the 60’s Fahrenheit

Summon an Uber to the airport. Then have a tour all around the airport looking for that well hidden Hertz desk. Finally find it and pick our car up. We’ve had an upgrade to a Kia Stonic, a great medium sized SUV with Apple Car Play – one of the benefits of Presidents Circle.

Then it’s a 40 minute drive to our Airbnb in Mill???. No motorways and amazed how many backstreets Apple Car Play knows.

Welcomed at our Airbnb by our hostess. Gives us the grand tour, explains everything, and there’s even a supply of welcome food essentials, a very nice touch. Our 3 bedroom home along with outdoor pool, patios and barbecues galore, not to forget great sea views over to Gozo.

Soon get settled in and Apple TV set up.

Pool and view over to Gozo.

Go out for dinner. A nightmare parking. Can’t find the intended restaurant but settle for Peter’s. Great food and reasonably priced, I try the traditional rabbit stew – seeing as I was bought up on rabbit courtesy (my Dad used to snare them) I just love rabbit. It seems that every restaurant in Malta serves rabbit – awesome.

Then it’s back home for the rest of Sherwood once we’ve conquered the crap from BBC – those tripehounds couldn’t write an “Hello World” app, never mind BBC iPlayer it’s a travesty, a disgrace to the IT Industry, time for some brown envelopes starting with their IT Director. The house is pretty cool so have the air con on set to 31C.

 
The snowflakes are at it again.

The rewriting of Roald Dahl’s children’s books to remove language deemed offensive has been branded “absurd censorship”.

The publishers said they had carried out a review of Dahl’s classics to ensure they can be enjoyed by all children.

Content deemed offensive, such as references to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race were removed or rewritten.

Some of the edits reportedly include removing the word “fat” from every book, with Augustus Gloop in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory instead being described as “enormous”.

If they carry on replacing words at this rate the Oxford English Dictionary will only be two pages long. Ridiculous.

Lazy start to a warm sunny day.

Then we set off for a drive down to St Paul’s bay. Easy to park up and have a pleasant walk along the seafront. Very pleasant and relaxing. Stop off for a coffee and lunch for Wendy.

Pop into Lidl on the way home. Then settle in for a coffee sat in the sunshine around the pool. This is all too relaxing.

Well first impression of Malta are good – in Wendy’s case it could have something to do with an M&S and a Lidl. Yes, it’s a fairly typical Mediterranean resort but not as chaotic or dirty as most. People seem very friendly and a pleasant blend of old and new. Roads are fairly basic which is not surprising given the size of the island.

Quiet night in watching BBC and Netflix – thanks to our Apple TV box and a Smart DNS service.

 

 

5 Megabyte IBM hard drive.

Happy days when we had proper mainframe computers.

One of the first mainframes I wrote programs for was the height of sophistication, as well as tape drives we had 2 Megabyte Exchangeable hard Drives. Can you believe that I ran all the companies accounting etc on an ICL 1903 with just two 2 Meg drives. The computer had a dedicated air conditioned room.

Lazy start to another warm sunny day.

Drive down to the local beach at Mellieha, for a stroll, coffee and Wendy’s lunch. Sit by the bay enjoying a coffee and lovely views over the bay. Beach is typical Mediterranean travesty, a real shame on such a lovely bay and the swimming looks great, shallow and crystal clear.

Call in at the Red Tower but are too tight to spend the E5 to go in. Call in the supermarket for our daily fix and some “essentials”.

Afternoon tea and cake by the pool, enjoying the sun and warmth.

Tea tonight consists of a dinner kebab takeaway from the Kebab Factory, not quite up to Number 39 standards.

Meanwhile to prepare Wendy for our Israel trip we watch the rest of season 3 of Fauda. All she keeps asking me is “we won’t be going to places like that (Gaza and West Bank)? Will we?”.

 
Mediterranean Life

I’ve been saying it a long time but never really formalised my views on the Med holidays. Well here goes with my views on anywhere in Europe South of Latitude 43 degrees North, in line with the Pyrenees:

1 Everything is a work in progress. Nothing’s finished, pavements are like an SAS obstacle course; bare wires protrude from the ground like nettles; rubbish is a work of street art with overflowing bins and black bin bags; wasteland and tourist areas that look like a rubbish tip.

2 Service and way of life is lackadaisical (lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy). SNAFU’s come as standard. No one seems to really give a damn and you can forget any ideas of customer care.

3 Manyana, perhaps. Nothing is hurried or even at what civilisation would consider a normal pace, life is slowed down to the pace of an arthritic turtle – perhaps it’s the heat. We’re spoilt by our expectations of a civilised life and struggle to cope with this laid back, careless life in the Med.

4 Driving standards are reflected in the state of most cars, they look like they’ve survived a war zone. You never really learn to swear until you drive in the Med.

5 In the main most resorts are dirty, littered and graffiti abounds.

6 Flying there may be somewhat cheaper and shorter, but it’s still a day of hell, best written off. The standards of the flights are barely tolerable. Certainly not Virgin Atlantic.

7 Toilets, last but by no means the most disgusting aspect of Med life. They usually stink like the shithouse door of a shrimp boat, but at least it stops you lingering and reading the newspaper; the toilet seat thieves from France frequently operate in most resorts (I still wonder where they all go, perhaps there’s a 3rd world market – Ten toilet seats and a door and window made of aluminium, have been stolen from recently refurbished public conveniences in St Paul’s Bay, the locality’s council said.); occasionally they meet minimum EU standards with a mere hole in the ground; and most disgusting of all is the pathetic plumbing that means you have to deposit your shit laden toilet paper in a bin to ensure the stink is maintained.

On the plus side they have a lot of historic buildings, along with the sun and warmth we crave these days. Scenery can be spectacular.

Conclusion

Both Wendy and I have the come to the same conclusion:

1 Wherever possible avoid anywhere in Europe South of latitude 43 degrees North.

2 Whilst there are cheaper and shorter flights to the Med we are better off going to either America or can you believe, even France!

Lazy start to another warm sunny day.

Drive over to the Silent City, Mdina. Flying the flag as a “Quiet American” with my 4th July tee shirt.

It’s a lovely walled city. Yet more churches and even a cathedral, daylight robbery it’s $18 to get in. What about if my immortal soul is wanting to repent and see the light. Tough shit if you don’t have $18, to line the already overloaded koffers of the Catholic Church, you can just go rot in hell. So much for “In my house there are many mansions”, none of them FOC. Needless to say we pass on the spiritual experience.

Have a spot of lunch at a cafe with great views, try the strawberry meringue with walnuts and lemon curd, very tasty. Really getting into Cappucinos.

Call in at one of the many bays. You know Malta’s a very religious place when you notice a women crossing herself before stripping off to reveal her bikini.

So here I am a 73 year old body enjoying the delights of Malta. Meanwhile my 16 year old mind wonders what the hell it’s doing here.

Burnt ends of pork for tea tonight followed by an over dose of TV and wine.

 

 

And the majority of those will be Christians. Does our press bother to report these events? Sadly no as it doesn’t fit their snowflake agenda and might offend some in the religion of pieces and permanent offence. Let’s wake up to this pernicious ideaology before it’s too late and our daughters and granddaughters are nothing more than sex slaves aparaded around in black bin liners.

 
A woke university has been criticised for discouraging use of the phrase ‘Christian name’, claiming it is offensive to non-Christians.

The University of Kent has told students to stop using the term because it claims it only relates to Christians, instead suggesting students say ‘first name’ or ‘given name’.
The university also took against using the word ‘surname’ because it derives from ‘sire-name’ and is therefore deemed to be patriarchal.

Lazy start to another warm sunny day.

Off to Valletta for the day. Amazed how pleasant the place was. Easy to park. Did a great walk around, the best way to see a place. Great street cafes, pass on all the shops.

Wendy starts off bitching why is it that women always have to queue for the toilets. It’s oh so simple, they’re badly designed.

Lovely lunch in one of the parks with views over the battery. Finally get to try pasties, chicken, pea and cheese varieties. Amazed how good they are and even more shocked that I preferred the pea one.

Tonight’s tea at Il Barri restaurant started with a free starter of Sally the snail, about 20 of them in a tomato sauce, Wendy passed, followed by a mixed grill of Peter rabbit, Quincy the quail and Red Rum the race horse. Delicious.

Back home for some beer and wine. sadly Wendy does not fancy driving over here.

 

 
I’m not eating one of them.

Another lazy start to yet another warm sunny day.

Today we’re off to Gozo so we need to catch the ferry. All very slick.

Arrive at the capital Victoria. The roads are a nightmare and there’s only one public car near the Citadel. It’s chock a block along with underground car park. Get fed up of driving around trying to park so quit and head back. Apart from the Citadel, and god knows how many churches, there doesn’t seem much worth seeing. We’re so pissed off with the parking we even pass on a couple of the bays and cut our losses.

Back home for lunch followed by a stroll up to M&S, Wendy’s treat, and then the supermarket.

Tea tonight is pizza with beer then wine.

 
Sweden Bans Burning the Qur’an, but Burning the Scriptures of Other Religions Is OK

 
How parasites work:

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Usual lazy start to the day and then we take our life in our hands and go out for a drive amongst the crazies. Decide to follow the hop on off bus route.

Miss the monastery en-route, perhaps god knows where it is but he won’t split.
Finally find the gorge and a quaint 4 person church, complete with confessional built into the rock. Alas the gorge isn’t that pretty.

Then head to a fountain but thanks to a village map not having the all important “you are here” we give up on it.

Let’s head into town and visit the municipal gardens on the route. Apart from parking on zebra crossings, which seems to be a Crete favourite along with double parking and anything to stop the flow of traffic, there’s just no parking to be had. The pay car park is blocked with a Brocken down heap of rust. There’s not many car’s around here without dint’s or scrapes. Pass on the municipal gardens.

Head home and stop off at a bakery and coffee shop for some coffee and cakes sat in the sun.

Decide to head up to the Arkadi Monastery which despite popular belief and web information is open. Lash out on a 3E visit.

Then it’s off back home for dinner.

Lazy start to my 73rd birthday, then we’re off out with Brett, Karina has to work, for a trip up to Heraklion. A major busy city with the usual death wish drivers and car parking. One silly bitch decides to step off the pavement as we’re going past, alas we missed her so the gene pool remains polluted.

Had lunch in a nice restaurant overlooking the sea.

Pass on a walk around the town so we head off to Knossos a famous Greek Palace that’s even older than me.

Then it’s back home for afternoon tea and birthday cake.

In the evening we head out to Raki ba Raki for yet another splendid meal. Nice end to a birthday. Birthdays, such a damn pain as a reminder you’re getting older.

Call in at the garage to get a slow puncture fixed. Typical Mediterranean business.

In the evening we all set off to Zorba’s taverna, as you can guess with a name like that it’s a typical Greek restaurant with some great food. Like sitting in someone’s lounge with Grandma doing the cooking.

Our balcony, with views of the Acropolis.

Restaurant district beneath the Acropolis.

Then meet B&K at a typical Greek restaurant for yet another typical Greek meal, finally get a stifado and some great starters.

Stroll back through the restaurant district at the base of the Acropolis, such an amazing choice of restaurants and nowhere nearly as seedy as the surrounding area.

Then it’s a quiet night in watching TV.

Good continental / Greek style breakfast. Then a lazy morning before setting off for a walk up to the Acropolis. It’s quite a way. Stop off for a beer and sandwich for Wendy. Fortunately it’s a sunny day so a pleasant walk up and a stroll around.
Dinner in the restaurant area under the Acropolis. Pretty good but having 4 cats watching every mouthful can be a tad off putting – only in Greece.

 
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The word acropolis is from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, “highest point, extremity”) and πόλις (polis, “city”). The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece. During ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was known also more properly as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.

Acropolis view from our balcony.

While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the buildings whose present remains are the site’s most important ones, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians during the Morean War when gunpowder being stored by the then Turkish rulers in the Parthenon was hit by a Venetian bombardment and exploded.

Lazy breakfast again then around lunchtime we set off for a hop on / off bus tour around Athens. Typical our starting bus stop has no indication of where the bus stops – only in Greece.

Tours pretty good and weathers sunny. Get off at the Olympic stadium and have a stroll through the gardens followed by lunch. The we notice the guards (Evzones – see trivia below) outside the parliament are off on one of their marches, a performance not to be missed – this must have been where John Clees got the idea for the “ministry of silly walks”, bizarre see the video.

The ministry of silly walks.

Afternoon tea on the balcony then yet again we have to walk down the slum street to the restaurant district. The restaurant district is very pleasant it’s just that slum street with a pavement more dangerous than a PC mountain hike. After strolling around aimlessly we finally find a restaurant that does sardines and pastico. All very tasty but I wonder if the sardines came out of a tin. Wendy manages some of the green turd like vine leafs and chicken dinner.

Back to the hotel for some wine – find a good wine shine shop for a merlot – and some more TV. Wendy’s convinced the moans, groans and slaps from the next door may indicate we’re in a brothel. Actually the hotel is a very swish 4 star with excellent service. Great big executive suite with settee, comfy chair, dining table and big balcony, with great views of the Acropolis. Just a pity that it’s in one of the more salubrious areas of Athens.

Awake to wind and rain. Spend most of the day hunkered down, but it all clears up mid afternoon.

Athens, typical Mediterranean place.

 

Memories of Athens.

We’ll what did we think of Athens? When you consider that Ancient Greece gave us democracy and philosophy, it seems a shame that modern Athens has sunk to graffiti, dirty streets and noisy motorbikes, probably driven by yobs with shrunken dicks

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Joy, up at 03:00 to catch a flight to Athens and then onto Crete.

Easy Jet to Athens much to Wendy’s disgust. Wot no virgin premium economy or upper class how will she survive. Have to say the Manchester airport experience was very slick and although I detested the automated easy jet check-in it was very efficient. Even the TSA experience had no queues. Only let themselves down by rejecting my bag. When I asked why it was because my plastic bag of liquids wasn’t perfectly sealed.

Then Wendy had the shock of her life, apoplectic as she discovered she had to walk out on the tarmac to the plane. Obviously slumming it. The flight was good.

Athens airport was the usual queue for passport control. EU citizens had a shorter queue, hopefully we do the same in the UK for non-UK citizens.

Managed to swap our flight to Crete to an earlier one. Wendy was even brave enough to accept a middle seat and ended up necking her tablets down in the queue to check-in. When we eventually found the lounge it was great with some good food, even if a tad vegan-ish. Everything was fairly slick and the short 50 minute flight was good. Unlike Easy Jet we even got a FREE bottle of water and a cake thrown at us.

Brett and Karine were there to meet us.

Tea was a donner kebab, brilliant for only E3.80. Pork not lamb – I thought we were in lamb country.

Then we get a workout as we lug our suitcases up 42 steps. Finally at Brett and Karine’s new home.

Lazy start to the day then we’re off down to Rethymno – hereafter referred to as rhythm – for a stroll along the front. Espresso by the harbour and then of course a merchandising opportunity down the shops. I have come to the conclusion the Crete economy is run on slippers. More shops selling slippers than Muslims at a stoning – unbelievable. There’s an excess of shoe shops and plenty of shops hawking provocative dresses and lingerie.

Then Wendy gets her daily fix with a trip to the supermarket, oh joy.In the evening we’re off down to Raki ba Raki for dinner, well tea. I get to try Oxtail, love it in soup, but never got to try the meat until now, tasty. Have a great meal, good service, good food and wine, all very reasonably priced and followed by two free desserts and some Raki (Greek fire water).

It seems like there’s a Santa marathon on complete with a band so the place is swarming with Santas, and of course, women have to get into the act, so there are even female ones.

Finally stroll home through the street bars with sexy young things all flaunting their bodies in a bid to tempt me into their cafe, a very pleasant end to the day.

Off down to Chania for the afternoon. Have a stroll around the harbour and old town, followed by dinner at back street restaurant. Good food and I even get to have some goat. Wow, it’s so sweet and tender not at all like I expected it to be.

Then it’s an hour’s drive back home to some Greek merlot and Netflix. Sadly Greek wine is nothing to get excited about.

 

New Year’s Eve, lets go down to Rhythm, “I bet it’ll be heaving with it being new years eve” says Brett.

It’s almost a ghost town. Have a meal at a very popular Greek restaurant – but even it’s nearly empty. But at least I get to have rabbit, a tad tough.

Stuffed olive leafs. Look like little green turds but not too bad to eat.

Off out to Bali bay for Karine to have a swim. Lovely bay but a tad too cold for Karine, nesh. Then have a drive down to the cave but as expected it’s closed. Back home for lunch. A spot of rain.

In the evening we venture out to a Greek taverna, very family orientated, and good food.

Book our flights back to Athens with Brett and Karine, then we have 4 nights in Athens, followed by an Easy Jet flight back to Manchester – Wot no Virgin Atlantic, Wendy’s slumming it again.

Lazy start to the day then we drive down to Rethym for a wander around. Have a coffee and everyone else has a pancake.

Supermarket for a collection of cheese, most of the famous ones I wanted to try they didn’t have. The woman serving needed a good slapping as she pulled her face at every request. Luckily found some Carmenera wine.

The evening meal is bread cheese and wine, just like in France, and finish off watching Treason.

Lazy morning sorting out passwords. Meanwhile, we wait for the lazy car hire company to get back to us to put me on the car hire. Typical Mediterranean attitude to customer service not a clue what it means.

Finally, get put on the car‘s insurance so Wendy and I drive down to Rethymn. It’s a stick shift with a worn-out clutch. Takes me 5 attempts to get it into reveres until I realize the clutch is dodgy and to make matters worse there’s no manual handbrake. Interesting driving a stick shift again, at least I don’t stall it.

Have a stroll along the front down to the harbor, followed by coffee. Then for Wendy’s treat we go to Lidl for meat, water and I’m orgasmic as they still sell packs of 20 two blade razors, buy 40 as they’re not available anymore in the UK – it seems that everyone needs at least 5 blades these days – bizarre. Wendy’s orgasmic with Lidl, it’s just like England with an awesome fresh bakery.

Back home for dinner, baked beans at last.

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Set off down to Savannah. Just over two hours drive, in an Americans mindset hardly worth getting in the car for. We’ve been there before but it’s a lovely city and a convenient stopping-off place on our way back to Orlando.

Stop off at a moonshine factory and I am tempted into buying a jar of traditional moonshine.

Wow, it’s hot, in the 80’s and the suns out.

Yeah, tea tonight consists of a Tacobell Spicy Supreme Burrito, at last. Pretty awesome, I’ve saved the recipe. Wendy has a Panera bread sandwich and soup. How bizarre can the Panera Bread menu get with a Grilled Mac and cheese sandwich – perverts.

Pretty good breakfast. I finally succumb to biscuits and gravy. Looks pretty gruesome but is quite tasty. I think the gravy has mushrooms in it.

Cloudy day mid sixties

We’ve been here back in 2015 (what an awesome road trip that was) and our memory is of a lovely relaxing city that can be enjoyed on foot. Catch the hop on off trolley tour to get a good overview and some history. Have a coffee at the slowest coffee shop in the World. Then hop off at Forrest Gumps form – they’ve moved it a museum not even a plaque or an imitation to replace it. Have a walk around the market district and then back to the car. Take photos but as it’s mostly cloudy we’ve rescued our photos from 2015 and imported a few. After lunch the sun brightens the place up.

Finally head off to explore Tybee Island. I wonder if the Einstein who run tourism there ever question why the place is deserted in December. I’m sure weather is one factor and out of season another but $7 to park for 2 hours anywhere is ridiculous. We would have had a stroll around and at least a coffee but at that extortionate price they can go hug a parking meter.

Tea tonight is a lemon ricotta mixed berry crepes from IHOP, tempted to have the French toast, and some Jalepeno Humous. It’s an alcohol free night.

Warm and sunny. Back into shorts and tee shirt as we drive down to Orlando. 4 hours past so many familiar places.

Sign on the road side “Jesus saves, liberals withdraw”. Also great to see in one state, can’t remember which, “litter fine maximum $25,000”. Now that’s just about right.

Spanish Moss, Street, Savannah, Georgia, America

Florida’s motto is “In god we trust” should be replaced by “Dangerous Dickhead Drivers”. This has to be the worst state I’ve ever driven in, especially Orlando. As for Orlando it has to be the traffic light capital of the World. People can die of old age waiting at the traffic lights.

Road with Live Oak trees lining it.

Wendy’s orgasmic as there’s an Aldi next door and I’m so excited as there’s a cheesecake factory in walking distance and there’s even pavements to walk on.

Walk to Cheesecake Factory. 17:00 and there’s already a 15 minute wait, just hate this ludicrous aspect of American life. Why do people wait so readily.

Wot still no Toblerone Cheesecake.

Well it looks like another dessert tea for me as my entre consist of a Key Lime Cheesecake and take home a Cinnabon Cheesecake for tomorrows dessert. Wendy has strict instructions not to touch it, unlike the Toblerone Cheesecake she stole from me.

 

Sunrise on Spanish Moss in Savannah, Georgia

Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon large trees in tropical and subtropical climates. It is native to much of Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Central America, South America, the Southern United States, and West Indies.

Most known in the United States, it commonly is found on the southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) in the lowlands, swamps, and marshes of the mid-Atlantic and southeastern states, from the coast of southeastern Virginia to Florida and west to southern Arkansas and Texas.

Breakfast not bad.

We’ve decided to have a relaxing day before the ordeal of two airports, Orlando and Manchester. So a lazy day, starts with a very lazy morning and then after lunch we take the car to be cleaned and Wendy saunters around Walmart, dithering with her choice of sweets etc for the kids Advent calendar – more weight to traipse home. What an exciting life we lead.

Lazy start to the day as we hang around for airport drop off of the car. Our flights been moved back 2 hours, bloody typical. Drop car off, it’s been so comfortable and easy to drive, Trip was about 4,500 miles. Then we have 4:45 minutes to hang around in the MCO lounge. Well at least TSA manages to pass 46 minutes away for us, how kind.

 
One of the more sociable receptionists has a great personality and even very kindly pays for Wendy’s washing powder because it cannot be put on our room bill. Then, when Wendy finds some money, she refuses to accept. How generous that a guy in the line for lounge access allows Wendy in as his free guest and saves her having to pay. Just two examples of the friendliness and generosity that makes America so great.

 
Highlight of the trip has to be a proper traditional Thanksgiving with Kim, Phil and their family. It was awesome. They all made us feel so welcome and at home we never wanted to leave.

We didn’t have to say what we were thankful for but I think we have to be greedy and say there are at least two things we’re thankful for, so here goes:

1 Thankful for great friends Kim and Phil they made us so at home. We never understand how we’ve been so lucky to have them as friends.

2 Thankful for being able to spend so much time in the USA and for all our friends there. Americans are just so friendly.

Visited Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia on this trip. That’s 16 states in all, Oklahoma and Nebraska being two states we’d never been to before and to be fair we’d hardly seen anything of Kansas and Little Rock on our 2015 trip – http://blogs.4uand.me.uk/2015/09/20150902-georgia-and-the-deep-south/. That leaves us with 4 states left to visit (Wisconsin, Michigan, North and South Dakota – hard to justify the last two). Visited 4 more National Parks, all amazing, which leaves me with 26 left to visit.

My most memorable aspect of this trip is the nothingness of Oklahoma and the facts around “The Trail Of Tears”, the sheer brutality and cruelty to the Indian nations stands alongside slavery in the annals of America’s bad past. Dumping what was left of the Indian nations (The First Americans) onto desolate, nothingness, with the sop to their survival being a casino, fits in with my image of today’s Indian tribal lands.

 
On the downside, America seems to be infested with non-English speakers and generally crap service. Suspect this is mainly a by-product of the chronic labour shortage. For instance, the Cheesecake Factory had nearly 50% of their tables empty yet there was a 15-minute wait because they didn’t have the staff. Have to say our server was one of the best waiters we’ve encountered on this trip.

The American hotel industry is plagued with appalling management and apathy. Do hotel managers ever bother to read the reviews and do anything about the problems raised, I think not. I don’t think we’ve stayed in any hotel that didn’t have problems that competent management couldn’t have fixed. Problems range from the reception staff who shouldn’t be allowed within 5,000 feet of a customer; heating that doesn’t work; dilapidated fixtures and fittings; crap Wi-Fi; Breakfast not even fit to be served to a hungry rabid raccoon; Staff who fail to turn up; noisy rooms. And of course, they’ve all hopped on the Covid wagon, no daily room service “because of Covid”. They’d be better off being more honest and saying because “we can save money”.

Meanwhile looking at the depressing news back home do we really want to be going home. The countries up shit creek without a pound to pay the debt incurred with Covid etc., and these cretins want to inflict more misery on the rest of us. When will our government grow some gonads, pay the nurses their 17%, they deserve it after Covid and who’d do that job, then tell the rest of the greedy cretins to go forth and multiply, the countries in a mess and needs help. I think the whole country will be on strike, including Borderforce which on the surface sounds good as hopefully, it’ll stop the illegals, but of course, it will mean airport chaos over Christmas. No doubt they’ll make special arrangements for border force to help get the illegals into their 5-star accommodation as quickly and safely as possible and screw citizens using the airports. It’s simple if you don’t like your pay resign.

A couple of years from now the train drivers will be whining that their jobs are being replaced by computers that don’t go on strike and postal workers complaining that no one uses their snail mail services as private delivery companies do a better job. Well serves them right, remember the miners!

Well, that’s our American travels over with for the year. Now have 19 days at home before our next escape – Crete for New Year with Brett and Karine. 19 days how will I cope. Then we have a diabolical wait until the 1st of April until we can escape back to paradise – Park City, Utah. Hopefully, if our visa application is successful, it’ll be for 6 months in paradise and save us four flights, three TSA queues and six airports.

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Help Kim and Phil set up their outside Christmas decorations.

Then in the afternoon we have a drive out to Leipers Fork and yet another supermarket. Wendy’s discovered Publix.

Drive down to the Carnton House to have a tour and discover some more about the battle of Franklin. Very interesting house tour. Kim and Phil stay home to fix the damage to their outside Christmas decorations that were wrought by the overnight winds.

Chinese takeaway for tea, along with more beer and wine.

Say farewell to Kim and Phil. Great company. Great excursions. Great hosts. Awesome Thanksgiving and even get to experience putting up Christmas decorations first hand and America getting ready for the next main event, Christmas. Never stayed with anyone where we felt so at home. In fact it’s wonder we ever left.

We’re sorry to be leaving after such an awesome week.

It’s a short 90 minute drive then up to the Mammoth Caves National Park. After watching the almost obligatory video I’m booked on the two hour history tour which takes you underground into the longest cave system in the World – all 426 miles of it and still being explored to add more. It’s a great two mile underground exploration. Most of it’s fairly easy going but a lot of steps, over 500, and some low roofs. Then there’s Fat Man’s Misery a 50 yard stretch where you have to walk sideways, bent double through a very narrow passage – see photo – hence the title. Buy yet another NP hat for the collection.

Wendy stays on the surface and catches up on some Netflix she fell asleep through, she can’t do enclosed spaces.

Check into our Sleep Inn hotel. Nice hotel but noisy room, had to unplug the noisy air con and fridge, along with a crap breakfast.

 
Mammoth Cave National Park is an American national park in west-central Kentucky, encompassing portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world.

Since the 1972 unification of Mammoth Cave with the even-longer system under Flint Ridge to the north, the official name of the system has been the Mammoth–Flint Ridge Cave System. The park was established as a national park on July 1, 1941, a World Heritage Site on October 27, 1981, an international Biosphere Reserve on September 26, 1990 and an International Dark Sky Park on October 28, 2021.

The park’s 52,830 acres (21,380 ha) are located primarily in Edmonson County, with small areas extending eastward into Hart and Barren counties. The Green River runs through the park, with a tributary called the Nolin River feeding into the Green just inside the park. Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system with more than 420 miles (680 km) of surveyed passageways,[3][4] which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, Mexico’s Sac Actun underwater cave.

After a crap breakfast we set off on a 380 mile, 6 hour drive to Buckley in West Virginia – the Almost Heaven state. It’s just a long hard slog, fortunately the roads are pretty quiet and fairly scenic.

Drive along the Bluegrass Parkway with more distilleries than Muslims at a stoning. Pity we didn’t split this over two days and do a few famous distillery tours, but as I had to drive they would have been wasted on me.

Arrive at our Country Inn and Suites for a two night stay. Seems a nice enough hotel but air con isn’t working so they move us. Next room has a curtain hanging off the rails and no air con controls – no one told us that in this room they’re hidden behind the TV. Third time lucky and all seems ok.

Off to a Texas Steak house for tea where I finally get my ribs, all one pound of them. Then it’s back to the hotel for beer and wine.

Up early for a pretty good breakfast, rare in most of the hotels we’ve stayed in.

Then it’s off to explore The New River Gorge National Park. We start off by driving up to the the Sandstone Falls visitors centre. Alas it’s closed except at Weekends. Do the the Sandstone Falls drive tour. Then we’re off to Grandview for an awesome view down the gorge as the river horseshoes around a bend. Sadly it’s over cast and jus stopped raining. Half an hour later and the sun would have been out. Next stop is the Canyon Rim visitors centre – yeah, it’s open. Watch the video, explore the exhibits and buy another NP hat for my collection.

Do the Fayetteville audio driving tour down to the bottom of the gorge . Then take a leisurely drive back to the hotel over country back roads.

Subway for tea tonight.

 
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a unit of the United States National Park Service (NPS) designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1978 as a national river and redesignated in 2020, the park and preserve stretches for 53 miles (85 km) from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted.

The park is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. New River Gorge is home to some of the country’s best whitewater rafting, mainly from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out, and is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the East Coast. The New River itself originates in North Carolina, flowing north through Virginia into the West Virginia mountains to the Kanawha River which continues to the Ohio River.

A five hour drive down to Columbia for our next National Park encounter.

Drive through West Virginia (almost Heaven should be renamed All Them Roadworks), Virginia (Virginia is for Lovers should be renamed Virginia is for Lovers or Roadworks), North Carolina (First in Flight; First in Freedom) and South Carolina (The Palmetto State) all very picturesque, lovely scenery. The trees down here are just starting to turn so there’s some lovely autumnal colours and the leaves are dancing along the interstate.

Check into a Home 2 Suites, as recommended by Phil, seems great and so far one of the best hotels we’ve endured. Let’s see what breakfast is like.

Nip to Total Wines for some wine and Basil Haydn Toast bourbon. Then it’s Publix for coffee and Wendy’s lunch. Finally, it’s been a long time coming, I get to try another landmark in my Junk Food Pilgrimage as we go to a Sonic. Have to say the Sonic double cheeseburger supreme was well worth the wait. Next time need to try a Jumbo Hotdog.

 
Today’s woke fiasco. Another victim of the CANCEL culture.

Some lady of the royal household asks a black woman at a reception ‘Where are you from? Where are your people from?’, at least that’s the limited version of the questions in the press release I saw. Although the Times has a detailed list of the complete conversation – this I find bizarre. And now there’s an uproar of righteous indignation and a resignation. Bear in mind the women is in traditional African dress, has a record of accusing Charles and Camila of Domestic violence, has a anti-establishment Marxist agenda and amazingly has either recalled perfectly (yet she claims the rest of the evening was a blur) or she must have recorded the conversation (was this a setup).

Despite being born in Hackney, she went dressed like a Carry On Film version of the Jungle Book – lion’s teeth necklace, dreadlocks, beads and more leopard print than a Liverpool hen do. Obviously anyone meeting her would assume that her heritage is important to her as she’s proudly wearing it on her body.

Nigel Farage presents an interesting take on this event – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDWB3_45yPg. Spot on Nigel. OMG I must be racist.

Not forgetting that this person is head of a charity for Domestic Violence against BLACK Women. Not for violence against WOMEN, not for violence against PERSON (yes men also suffer domestic violence), how racist and sexist is that. And while we’re at it would an organisation for Domestic Violence against WHITE women be tolerated.

Finally an interesting view on being colourblind – https://www.prageru.com/video/should-we-be-colorblind

Well guess I must be racist as I can see no harm in what was asked. Sounds typical of what is in the Royal playbook to make conversation at these events. I’d not think anything of it if King Charles asked me ‘Where are you from? Where are your people from?’. If anything I’m disappointed in the royal family tossing 60+ years of loyal service to one side on the word of this friend of Megan’s without even an independent investigation.

Can you imagine a white person dressed as a Viking in Nairobi not being asked where they’re from?

OMG I’ve just been racially offended, twice today I’ve been asked “Where y’all from?”. How will I cope?

Oh well that’s me cancelled.

Breakfast has to be one of the best so far this trip.

Off to the last of our National Parks on this trip – Congaree.

Yes, the visitors centre is open, even if they don’t have any hats for sale. Take a 2 mile walk around the board walk with interpretative notes. The swamps are fascinating, with Bald Cypress knees sprouting out of the swamp surrounding the trees. Not exactly the most exhilarating NP but an important protection of the largest remnant of old-growth flood plain forests in the US. Over 35 million acres, 99%, of old-growth flood plain forests have been lost in the US. Most of this parks 27,000 acres is actually designated as wilderness.

Then we’re off to downtown Columbia to visit the state capitol building. Yes, another palatial exploitation of taxpayers dollars. This place is only in session for 100 days a year. There’s a free guided tour which starts with an interesting 15 minute film followed by a guided tour that then bores us into a catatonic zombie state as our guide repeats almost verbatim what the film has just said. Even with my memory I was able to remember the films content. Well at least it’s free and you get to see an interesting aspect of state

Wendy with Washington – not the first President of the USA, despite popular belief. In 2015, Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) of Norwich, Connecticut was officially recognized as the First President of the United States in Congress Assembled.

Fascinating, the placing of the ceremonial sword in the lower house and the mace in the upper house completes an electrical circuit to turn the lights on either side of the podium to indicate that the house or senate is now in session. I wonder if the official placing these items wears rubber gloves?

Tea tonight consists of a Stromboli and baked beans, all home cooked in our kitchenette, followed of course by some Carmenera.

 
National Park is a 26,692.6-acre (41.7 sq mi; 108.0 km2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, Columbia. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The lush trees growing in its floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern United States, forming one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. The Congaree River flows through the park. About 15,000 acres (23.4 sq mi; 60.7 km2) are designated as a wilderness area.

The park received its official designation in 2003 as the culmination of a grassroots campaign that began in 1969. With 145,929 visitors in 2018, it ranks as the United States’ 10th-least visited national park, just behind Nevada’s Great Basin National Park.

 
Bizarre, as coffee is the oh so dominant hot beverage here in the USA yet go into any supermarket to try to get a decent selection of coffee, no chance, and any single estate coffee is rarer than a bible seller in Tehran. Yes, I know I’m a coffee snob, but I do enjoy some quality coffee. As for tea well you’ve no chance, especially Assam. It says it all when you see Earl Greyer for sale.

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Another sub-freezing day as we set off to Kansas City. We’ve been there before, it’s just an overnight stop off on our way to St Louis and ultimately Franklin. Decide to take the backroads route to see some more of Nebraska, sadly not a lot to see.

Arrive after a relatively short 3 hour drive.

Checkin to hotel, the room is massive. Then it’s off to Walmart again. Who knows we might be bale to buy some forks to go with the knives. Yeah, this Walmart actually seems fork but can you believe there’s hardly any knives. Desperately needs some equitable stock redistribution across Kansa, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nebraska.

Subway for tea tonight. Mind you it’s a miracle we managed to order it, you’d think I was speaking Serbo Croat or some Latin dialect. Does nobody speak or understand English anymore.

 
I don’t think I’ll ever look at a cornflake in the same light again. The past few days have highlighted the superb effort required of farmers to grow corn in these desolate prairie states. First they have to buy the seeds; then till the soil; plant the seeds; look after the crop; harvest the corn; store it in silos; ship it to be processed into cornflakes, corn flower, popcorn, ethanol or any other byproduct of corn. All so that we can enjoy it. Good job. Thank you.

 
Why does no one in the US or the UK speak or understand English anymore? That’s what you get if you live in a kakistocracy, when you don’t insist on immigrants only being allowed in if they speak English.

It seems that there’s some sense left, at least in Oklahoma. The House passed Senate Bill 70 in a 42-24 vote on Monday. House members amended the bill to clearly state that the written test can be taken in Spanish or English, but the driving skills test is in English only.

Amazing in the UK you can only take the test in English, Welsh or British Sign Language. Apart from Welsh, it seems like there’s still a smidgen of common sense left. I’m sure the libtards and snowflakes will be in an apoleptic frenzy over that, no doubt they’ll organise a glue down protest.

Leisurely start to the day then we’re off to visit Paul and Mel just outside St Louis. Seems we have two choices the 4 hour interstate route or the 6 hour route across the Ozarks plateau. The Ozarks routes very tempting but 6 hours driving is not, we’ll be arriving int he dark plus all that extra driving. Opt for the short route. Last 100 miles is pretty busy, by the time we get there I’ve had enough.

Pass on the Taco Bell as I’m tempted with a sausage ziti from the Italian restuaruant. It’s not a patch on mine or Wendy’s rendition.

 
DDSS (Daily Dose of Sublime Stupidity)

Joy, we’re in the room from hell. Lovely room but the 41Db constant humming keeps Wendy awake and even manages to wake me from my drunken stupor.

Turns out we’re next to the electrical room. Wouldn’t you think the hotel hotel designers would have the wit to place the Linen store between Electical room and a bedroom.

DDSS (Daily Dose of Sublime Stupidity)

Hotels really nice and a great breakfast, but you have to ask which dickhead of an interior designer thought a chaise lounge for one person was better that a simple settee for two. Anyone with a skerrick of intelligence would go for the settee rather than the trendy, avante guard, stupidity. To say nothing of the potential lost revenue that a bed settee would bring from a 4 adult room.

Museum

We all set off to the City Museum which is an awesome children museum. It’s difficult describe, best to look at the pictures.

Museum

 
A recent rip to WholePayPacket supermarket resulted in a discussion at checkout on the abuse of the word organic and the rip off of Organic Foods as aggressively promoted by this store.

What did organic used to mean?

Organic chemistry referred originally and literally to the chemistry of substances that derived from living things, which at one time were thought to possess some vital spark that made it impossible to duplicate them outside the body. Nothing to do with chemicals or pesticides.

Meanwhile if you think Organic food is better or worth the extra rip off then watch this – https://www.prageru.com/video/is-organic-food-worth-the-cost

Another great breakfast, pancake, sausage and cimmamen roles.

10:00 we’re off down to Phil and Kims at Franklin, Tennessee. It’s a journey from hell, through Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Tennessee, too many roadworks and then we hit Nashville, it’s a nightmare. Memo to self, make sure you by pass big cities

Kim prepares a great dinner. Wendy’s so excited to be eating real food again and after so many days on the road it’s just awesome to be settled in a real home again for five days before we embark on our 2nd leg pf our road trip. Mark and Leleta joins us for dinner. Great food, wine Old Fashioned and bourbon, and awesome company.

Up and out for breakfast with Phil and Mark. Try a Southern special grilled chicken, eggs, potatoes and finally get to try biscuits and gravy. Actually very enjoyable I’ll be trying those again when we’re on the road.

Then Phil and I get despatched to Target and Public to pick up supplies ready for the big event tomorrow – Thanksgiving.

Wendy discovers there’s a few Public nearby so is orgasmic and can’t resist after we’ve been to the liquor store, it has the best selection of beers I’ve eve encountered in the USA, Hofbrau, Pauline, a rauchbier and even a Jever.I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Finally get a bottle of High West Bourbon to try.

An evening stroll to see the Christmas lights at Cheekwood Gardens, drinking hot chocolate laced with peppermint vodka and eating toasted Smores.

Then back home to watch “The Christmas Story” and try my latest High West offering of Boutbon. Alas the bourbon made me sleep through the last of the Film.

 
Franklin is a city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. About 21 miles (34 km) south of Nashville, it is one of the principal cities of the Nashville metropolitan area and Middle Tennessee. As of 2020, its population was 83,454. It is the seventh-largest city in Tennessee.

The city developed on both sides of the Harpeth River, a tributary of the Cumberland River. In the 19th century, Franklin (as the county seat) was the trading and judicial center for primarily rural Williamson County and remained so well into the 20th century as the county remained rural and agricultural in nature.

Since 1980, areas of northern Franklin have been developed for residential and related businesses, in addition to modern service industries. The population has increased rapidly as growth moved in all directions from the core. Despite recent growth and development, Franklin is noted for its many older buildings and neighborhoods, which are protected by city ordinances.

Thanksgiving day. Spend most of the morning and afternoon preparing for the 18 family and 2 Brits attending.

Then we get an all American experience, a first for us, as we buy a bag of ice.

At 16:00 everyone arrives and the eating, drinking and lively conversation commences. Food serving with so many is well organised, help yourself and lineup in Christian name sequence. There’s all the traditional dishes served around a 21lb turkey and then there’s a plethora of desserts. A great time was had by all.

Really getting into these Old Fashioned’s.When everyone’s left we settle down for a tad more wine and the modern version of A Christmas Story.

 
Thankful to Kim and Phil for sharing an awesome, traditional, thanksgiving with us. We’ve had a family thanksgiving in Texas, it was good, with giant thick steaks and all the trimmings, but alas no turkey. An awesome experience and memorable day here in Franklin, Tennessee.

Don’t let Phil use a blender.

Lunch at a pizza parlour.

In the afternoon we nip out to the shops. What for I haven’t a clue, probably just to feed Wendy’s need for a merchandising fix.

Quiet evening in. More Old Fashioned’s.

For those snowflakes, wokes and libtards who may not be able to cope with some of my Rants etc., then select here:

Oklahoma at last. Only a few tribal Nations were indigenous to what is now the State of Oklahoma. All others were removed from homelands across the contiguous U.S. to Indian Territory, the trail of tears. What seems even more outrageous is that they moved some of the few indigenous tribes to make way for the influx. In 1907 Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union. The state’s name comes from two Choctaw words “Okla” and “Homma” meaning Red People.

Another long drive – 6 hours – to Oklahoma City.

Start the trip at the equivalent of spaghetti junction and the 10 year olds from Apple, those that can’t tie their own shoelaces and yet are allowed to write Apple’s software, strike again. Apple maps packs up just as you really need it. What a joyous way to start the day.

150 miles of nothingness, other than plastic bags hanging on trees, more Indian tribal
Lands and associated casinos than Muslims at a stoning. Apparently there are 39 tribal nations here in Oklahoma. As part of the trail of tears the American government shipped them all from East of the Mississippi river to a barren wasteland, the place we now call Oklahoma. But bless, they allowed them to have casinos on their tribal lands as compensation for all they had suffered. Even when I asked at the visitors centre if there was anything worth seeing on the way to Oklahoma City, she replied it’s a bit of a desert. Now I know why everyone laughed when we said we’re going to Oklahoma.

Love the speed signs “75 MPH no tolerance”. Then there’s the sign “Don’t hit our workers, $10,000 fine”. So a worker life or injury is ok for $10,000, bizarre.
Decide we’re finally going to try a Cracker Barrel for tea, those cheesecake pancake billboards have been tempting me for weeks now. We both try the taster plater, a cholesterol special, will we ever walk out of here, fortunately there’s a nurse sat at the next table. I have to leave room for the pancake so we both give up on the platter and consign half of it to a doggy box. Good old fashioned wholesome food and they now serve wine and that nats urine they call beer.

 
DDSS – Daily Dose of Sublime Stupidity

Credit card pin is locked out, apparently too many PIN attempts, yet contactless and Apple Pay still works. How’s that for security? You really couldn’t make this stupidity up.

 
The U.S. state of Oklahoma has been popularly nicknamed the “Sooner State” since the 1920s.

Sooners is the name given to settlers who entered the Unassigned Lands in what is now the state of Oklahoma before the official start of the Land Rush of 1889. The Unassigned Lands were a part of Indian Territory that, after a lobbying campaign, were to be opened to American settlement in 1889. President Benjamin Harrison officially proclaimed the Unassigned Lands open to settlement on April 22, 1889. As people lined up around the borders of the Oklahoma District, they waited for the official opening. It was not until noon that it officially was opened to settlement. The name derived from the “sooner clause” of Proclamation 288 — Opening to Settlement Certain Lands in the Indian Territory, which stated that anyone who entered and occupied the land prior to the opening time would be denied the right to claim land.

The designation “Sooner” initially had a very negative connotation. While “Boomers” were merely expressing “pioneer spirit” in their desire to take and settle formerly Indian territory, Sooners were essentially stealing from other white settlers by cheating on the claim requirements to get better land. However, these negative connotations rapidly cooled as time passed after 1889 and land claims were settled. By the time of statehood, Sooner had become an affectionate term for Oklahomans as a whole with a whiff of rebellion.

First American Museum

Oklahoma City seems a tad sparse for tourist attractions on a Sunday. The museum we wanted to visit is closed, well it is Sunday!

Opt for the First Americans Museum which given Oklahoma being the end of the Trail of Tears seems the most appropriate place to visit anyway. It’s not been opened long; amazing architecture, I’m sure King Charles would be amazed; great exhibits and presentation. Makes you appreciate how badly the Indians were treated. Interesting to note that the snowflakes and wokes responsible for the 1619 project overlook the Native Americans in their debates about U.S. history. Virginia Indians tell stories of settlers who would not have survived without their help during the long brutal winter of 1609-10. The natives, including the powerful family confederation of Powhatan and Pocahontas, taught the colonists how to plant food and even traded with them during the initial years of their relationship.

It’s also disturbing to realise that even after the cruelty and horrors of the 19th century Trail Of Tears, the American government were exercising eugenics in our lifetime with forced sterilization performed by the Indian Health Service in the 60s and 70s, the effects of which are still felt within tribes today.

It’s an awesome museum, one of the best I’ve ever been to.

Then it’s onto the The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. It’s also pretty impressive and lots of enjoyable exhibits.

Tea for me tonight is warmed up doggy bag from last night.

As it’s our first time in Oklahoma, and probably our last, I decided to drive to Wichita via the back roads and hope that we’ll get to see some of Oklahoma. Sadly it’s a lot of nothingness. What did we see along the way, cotton fields, old, rundown towns that make even Belthorn look attractive; nodding donkeys alongside solar panels, and overshadowed by windmills, the old being overtaken by the new. What’s with the snowploughs we keep seeing, Oklahoma will never make it as a ski resort. Then as we leave Oklahoma and head into Kansas it starts to snow, that probably explains why we’ve been seeing so many snowploughs. It chucks it down and being on back roads is not such a good idea in this weather. Thanks to the snow I lose my mobile connection, satnav, lane tracing assist, dynamic radar cruise control and pre-collision emergency breaking. Bloody hell I’m going to have to start driving the car using the steering wheel, accelerator and brakes. All these first world problems.

Bales of cotton.

Cowboy museum jail

 

Not paradise.

The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the post-Civil War era to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The trail was established by Black Beaver, a Lenape guide and rancher, and his friend Jesse Chisholm, a Cherokee merchant. They collected and drove numerous cattle along the trail to Kansas, where they could be shipped east to achieve higher prices. The southern terminus was Red River Station, a trading post near the Red River along the northern border of Texas. The northern terminus was a trading post near Kansas City, Kansas. Chisholm owned both of these posts. In the years of the cattle drives, cowboys would drive large herds from ranches across Texas to the Red River Station and then north to Kansas City.

Wake to a freezing cold but blue sky day, overnight snow.

Have the best breakfast so far this trip, a really good choice.

Sadly there’s not really that much to see in Wichita. It would have been better if we could have gone to the state capital, Topeka, but alas it was too far.

Set off to see the Keeper of the Plains statue. In quite an impressive location, lovely park but oh so cold. The Chisholm trail seems to feature a lot around here.

Then drive down to Old Town but typical of most American cities Old Town’s there’s never really anything there, have a drive around.

Then we head to the Wichita and Sedgwick History museum. Only $5 in and to be fair quite interesting. Watched a film on Wichita’s aircraft industry. It seems that the brand new Cessna I had to buy for Stanley Shorrock came from here. Sadly when Shorrock’s were taken over it had to be sold along with a few others.

Wendy then gets her fix with a trip to a Walmart super centre for tonight’s tea. For me it’s a tinned chilli and a Cinnabon cake. Really getting into this American sugar kick with desserts.

 
On a summer afternoon in 1968, songwriter Jimmy Webb was driving on a road in Oklahoma. There were no houses along the road, and no trees—just grass in every direction. Next to the road, there were telephone poles. The poles were in a straight line that went all the way to the horizon.
In the distance Jimmy saw a man on a ladder near the top of a telephone pole. He was a lineman. His job was to check the telephone lines to make sure they were OK. At that time, private companies did not own the telephone lines; county governments owned them. So the man was an employee of a county in Oklahoma—he was “a lineman for the county.”

As he got closer, Jimmy could see that the man had a phone in his hand, and he was
talking to someone. What was the man saying? Perhaps he was reporting that there was a problem on the line. Or perhaps he was reporting that the line was OK.
After he drove past the lineman, Jimmy couldn’t stop thinking about the work he did. It was a lonely job, Jimmy thought. What did the lineman think about all day? Maybe he thought about someone he loved. Maybe he thought about the weather. Maybe he worried that next winter a snowstorm could take down some wires. Or maybe he hoped for rain so that he could take a small vacation.

Jimmy wrote a song about the the lineman. Although he had seen him in Oklahoma, Jimmy imagined that the lineman lived in Kansas, near the city of Wichita. He called the song “Wichita Lineman.” The song became famous. It was a big hit for singer Glen Campbell.

Later Jimmy said, “This song is not just about a lineman. It is about anyone who can think about other things while they work—a truck driver, for example, or a farmworker. It is a song about an ordinary person who has extraordinary thoughts.”

Drive to Lincoln Nebraska, our first time in Nebraska, that’s another state off our list, only 4 more to visit to get a full house. It’s below freezing but clear blue skies.

Again a lot of nothingness as we say goodbye to rice in Oklahoma, then cotton in Kansas and now there’s corn fields as far as the eye can see. There’s a distinct lack of originality and imagination in this state as road names are either letters or numbers. Traffic cones are lined up on the sides of the highways, just waiting to be deployed and fulfill their purpose and destiny of traffic chaos.

It seems like we’ve said goodbye to the Chisholm trail and say hello to the Oregon Trail, Lewis and Clerk trail and the Mormon trail. Fence posts are littered with hawks rather than the plastic bags of Oklahoma and Kansas.

It’s way below freezing today, so best to stay indoors.

Start with a tour of the Mormon Winter Quarters museum, as with all Mormon tours etc. it’s free and our personal guide is very informative. Never cease to be amazed at how those pioneers pulled those handcarts all the way to Salt Lake, men and women of steel.

Log cabin in the Mormon museum. Just look at those corner joints.

With a windchill of 19F / -7C time to try a root beer float from a traditional soda fountain at long last. Interesting choice as I don’t like root beer, but my great friend and guru Hal, rest his soul, always told me I really should try one. Hal, you were so right they are good.

Way below freezing again so the plan for the day is to stay indoors again.

First stop is the state capitol where we get a personalised tour. Very interesting although Wendy thinks he goes into too much detail. Wendy’s idea would be just a 5 minutes tour, running if necessary. For a state capitol it is a very unusual building with a 14 story tower that can be seen for miles around. The first floor is like a dismal dungeon from hell, expect a vampire to pop out any moment. The 2nd floor is very impressive with an amazing mosaic floor, wall murals and vaulted ceiling with murals. This capitol is unique in that it is the only – unicameral state – just a house and no senate, although the 49 representatives are called senators.

Then we set off to the history museum but give it a miss. Wendy’s had enough history for one trip, so we set off to the Pioneer Park where there’s allegedly a herd of buffalo and nature centre. The place is deserted and the “small herd” consists of 4 buffalo asleep on the prairie.

Call at a Hy-Val supermarket for some excitement., has to be one of the most impressive supermarkets in America we’ve been to. Wow, they sell Hofbrau original and get a Basil Haydn Red Wine Cask Finish Bourbon, that’s a new one to try.

Overall Lincoln has to be the most disappointing place we’ve been to, not help by the cold weather, I have to prise Wendy out of the car each time.

At long last I get to try IHOP’s Jaelapeno burger for tea. What an over priced disappointment that was. I think I’ll reserve any visit to IHOP for a sugar fix with there pancakes and french toast.

First wife giving a hand pulling the handcart. 2nd wife tagging along.

 

Nattering again, old style.

Atop the 400 foot tower of the Nebraska State Capitol stands a figure casting the seeds of life to the winds….the Sower. The statue of the Sower, modeled after the traditional method of hand sowing grain for planting, is a symbol of the importance of Agriculture to the development of civilization. Agriculture is the foundation upon which Nebraskans have built a noble life.

For those snowflakes, wokes and libtards who may not be able to cope with some of my Rants etc., then select here:

Up early to take the kids to the airport. Then pick up a Turo Toyota Corolla, but sadly the USB port doesn’t work so the Car Play doesn’t work and that an essential for our 4,000 mile road trip. Pedro takes us to Toyota to try and get it fixed and after a 2.5 hour wait they confirm the USB is faulty and they’ll have to order a part which won’t arrive until Monday. As you can imagine I’m totally pissed off.

Pedro offers to let us have a Toyota Camry that is being returned tomorrow, for the same price as the Corolla, I ask him to drop it off for 08:00 tomorrow.

Use the corolla to get home.

It’s a very quiet night in with no rug rats running wild or at war with one another.

Continuing our Turo saga Pedro drops off the Toyota Camry. Its a lovely car so much bigger and more comfy than the Corolla. It’s great to drive as it has adaptive convoy style cruise control and auto central lane control, makes driving so much more pleasant.

We set off on the first leg of our 4,000 mile road trip to visit Oklahoma, no idea why as everyone laughs when we mention it, also include Nebraska, two out six states we’ve never been to. Also include Hot Springs National Park, another first for us. First stop will be Tallahassee. We’ve been there before so it’s just an overnight stop. Hotel room is

Visited this last time we were here.

The hotel has an Applebees attached, so we risk it for dinner. Problem is not only is the hostess as rough as a badgers arse, the tables are sticky and even the floor is that sticky that it’s like wading through treacle. When the hostess finally deigns to welcome us she informs us that there’s a 30 minute wait – as you can probably imagine we vote with our feet.
Let’s try the Olive Garden, we can walk to it. There’s a 45 minute wait for a table and the car parks littered with patient Americans. Having just survived 17 days of Disney queues you’d think this would be a doddle, but we vote with our feet.

End up walking to MacDonalds where Wendy is proudly offered a luke warm tea with half and half, sacrilege and a sin punishable by a severe lecture on how to serve tea. Cold latte machine is not working, but by now we’re totally brassed off and would gladly eat a fur sandwich.

Get to start watching “House of the Dragon” on my iPad.

 

This is how it should be done.

What is it with the American obsession of restaurants and their “Wait to be Seated” and Hostesses who really don’t want to be disturbed by you or welcome you. Americans seems quite content with patiently waiting and being grateful for the privilege.

Up at the crack of sparrows, a legacy from the grandkids and Disney.

Civil Rights museum

Phone him and leave a message asking for a full refund – punitive damages. Of course, being an incompetent waste of oxygen, he fails to return my call. Time to get onto Booking.com for a refund.

But every cloud has a silver lining. Call at IHOP for breakfast. First time there. Wow what a great junk food place it was, haute cuisine at its best. We’ll be going to a few more of these on this trip. Wendy was not so impressed, no appreciation of the finer things in life.

Set off to Birmingham Alabama. It’s another very pleasant 5 hour drive with no hold up and interesting and relatively quiet roads and inter-state. This Toyota Camry is great to drive. You can tell you’re in the bible belt when you see signs like “Go to church or the devil will get you” and just in case you need god there’s a church every two miles.

Hotel in Birmingham is a Best Western. Very comfortable and great suite. Let’s hope there’s breakfast.

Dinner consists of a Subway. Would have been a Taco Bell for me but web site decided it didn’t want to show me pictures of there food, so voted with my feet.

Up early and yes there’s breakfast. Not bad either, scrambled eggs and sausage. Pass on the biscuits and gravy, need to summon up the courage for that one morning as it seems the staple diet of all Americans.

We’ve been to Birmingham before but the Civil Rights museum was closed on Sundays and Mondays as tourists never go anywhere on a Monday. Museum is interesting and very well done, even if the staff are over officious, must have a toilet brush up their rectums and need to justify their existence. Do a civil rights walk around the landmarks. What a depressing run down area it’s in. It’s quite shocking to realise that all of the civil rights abuses, despite supreme court rulings, were carried out in our lifetime – unbelievable. And now we have the reaction to that era with the woke snowflakes whining, the cancel culture, DEI and 1619 project.

Decide to have a coffee whilst we plan what to do with the rest of the day. Try two cafes and neither of them sell coffee. Must be the only two un- American cafes in the country. Do they not realise this is America and coffee is the National drink.

That’s all soon over so what to do for the afternoon. Well we could go to the American Village, it had a great Oval Office and colonial style village with characters in period dress, but turns out we’ve been there back in 2013. We could go to Vulcan Park, but again we’ve been there and done that. Decide to go to the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. Wendy has her picnic there, despite being consumed by NoSeeUmms. It’s interesting to explore the museum and view the ironworks etc.

Mongolian combo for tea tonight followed by quiet, alcohol free, evening in watching Netflix. It seems the hotels Wi-Fi overrides my DNS settings.

Moral of todays excursion is review my blog to see where we’ve been before – see http://blogs.4uand.me.uk/2013/05/20130429-wendy-in-the-oval-office/.

 
Why are American toilets designed for peeping Toms and perverts with there gaps around doors etc so anyone can see you on the throne? Surely a simple “Occupied” slider would be less intrusive.

Set off for our longest drive from Birmingham to Little Rock. That’s 4 states Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. A nightmare journey see rants below. Starts with low tyre pressure warning.

After +8 hours, and a terrifying drive on the interstates around Little Rock we finally get to our hotel.

Tea tonight is a trip to Wholefoods for soup and cheesecake.

Excitement mounts as we start watching the crown.

 
DDSS Daily Dose of Sublime Stupidity

What is it with American air pumps. Firstly you have to pay but there’s no pressure gauge to pump up to the right pressure. Instead there’s an obliging but ridiculous picture of how your tyres should look when at the right press, very scientific – unbelievable. How can you determine pressure with any accuracy. Instead Wendy sits in the car shouting out the pressure readings from the dashboard. What happens if you’re on your own or your car doesn’t have tyre pressure readout. Then to add insult to injury the nozzle lets out more air than it puts in, so actually fix one tyre but make another worse.

2nd Dose of DDSS

20 minute tailback. Why? Because some numpty road worker has left a “Right Lane Close Ahead” sign on the hard shoulder so everyone’s moving over causing a major traffic jam on the 2 lane interstate, when there is no lane closure. One guy has the right idea though as he skateboards down the hard shoulder – only in America.

Yes, there’s breakfast.

Set off to Hot Springs National Park. It’s amazing who you bump into on road trips, this morning we hear from our friends Helen and George (who we met in Park City several years ago ) that they are staying in the area . Turns out that Helen and George are in the area so we agree to meet for lunch. What a coincidence. You just can’t go anywhere in this little country without dumping into folk you know.

We have a drive around the mountain in search of the Visitor centre. Most illusive. Turns out to be on the Main Street in one of the bath houses, times are hard, so no sign. Probably due to Covid, seems to be the main excuse for all forms of incompetence and inadequacy these days. Hot Springs National Park not a park like we imagined it’s actually a spa town where people came to take baths in the hot spring waters . Lots of very beautiful old buildings which housed the baths , it was interesting.

Visit the Visitor Centre and explore the bath house exhibit and top up with free spring water – cool. Then take a stroll along the Grand Promenade to see some of the hot springs.

Amazing people come along with containers to top up with free hot Spring water from the taps outside the visitor centre, a bit like Lourdes. Hot Springs NP is certainly different from most NP, it seems the whole town with its multiple old bath houses is the NP. Interesting, all from a different era.

Meet Helen and George and their friends. Have a long chin wag, must be 3 years since we’ve seen them so a lot to catch up on and a lot of the World to put right. Then we go to lunch at an Irish Pub. It was great to meet up with them and their friends Rita and John for Lunch in Hot Springs.

Drive up to the watch tower for awesome views over Arkansas and then take a drive back, along the back roads to avoid that demmic interstate. Visit a massive Kroger for some vitals then back to the hotel for a quiet night in watching the Crown – what party animals we are.

Explore Little Rock today. Start off with a tour of the State Capitol building. It’s empty so we’re left towander around with a self guided tour book.

Then it’s off to the Clinton Presidential Library. Greedy buggers charge for entry but despite being a democratic president it’s very interesting and well done. Never realised what a landslide victory he had.

It seems like Little Rock is named after some Little Rock’s on the side of the Mississippi River so off I go to see them, Wendy stays in the car, it’s too cold.

Came across this potential junk food, banana water pudding, in Kroger today so just had to try it. Even I have to admit it was just too creamy, sweet and sickly – gross.