Although it meant back tracking for 40 miles each way we decided to to go and visit the Tabasco sauce factory anyway. As we drove the signs of oil industry began to emerge and one of the companies recognised by Alison was Halliburton, the company Ian works for.  

As we neared Avery Island we had to pay a toll of USD1on crossing the bridge, without knowing what it was in aid of. Probably just for the fun of it as the whole Island belong to the McIlhenny family! The factory tour was conducted with some humour and an 8 minutes film on the history of “Tabasco” which meant “land of hot and humid” in a language of the Central American Indian, according to the tour conductor.

The rest of the time was spent at the café and the goodies outlet even though we were given sample bottles of the various sauces produced. There are a whole range of produce which we didn't know existed and there was even Tabasco soy sauce believe it or not. Apparently the only salt used in the mix and put on the cask during the 3 years fermentation period is the salt found on the island itself. Read all about Tabasco sauce here. We had our own roast beef sandwich prepared earlier in the morning but the Tabasco sauce, the free sample of course, added made it taste even better.

According to the GPS we would arrive at Jack's by 6.30pm and at 3pm Alison called Adrianne to advise her of out ETA. By the time we stop to get Adrain something to eat and and with the slow moving traffic, it wasn't until7pm before we got to Jack's. We knew that Jack ad to go away but didn't know how long for and he expected us to remain in Houston until his return with the intention of taking us to their ranch in Albuquerque.

Jack and Adrianne have a really nice home set in a housing estate known as Crown Oaks with 7 acres to themselves. They could maintain 4 horses in the winter while in the summer sent two of the horses to their ranch. On arrival Adrianne enquired if we had anything to eat as yet and immediately pulled out the marinated steak she had ready on learning that we hadn't. The steak apparently came from their ranch and tasted great.

After dinner we chatted for a bit and then it was time to get showered and cleaned up. It was bliss to have a nice home to enjoy a good shower in. As I lay awake I thought it would be nice to go back to KL and start building a house....but when??