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 been a real pleasure

Then he’s away but not before wishin’ the Yorkshire Lad

Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)

 

112)  The call of the bed the stronger, I get back in and stay for longer

Then it’s time to rise, shower an’ pack, ready for my journey back

To Austin before night, an’ get ready for tomorrows flight

After breakfast I take Ivy for one last walk, then me an’ Clark sit an’ talk

Soon it’s time to go but before I run, there’s on last task to be done

The Poet in Residence flag comes down, before The Road Poet leaves town

 

113) The Beast stowed, then I hit the road On the 2-8-1 give The Beast some gun

An’ reflect on last night an’ a job well done

We met to sing and say, for International AIDS Day

The closing event of my tour, wish there could have been more

But in the main. It was great meetin’ up with Daniel again

Cos’ I ain’t seen, him since 2019

Soon I’m really goin, so I get the music flowin’

Classics, Country an’ then some, an’ think “Austin here I come”

 

114) The miles fall away, at times I wish I was goin’ the opposite way

But Northwards I gotta run an’ reflect on last night, an’ a job well done

San Antonio’s past but the good progress don’t last

Traffic slowin;’ heavy goin’ Austin in sight, things are alright

Call at Thom’s bring him up to date, tell him first hand,

What went down in The Rio Grande

David’s there, he knows I’ve come far an’ asks if I still got the same car

Yes he’s told, an’ I’m thinkin’ this joke’ll never grow old

We talk about my return an’ I learn

In June, Thom’ll make his way to the UK

He shows me where he’s gonna be in 2023

Hopin’ it’s gonna be a blast, returnin’ to the UK at last

We all hug an’ once more away I’m bound, eventually the motel’s found

GPS tellin’ me the way at the end of a long day

So it’s book in, sort things out for tomorrow, poems to write

Then that’s it I’m done for the night