Image: Just outside Austin Airport Terminal making my way to collect my hire car, minus my suitcase which would arrive the following day

 

01.04.2017 - 13)

I rise, wash, dress, downstairs I’m bound

Trying not to make a sound,

Cup of coffee to bring me round

Then while family and Milo are sleeping, out of the house I’m creeping

Like a thief in the night, for the taxi to the airport for my first flight. 

 

14) Good run, roads clear, Manchester airport departure lounge I’m here

Book in I’m through security, no problem there too

Unlike last year when they thought they had something to fear

I got held up, by a small bottle of malt vinegar in my thermal cup

This year it’s in my case, a much better place

Now it’s wait, till I know which departure gate

30 minutes or so, so time for breakfast before I go

 

15) Breakfast had for this travelling lad,

Made the most of his egg and beans on toast

Now continue to sit and wait, till I know which departure gate

To begin the next part of my roam, so I may do an ET and phone home

 

16) Phoned home to say, things are going okay

Walked to the plane, it began to rain

Faster as we’re inside waiting, for takeoff it’s not abating

Takeoff, we’re soon above it in the sun, first flight begun

Southwards we go, Birmingham below, halfway to Heathrow

Land, change planes then hopefully away my 7th poetry tour of Texas, USA

 

17) Slight delay in landing, had to be understanding

Heathrow busy, no need to get into a tizzy

Land disembark at last, got to move fast

Tension abating, there’s a staff member waiting

Express connection card in hand that was grand

I was pleased, the tension further eased

Security knew and got us swiftly through, got there with time to spare

On board no need to frown, I’m smiling as I’m sitting down

In flight entertainment I’m knowing

How to use it and I’ve got country music flowing

All aboard, doors now shut, ok pilot let’s get going

Safety checks done, down the runway we run pilot gives the engines some gun

Take off and we’re away, look out Austin, The Road Poets on his way

 

18) We’ve just crossed the pond, Canada below, just over four hours to go

Not too taxin’ been sat eyes shut an’ relaxin’

Has inflight entertainment goin’ for a while, as we flew many a mile

Music an’ song, journey sure is long

Another thing to do, was play a game or two

But it’ll be grand when we land

And tonight I start my poetry roam, in Austin my spiritual Texas home

 

19) Flight time remaining now 1 hour 54, should land at 10 past 4

I’ll be glad when it’s past and the plane wheels touch ground, Austin at last

 

20) We landed at Austin, my spiritual home

To begin my 7th annual Texas poetry roam

Up to then I could tell, things had gone well

But I got to customs to find, my suitcase had been left behind

But spare clothing I didn’t lack, I always have spares in my backpack

Feeling somewhat slightly blue, nothing I could really do

So I’ll cope, cos’ the motel provides towel an’ soap

Eventually I got through passport control,

Picked up my car an’ thought “let’s roll”.

Remembering to drive on the right

As I headed for my poetry tours opening night