From bleak oil terminals, to verdant (and warm) country side.

You would not see British crops left out in the field so late in the year.

Following our long 300 mile day into Texas, and not stopping in Abbeville which was having its annual party, we did the only sensible thing we could. We ran back to Louisiana, a very short 75 mile, 1 diner, ride to the State Park near Lake Charles. A proper camp site in a swamp

With deer, squirrels, raccoons, alligators and.unfortunately mosquitoes. My back was like a pin cushion.

We also crossed paths for the 3rd time with "cycling man" (Scott) who is cycling from the east coast in Georgia to the West coast at LA. We first met him at New Orleans, then disturbed his sleep at Baton Rouge by arriving late and riding the bikes behind his tent.

Crossing into Texas further North, and it looks like a whole new place. Quiet roads, trees, green fields, thunder and lightening, unknown "critters" sniffing around the tent at night.

Its only Thursday and we have already had our weekend, last night in Austin we rode down "music street", had our bikes looked after outside a biker bar (which does the best micro brewed IPA I have tasted in a long while). We had a Texan BBQ and then free live entertainment, a great mix of C&W/Blues.

Then today, after a belting ride through "Hill Country", we arrived in San Antonio and our CouchSurfing host, Pamela, took us in to the middle of nowhere and presented us with Texas Pride BBQ as it was Bikers Night (sorry, Nite) where our bikes once again stood out and interest was shown, even by the back patch boys.

Boy, what a BBQ, it beat last nights hands down, they just pile it on by the 1/2lb. More live music (rock this time), and chats with the other bikers who all seemed to have comments and anecdotes about Mexico, some good and some bad.

Mexico beckons, but from what people have told us we need to see more of Texas first.

Point to note about food here, Breakfast Burritos are the future.
As opposed to this delight from Louisiana.