We did thank our lucky stars for checking into Super 8 last night as this morning when we woke up it was piddling down with rain and it didn't stop until 10am. If we were camping we wouldn't be able to get out of the tent never mind preparing and having breakfast. In this case we did have a good breakfast and was all set to go by 11.15am.

I called Ian, my old Conway mate, before leaving and he told me that he had a medical appointment at 1.30pm but should be back at home by 3pm. It was fine with us as we could take a slow drive down to the village of Silsbee, where Ian lives. I had emailed Ian earlier in the week to tell him of our intended visit, so he was expecting us.

Before long it was already 1.30pm and Alison was complaining that she was hungry as we entered a town called Nacogdoches. It turned out to be the oldest town in Texas established in 1779, and the buildings in the town proudly retained their façade although the cobbled street looked like freshly laid with modern red bricks. It was unfortunate that we didn't find anything on Nacogdoches any earlier otherwise we could have stayed closer to the town and have a good wonder around on foot., (yes I can still walk around some distance before discomfort sets in). Read all about Nacogdoches here.

As there was no fast food outlet visible in town we headed out of town directly towards Silsbee with ETA of 4.30pm, (didn't realise how time flies) and we were supposed to be at Ian's just after 3pm. Alison found an outlet which sells fried catfish just down the road and was happy to get them for me to try. I wonder sometimes what goes in her head, whether she wanted to please me or have another agenda, although the former is more likely. I found the catfish tasted good and flesh soft very unlike eels which I didn't like when I tasted it.

We got into Silsbee about 4.20pm and by the time we found Ian waiting at the entrance to the private property” area it was 4.30pm. He looked better than I expected , thank God and could move around a lot faster than I could. Apparently he had got better and trying to regain his strength by exercising until recently he was told that malignancy in is throat had returned. He explained that he had to constantly drink water to sooth his throat as the saliva gland had been effected.

Today I got to now Ian a lot more and he was grateful to find and establish contact with his children. He constantly talked about them especially Aran his second son who had visited quite a few times during the last one year. He is coming for another visit in September and Ian will be spending X'mas with the family in Scotland, which the latter is looking forward to.

After 2 hours spending with Ian, we were sorry to leave. But as always all good things must end. Before leaving I gave him an MIM T shirt and Alison added a bookmark of the twin towers and we sadly said our goodbyes with a promise to keep in touch.

When we left I wondered why he didn't go back to the UK where he could be near is children but I guess he needed his independence and the place he was staying looked comfortably cosy and I was sure had given and still giving him some good memories. We ended up in Lumberton a few miles from Silsbee for the night and I chose not to camp tonight as it was already late although the weather was perfect with a slight breeze and temperature of 29 deg C.