Image: Departure day lunch, soup and ranch crackers or in Jojo's case crackers and soup. Yes, she likes a bit of soup with her crackers.

7.05.26: 183) Departure day, for once cold an’ grey

Hoodie may be the order of the day, Can hear planes in the sky

A reminder that this afternoon I will fly

Homeward bound, but memories will abound

First breakfast for Jojo an’ me, waf...

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Image: Departure day lunch, soup and ranch crackers or in Jojo's case crackers and soup. Yes, she likes a bit of soup with her crackers.

7.05.26: 183) Departure day, for once cold an’ grey

Hoodie may be the order of the day, Can hear planes in the sky

A reminder that this afternoon I will fly

Homeward bound, but memories will abound

First breakfast for Jojo an’ me, waf...

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Image: Me and Jojo on stage at OPA for the last time this year

28.04.26: 143-85) We rise, get ready pancakes for breakfast

An’ we’re away for the first part of the day

Set off for Zilker Park but on the way enter Austin Natural Science Center

Lookin’ at the plants an’ trees more photos for when I get home

To go on the album about my 2026 roam

We g...

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Fellow traveller of the feline kind watchin' with interest diring a comfort break

27.05.26: 138-80) Alarm goes, I rise, shower, dress, soon to be away

It’s another transit day, but first Busters meds

Then the other cats fed, to the kitchen I head

See what’s on the refrigerator shelf, time to feed myself

Tacos a first course, then for course 2, pancakes an’ ...

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Image: Group photo of all poets for the final Pachanga 

20.04.26: 107-49) I hear Nianna up and about

I’m in bed but I think time to get out

We greet, she’s soon at work, for a while I’ll lurk

To see to the cats their needs are met

Once to their needs I’ve attended, services rendered

Breakfast and I need to be at thelibrary

But their Wi-Fi's down so I head to the one in...

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Image Leaving a rest room on I37 an' the rains really comin' down

19.04.25: 99-71) Last night went alright,

I took Bonnie home we didn’t cry, as we hugged an’ said goodbye.

Not a tear but hope to be together again next

This morning I took it steady getting ready

Making sure I got everything I did bring

Checkout easier than expected, room deposit collected

Tell t...

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Image:  Poster for what has become an annual event, it goes down well.

17.04.26: 87-59) I rise, take my time, no need to rush

Enjoy the mornin’ hush. Shower an’ first thought,

Ring Jojo with a progress report, sit an’ chat about how things are

An’ what a delight, it was last night

How me an’ Bonnie wend down well, Destinations was swell

An’ folks...

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Image: Entry into The Destination performance area the stage is at the far end.  A great event every Thursday night with a really appreciative audience. Predominately an open air venue but with a barn for prerfomances during inclemant weather, as was used when I was there for the first time in November 2022.

16.04.26: 81-53) OPA went alright last nig...

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Image: Me an' Jojo at The Lions Den Tea Rooms open mic, sharin' the amusment my poem brought with the audience

09.04.26: 51-23) Suitcase and car collected, quicker than expected

Then drive to my motel on I35

Speed limits heeded drop off what’s not needed

To Jojo’s but to my cost, was almost lost

Missed the turn but soon back on track

Time abatin’ Becca had messaged to say Jo...

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Image: Heathrow and the plane to take us to Austin  

08.04.26: 36-8) Departure day, taxi arrives and we’re away

A few roadworks, but soon we’re through. Drop of at Terminal 2

Where my flight will start, looks real state of the art

Soon booked in. through customs to find I’d to leave my shampoo behind

Bit of a drag, it was in the wrong bag

Something else...

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My new suitcase and what would be my signature tee shirt for the tour worn on outword and inword journeys and at the first open mic of each area 

02.09.25: 1) August gone, the year rolls on

On the internet I’ve looked,

Flight, accommodation and car booked

Ready for what I hope 2026 will bring

Another Poetry Tour of Texas in the Spring

03.09.25: 2) Last n...

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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.  The raised areas in I20 Wildlife Preserve Midland 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) Ca...

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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 emmcee Zack at Freddo's helpin' Jojo get to the stage, her first performance after a hopspital stay, it was a great night, Zack is a great emmcee, the welfare of performers is always paramount to him.

10.04.25 - 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

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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 goin...

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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

...

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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 event...

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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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