Day 9 - Birmingham, AL to Memphis, TN

Coffee and a muffin had at a local coffee shop in Homewood before heading to downtown Birmingham (via Starbucks for 'the mug'). Parked by the 16th St Baptist church and did the downtown civil rights walk, learning about pivotal moments in Birminghams 1960s civil rights movement, spear-headed by Martin Luther King. Shocking that such a scenario could exist only 50 years ago... Nevertheless very interesting and the perfect sobering thing to do on a crisp cold morning (what a change from Florida!)

Onto the I22 and drove NW towards Tupelo here we stopped for a 'Sonic drive-in' - food delivered to the car and all unintentionally hilarious.

Hit the Memphis suburbs which were miles of depressing run-down areas - the American Dream has faded in parts. Arrived in the revitalised downtown area and met Tom at our quirky but homely guesthouse right in the town centre, spending a good 30 mins just chatting as part of our welcome. Car dumped for a few days - three nights to be spent here.

Headed out to Beale St (the local music tourist trap) and before long had a few beers in Alfreds where it was big band night, then a shared ribs and catfish combo platter in the Blues City Cafe where we were entertained by the 'Memphis 3' band who did a perfect rendition of Suspicious Minds on request "for the UK!!!". Great entertaining night. Loved it.