Our day started with breakfast ..... Free breakfast because the lady at reception offered us a room with 2 doubles the night before. I said to Jack who was with me that he'd have to share a bed with his sister. To which he replied okay sure. With that the lady said that because he was so good shed give us a bigger room with a pull out sofa and throw breakfast in!!! Go Jack!!!

We head off from Hopewell/Chester in VA (Virginia) heading for Charlotte NC (North Carolina). A quick gas stop after 2 hours and coffee for the driver saw us head into North Carolina not long after. Adrian is finding the driving very stressful but doing a great job of it. One small slip last night where we turned right into the incoming traffic ( if which there was nine thank goodness) quickly rectified by up and over the island ( go the SUV) otherwise a sensational job by my man!!!

Our little GPS lady also works much better in day light and she successfully negotiated us into the Town Centre of Charlotte just after 2.00 pm. Eventually found a carpark in the city and ha a wander in search of lunch. Found Room 112 a sushi and Asian restaurant where we had a bite and sought the advice of the waiter re accommodation. We headed out and with the use of a coupon we came across booked two rooms for $49 including breakfast - definitely not the Sheraton but clean tidy and cheap!!!

Across the carpark is a restaurant called Cracker Barrel. It serves good old Southern food .. I had chicken and dumpling with breaded okra and sweet potato casserole served with corn bread y'all expect that now!!! Jack had the kids southern toasted sandwich and steak fries while Kate had a BLT salad with blue cheese dressing and Adrian had steak, coleslaw, corn and steak fries. Attached to the restaurant is the quaintest shop. Full of candy, jams, clothes, knick knacks it was very countrified in deed.

Radio on the WA down was very interesting - as soon as we hit NC we could only get the Christian channels but nothing like Light FM but all fire and brimstone preaching - very Southern Bible belt. Eventually we found another station that was still stain but not so much much fire but lots of old hymns. Interesting radio. Gas costs about $3.39 a gallon and the Duarango took 14 gallons!!!!! There 3.78 L to a gallon so still cheaper than in Australia.

We ave pre-booked accommodation in Savannah GA (Georgia) for tomorrow night so that is one less stress for Adrian. We also have only 3 1/2 hours on the road so hope to have more time to explore than we have so far. We actually cross three states tomorrow in that time so South Carolina is fairly small.
So until then, sweet dreams. Love to you all xxxxxx