Image: Deparure day time to say goodbye for another year, Jojo with her grandson Josh, he loves her to bits, really looks after her and teases her relentlessly at times, as we say in Yorkshire "A reyt grand lad". 

08.05.25 – 137) Rise with a feeling of sadness after a month of gladness

Poetry events an’ more, sharin’ my latest score on my 13th Texas poetry tour

Tr...

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Image: Jojo playing the autoharp a kind of zither fitted with a series of sprung and padded bars to allow playing of chords by damping selected strings, and singing along to it, she's good too.

02.05.25 – 121) Time to be waking Jojo her medication she’s to be taking

It’s done, later breakfast, scrambled eggs, fries, bread, then away we head

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Image: Rest Station on I281 just North of Border Control heading for Austin, I always seem to end up stopping there. Group of bikers, Chapter of American Legion Riders from Pharr Texas. Great guys willing to pose, bikes consisted of Harleys, Hondas and an Indian. 

01.05.25 – 115) Wake, out of bed, cats to be fed

Shower, dress, coffee, ready to face the road ahead

Soon I’ll be fo...

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Image: Poets at the opening Pacanga and Anthology Launch of RGVIPF 2025,  at the Chamber of Commerce McAllen.

24.04.25 – 89:76) Time to get out of bed, there’s cats to be fed

The food’s found, they’re gatherin’ round

Soon they’re eatin’ away always a good start to the day

You don’t have to ask, it’s always a pleasant task

Now I’m up it’s not back to bed

Time for ...

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Image: Roma and the Rio Grande Viewpoint a simple designed platform looking into Mexico with good views up and down the river, along with information boards about the areas history and wildlife.  

23.04.25 – 85:72) Day comes alive it’s half past five

No time to lie abed, I gotta face the road ahead

Ready to go call at gas station, a hard act to foller,

Thermal cup filled for ...

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Image: The Pecos River on the countyline berween Pecos and Crockett Counties. It starts in North Central New Mexico, flows through Texas into the Rio Grande.  Th eraised areas in !20 Wildlife Preserve are designed to allow floodwater from it to flow into the wetlands, sadly this doeasn't happen due to the area being drought prone, shown by the size of the river

22.04.25 – 82:69) Car stowed...

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Image: With Kat Copeland we've known each other for a numbe of years, she is a great suporter of poetry events in West Texas and helped get me some venues after Covid. Sadly a back injury means she can't get out as much, it was great to meet up with her, long may our meetings continue.

18.04.24 – 64:49) Thought of breakfast at Denny’s,

Useful if you’re watchin’ the pennies

Wait...

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Image:  With my friend Bonnie at Destinations Midland for an open mic, the ideal way to end the drive over

17.04.25 – 59:46) Once again I rise to find last night still on my mind

OPA the place to be Zack the emcee

Makin’ sure Jojo was comfortable there, providin’ a welcome chair

An’ she’s delightin’ folks with her recitin’

Her poetry flowed; appreciation showe...

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Image: Jojo, me and enncee Zack at Freddo's helpin' Jojo get to the stage it was a great night, Zack is a great emmcee, the welfare of performers is always paramount to him.

10.25 - 31:18) Yesterday things were going like a song

Till we landed then it all started going wrong

No lark waiting half an hour for a gate to disembark

Waiting for luggage seemed to go on for ever

...

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Image: Austin airport welcome sign and the way to passport control, collect suitcase and a short formality of checking my passport and once again it's "Welcome back".

09.04.25 – 22:9) An early night seemed right

And so, to bed to sleep like the dead

Then come alive when my alarm goes off at 1:45

Wash, dress, coffee and then seen taxi arriving at 2:15

Luggage stowed a...

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Image: New Yorkshire cap and tee shirt bought for this tour and worn often and used in publicty posters

24.09.24 - 1) Eyes tested, given the all clear,

Now start planning for next year

See what’s in the coffers and look for the special offers

See what’s best try not to get too stressed

Search not in vain, got a good deal again

Decent flight, stopover t...

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Image: Mementos of a great tour. Batmobile from Harlingen Colegiate High, Candy from Valley View South Elementary, other items little awards from poetry workshops in Austin

29.04.24 – 147:115) Kept wakin’ most of the night

Only to find the time wasn’t right

Back to sleep but all in vain, soon I’m awake again

At last it’s time for me to start my day.

Let the motel sta...

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Image: Participants of the 16th Annual Central Texas Poetry & Prose Festival on stage at Tablerock Apmphitheater, Salado. The theme was aninals and saled of the anthoogy have helped spay feral cats.         

26.04.24 – 136:104) Piped music playin’

In the corridor of the motel I’m stayin’

Makin’ my way to the communal shower, it’s an early hour

Only me there, no more I ain’t got n...

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Image: Arriving at my motel early afternoon, it wasn't that bad, clean enough but prone to loud music at times from a nearby complex. Journey back went well small hold up for another vehicle, but good detour so no great worries.

25.04.24 – 131:99) Departure day both gladness and sadness

Gladness at what I’ve done, seen an’ where I’ve been

Memories abound of new friend...

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Image: Nianna or Her Most Gracious Majesty, enjoing a meal with her Most Loyal Prince Consort, she missed my farewell meal so we went out togter on my last night in Edinburg. I stayed at her house again and as usual enjoyed looking after the cats 

17.04.24 – 110:78) Nianna’s at school she’ll be ringin’ round

To see if a walk-in vet can be found

I’m at the house ready to go...

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Image: On the way to Nianna's in Edinburg after meeting up with Clark in McAllen, couldn't resist taking this pic of the two bikers while we were at the traffic lights which seem to last a while on red, compared to UK traffic lights

16.04.24 – 107:76) Departure day, for The Valley I’m away

Dressed, car stowed, I’m on the road

Low speed limits than 75 I think “Yay” now let t...

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Image: Working replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theater in Odessa West Texas, used for open mic community events as well as Shakespeare plays and is situated on the campus of Odessa College. Thanks to the diligence and determination of two friends Kat and Bonnie, I was invited to perform there at short notice, I did and the accoustics were great. As well as the theater, the complex also has a replic...

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Image: Little Llano River where it runs into Llano River, a series of creeks before it joins the Colorado River

11.04.24 – 83:51) Leanne’s on reception goodbye said before I head

West once more on the second leg of this year’s tour

Tell her how grateful I feel about her gettin’ me a good deal

An’ as usual it’s dark as I leave th...

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Image: Me and Jojo at Pease Park Austin with Malin a female troll holding a bowl. She reminds us that we should share the water and resources with the animals that live here with us. More than 80% of Malin’s Fountain is made from recycled, repurposed, or found materials.

01.04.24 33:1) Yesterday I landed, suitcase collected, through customs

Car collected things...

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Image: View from the plane window over mainland USA

31.03.24 – 21) Up and ready in time to see

Taxi arrive at half past three

Departure day we’re om our way

Motorway clear, Manchester airport I’m here

Book in and customs soon through, no todo

Breakfast, Full English not much to brag about

Better to use KFC or Costa that’s no doubt

But now it’s done, it’s coffee a...

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Image: The flags of West Yorkshire depicting the white rose, replacing the St Georges flags that had worn out. They were fitted to the car for short journeys to open mics, lets people konw where I'm from. 

22.12.23 – 1) It’s now December, time to remember this year almost gone

What went on what went right and what went wrong

In July it seemed right to go and book ...

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Image: Reciting at 1 in 12 Club Bradford on the last day of National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo), a creative writing project held every April, where particpants attempt to write a poem a  day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in America and Canada.  There is no limit to the poems write as many as you want, and a subject of your choice. 

29.04.23 -194:1...

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Image: Departing at Austin, a fellow passenger, we struck up conversation when an arrogant first class passenger walked throug the crowd and under the lane marking tape to get on the plane. He walked straight to the desk, but he was sent to join the queue. I laughted aloud and said to the guy in the pic "Don't you just love it when that happens? he said "Yes" and the conversation flowed.  

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Image: Bob "Mud" McMahon, Me, Thom. I  called at Thom's to see Bob we met in 2011. Bob is an ecological poet and musiciamn he recycles recyclable items to make musical instuments. he also scuplts in mud and paper pulp.  When the three of us are together we are known as the Commonwealth Poets, two Aussies and a Limey Guy 

26.04.23 – 177:129) Goodbye’s said, away I head,

Break of Day, Au...

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Image: Contestants at the annual Slam Competition, I didn't win but got some good comennts for my impromptu style 

18.04.23 – 134:86) Last night Nianna came home from her meeting

How wonderful her hugs and greeting

Hugged with a smile chatted a while before the day ends

Cuddlin’ her cats an’ hopin’ we’ll be friends

She shows me round an’ where things can be found

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Image: Clark's with Ivy, it's always great to get there and give her a hug, later I'll be taking her for walks

17.04.23 – 131:83) I wake it’s early. I look at the clock and think

I can stay in bed no longer, the call of the road the stronger

I rise, shower, dress, pack, load and away, another travelling day

Just one more for a road poet on tour

As usual it’s dark as I lea...

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Image: Me and Kat Copelad at Louies Place with owner Luis his son Ben and Ben's fiance Mercedes. The place is named in honour of Luis's son Louie who died in tragic circumstances. As such Luis gives a percentage of the profits to charity and also councells  people with PTSD, as a military verteran he also offers councelling to other military vets. 

14.04.23 – 112:64) A good ...

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Image: Tarja and Laurel at KCKM Radio my first port of call after breakfast. 

13.04.23 – 107:69) Time to depart with heavy heart

But smile when I think about yesterday

When I found out, I’d been wearing my socks inside out

GPS seems to work without a hitch, by passin’ the on/off switch

Roads is quiet soon I’m in Midland but one thing makes me sore

Gas here is mor...

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Image: Forest Park where many past event of teh Forest Fest took place, it holds some happy memories

12.04.23 – 104:56) Things went right I got my washing done last night

A comfy bed almost slept like the dead

Day began dawning I looked out to a sunny morning

Shorts the order of the day but before I’m away

I been lookin’ round, no iron to be found

Got some...

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Image: A nice clear road, it was like that most of the way once I got past Liberty Hill. 

11.04.23 – 103:55) I’m up packed and away,

For some reason the gps doesn’t want to play

No joke, it seems the on/off switch is broke

Looks like I’m gonna be, drivin’ from memory

Eventually it comes on an’ says calculatin’ for it to kick in I’m waitin’

An’ it keeps sayin’ calcula...

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Image: Thom and me sharing a slot on Koop Radio for the return of a programme called writing on air, it went well, one of many events for National Poetry Month. Thom was equally determind to do 30 open mics in 30 days whether zoom or live.

30.03.23 – 30) Sure was a delight, meetin’ up with Thom again last night

An event not to be missed, he said “get your name on the List...

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Image: Part of the in flight entertaimnet system, in addition to music films and games there is an interactive map which show wher eyou areat any given time also says how far you have gone, how far to go, time, height and speed.

Departure Day

29.03.23 – 19) Rise, dress, coffee, taxi arrives then I’m away

Another poetry tour departure day

Motorways clear, it feels good to be ...

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So called because both events run together and I come home on April 28 which leaves two days of NaPoWriMo, so  there willl be extra poetry after The Journey Home.

Image: A look to the future, some of the events planned for West Texas, they went well last year in November, here's hoping they go well this April.

The Run Up

26.12.22 – 1) The year got colder as it got older

I booked m...

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Image: My suitcase just off the carousel at Manchester Airport, as it came towards me I said "Come to daddy" it felt great knowing that it had been with at both start and  finnish. Three previous tours it had been left behind either going out or coming back and all of them were at Heathrow, that's why Schipol seemed a better idea.   

03.12.22 – 115) Sky’s grey, not to worried it’s departur...

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Image: The Beast loaded ready fot the journey to Austin, I really enjoyed driving it once I got use to the size, plenty of power for the longer journeys, and comfortable.

02.12.22 – 111) I woke in the mornin’gloom,

Hearin’ someone in the other room

Mario gettin ready for work, not for me to lurk

Because, I need to say “Adios”

We hug, a moment to treasure, this trips ...

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Image: A local comic book store, we were due to go to Mexico but it rained so we visited a comic book store instead. My first ever visit, was impressed, and there werre free video games in te back room. Later we visited The Musuem of South Texas History 

24.11.22 – 91) Woke once more to a sky of grey, it’s Thanksgiving Day

It’s quiet an’ I’m remembering yesterday

On th...

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Image: "The Beast" outside Clarks on arrival, I'd made really good time mainly due to the roads being surprisingly clear, and The Beast having plenty of power. In the background is The Royal Standard Clark flew to celebrate my arrival and let others know I was there. He is pictured in the backgound with his friend Blanca

23.11.22 – 90) Alarm rings I wake to find last nights events sti...

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Image: Early morning in Midland shortly after sunup, outside the motel whjere I was staying, it was cold and would be for most of the time I was stayng there.

18.11.22 - 70) Last night went alright, for me an’ Chris it was a delight

I shared my rhyme, in Midland for the first time

This morning it’s clear with a chill in the air. The cold winds still there

So breakfa...

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Image: Chris relaxing at the motel prior to goingto the gig at Destination that evening, we only dedcide to make it a twosome the afternoon before setting off. We had a great night at Destination and a free meal.

17.11.22 – 68) Rise, shower, dress pack and away

Pick up Chris along the way, decision was made yesterday

He thought it would be hip joinin’ me on my poetry road trip

T...

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Saw this mural when I had parked up for a poetry workshop, reminded me of when I first came and there were novelty items saying "Keep Austin Weird".

04.11.22 – 15) We landed last night it was still light

But it seemed a pain, waiting to get off the plane

Then it was go, to the carousel but it was slow

It wasn’t a gaffe, they were short on staff

One man unloading on his own at l...

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So called, because at times it seemed like it would never happen. Image: Yorkshire items pictured at Schipol Airport Amsterdam bought for 2020 at last they were going too. The cup is a veteran, the other three were making their Texas debut  

03.11.22 – 1) Alarm sounds, twenty past one, Departure Day has begun

Wash dress, final packing, make sure nothings lacking

Coff...

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NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. It coincides with the National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada. Usually it would form part of my Texas Tour, but this year, unlike 2020, & 2021 being cancelled, due to the pandemic,  I did them as a standalone p...

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The poems are about us coming out of lockdown what we did as we came out of it, and my hopes to get a tour of Texas in before the end of the year. Things looked promising, we were hoping the ban on flights to the USA from the UK would soon be lifted there were various festivals coming off in September and October, I had been booked to appear at an event in West Texas, should this have happened. Ev...

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NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. It coincides with the National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada. Usually it would form part of my Texas Tour, but this year, as with 2020, due to it being cancelled, I did it as a standalone project, using my tim...

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So called because my 2020 tour had been cancelled and I hoped for 2021 to be back to normal if there is such a thing, I began writing poems as in previous tours as to what was going on this part ended so I could take part in 2021 NaPoWriMo (A Poem a Day for April) with the intention to carry on in May with The Run Up Pt 2 Coming out of Lockdown, which I did after NaPoWriMo 2021. Things were going ...

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A series of Haiku's written on a daily basis in the form of an advent calendar, leading up tpo Christmas Eve. All relevant to the current situation on a daily basis.

1/12/20 First of December

Twenty four days to go 

Then it's Christmas Day 

2/12/20 Morning backoned

It was December second

Lockdown was over

3/12/20 The newspapers said 

There's a vaccine on the ...

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NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. It coincides with the National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada. Usually it would form part of my Texas Tour, but this year due to it being cancelled, I did it as a standalone project, using my time and experienc...

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So called because of the Coronavirus my trip was called off as country after country shut down as it swept across the world. Everything started out as usual, plans were made, put into action, events recorded in rhyme. Reaching 1500 travel poems would be easy, by the time I'd finished it could  have been well over 1600 but it was not to be. I decided to carry on writing and make 1500, it did turn o...

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Image: Circuit of the Americas, home of the U.S. Grand Prix, besides which this 3.4-mile racetrack hosts concerts in its Austin 360 Amphitheater. I always wondered where it was. As it turns out it is South of the airport, this is the first time I have seen it.

30.4.19 - 192) Rose to face departure day, sad heart, sky of grey

To reception bound, coffee to bring me round

Hopi...

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Image: Back in Austin, flowers on the roadside verge opposite my motel, photographed on the way to supper.

29.4.19 189) Great night last night, what a delight

Supper in Mexico, potions just right

Didn’t feel alone, welcomed as one of their own

Treated well, interacted and found friendship as well

Sadly had to bid farewell,

US Border, bit of a queue, that’s it we’re through

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