A nice day out...

We've packed quite a lot into today.

We started off by driving to Carter Lake, south of College Station where some friends of someone I had lunch with last week are sorting out his parents house in order to let it.  The old folks have moved into something smaller.  Their children looked weary with the effort of sorting out the parents accumulated belongings, every nook and cranny, every closet and shelf were packed!   The house is on the lake side and there's a shared boat/fishing dock...but although the waters were sparkling and tempting it's really too far out and we'd need two cars.  The house was rather gloomy and old fashioned, despite the glinting of the lake.  

Fanthorp Inn

We then headed further south to Navasota where we'd stopped before and had coffee at the garage diner and egg on toast before heading in the direction of Anderson where we hoped to visit the Fanthorp Inn, an old staging post.  Unfortunately it's only open at the weekends - so much for my research.  However, Anderson had an antique shop stuffed with, well, antiques and the building was so rickety that it seemed to shift as we walked round.

Peter was tempted by a three wheeler with a footplate on the back - rusty and impossible to get in an overhead locker, but he's a dreamer!  Fortunately the shop was closed when we walked back that way.  

Antique shop in Anderson

'Antiques' in Anderson

Shame they've been left to rust!

I'll take this one!

We drove on to Madisonville where we had lunch in the Walker Café.  Lots of stetsons on heads, big shiny belt buckles round ample girths and boots!   Note the old tin ceiling in the café and the red leather boots of the elderly gentleman at the next table and his hand gently massaging the hand of the much younger woman sitting next to him!  Texans are so friendly! 

Shucks, I forgot to wear my stetson...

Some boots! 

Healthy option

Dining in style

Everyone seemed to know everyone and there was a lot of greeting, handshaking, shoulder holding and moving from one table to another for a visit. We had grilled chicken cranberry salad with pecans and blue cheese and balsamic dressing.

We drove back to College Station and stopped off at one of the Malls where Peter bought me a handbag for my birthday, then back home but barely had we brewed a cup of tea when we got a message that we could go and see another house we had expressed interest in.  I may have explained that the house we are currently in isn't available in the autumn.  Back in the car and a short drive down town where a very pleasant couple showed us round a house that they rent out.  It will suit us fine, the rent is very reasonable, the neighbourhood quite convenient and the free shuttle bus goes to the university from a block away.   We hope to close the deal tonight and then I can stop worrying! 

Peter cooked tonight - his masterpiece spag bol and it was delicious!  What diet???