Kitty! gets a scritch |
So, after months of planning the day finally arrived for my visit to Bryan. After 12 long hours of traveling I made it into Austin.
There was Bryan standing at the bottom of the escalator completely oblivious to me waving at him. Not sure what he was looking for but he didn't even flinch as I walked up to him and then when he did see me he wasn't sure it was me at first. Drive home was good. Bryan showed me all the sights of Austin and told me what it had to offer.
After eating at a the Central Market cafe, I was introduced to Kitty! whose first response was the roll over on to her back and demand a tummy rub. I think that was her way of making sure I passed the entrance requirement into her humble abode. Sweet little dog. Was given a grand tour of Bryan's place which seems to go on and on. Great place.
Next day started off (as promised) with a Kitty! walk, or rather her walking me. She sure is enthusiastic and insists on smelling everything along the way. Was gone for a good 45 minutes to tire her out. Big mistake - she has expected a walk every day since.
Next Bryan took me to his office to put faces to names. They all have it easy there…nice view. Bryan, as I keep saying, get rid of that couch - it's completely unnecessary! Unfortunately my opinion fell on deaf ears at the office, they all seem to love the couch. But I will change that. Just give me time.
Shopping is partly what I came here for. Discovered the local treasures of Austin and saw some great stuff that, yeah sure, I can get back home, but for half the price. Visa and MasterCard watch out.
Andrew practices his deep-throating technique!
Lunch came next at the strangest establishment I've ever seen - Rudy's BBQ. You literally pay to eat like a pig. Can't be bad. Ate too much though.
Bryan then took me on a bike ride to see the local Austin sights and sounds. We were gone for a good couple of hours. Haven't ridden in a while so the old bum was a bit tender after riding over all those humps.
I really liked the Town Lake Hike 'n Bike trail that had fabulous views of downtown Austin.
Here is a view down Congress Avenue and the Capitol at the end. The famous bats were not in attendance under the bridge.
As Bryan doesn't eat well enough (its all baaad food here!) I promised I would make him dinner - a typical British fare known colloquially as “Shepherd's Pie” or as Bryan liked to call it “Ground Hamburger and Mashed Potatoes” -
There's me trying to impress him with my culinary skills too - grrrrrr!
Still it lasted us two days and he seemed to enjoy it. So I'm gonna go back home and Mums will ask “What sort of food did you eat” and I will be like “Well, Krispie Kremes, muffins, and chocolate cake - that pretty much covers it” Oh yeah, and the odd burger too. Had to do a Wendy's.
Still, there is always the gym. Bryan's dragged me there a couple times. I'm on vacation here for pity's sake!
Hmmm what else? Well we've had a few Absolutely Fabulous fests - Bryan likes it that when I mimic the characters, my accent is real so it gives a better effect. Strange, I've watched them so many times but still saw new stuff in episodes I had never seen before.
Helped move Kristin into her new place as well. Pretty cool. Hope she settles well. Moving is such hassle. Still, I got more chocolate for my troubles. Got licked to death by her dog too. Great.
And here is Kristin's new house! Well, no, actually, it is a house just a couple down from her new place. Strange house by both our standards.
Bryan introduced me to the 'scene' that is Austin on Friday night. Completely different to London, but there was still a great atmosphere and music was good. Not as backward as I thought. My GOD the drink I got blew my head off. I can take a good drink but the one the barman served me 'Phew!!'
Saturday spent the day lounging with yet more shopping. Mr. Shopping Enabler so far has got me a cool pair of Oakley shoes (unbelievably cheap) and an Old Navy top, but won't be long before he's at it again.
I need more stuff before I go. Must get more, must get more. I've decided to raid Bryan's closet too. Some nice stuff there. He has too much so a few things 'borrowed' wont go a miss I'm sure.
Saturday evening we went to this party in the middle of nowhere with Earnest, John and Noko.
The party was well put on by a bloke named Allen, and the setting was like a traditional country ho down. Here I am at the “Country Store” building.
Quick snap of Earnest and Bryan.
There were about 50 people, and the crowd listened while DJ Rick Debaros spun music.
I said I might get a bit tipsy, and Bryan said he was gonna leave me there. Fine by me - hey there was alcohol and music- can't be bad.
I also met Marty, a friend of Bryan's who is totally into Kylie Minogue. We chatted a bit about our favourite artist, and it was cool to compare notes about her.
We left the party about midnight, just as the party was starting to get going. We went home and snuggled up and watched 28 Days Later, and Bryan got all scared.
Sunday gonna get photographed and try and make it to San Antonio. More shopping. What is a gal to do?
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