Storms in Texas

We flew into Houston in a storm. Rain was falling in patches all around, lightning flashed through bruised and brooding cloud, and if you look carefully you will see another aircraft which, to us, seemed far too close.

A 60-dollar taxi ride took us to the Zaza Hotel on Main Street where we had to feel our way through the dark to find reception. No, there hadn't been a power cut - they said it was ambience. In the restaurant people were using the light of their phones to read the menus. Our meal was constantly interrupted by questions about how our day had been,why were we there, how was the food? Well actually our steaks were seriously undercooked and barely warm, even after being sent back to the kitchen for further grilling. The final straw arrived in the person of the chef, bowing and scraping and pleading humiliation and bearing platters of cheese and charcuterie. When all we wanted was a quiet meal and an early night. Some places just try too hard and end up annoying!

If I sound tetchy I probably am - after another bumpy three-hour flight, and a day of changes to our schedule for next week. Hopefully my mood will be improved by a decent night's sleep. At least our room is big and comfortable, and the bed seems to offer the prospect of oblivion.