Day 6

It's a 90 minute drive to San Antonio,
Guess where we're going - The Alamo!
Rex is loading water into a cool bag,
And Jen's on the deck having a fag.

I'm in the Office, the shipping all done,
Rex is now yelling, "It's time we were gone".
"Just give me five Rex", was Jen's reply,
"I haven't had time to make up my eyes".
"well hurry up then, you were up before seven,
I want to be there, at the latest eleven".

It was just after 9, at last we are off,
and Jen's under threat that she's not to cough.
I hear Rex saying, "Jen get in the back".
"But I get travel sick, I can't do that".
I'm in the middle - let me take the wheel,
I'll put 'em both in the back, then they'll be ill.

We're on I35, a fast Motorway,
We've done 45 minutes so we're about half the way.
Jen's looking around, lots of new things to see,
when all of a sudden she says to me,
"Are we stopping for coffee" - I felt the mood worsen,
When Rex answered back, "You've asked the wrong person".
"I've got the wheel and the brakes and I'm driving,
I'll stop when San Antonio we arrive in.

"If you want a drink there's water or tea",
"But if I drink all that, I'll just want to pee".
"If that's the case Jen", Rex went on to say,
"Get your waterworks seen to when back in UK".

Jen kept quite quiet as onwards he sped,
"We're almost there, look for signs", then he said.
We went off at the exit marked 'The Alamo'
To the right, then the left - in the car park we go.

From the car park there's approximately a 5 minute walk,
Jen and I lagged behind having a talk.
Rex strode ahead in his usual way,
"Does he always do that", Jen then had to say.
"I just wouldn't have it - I'd get so upset".
I'm guessing she's got Roger trained like a pet!

A few minutes later we arrived at the scene,
By this time our Rex was nowhere to be seen.
A Guide with a megaphone stood by the door,
He was waiting for people to join the next tour.

Jen wanted to know what it was he was saying,
And then I saw Rex, he was calling and waving.
"Hurry up now you two", he called out to us,
"Oh, for God's sake", Jen said, "What's all the rush".

"Rex, I wanted to read what it says on those signs".
"You can look at those later - you're lagging behind".
To the Alamo Shrine, there wasn't a queue,
He wanted us in before she needed the loo.
Jenny was flustered, "I don't know what the fuss is",
"Anytime now", Rex says, "There's gonna be 10 school busses.

We shuffle inside the Alamo Shrine,
Everyone is respectful in an orderly line.
It's cool and it's quiet except for Jen's cough,
A look all around and then we are off.

Back out of the building and into the gounds,
Rex wants to take photos as there's no-one around.
"In front of the door you two - what do you reckon"?
Jen's adopting the pose of Victoria Beckham.

"I could do with a smoke", Jen said, looking quite hot,
"If you light up round here", Rex said, "You're likely get shot".
As well as the smoke, Jen of course needs a pee,
Then she sneaks in a fag behind an oak tree.

Now after all this, it's back to the signs,
With the History of Texas set in a time line.
But lacking in caffine, she's now in a mood,
She's now on the hunt for coffee and food.

"Let's go on the Riverwalk, a local attraction"'
Says I, trying to get in on the action.
"There's a tram, get a picture", she says loudly talking,
"Don't cross the road there Jen, you'll be done for jaywalking".

The Riverwalk is what you'd expect it to be,
But when she sees water, she again wants to pee.
The walk it is lined with Restaurants and Inns,
With girls in short skirts trying to entice people in.

A few yards down the walk Jen spies a seat,
"You go ahead", she said "And find somewhere to eat".
What we didn't notice was the tub full of sand,
Jen did, she already had a fag in her hand.

Along the river we walked, we didn't go far,
When we came across and Italian Bar.
Rex said, "This looks like a nice little venue",
"Let's take a look at what's on the menu".

They had sandwiches - good, we want something light,
"Go back and get Jenny, we're go in for a bite".

We sat at a table overlooking the river,
Whilst over the menu Jenny did dither.
We all chose a sandwich on toasted bread,
"I don't want mine toasted", to the waiter, Jen said.
"We can serve you plain bread but it won't be so good,
Please try it toasted", Jen said she would.

Whilst waiting for food and drinking our cokes,
We watched going by, Gondalier style boats.
"Rex, take me a picture for me to show Dad,
My camera's not working and now I am sad".

The food it arrived, a 'loaf' served with fries,
Not only that - garlic bread on the side.
"I need some more drink", and just as she spoke,
The waiter arrived with a refil of coke.
We ate what we could - one meal would have served three,
And after a gallon of coke, we all wanted a pee.

It's time to go now, back to the car,
Rex had to get back before the rush hour.
We climbed up the steps, back to the road,
And followed behind Rex, as off he strode.

The trip back to Austin wasn't eventful at all,
We sped through San Marcus and the Outlet Mall.
"We're not stopping here Jen, 'cause you don't like shopping",
Too bad if she did, Rex wasn't stopping.

Back home in Austin, we stopped at Ben White,
(A boulevard) - because there was a red light.
As the light turned to geen, alarms bells rang,
As Rex started to move, there was a big bang.
It made us all jump, as you know it would,
When a barrier came down straight onto the hood.

On the train track there appeared to be a malfunction,
We couldn't pull over - we were at a junction.
Rex was upset - needless to say,
Jen and I just kept quiet for the rest of the way.

At home in the drive Rex looked at the damage,
Jen went upstairs - Rex she couldn't manage.
"I thought he'd start swearing and start carrying on",
Said she to me later, "Thought it best I was gone".
Rex isn't like that, he'd be so offended,
As long an no-one is hurt, a car can be mended.

We're now at the end of a near perfect day,
With a $500 deductible to pay.
So open the wine, lets drown our sorrows,
The Insurance Assessor is coming tomorrow.