Let's See What You Could Have Seen!

ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

The walls are paper thin and our neighbours watch TV and cough loudly until 1am. Then, a car arrives at 3am with noisy passengers. We have to wonder what kind of establishment this is. We're awake before 7am so RJ walks to Reception for a coffee. She returns with a different view of the hotel based on how nice the staff are. New sheets of directions have been printed. Additionally, the download didn't work overnight so we need a printout of those as well.

PG had put the parking brake on overnight and couldn't release it this morning. Concerned about the time to get to the parkrun, he drove with on, warning lights and bells sounding at regular intervals. It is applied with the foot but t the manual is needed to find that the release is worked by hand.

It's a fabulous morning, cold but the sun is shining as 30 runners assemble for the run. At least 20% are UK or Australian including Gary from Chelmsford who flew from Boston yesterday and is flying back on the 12:30 flight.

RJ walked with Parker Hudson, who described the history of the area including the fact that some of the Gone With The Wind battles would have taken place here. He writes Christian novels with mayhem and eventual redemption he tells us. Banana bread and coffee is on offer at the end, the bread is particularly moist and tastes excellent. A couple of runners talk at the end of the price of local runs. Next weekend' s half and full marathon cost $105 & $145 respectively.

On to Jonesboro. Unfortunately for RJ everywhere is closed at weekends. It became a case of "Let's see what you could have seen"! Even the soup on offer at the local cafe is cancelled on Saturdays.

Next to Covington and the hotel. It's a similar style to last night but miles better , and what's more, cheaper.

RJ found massage 4pm, 15 minutes away. We're early so we sit outside enjoying the sun. Note the amount of land the church sits in. A Spanish priest gives a humourous and moving sermon. Towards the end of mass, visitors are asked to stand and we're applauded and welcomed.

We plan to eat at the Mystic Grill recommended by the waitress in the Fig Tree cafe in Jonesboro. There's an hour's wait for a table so we walk around the square and have a cup of tea the Bread and Butter Cafe. The children's book lying on our table is called "Skippyjon Jones".

The food is not cheap but delicious. We choose local dishes, fried green tomatoes to share for a start then shrimp and grits for PG, meatloaf, Yukon mash and beans for RJ. There is a 3% discount on offer for cash! RJ tries a cocktail called "Mystic Midnight".