Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 22 July 2013, 08:58:33
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So here I am for the first time in Houston, Texas! A good friend of mine lives here and has taken his family off for a few weeks holiday vacation and I'm here looking after the dog, 2 cats, house and swimming pool!! 8)
A few initial observations.
1) American people are extremely friendly and very nice! :y
2) Things are surprisingly expensive. I'm really talking groceries and food in general which shocked me when I went to the supermarket and filled a basket with basics, bread, milk, eggs etc and it cost almost twice what I was expecting! :o
3) I thought that the majority of cars would be American brands, but not so,it's mostly Japanese, Korean, and German marques. The Americans dominate the big pick-ups and I've seen a few Dodge Chargers. I've found that surprising! :-\
4) It's hot and it's humid! :)
5) 1 dollar notes are a pain in the arse! ::)
6) I don't know how much to tip the cute barmaid down the local! A pint costs $4 and I've given her an extra dollar.... :-\ She seems happy.... ::)
7) BMW drivers are cocks here as well!! ;D
More to come I'm sure!! ;) Happy Days!!! :y
PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
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Lived in Houston for 2 years, 1999-2000.
Loved the place.
They don't call it the Silicone centre of USA for nothing, if you know what I mean!
Have fun!
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PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
Please elaborate :-X
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Turn on more of the British accent, American ladies love that.
Although the not so bright ones do easily get confused, one lady was certain I was Irish ::)
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So here I am for the first time in Houston, Texas! A good friend of mine lives here and has taken his family off for a few weeks holiday vacation and I'm here looking after the dog, 2 cats, house and swimming pool!! 8)
A few initial observations.
1) American people are extremely friendly and very nice! :y
2) Things are surprisingly expensive. I'm really talking groceries and food in general which shocked me when I went to the supermarket and filled a basket with basics, bread, milk, eggs etc and it cost almost twice what I was expecting! :o
3) I thought that the majority of cars would be American brands, but not so,it's mostly Japanese, Korean, and German marques. The Americans dominate the big pick-ups and I've seen a few Dodge Chargers. I've found that surprising! :-\
4) It's hot and it's humid! :)
5) 1 dollar notes are a pain in the arse! ::)
6) I don't know how much to tip the cute barmaid down the local! A pint costs $4 and I've given her an extra dollar.... :-\ She seems happy.... ::)
7) BMW drivers are cocks here as well!! ;D
More to come I'm sure!! ;) Happy Days!!! :y
PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
Never been to Texas, but I am sure you are finding the same as in any other American State - well, maybe apart from New York City!!- that it is a great place with lovely people. As you say the Americans are very friendly and welcoming, especially once they hear your British accent. In fact the more isolated the place you are visiting, off of the usual tourist attraction areas, you will find the American welcome an even greater factor.
Yes, I noticed the last time I was there in the States in 2010 that the "American" car brands had been overtaken by "foreign" makes. When I went to the States for the first time in 1990 it was still a time for big American made beasts - we hired a Ford Crown Princess Victoria 5.5 litre 6 seater all electric beauty then - in 2010 we hired a Toyota 8 seater as there was little other choice as far as the hire company was concerned. What a change in the home of the automobile, and no wonder Detroit has gone bust! :( :(
If you tip staff my American friends reckoned it should be in the order of 10-15% of the total bill.
Just enjoy your time there Tigger! :D :D :D :y :y
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How long are you there for? Might have some excess baggage for you ::)
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PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
;D
Oh you jammy budda , id love to go to the states and in fact would like to live there .. surprised at what you said about the cost of things ???
Ps I love silicone :-* :-* ;D
Have a great time
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Although the not so bright ones do easily get confused, one lady was certain I was Irish ::)
I got asked if I was Australian.. while the Australian I was with got asked if he was British.. ??? ;D
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PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
;D
Oh you jammy budda , id love to go to the states and in fact would like to live there .. surprised at what you said about the cost of things ???
Ps I love silicone :-* :-* ;D
Have a great time
I really mustn't post when inebriated! :-[ I guess better here than facebook! ;D
Petrol is of course very cheap, about 50p a litre so filling up the big beasts isn't breaking the bank! :y They moan about the cost of 'gas' though.... ::) but they are very shocked at how much we pay for petrol... :o ;D
I havn't seen a diesel car yet and even if you had one I'm not sure where you'd buy fuel as I havn't seen a diesel pump at the filling stations... :-\ I'm driving my mate's wife's Audi Q7 3.6 V6 which is veeery nice! :y I also have the keys to the Jag XK and it will be very rude not to take it for a spin, after all it's a Jag a needs a run now and again! ::)
I havn't really got my head around the healthcare situation here yet. The neighbour told me that he pays $3600 a month for him and his wife! :o :o :o They're in their late 50's and in good health, so it must be a top notch policy or there's something he's not saying..... :-\
I was asked for ID yesterday in Walmart when I bought some beer, confused the hell out of the girl at the checkout when I presented my British driving licence! ;D I'm 44... :) God Bless America!! ;D ;D ;D
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PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
;D
Oh you jammy budda , id love to go to the states and in fact would like to live there .. surprised at what you said about the cost of things ???
Ps I love silicone :-* :-* ;D
Have a great time
I really mustn't post when inebriated! :-[ I guess better here than facebook! ;D
Petrol is of course very cheap, about 50p a litre so filling up the big beasts isn't breaking the bank! :y They moan about the cost of 'gas' though.... ::) but they are very shocked at how much we pay for petrol... :o ;D
I havn't seen a diesel car yet and even if you had one I'm not sure where you'd buy fuel as I havn't seen a diesel pump at the filling stations... :-\ I'm driving my mate's wife's Audi Q7 3.6 V6 which is veeery nice! :y I also have the keys to the Jag XK and it will be very rude not to take it for a spin, after all it's a Jag a needs a run now and again! ::)
I havn't really got my head around the healthcare situation here yet. The neighbour told me that he pays $3600 a month for him and his wife! :o :o :o They're in their late 50's and in good health, so it must be a top notch policy or there's something he's not saying..... :-\
I was asked for ID yesterday in Walmart when I bought some beer, confused the hell out of the girl at the checkout when I presented my British driving licence! ;D I'm 44... :) God Bless America!! ;D ;D ;D
:o :o :o This is good enough reason to emigrate and live off scraps of food whilst running a V8 ;D ;D There's been a heatwave here since you went ::) Sooner be in the usa though any day , sitting by the Olympic size swimming pool with me gal from hooter's :P :D
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As I understand it, it is almost cheaper to eat out than buy food and prepare it yourself. Really must get over there at some point, sooner rather than later ::)
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My son who lived in Stockholm for quite a few years moved to Los Angeles at the beginning of last year,after a brief sojourn there he then moved to a place called Dublin in San Francisco.I'd love to go see him [and his new wife and stepdaughter]but sadly the dragonladies health issues preclude this.Shortly after his move to Los Angeles he bought a new Ford Focus which oddly enough came with the winter pack fitted!!I'm sure that'll come in really useful where he's living!
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I'm really jealous. I'd love a trip llike that.
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So here I am for the first time in Houston, Texas! A good friend of mine lives here and has taken his family off for a few weeks holiday vacation and I'm here looking after the dog, 2 cats, house and swimming pool!! 8)
A few initial observations.
1) American people are extremely friendly and very nice! :y
2) Things are surprisingly expensive. I'm really talking groceries and food in general which shocked me when I went to the supermarket and filled a basket with basics, bread, milk, eggs etc and it cost almost twice what I was expecting! :o
3) I thought that the majority of cars would be American brands, but not so,it's mostly Japanese, Korean, and German marques. The Americans dominate the big pick-ups and I've seen a few Dodge Chargers. I've found that surprising! :-\
4) It's hot and it's humid! :)
5) 1 dollar notes are a pain in the arse! ::)
6) I don't know how much to tip the cute barmaid down the local! A pint costs $4 and I've given her an extra dollar.... :-\ She seems happy.... ::)
7) BMW drivers are cocks here as well!! ;D
More to come I'm sure!! ;) Happy Days!!! :y
PS: Just reliased it's 3am here! :o I got a girl back from the local, but she made her excuses and left... :-[ I think we're going mountain biking tomorrow, but it's not quite what I had in mind..... :-\ ::) ;D
1 Most are. :y
6 Usually anything over $10 its 10% and below that its $1. :y :y But if you really want her to be your friend ::) ;) tip more than 10% :y :y
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1 Most are. :y
6 Usually anything over $10 its 10% and below that its $1. :y :y But if you really want her to be your friend ::) ;) tip more than 10% :y :y
Just make sure she's not married to the bouncer ::) ;D
Not heard from Mr.T today , he must be out driving that jag :D
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Indeed!! :) I took the Jag out for spin yesterday, up the interstate for about 40 miles to get clear of the city and then found some nice country roads to blast along at 55mph... ::)
Coming back into Houston, I pulled off the freeway to set the satnav for home, parked in a supermarket carpark and then realised I was in a somewhat rough area and people were giving me and the car the once over!! :o So a sharp exit was in order and I got home in one piece!! :)
I did about 120 miles and used nearly half a tank!!! ::) A lovely car, that really has the grin factor when you plant your right foot and get that big V8 rumbling!! :y
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Indeed!! :) I took the Jag out for spin yesterday, up the interstate for about 40 miles to get clear of the city and then found some nice country roads to blast along at 55mph... ::)
Coming back into Houston, I pulled off the freeway to set the satnav for home, parked in a supermarket carpark and then realised I was in a somewhat rough area and people were giving me and the car the once over!! :o So a sharp exit was in order and I got home in one piece!! :)
I did about 120 miles and used nearly half a tank!!! ::) A lovely car, that really has the grin factor when you plant your right foot and get that big V8 rumbling!! :y
Interstate sounds better than motorway ;D How much to fill the jag back up in english ::) Not much :(
Yes best not to stop in a strange area where those hillbillies are roaming :D :o
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Those glamorous women that stand on the corners giving directions are a sign that you might be in the wrong place ;D
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I accidentally stopped in The Bronx on the way into NYC. We were the only white faces for miles around.We got some strange looks when we went into McDonalds to use the toilets. ::) ;D
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Look theree's a whaaat boy in a Jag-u-aaaar!!! :o ;D
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I accidentally stopped in The Bronx on the way into NYC. We were the only white faces for miles around.We got some strange looks when we went into McDonalds to use the toilets. ::) ;D
Don't suppose your accent help matters either ::)
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My accent is a bit of a mixture,so it probably confused them. ;D
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Look theree's a whaaat boy in a Jag-u-aaaar!!! :o ;D
:D :D :y
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I accidentally stopped in The Bronx on ......
I did the same in Moss Side ....... ??? ??? ??? ;D ;D
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International football tonight!! :)
Houston Dynamos 2 - Stoke City FC 0 ;D ;D ;D
Stoke were absolutely dire and will be going down this season based on that performance! :-\
Bloody hot though about 32 degrees and 90% humidity and we were up in the gods under the canopy which was radiating the days heat down on to us!! :o Pheweee it was Betty Swallocks!!! :(
It was a good atmosphere though, you can buy beer in the ground and it's much more family orientated than in England and everyone was uber friendly! :y One chap make us chuckle when he was complaining that Houston's Quarter Linebacks weren't very good.... :-\ ::) ;D
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Never mind that ::) , get back in the V8 and tell us some more stories from the bronx :D
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I went to a gunshow yesterday, which apparently are a regular weekend event here in Houston. It was a very surreal experience walking around the trestle tables loaded up with weaponry of every description when the place had the family atmosphere of a summer village fete. ::)
In Texas you can carry a gun in public if you have a 'Concealed carry permit' so evidently when wandering around the shops many of my fellow shoppers here have a gun in their pocket or handbag... :o ( and I thought they were pleased to see me!! ;D ) My mate said that many of the international companies here made it company policy not to allow guns on company property, but the Texas legislature promptly changed the law to prevent companies restricting gun owners like this, but they eventually compromised and now they have to leave their guns in the car. ;D
As well as the dealers at the show there were also quite a few private sellers and I got chatting to a chap in the 'restrooms' with a semi automatic assault rifle slung over his shoulder that he had for sale for $1500. I asked him if he would sell it to me as a foreigner, of course he replied, but he would need to see some sort of ID with a Texas address as he would have to 'fill out a form'. So no background checks required or the need for a licence. I jokingly asked him if we could do a quick deal in the car park without the need for paperwork and he said 'No Sir!', but I got the feeling that if enough cash was waved under his nose I would now be the proud owner of an assault rifle! :o
I think I kind of expected people to be suspicious of my motives for going there, but all the dealers and people were friendly and were just as curious about gun control in Britain as I was here. :y I was however careful not to criticise US gun laws as I don't think it would have taken much to prompt a kicking round the back!! ::)
More from the Lone Star State to follow! :y
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Sounds like you're having a blast! Keep the reports coming :y :y
Always wanted to visit America , and all things being well we plan to take the little un to Disneyland for her 10th birthday. She's 3 months old, better start saving !! ;D ;D
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One of the lads at work went to visit relatives in Austin Texas. He went into a Wall Mart/other for a few groceries and a bottle of gin, he looked, found the rows & rows of fire arms but couldn't find the booze section. A member of staff reminded him that 'hard liquor' can only be bought in a 'liquor store' and when back at the car it has to be carried in the 'trunk'. His (female) cousin carries her pistol in the glove box!!! ??? ??? ???
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One of the lads at work went to visit relatives in Austin Texas. He went into a Wall Mart/other for a few groceries and a bottle of gin, he looked, found the rows & rows of fire arms but couldn't find the booze section. A member of staff reminded him that 'hard liquor' can only be bought in a 'liquor store' and when back at the car it has to be carried in the 'trunk'. His (female) cousin carries her pistol in the glove box!!! ??? ??? ???
I wonder what they think out there when you say boot :-\ Or bonnet ;D
Looks like Sir Tiger is getting the hang of the place now ::) Worrying about all the guns though :(
Ps ... the summer is over here now so you can come back ;D
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A bit about Dawgs! :)
Lots of American people have dogs as we do in Britain. However it is state law here in Texas that dogs have to be on the leash at all times in a public place. Not a bad thing really in my opinion. :y
I didn't know this at first so when I took my mate's soft Lab to the park I'd let her off the lead in a quiet spot so I could throw a ball for her, I didn't understand why people were staring at me!! :-\ ::) Then it was explained! ;D There are special parks here where you can let your dog off the lead and they are called 'Bark Parks' and they have lots of American style plastic fire hydrants dotted around! ;D
The other funny thing about folk with their dawgs, is that if you're going down the road with the dog (on a lead) and someone comes the other way, they will give you a wide berth and usually their dog goes nuts when they see Pippa (The Lab). My mate said that they will never let dogs socialise or just say hello to each other and that's why peoples dogs go nuts when they see another dog, because they are desparate for a little doggy company! :-\
My guess is that the owners are scared that if the dogs kick off, and the other persons dog gets injured then they will get their arse sued off!! ::) It's a bit sad for the dogs though!! :-\
Now have a nice evening Y'all!! :y
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Another convert to the American lifestyle 8)
If you are flying back on United let me know the details :y
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The wife & I both love the USA ,we have friends in Santa Monica visited them a couple of years ago, I didn't want to come back home!!
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Me too.If I were a rich man I would take a whole summer to tour Italy,and then a couple of years touring the U.S.
Had a fortnight there in 2000.Didnt want to go at all tbh,but once I was there I really didn't want to go home.
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Me too.If I were a rich man I would take a whole summer to tour Italy,and then a couple of years touring the U.S.
Had a fortnight there in 2000.Didnt want to go at all tbh,but once I was there I really didn't want to go home.
I've never had much interest in coming here before now, despite travelling extensively elsewhere. However all of my cynical preconceptions of the US have been well and truely kicked into the ditch! Loving it and I'll be back! Yee Haa!!! :y :y :y
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Me too.If I were a rich man I would take a whole summer to tour Italy,and then a couple of years touring the U.S.
Had a fortnight there in 2000.Didnt want to go at all tbh,but once I was there I really didn't want to go home.
You could do it now :y. Buy this off Ebay. Needs a wash and a bit of sorting. You have the tow car, ariverdici! :y
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compass-Commodore-340-Rallye-Caravan-Vintage-Retro-80s-/121150712419?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item1c35252a63
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Me too.If I were a rich man I would take a whole summer to tour Italy,and then a couple of years touring the U.S.
Had a fortnight there in 2000.Didnt want to go at all tbh,but once I was there I really didn't want to go home.
You could do it now :y. Buy this off Ebay. Needs a wash and a bit of sorting. You have the tow car, ariverdici! :y
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compass-Commodore-340-Rallye-Caravan-Vintage-Retro-80s-/121150712419?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item1c35252a63
That would make a great little work shed :P
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we did 3500 miles in a hire car the other year, every 300 miles stick a tenner in the tank,
didnt meet one person who was unfriendly.
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Agreed we found them really friendly & willing to talk ,especially when they hear the English accent, they are also proud of their country, they appear to have most things just right, I know there are bad areas in the USA but the nice areas certainly make up for that.On our last morning there we had a terrific breakfast at a Beverley Hills restaurant, the cost 8 dollars each,on our return to England I was somewhat depressed I really didn't want to be here ,should I ever be lucky enough to get my 6 numbers up in the lotto I would move the whole family over there.
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Almost some V8 action as I went here today! :)
www.texasdirectauto.com
It's a massive dealership with thousands of ve-hic-als!! :o I was going to try and blag a test drive in a big pickup truck, but I needed a US driving licence and insurance. :'(
I did have a good look over a Chevrolet Silverado LTZ, which is a beast of a 5.3ltr V8!! :) It was surprisingly plush in the cab with full leather and loads of toys! The air conditioned seats were very impressive and the front and rear cameras probably essential!! ::)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Silverado-1500-REARVIEW-CAM-2014-CHEVY-SILVERADO-LTZ-CREW-CLIMATE-LEATHER-319-MILES-TEXAS-/190875238166?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c710cff16#ht_27097wt_1165
Second hand cars here seem to hold their value well. I've been thinking about the best car for my hypothetical roadtrip around the US and have settled on the Chevvy Suburban, as they're massive and with all the seats folded down you can lay down flat in the back! The Hotel Chevvy!! :y
So I spotted this in the lot...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Suburban-ONE-OWNER-2004-CHEVY-SUBURBAN-2500-LT-QUADRASTEER-HTD-LEATHER-DVD-TEXAS-DIRECT-/190874319752?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70fefb88#ht_25843wt_1165
Interestingly the price at the dealers was about $17,000!! :o but on their ebay shop it's quite a lot less!! :-\ Typical dealers hey! ::)
Might try a smaller dealers while I'm here for that test drive!! ::) ;D
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I'd fancy one of these, yes, yes I know it no doubt handles like a skip, but still :-*
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-WE-FINANCE-2010-CHEVY-CAMARO-2SS-AUTO-HTD-LEATHER-SPOILER-20S-25K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/190868879297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70abf7c1#ht_21935wt_1165 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-WE-FINANCE-2010-CHEVY-CAMARO-2SS-AUTO-HTD-LEATHER-SPOILER-20S-25K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/190868879297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70abf7c1#ht_21935wt_1165)
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I'd fancy one of these, yes, yes I know it no doubt handles like a skip, but still :-*
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-WE-FINANCE-2010-CHEVY-CAMARO-2SS-AUTO-HTD-LEATHER-SPOILER-20S-25K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/190868879297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70abf7c1#ht_21935wt_1165 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-WE-FINANCE-2010-CHEVY-CAMARO-2SS-AUTO-HTD-LEATHER-SPOILER-20S-25K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/190868879297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70abf7c1#ht_21935wt_1165)
Stupid boy Pike ::). That has a VXR8 chassis under it :y
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I'd fancy one of these, yes, yes I know it no doubt handles like a skip, but still :-*
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-WE-FINANCE-2010-CHEVY-CAMARO-2SS-AUTO-HTD-LEATHER-SPOILER-20S-25K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/190868879297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70abf7c1#ht_21935wt_1165 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-WE-FINANCE-2010-CHEVY-CAMARO-2SS-AUTO-HTD-LEATHER-SPOILER-20S-25K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/190868879297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c70abf7c1#ht_21935wt_1165)
I sat in one the other day Tunnie and wasn't impressed! :-\ They look awesome, but the interior was black plastic and felt cheap and nasty! :( Besides that it was only a 3.6 V6..... Pah!! ::) Although there was a little badge under the 3.6 V6 badge which proclaimed 'Extra Power' ;D :-\
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That only 3.6 chucks out near enough 280bhp :y
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Silverado-1500-REARVIEW-CAM-2014-CHEVY-SILVERADO-LTZ-CREW-CLIMATE-LEATHER-319-MILES-TEXAS-/190875238166?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c710cff16#ht_27097wt_1165
Quite cheap ain't it ::) It just has to be a crew cab to fit in to the surroundings , would be better with the cow horns on the hood :D ;D
I dont know about anybody else on here but ive always associated the US with the V8 and petrol head heaven :) :)
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Another good reason to move to the USA their cars!! We hired a new Mustang convertible when we were there, living the dream !!
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Another good reason to move to the USA their cars!! We hired a new Mustang convertible when we were there, living the dream !!
Now this is not a girlie soft top , a V8 for the boys :y
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That only 3.6 chucks out near enough 280bhp :y
Gotta be a V8 Mate!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Do you really think i would hire anything less than a V8 come on guys, MX5s etc are girlie cars, I had to have the V8 didn't want to get shown up by our friends Shelby.
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That only 3.6 chucks out near enough 280bhp :y
Gotta be a V8 Mate!!! ;D ;D ;D
You misunderstand ::) I'm fully with you on the V8 way of thinking :y but credit where it's due, 280bhp from a normally aspirated V6 is by no means shabby :y
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Mornin' all!! :) Just in and well pished!! Yee haa!! :y :y :y
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Mornin' all!! :) Just in and well pished!! Yee haa!! :y :y :y
;D
Have you tried the macdonalds yet ? They are supposed to be 3 times as big as here :-\ Or dunkin doughnuts :P
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Don't forget KFC by the time you add your biscuits, cream potatoes & corn, and 2 litres of coke you need 2 trays to carry it !!
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Did someone just say creamed corn 8)
Love the stuff ::)
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Did a Texas road trip with my ex-mrs who was from fort worth...stayed in ft worth, went to dallas, drove to Houston, san Antonio and Galveston on the gulf of mexico.
loved it. could move there tomorrow.
ask any waitress for some ranch dressing in your English accent ;)
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I had a bit of a struggle the other day trying to buy a bottle of water and the waitress just couldn't understand what I wanted. :-\
My mate sat trying not to laugh and eventually chipped in with ' He wants a bottle of waader! ' ::)
She got it! ;D
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Any creepy crawlies that your not familiar with out there , i mean the ones with teeth :( :( ;D
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Any creepy crawlies that your not familiar with out there , i mean the ones with teeth :( :( ;D
Probably a few creepy Texans!! :-\ ;D
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So the last word from Texas! :(
It's hot, humid and the natives are friendly!! :) All in all it's a very easy place to be and I can understand why my friends have settled here! :y
It's been a great trip and I'd love to come back sometime!! In fact my mate and I have been plotting a fishing trip.... They fish for Bullsharks off the beach here!!! :o One chap I spoke to said he'd caught a 6 footer!!! :o So will have to give that a go one day but will have to save my pennies!!! ::)
So long Texas, it's been a blast!!! :y :y :y
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So the last word from Texas! :(
It's hot, humid and the natives are friendly!! :) All in all it's a very easy place to be and I can understand why my friends have settled here! :y
It's been a great trip and I'd love to come back sometime!! In fact my mate and I have been plotting a fishing trip.... They fish for Bullsharks off the beach here!!! :o One chap I spoke to said he'd caught a 6 footer!!! :o So will have to give that a go one day but will have to save my pennies!!! ::)
So long Texas, it's been a blast!!! :y :y :y
I would like to one day :y Glad you enjoyed it and sounds like you too could be a new settler sometime . Sharks fishing from the beach :o Not a place for a morning dip then ;D
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So the last word from Texas! :(
It's hot, humid and the natives are friendly!! :) All in all it's a very easy place to be and I can understand why my friends have settled here! :y
It's been a great trip and I'd love to come back sometime!! In fact my mate and I have been plotting a fishing trip.... They fish for Bullsharks off the beach here!!! :o One chap I spoke to said he'd caught a 6 footer!!! :o So will have to give that a go one day but will have to save my pennies!!! ::)
So long Texas, it's been a blast!!! :y :y :y
I would like to one day :y Glad you enjoyed it and sounds like you too could be a new settler sometime . Sharks fishing from the beach :o Not a place for a morning dip then ;D
It would be fine,you go first while I paddle in the shallows :D ;D ;D
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After you Henry ;D those bull sharks play der teeee and can swim in a couple of feet of water. They're quite partial to brackish/fresh water as well. Viscous bastids thems is...
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After you Henry ;D those bull sharks play der teeee and can swim in a couple of feet of water. They're quite partial to brackish/fresh water as well. Viscous bastids thems is...
Me no swim so 2 inches is deep enough for me :y
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It's cold, it's wet, it's Dear Old Blighty!!! ::) Home Sweet Home!!! ;D ;D ;D
Yes I was shocked when these blokes told they were fishing for Bullsharks, and they weren't casting out very far either! As Al said they hunt in shallow waters and will swim up rivers for a feed!
And there was me letting my mate's dog swim in the river and wondering why none of the locals were letting their dawgs swim!! :o ;D
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It's cold, it's wet, it's Dear Old Blighty!!! ::) Home Sweet Home!!! ;D ;D ;D
Yes I was shocked when these blokes told they were fishing for Bullsharks, and they weren't casting out very far either! As Al said they hunt in shallow waters and will swim up rivers for a feed!
And there was me letting my mate's dog swim in the river and wondering why none of the locals were letting their dawgs swim!! :o ;D
Welcome back to hell ;D ;D ;)
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If you are anything like me , you will be depressed for a couple of weeks , best thing to do is plan your next trip !!
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I've been home for nearly a week now and I'm back in the groove!! :-\ So I thought I'd add a little postscript to my trip to Texas! :)
The Roads: We moan like hell here about the odd pothole in our roads, but by our standards the roads in Houston are absolutely shocking!! You need a massive 4x4 just to get around!! ;D The Interstates, freeways and main highways are OK, but the general suburban roads are atrocious, made of concrete which generally has broken or shifted making a bad driving surface! :( Apparently, Houston was built on marshy ground and has a high water table, so the ground is fairly unstable. :-\
Driving Standards: Pretty bad!! The general theme seems to be that big vehicles have the right of way, so the sight of a big Dodge or Chevvy pickup cutting up smaller vehicles or forcing their way through is fairly common! ::) Another common sight is people reversing back up an exit ramp to get back on the freeway after they've come off at the wrong exit!! :o Drink driving seems to be tolerated, unless you are paralytic. I felt that people had no problem with having a few beers and driving home! :o Texting and driving! This is a common sight as is people driving with their mobile clamped to their ear! The Texans obviously know that mobile use while driving can be dangerous as bizarrely there are signs in school zones saying 'The Use of Cell Phones is Prohibited!' ;D
Beer!: I imagined before I went that there would be 2 or 3 varieties of freezing piss weak lagers available along the lines of Coors, Miller and Budweiser. Wrong!! ::) The local had around 20 different draft beers both light and dark. Micro breweries have become common in the US and so many of the beers were local. It took me a while to find one that was any good though, before settling on a pint of 'Lawnmower' which was OK!! :) People were moaning that the big breweries were snapping up the more successful Micro breweries and were churning out their products industrially with the inevitable consequences to quality! :-\
Guns: I went to a gunshow as reported which was interesting and strangely had a friendly atmosphere of a village fete! :) However I popped into a gunshop just for a quick looky-see and lets just say that the clientele weren't exactly Houston's finest! :-\ There was a 'bargain bin' which was full of old bolt action single shot rifles on sale for $199. One of the salesmen had a lightweight assault rifle slung over his shoulder which I assumed was loaded and was for a fast response! :-\ I didn't feel comfortable and left fairly quickly! ::)
Texas is as flat as a pancake!! With little or no old buildings there is nothing of character and while driving around it all looks very much alike where ever you are! ::) However most of the people I met were very friendly and hospitable. They seem to like us Brits!! :)
So a great holiday and I'd like to go back some time! A big road trip around America in a big Yank Tank V8 would be great!! :y
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Although I haven't been to Texas,I have the impression that if you get away from the towns & cities and head out into "small town Texas" you would find more character,and indeed characters.
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So a great holiday and I'd like to go back some time! A big road trip around America in a big Yank Tank V8 would be great!!
Yup , thats sounds just right :y + a tin tent on the back :-\