Welcome Home Alabama

In some way I was really pleased to be leaving Florida especially after the verbal abuse last night.  I crossed Perdido Bay bridge at 17.00 local into Alabama and spotted lots of old rusty abandoned cars as gate guards.  Got the wrong impression as no sooner had I gone a few miles when I encountered true southern hospitality.

Perdido Bay

Welcome to Alabama

Lillian's cafe beckoned me.  Kim & George made me feel very welcome, offered me a coffee and to stay for the pumpkin carving ceremony.  They told me that last week they had a very large fundraising party for breast cancer and hundreds of people held hands in a chain around the bay.

Lillian's Cafe

George & Kim

Met a fellow Brit called Vic Saul who is playing music tonight and he kindly gave me a copy of his album.  He has designed a revolutionary guitar which Gibson were close to producing.  Please check out his website at: www.victorsaul.com

                                                                                      

Vic Saul

George, Kim and several others have offered me a place to sleep for the night.  One kind gentleman even offered me a cabin on the beach!  However, I would rather camp in the grounds of the cafe to be close to my machine - I think they understand.  Kim let me, on the understanding that she brings me a coffee in the morning.

Such amazing hospitality!

As for the machine she is fairing extremely well.  Dare I say better than expected and no punctures yet.  Those tyres and inner tubes are well worth the money,  I even kipped in it for an hour outside a convenience store as my head cold really made me weary.  The temperature today started at a cool 16 degrees and maxed out at 27 degrees and 21% humidity which was perfect for cycling.

My thought for the day: 

When you go to the toilet you have generally to push the door or touch the door handle to go in and after washing your hands you have to touch the door handle to leave!  Surely you should have to pull to open and push with your body to leave?