After hanging out with Phil and Jenny this morning, Jenny dropped me at Plano Downtown. It gave me a chance to explore the boutique-type shops and cafés. It's my kind of village. I haven't bought many items on my trip. Having to carry everything for two months makes one somewhat selective. I couldn't resist a beautiful pearl and crystal necklace. Chunkier than I'd normally select, but I absolutely love it. I then went back to the Fillmore Pub for late lunch. T...

After checking 'me' out of the hotel, and checking 'my bags' into left luggage, I've ventured out into Dallas. I use 'out' in the loosest terms, in that I didn't even have to step outside! I took the skywalk across the square to the Chase Tower. In actual fact it's probably just as well, as we saw ice blocks falling from one of the skyscrapers as it's thawing out here. Very dangerous! I'm sat in Starbucks having a latte. I know it's not everyone's cup of Joe, b...

I'm waking up in a cold icy Dallas, once again in a room with a view. This time over looking other sky scrapers in the financial district here downtown. I can see the Deloitte, Chase and Marriott buildings. I'm on the 16th floor, having taken the elevators in the North section of the hotel, fourth tower. It's a big hotel! Last night I checked-in at around 6pm. Most of my day was actually spent waiting for a delayed train. It arrived five hours late into Mineola...

I made my way from Pearl Street (downtown Dallas) to Plano Downtown (a cute village) on DART, a metro system connecting different parts of Dallas. The sun hasn't had a chance to thaw the ice yet, so I had to tread tentatively, weaving from one side of the street to the other finding less icy patches. I was 45 minutes early so I had 'drip coffee' and a lemon cake in Bake Rejoice. The bakery has multiple displays of wedding and celebration cakes. I then walked on...

Thursday evening I booked into a local inn in order to experience Mineola, a charming town with many antique stores. The first evening I was the only guest at the inn. I'm in the Cowan Room which along with the rest of the house and garden has been exquisitely decorated for Christmas. Breakfast is served downstairs and they'd laid it up beautifully for my first morning. They serve Beignet coffee from a Louisiana Roastery. It tastes (and smells) slightly toasty wi...