Holidays and absences [3]

I didn't realize the story was so closely auto-biographical. Will take another look, and our best wishes go with you!

I don't understand did your house explode?

anyway, come back soon.

"If I were to guess, since I'm clearly at home doing boring stuff"

that doesn't look very boring, it looks freaking amazing

I didn't realize the story was so closely auto-biographical- Halfy

{{Sorry shouldnt be here, really shouldnt I'm at work, still at least I have somewhere to be 2 nights a week! And yes sadly it is based on actual ongoing events, if filtered through Forumshire and the journalism of the NotP for better of worse. Its really personal therapy, a way to find humour in a situation that doesnt feel too funny to actually be in. }}

Wtf you're homeless?

ah shit that's bad news. if you need to crash in Scarborough I have a room free of charge. its shitty but its near the sea.

The humor has been wonderful. I don't think I could react so brilliantly to whatever exactly you are going through.

That's a thoughtful offer, Figgy, but given his need to commute to work I might as well offer my sofa in Manhattan.

Or my cabin in Commiefornia.

{{Figg that is super kind of you but sadly not practical as I have my work here and I'm full time carer to my mum, but the offer is greatly appreciated.

Humour Halfy is all there is left to fight the gloom off with. Fotunately whilst our world is often cruel and unfair, arbitary and semingly without care, it also goes about it in the most astonishingly stupid and convuluted ways, making almost any situation funny in some fashion. }}

Pettytyrant101 wrote:{{Figg that is super kind of you but sadly not practical as I have my work here and I'm full time carer to my mum, but the offer is greatly appreciated.

Humour Halfy is all there is left to fight the gloom off with. Fotunately whilst our world is often cruel and unfair, arbitary and semingly without care, it also goes about it in the most astonishingly stupid and convuluted ways, making almost any situation funny in some fashion. }}

well its there if you need it, although I haven't been back for two and a half years the room probably stinks.

I have to suppose you own the place. If it weren't for needing a crash pad when you go back it would be nice to rent out.

No, I don't own it Halfy, I rent it. I need a base in England for when I go back for long extended periods.

That's quite an expenditure when not there.   It's like you're a secret agent, having a place like that.  Do you have ones in Paris and Istanbul?

Its as cheap as chips so its not expenditure that costs much, I have kept it for 10 years. otherwise I would have to rent an apartment or get a hotel room and that would cost way more. Its a seaside holiday town and holiday Airb&b lets go for premium prices, and one month in a hotel is just not feasible.

I think it is Lance who has rooms in Istanbul and Paris along with his burner phones and secret escape routes.

Got sent this video by someone called "GreySquirrel@notMI6.com" and thought I would share it.

Looks like a nice holiday or whatever it was.

So... People that know the US well.

I am planning a fly-drive next year and our primary goal is to do the "musical" tour which is primarily going to cover Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.

Question is, we will be there for 2 weeks and that leaves us some other time to see a few other things and I am looking for anyone that knows of any other areas within a reasonable driving range (in total I don't want to have more than 5 or 6 sessions of driving and about 5 hours in any sessions... give or take a bit).

It doesn't seems like there is much to the north or west without a significant drive required. Niagra falls seems a little too far east unless there is somewhere worth stopping between there and Nashville.

Texas (for some ranching) seems a little far and Florida is something we do separately so nothing that way.

We have considered Chicago but that doesn't really seem like it would be more than a day or two.

Anyone have any ideas?

To close out the musical tour I would put Austin in there: it's a one day drive from New Orleans and well worth it.  The music scene along 6th street is jaw dropping, with a bit of everything but Texas rock reigning supreme. It's not for nothing they claim to be the live music capital of the world, though that's a bit of Texas exaggeration (I give the title to New Orleans).  I recommend staying at the Driskill hotel and hopefully they will have reopened their lounge area after closing it during covid.  You'll also get some amazing BBQ and mexican food throughout Texas.

Plenty of things to see driving day trips between Austin and San Antonio, and I would recommend stopping at Salt Lick BBQ (the one south of Austin) and check the schedule to catch some rollicking country western at Gruene Hall.  The River Walk in San Antonio is touristy but still worth a visit.

I haven't been to Nashville or Memphis, but suspect you don't need or want more than 2 nights at each.  To spend less than 3 nights at New Orleans would be a mortal sin, and I'd say do 4 nights if you have the time.  I can fill you in on my picks of things to see when the time gets closer.  Austin requires at least 2 nights, more like 3 if you are throwing in day trips.

You will be in the South.  DO NOT COME IN SUMMER.  Spring or fall are best.  I would recommend checking the festival schedules in New Orleans and then trying to avoid them: you are there for the city, not the tourists, and there's more than enough to see without a festival packing the bars and destroying the relaxation of the Big Easy.  I've always been there during conferences so can't fill you in so much on what to do during the day except explore neighborhoods away from the tourist hotspots.



My brother in law eating al fresco at Salt Lick BBQ (Driftwood, TX) on New Year's day.  They have a winery on the premises, so I'd suggest getting there before they close to pick out a bottle.



Gruene Hall. (The little blonde thing that pops into the bottom of the frame is my niece 5 years ago. Teenager now.)

Not posting pics or video from Austin or New Orleans because it would be endless.

That's awesome, thanks. I could see Austin on the map but didn't really think about going there.

We were looking to go after the UK summer holidays to avoid the tourists and ridiculous premiums involved during that time... so late August or September.

We aren't drinkers so the wine thing isn't relevant, but places to eat recommendations are definitely appreciated!!

I think we may start in Chicago given it is only a few hours travel down to Nashville and I am always partial to visiting a place that I see on TV all the time!!

I am surprised at how quickly you can go north to south in the US. Seems East to West is where you can soak up days travelling, which is annoying as Wyoming and South Dakota look like fun with Yellowstone and all of the ranches etc.

Avoid August!  Way too hot, you'll be miserable..  The later in September the better.

Chicago to Nashville is a long drive (though like you I'm surprised it's only about 7 hours!)  and not so music centric though it is an airport hub. You might go through Louisville to get a taste of old time southern style architecture, though it's of more interest if you're into bourbon.  I would call it a lunch stop as you will probably find some amazing food: focus on southern style cooking and loosen your belt before you sit down.

One again if your focus is music (and food) you'll want Austin, and it's a good airport to fly out of.  If pressed for time I'd favor it over Chicago. More of a cultural experience.

My other half has been to Chicago with work and liked it. I would like to visit even if only for a day to see the sites and then move on.

According to Google Maps it takes about the same time as the journey from New Orlenas to Austin. 7 hours is doable... 4 hours in the morning, lunch somewhere nice for a couple of hours and then 3 more to get there.

Any other stop-offs you think would be good on the 2 long drives would be good... food places, something in the outdoors, somewhere on the coast for the last drive.

On behalf of my country I apologize for the enforced boredom of being routed through Indianapolis and Houston. Take the beltways and don't stop.

I've already recommended the Driskill as the hotel of choice in Austin (it's just so cool, though hopefully the lounge will be open when you get there), though others nearby will do (favor south over west to get near the river).

For New Orleans you no doubt know to get in the French Quarter; but to be right in the middle of the music let me recommend the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Cool ass bar with blues every night, right across the street from my favorite music bar in the world (Fritzel's).

I'll provide more detailed tips as the trip approaches since I know both NOLA and Austin intimately, but getting the planes and hotels nailed down in advance is key.

Just noticed, is C Tupelo in your trip? Any particular reason for it? Not sure it warrants an overnight stay unless you know something I don't. Is it because of Elvis's birth place? I'd make it a day stop and push on for New Orleans unless you just want to soak up a small town atmosphere.

Yes, Tupelo is an Elvis stop off and I think it will be a stop, see stuff and then carry on.

The rest sounds cool. The hotel recommendations sound great, I will look them up. Flights won't be available for a few months so have to wait a bit but helps with understanding what I should be looking for when we get to it!

Just checked, the Driskill bar/lounge is open! That will be your starting point before the descent into madness any given night.