Image: The departure gate at Mamchester, may fly from there again.

 

03.04.14: 15) Last night I thought it would be fine

To go to bed at nine

Cos' this morning at half past four

The taxi woul dbe at my door

Straight to sleep and then

Woke up to find it was only quarter past ten

I hadn’t slept long but I’d slept deep

But the time made it plain, I could go back to sleep again

Four a.m. and out went my left arm switched off the alarm

Taxi due in half an hour,

No water in the bathroom for a shower

What really made me blue

Was there was no water elsewhere too

Now I’m thinkin’ it’s comin’ on strong

What else is going to go wrong?

But in the garage was a small store

Of bottled water we’d bought a few months before

A phone call then and there told us there was a leak elsewhere

And lack of H2O treasure was only a temporary measure

The bottled water would do, we could get a wash and drink too

To my delight taxi arrived on time something went right

And when on the M62, a text said “waters back on too”

I was glad but more so when my journey’s done

I’ve landed in Austin to the setting sun

And I can have my hygienic fix in my room at Motel 6

 

16) So far today’s gone ok, suitcase cleared and taken away

While I wait, till told to go to my departure gate

Breakfast here much better, freshly cooked to the letter

Unlike yesterdays with the consistency of rubber

Made me thinking “was it fried in whale blubber?”

Now rest in the departure lounge but I’ll be happier when

I’m on the plane takin’ off at five past ten

 

17) I’d taken the time to record my breakfast in rhyme

I told the staff they had a laugh

I gave them a copy and in their glee

Gave me a bottle of water saying it’s on us, it’s free

 

18) Now in flight, things goin’ alright

But it was found while on the ground

It didn’t seem neat, two of us had the same seat

A quick check revealed, and destiny was sealed

I’d got the right class but the wrong boarding pass

So I kept his seat he took mine, sorted, every thing fine

And of the coming flight we sit and ponder

When we’re once more in the wild blue yonder

 

19) We took off on time as expected once airborne I reflected

On yesterday when I found, the local airport fog bound

Thought “no need to feel blue

Cos’ technology should see us through”

But then news came to hand that certain planes couldn’t land

With the fog they couldn’t cope

The longer the wait, the shorter our hope

Thom helped in the fix, sorted things with Motel 6

The car hire firm, bless ‘em stood the cost,

Not charging me for they day I lost

I may not feel too blue

If the motel doesn’t charge me for the night lost too

But I’m on my way, though still over 9 hours away

I’m sure Thom’s blood won’t boil

If I’m a day late with Wendy’s Bourneville and his Olbas Oil

And hopes for a safe flight he’ll send

Knowing The Road Poet gets there in the end

 

20) New York passed, Philadelphia below

Onwards South West we go

Hopefully not to bereft, only an hour and 30 minutes left

But it’s been a good flight in the main

Perhaps I’ll fly from Manchester again

But I can’t help but say, "I wish it had gone alright yesterday"

 

21) Main flight past Atlanta at last

Just one flight to go and as far as I know

Everything fine it got here on time

But I’ll be glad when I’m on the plane

Heading for Austin when it’s airborne again

 

22) Now I’m on the final flight

Gonna arrive in Austin while it’s still light

Hire car should be ready, then take it nice an’ steady

To the motel and I’ll be lookin’

To see if they’ve kept my bookin’

Then hopefully a gig an’ make it clear

Once again The Road poets here

 

23) I collected my car, economy but I got more

Instead of two doors it had four

And to my surprise it was a luxury family size

But was it a hoot when I said “ how do I open the boot

Did they think I was talkin’ junk til I said “I mean the trunk”

Then uptown bound, my motel I found

To great elation, they’d held open my reservation

Then to Strange Brew bound but no Thom to be found

So register I did and goodnight I bid

And driving back at the end of a long day

It felt good like I’d never been away

And tomorrow Thom’ll learn of The Road Warriors* return

 

Thom nicknamed me this last year when I managed without using the sat nav on more than one occasion