zimmers in texas

from gz and mz

All's well here. Still have jobs in an amazingly disjointed and strangley run project.

The last couple of weeks have been pretty hectic with sigh seeing and touristy things. Sat two weeks ago we went to the Aussie Bar expecting a bit of a taste of Australia but it was nothing like the land of oz. The only resemblence was a copule of items on the menu given Aussie names like Kangaroo wings ( i think they were chicken wings) and dingo dogs (revolting hot dogs in batter). There was a sand volley ball court in the beer garden and we saw a squirrel in the car park so it really was not very Australian. There is a new restaurant in town called the Boomerang and their special is Australian meat pies so we had better give that a try.

G&M Feed faces in fabulous Gaveston restuarant overlooking the beach.

Last weekend we headed off to Galverston and itwas a great weekend ( and yes Glenn sang most of the way). I expected it to be something like Straddie but it wasn't. There was a real mixture of the "Haves and the Have Nots" on the island. It was a really lovely island and the seafood restaurant was a "Lonely Planet" recommendation. There was a great fireworks display this night because it had rained on July 4th and they had to postpone the display. The waitress loved our accents and kept asking us to say "no". She said her mum loves watching McLeod's Daughters and that one day she would like to go to Australia ( like every other person we meet)
Galveston beach wating for next hurricane.

The island is very much under threat from rising waters and was the scene of the greatest disaster in US history back in 1900 when a hurricane washed most of it away. They finished up raising the whole island by 13 feet or so but it still doesn't look like a viable property market to me.
On the4th July we went to a baseball game out at Dell (as in the computer company) Stadium and watched the locals (Round Rock Express named after the town and the train line that runs behing the stadium. The train goes to San Antonio which of course provided another singing opportunity for Glenn- Folsom Prison) defeat the Albuquerque Isotopes (hand up those that can spell Albuquerque - I certainly can't without help). Surprised a few of the locals by knowing the rules. Being the 4th of July of course we were given our US flags to wave as we sang Star Spangled Banner and America the Brave during innings breaks. Fantastic. Fireworks were washed out at the end of the game though due to rain.
Bought a car during the week. I couldn't decide between a Dodge Neon or a Pontiac G6 so Meryl chose a Toyota corolla for us. A much more sensible option - so I am told. Anyway it's good on the petrol which everyone is screaming about the price of. It's over $3 per gallon now and may go higher they say.

Also went on a day trip out to Fredericksburg the weekend before last so we're thinking that we've seen just about all of Texas that we want to (except Laredo that is as I have another song I want to drive Meryl crazy with - The Streets of Laredo for you non country and western fans).

from mz


Band on rooftop in South Congress Ave

The first Thursday of each month is market night on SoCo ( that's South Congress Ave) and they give free drinks so we walked up and down the Ave. The shops are just amazing really quirky. We couldn't resist a visit to Allens Boots. There are thousands and thousands of cowboy boots for sale. They are every colour under the rainbow and I think I will have to buy a pair this winter. Glenn managed to find a leather coat that he liked so we bought that. We didn't manage to get any freebies but it was a good evening with people playing music every block .

I have finally found a restuarant that has great food. It is right next door to the Krispy Kreme Donut place but it is similiar to an Aussie pub and they have a selection of non deep fried food.
The weather is still great and our pigeons are starting to get quite big. I think it is time for them to start flying so we can get rid of the nest.

We have Mexico and Louisiana on our lists of next adventures. Will let you know how it goes.