Georgia on My Mind at the Ryman Auditorium

Well you can't go to Nashville and not see a concert can you? Unfortunately we are too early for the CMA's so we have chosen to go to a charity concert at THE Ryman Auditorium, early home of the Grand Ol' Opry. 

The concert is called "Georgia on My Mind" and benefits the Georgia Music Foundation. It's being hosted again by The Peach Pickers, who are singer songwriters. The line up is a secret and they are going to release a few names at a time, with the main artists being a surprise on the night. I can't wait to see who it is going to be. Whoever it is, I'll be just glad to be there amongst the talented artists, and soaking up the atmosphere. 

If Luke Bryan wants to come along though I won't mind ;) Swoon.....

Launch Night Invite!

Our Friend Chrinda, who we are going to stay with in Plano, posted an interest article on Facebook. It was for a launch night at "Love and War in Texas", in Plano.
Now Chrinda's son plays in one of Dave's favourite Texas Country bands, Zane Williams Band. Unfortunately, all the time we are going to be in Texas, the band is the opposite side of the State! Zane often plays at "Love and War in Texas" so he was keen to see what this launch night was all about.

All the advert said was "Release Party". So we decided to look into it more as it was on the second night we would be in Plano. Chrinda told me it was for a couple from her Church who had been signed up and were releasing their second album. The couple were Will n Crystal Yates. So I decided to see what their music was like and played a few different samples on Amazon. I was hooked. It was just the sort of music I like. So I bought the album. For a taster, click here

** Update - We are now going to the launch party! **

Further changes of plan - Off to the Cowboy Capital!

Unfortunately our plans to visit Palestine, Texas, have changed. Our friend Jim has his annual meet at the Speedway for the annual car parts flea market; otherwise known as PATE.

They camp out; swap stories and look at all things car and classic car related.  So the decision was, do we move onto our next planned destination of Burleson and Fort Worth or do we use the 2 days to visit somewhere else?

After a few chats we decided to head to Bandera, Texas. The Cowboy Capital of Texas.
Check out what it's all about at the link here. We have picked a quirky cabin. Very Texas; very Cowboy; very basic. However it looks fun and we love quirky. So this is where we will spend our two days, immersing ourselves in all things Cowboy.

More Sad news! A change of direction

We had an e-mail today to say that our Bed and Breakfast in Memphis had been cancelled but there was no explanation. I sent an e-mail asking why it was cancelled, then felt awful when the lady who runs it along with her Husband, replied saying her Husband had died that morning. What can you say, but send your condolences.

Now our Memphis accommodation was cancelled, we had to make another booking. Again we did not want a high rise city hotel. We looked for bed and breakfast hotels within a certain radius, constantly coming up with chain hotels. Then we struck lucky, we found some beautiful old towns, 20 minutes south of Memphis/Gracelands, which is about the same distance as before.

One we fell in love with was an old house in a town called Hernando, in Mississippi.

Another state to add to my list. I think I may have hit 20 now! The reviews were great and we have been in touch with people who have stayed there and also visited Graceland and Beale St Memphis, which are the only places we really want to see. Having read about these lovely old towns in Mississippi we are quite keen to have a look around those too. Lots to fit in!

Sad sad news

Fort Worth Stockyards - Lisa & Gaye

Today we lost our dear friend Gaye. Someone I always called Aunty Gaye; she felt like she was Family to me and I'm heartbroken. We knew she was getting older (she was 91), and she had not been well of late, but we were really hoping that she was going to be around when we got there. We always had lots to talk about, and had lots of laughs. It's going to be hard going to her house and she not being there. A sad day.

A change of heart

I had a bright idea. I know, it doesn't happen very often. I don't drink on plane journey's so it was nothing to do with having a drink, but I thought it would be better to stop overnight at the airport in Houston, rather than travelling on a long flight; waiting ages for bags; then picking up a car, driving to a strange city on strange roads in the dark. Ok, I'm nervous, I'll admit it.

Courtesy Texas Gulf Coast online

So we have changed our bookings and are now going to be staying overnight at the airport, and then picking up the car in the morning and driving to the Gulf coast. Then we'll be fresh and be able to see where we're going!

 

Musn't forget our Favourite Heathrow Hotel!

Whenever we go overseas and fly from Heathrow, we always stay at the same hotel. It's like a mini promenade inside with restaurants and bars. So we can't go on this trip without booking it. Will tell you all about it nearer the time.

It overlooks the runway and you can see Virgin Planes outside the window. I hope that we can see our plane!