It was a bright sunny morning when we awoke this morning and after a nice easy breakfast we went for a walk around this new estate where the houses are very large and the cost is very low compared to UK prices. Johns house has about 2 acres of land and also has a great view over the valley. We headed in to town to visit the Texas State Senate Building which is a beautiful building and from the outside looks a bit like St Paul's Cathedral in London. We had decided to join and organized tour and when the tour guide arrived she was Jamaican or similar and she obviously had a feeling of power in this job and over the next 30 minutes of so most of us walked away and did our own tour. This was a bit of a shame but they should really get the right people to do this. A walk through the main streets of Austin following and we entered The Driscoll Hotel which was built in 1886 and again is a gorgeous old building. We all had coffee and cake before continuing our walk around. We had originally discussed going to a country and western music concert but then John decided that we might enjoy a local Theater which is rather unique. More of that to come. For dinner we decided that a light meal was best and so we went to a well known and highly recommended steakhouse but had starters and wine sitting at hi8gh topped tables and the food was excellent.
From there we went on to see the show called 'Esther's Follies' and funny vaudeville type production and it was so, so funny and we have not laughed for so long as we did at this production. It is a very fast paced show with political and sexual references and an amazing magician. To add to the fun the backdrop of the stage is the road and pavement outside and during the show the cast go outside carry on the show on the road outside. It was absolutely hilarious and perhaps we may go again if we get some time this week. More information on this troupe is available athttp://www.esthersfollies.com/
and also to see some more look at
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Esthers+follies&search_type=&aq=f
If you ever visit Austin this is the place to go. On leaving the theatre i suggested to the director that they should bring their show to the Edinburgh Festival where it would go down a storm.
Then back home and still laughing all the way until bedtime..What a great day and night.
