DALLAS HERE WE COME

Yesterday was fun: a completely non-work day with a delicious Texas barbecue and a jam session with Westbound, Richie and Naomi's band.



Today we drive to Dallas where we hook up with the Redferns and I do my own inimitable thing in front of an audience of Dallas MUFONeers. I never know what people expect when they (especially in America) are awaiting an audience with me and Redders. Are they expecting two sober middle-aged writers of fortean stuff? Or are they expecting the gonzo hooligans of Three Men seeking Monsters? The respectable married men, or the weird bald brummie, and his fat hippie mate.



A little of both, probably.

THE NIGHT BEFORE

JON'S DIARY: Wednesday night. It's half past two in the morning. No matter how hard we try to be efficient about these things, we always leave it until the very last minute. We have crammed all my stuff into a suitcase, the big Sony camera bag, and my briefcase. Apart from that there are various odds and sods in the voluminous pockets of my leather jacket. Once again I find myself wearing my leather jacket as we set out on an expedition, not because it is sartorially elegant, but because it is comfortable, has lots of pockets and can carry more stuff.

It came from Texas originally back in 2003 when Nick and Dana Redfern took me to a Big and Tall man's shop in Nederland near Houston, so in many ways it will be going home.

Chocks away!

Biggles knows something is up - he has that look upon his face. I was running up and down the stairs like a flea in a jam pot yesterday, trying to gather everything together, and every time I came downstairs he wouild follow me around like a sticking plaster. I am sure he will have fun with Oll and Graham though - and Graham has promised to have him up in his bedroom at night. When we come back from Texas no doubt Biggles will know everything there is to know about online poker, Hawkwind and the joys of the odd can of lager.

Over the last few days I have accumulated lists of lists and have therefore become slightly confused as to what I was supposed to still do and what I have done! But everything that needed charging was duly sorted yesterday and last-minute washing and ironing successfully carried out (I haven't ironed anything for ages - I had almost forgotten how to tackle it!).

Later on today we shall set out on our first leg of the journey to Texas, and I am looking forward to seeing Naomi and Richie again, along with Nick and Dana Redfern and Ken Gerhard amongst others. That is if the US let me in of course - the photo in my passport does make me look like a cross between Ma Baker and Bonnie Parker - but I was having a bad hair day when the photo was taken and was less than half awake and therefore looked slightly shocked when the camera went click.

We will keep this blog updated as regularly as possible and look forward to our expedition to the Lone Star State revealing lots of interesting things about the blue dogs. And of course, as ever, I shall be keeping an eagle eye out for any amusing events and anecdotes concerning my poor beleagured husband.

See you later....