Well the road trip has begun with a 5 hour drive in B&K’s suped up VW GTI down to Thomasville, GA near the Florida state line. B&K were on their way down to Florida for the holiday and since B will be picking me up on the way back to continue our trip it seemed pertinent to drop me off rather than back track to get me from Aiken, SC. The trip felt shorter than it’s 5 hours, purring down the road in the VW with the occasional ‘pshhh’ sound from the dump valve in the engine and throaty bass from the exhaust.

Currently I’m staying with my friend K and yesterday enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving day with K, her family and their friends – about 30 of us altogether out at her parents farm. I’ve known K for nearly 15 years, we worked together and she was there when my son was born, actually she videoed him being born (yes, crotch shot)! (Not a friend you want as an enemy with stories like that one!)

The family prepared food and bustled around the house making everything just so. One thing about being a ‘guest’ in the South is that you’re never just a guest. Southern hospitality welcomes you in with hugs and squeals of delight and then puts you straight to work helping get prepared for whatever event is happening which usually results in a kitchen full of women busying about whilst all the men disappear off the face of the earth (or usually out hunting).

After several hours in the kitchen and many unnecessary worries about ‘not having enough food’ when clearly there was enough food to feed everyone in China a 3 course meal – we set out 40 dishes and desserts for the many people who poured into the house to enjoy the day. Those who couldn’t make it were sent home plates full of Turkey, Ham, Field Peas, Sweet Potato Souffle, Pecan Pie, Collard Greens, Pound Cake, Cheesecake, Cheese Ball, Crackers, Creamed Potatoes.. etc.

When I was so full I could no longer walk I spent the rest of the afternoon tearing around the farm on a 4wheeler and taking photos with Kim.

Such a good day.

Today will be a little less busy and tomorrow I’m looking forward to a couple of days hanging out with my friend J who is driving 5 hours up from Florida to see me. We haven’t seen eachother since 1992 when we worked together at RAF Bentwaters in the UK. I can only hope we can find something active to do which doesn’t involve lifting a fork to my face.