Tuesday 11 th February 2020...Day 2!!!!

Had a good sleep and woke up to grey skies and a tad cool...

my host Jake had gone to work so I had a nice light breakfast and got myself ready for the road...

This is where I was heading first...

Parked and went for a beach walk and as you can see very murky and dark but I always enjoy the ocean and my walking buddies!!

This tells the story of this photo..

Retro Rocket: SpaceX rocket now complete at Boca

Miguel Roberts

A view of SpaceX prototype Starship hopper Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at Boca Chica Beach as SpaceX crew complete the external construction of the rocket. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald via AP)

Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2019 12:43 pm

By STEVE CLARK Staff Writer

BROWNSVILLE — It’s not the first time the world has heard of Boca Chica Beach, Texas.

The sleepy seaside spot 24 miles east of Brownsville came to the attention of space geeks the world round in 2011 when Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies announced it was a contender, along with Florida and Puerto Rico, for the world’s first commercial rocket launch site.

The spotlight grew in intensity when Texas beat out the competition and especially on Sept. 22, 2014, when Elon Musk, SpaceX’s visionary CEO and chief designer, showed up for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site alongside then governor Rick Perry.

Suddenly, Boca Chica has become the most interesting place in the world for space watchers as a gleaming, silver rocket towers above the scrub after being assembled on an accelerated timeline in full view of the public right off State Highway 4.

The stainless-steel-clad vehicle, with a decidedly retro look, is an experimental prototype for SpaceX’s “Starship” (formerly Big Falcon Spaceship), which the company plans to fly around the moon and eventually to Mars with humans aboard.

Until about six weeks ago, the Boca Chica site contained a temporary hangar, fuel tanks, tracking antennas and a solar array — but no rockets in evidence. On Dec. 23, Musk began tweeting photos of the prototype pre-assembly, then on Jan. 5 tweeted that the company was shooting for the first “hopper” test flight in four weeks, though eight weeks was probably more like it “due to unforeseen issues.”

On Jan. 10, Musk tweeted photos of the finished prototype, dubbed “Starship Hopper,” and noted that it will be used for non-orbital vertical takeoff and landing tests similar to SpaceX’s Grasshopper VTOL program, which took place in 2012 and 2013 at the company’s McGregor test facility. Hopper tests entail launching the rocket to an altitude of hundreds of thousands of feet, then, ideally, landing it again intact.

Musk also tweeted that the first orbital version, which will be taller and with a thicker skin and smoother nose curve, should be completed “around June.”

The Starship Hopper to be tested at Boca Chica is powered by three liquid-oxygen/methane powered Raptor engines developed by SpaceX. The actual Starship will be pushed into orbit by 31 Raptor engines making up the Super Heavy booster (formerly Big Falcon Rocket). The Starship and Super Heavy together will be 387 feet tall, about the height of a 35-story building, and both stages will be reusable.

SpaceX plans to send unmanned Starships to Mars as soon as 2022 and manned ships to the Red Planet possibly by 2024. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has already booked passage aboard a Starship for a trip around the Moon in 2024.

Starship Hopper isn’t 387 feet tall, but it’s still huge, and makes for an astonishing sight pointed skyward a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico, waiting for someone to light the match.

“It needed to be made real,” Musk tweeted on Jan. 11, while noting that future versions of the ship “must be more pointy.”

Gil Salinas, former executive vice president of the now-defunct Brownsville Economic Development Council, first met with Elon Musk and the SpaceX team in 2011, and was part of negotiations to bring the company to the Rio Grande Valley. At the time, it was still in “startup mode” and had launched only two or three rockets successfully, Salinas said.

“Nobody at the time saw what SpaceX would be today — one of the greatest innovators of our time,” he said.

Salinas said that during multiple meetings with Musk he observed how well SpaceX’s chief communicated his vision and led his team despite considerable challenges to the project at the time. The fact that it’s resulted in a spaceship prototype — a cool-looking one at that — at Boca Chica he described as “amazing and incredible.”

“This is a big win for Texas and the Rio Grande Valley,” Salinas said. “To know that Brownsville will be a part of making history in this era of ‘new space,’ that I had the opportunity to work on the project from its inception in my community and my Boca Chica Beach, is something I will hold close to my heart for a long, long time.”

This is what it looks like now!!!

Then I took the back roads to Laredo...

To be honest this was not a spectacular drive at all and the rain and fog did not help matters..

Arrived at my Airbnb and the owners had left me the key lock code to let myself...I know some people cannot get their head around folks leaving their homes for total strangers I have never encountered a problem and the home is lovely.

I have my own bedroom and bathroom and access to the kitchen..took advantage and had a lovely long soak in the 🛁!!!!!

Going to do some road trip planning and then watch my show....

I have my consular appointment  tomorrow at 9.15 am!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Monday 10th February 2020....Day 1!!!!!

I was saying goodbye to Gracie at 6.45 am this

morning and on the road and it was just getting light...

This shot was taken at 7.30 am...

....the first two hours of the drive was on a busy highway but after San Lois Potosi..the road branched and for the rest of the drive  very easy, no toll roads but fast two lane highways and best of all I passed only five trucks the whole time...this is really an enjoyable route and some nice scenery!!

The only problem I had was when I came around a sharp curve travelling at about 50 m.p.h. I saw this beast!!!!!

Luckily he was being towed backwards!!!

I had lots of drink, fruit, a sandwich and good music and from leaving SMA to getting to the border it was exactly nine hours!!!

The wait at the border

 was one hour and the agent was very polite and there was in The good Ole US of A!!

Waiting in line at the border and I turn the radio on and come across a station in the middle of the adverts and they are advertising a special Valentines adventure for that special someone in your life!!!

30 dollars for two hours and all the ammo you can fire at your local gun range!!!Only in Texas!!!..

I noticed this mark on my arm this morning..no idea what I did it does not hurt at all..I guess it maybe an old age spot!!

I arrived at my Airbnb ten minutes  after crossing the border..I have a lovely room and my own bathroom and the owner, a school teacher , with a great dog is very friendly and the place is perfect for a stop over..I have full use of the kitchen and I had brought a frown dinner that I made last week and just finished it and it was delicious..

Now time for a cuppa tea, apiece of carrot cake and my show!!

My friend Loren sent this to me...my kind of humor!!

So the first day was a great start.....glad you came along!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Sunday 9 th February 2020.....last day!!

Well the day has finally arrived and I hit the road tomorrow morning so my next blog will be from Brownsville Texas!!!

I went to pick up June and Vince around 10.30am and away we went on tour of the town...pointed a few places out to visit, eat and see and they love the area..it is only when you have guests who have never been here before and you show them around do you greater a deeper appreciation of how lovely this place is!!!

As this photo shows...

I dropped them off in Centro and I went to a farewell party for my friends Lisa and Bo who a4e leaving in the next couple of weeks to start a new life in Portugal will miss our Tuesday  Mexican train nights!!!

Picked up June and Vince again and took them to the supermarket and fruit stand and then said my good byes....I know they will enjoy themselves!!

I came back to Gracie’s house and moved her car to her condo for the night and Little Bluey is in her garage.....even though I am not coming back till June I am travelling very light....the car is all packed sandwiches made and I should be on the road at first light.

Check out the first super moon of the decade....very lovely!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 8th February 2020. Won’t be long now!!!

Had my final game of tennis this morning..beautiful sunny day, good friends and one or two amazing shots...I hope on my travels that I can get some games in my racket is going with me!!

Did a little more final shopping and then went over to my place which is now spotlessly clean as my cleaning gal came this morning and waited for June and Vince to arrive

They showed up just before 3pm and it was great to see them both..they loved the casita and after showing them around I left them to unwind and get sorted.

Gracie and I picked them up at 6.30pm and we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner, I thought they would like that as Vince owns and Italian restaurant in England.

It was a lovely evening and we got caught up and talked about places for them to visit.

Tomorrow I get to spend most of the day with them and show them around!!

Hope it was a good day for you!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Friday 7th February 2020....organizing day!!!

Had a great time on the tennis courts this morning, beautiful weather and some good points!!

The rest of the day has been taken up with chores and getting ready for my trip.

My house guests arrive in Mexico City tonight and are staying the night there and should arrive in SMA around 3 pm tomorrow.....

I think I have everything ready and going to relax tonight!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Thursday 6th February 2020...a special evening!!!

So the song goes ..blue skies nothing but blue skies..

Hope the cold and wet days are behind us now......the sun shone for the whole two hours of tennis!!!

I came home and got changed and then went to pick up Gail and Bill two good friends from Nova Scotia who are visiting for five weeks.

I had received an email from the principal of one of the schools asking if it might be possible to make a small donation to the school as they were organizing a soccer tournament for the kids....of course they got me on kids and soccer!!!

So I took my friends for a ride into the country to the school and met the principle and was happy to find out that five other principals from schools we had delivered gifts were also there...the tournament is for all the schools....they were very friendly and we saw some of the kids we had given gifts to and they remembered me...I gave a donation and so did Gail and Bill, which was very kind of them..they enjoyed seeing the school and the kinder kids!!!

I then took them to the new park in town where they were holding the Candalaria..

Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day).

This religious holiday marks the 40th day after the birth of Jesus. Special masses involve the blessing of seeds for fertility and candles, representing the light of the world.

In San Miguel, Candlelaria is the unofficial beginning of spring and it’s become famous for and the plant flower sales held in the new park. Dozens of vendors line the walkways of the park, selling everything imaginable for the garden. People stroll the paths planning the year’s plantings. Young boys with wheelbarrows scurry about, carrying bedding plants and bougainvilleas, terra cotta planters and potting soil, to the cars and trucks parked on the street. In San Miguel, Candlelaria is the unofficial beginning of spring.

Also on this night, Mexican families have a traditional party. Whatever family member got the baby doll in the Rosca de Reyes bread on January 6th has to provide tamales and atole for the family party tonight. Atole is a delicious hot cornstarch drink that’s a bit like drinking hot thin pudding.

You buy your plants and then get them taken to your vehicle!!

Such a colourful and interesting time....

The dropped Gail and Bill at home and came back had a bite to eat, a shower and off to my last English class!!

Most of the students attended along with Gary who is going to be a great sub for me....

We spent most of the class talking about my trip and I gave them their final homework..

I wrote my email address on the board and also the link to my blog and told them for homework every week they have to write me a letter and I will correct and answer and they also have to look at my blog once a week and make some comments!!!

It is a tradition that I always get a birthday cake for them on or close to their birthdays and so far eight of my students already had birthdays..but for the four that have birthdays to come I decided to get them each a cake.....so I picked up five cakes from the bakery....

They loved them..

Iliana..because she went out of the country  for the very first time to 🇨🇦 Canada!!

Armando because by choice he is learning Japanese!!

Paty because she is a lawyer!!

Finally for Emetario because we have all encouraged him to walk every day..

I  told them not to eat their cakes in class because I had this one made

And we each had a piece!!

This has been a wonderful class and I feel I have made another eleven great friendships!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Wednesday 5 th February 2020..a surprise!!!

Terrible high winds and rain most of the night and

this morning..so bad that I could not go to my gym session too dangerous to go out on the scooter....

So I relaxed this morning before going to town and doing some chores and then off to poker....this will be my last game till I return in June..I have been playing with these guys for a long time and we have a lot of fun...and as seems to be the norm I came away a winner this time only 70 pesos!!

I had class tonight and all my students except one showed up and half way through the class they asked if they could do something and they went out and came back with all this food and a wonderful cake and gave me a farewell party.

Gary and his wife Susan also came to class with their two new adopted puppies...

, Gary is going to be taking over the class next week...and also GIFF who teaches them on Thursday came..it was a very special celebration and I felt very humble, honoured and proud of them all.

They know I love elephants!!

Emeterio plays with a group and brought his instrument and play,aged some lovely songs, he is very talented!!

A fabulous evening.....although I will see them all tomorrow as I teach my final class Tomorrow night!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Tuesday 4 th February 2020...another birthday!!

Happy birthday to my over 40 year friend Larry...I know that gorgeous wife of yours will make sure it is special!!

We had some heavy rain over night and I knew before

I went to bed that tennis this morning would be cancelled and sure enough it was!!

This was taken from my patio this morning....

It really was cool and overcast today so I worked at home and now everything is ready for my house guests on Saturday...Anita the young lady who comes and clean is coming Friday afternoon so all will be well for June and Vince to enjoy their four week stay!!!

I went into town to do some chores ..order some more birthday cakes for my students....4 of them have birthdays after I leave so I ordered cakes for each of them for Thursday night, my last class!

Also went to the animal shelter in town with a big bag of about 35 older tennis balls and gave them so those dogs can play..the lady told me they would be very happy.

Tonight went for our final Tuesday night Mexican train at Bo’s house.....Bo and his best friend Lisa are moving to Portugal at the beginning of next month..so as I leave on Monday this was the last train night...it has been a lot of fun and I will miss them both and wish them all the very best on their new adventures!!

I did not know about this day!!!

Like this one!!

Took this on my way into town this morning....who says there is no free ride??

Well I did my pay forward tonight..I stopped on the way home from train at my favourite little bakery and when I came outside a young woman passed by she had two back packs, was crying and had two little girls with her about 3 and 5 years old......she asked me something in Spanish but I could not understand her and then she said something about a hotel..she also said they were from Honduras......I told her there was no hotel around and asked her if she needed money and in English she said yes please.......I looked in my wallet and all I  had was a 500 pesos note so I gave that to her, wished I could have given her more....she thanked me and shook my hand and both girls waved to me....I wonder how hard their lives have been ?????

Yashi Kochi!!!

Monday 3 rd February 2020...a birthday and a holiday!!

Today is Linda’s beautiful grand daughter, Muri’s , birthday...hope you have a special day and we can celebrate when I am there with you in Tucson in two weeks!!!

This weekend is also a long weekend holiday in Mexico!!

  There are some very interesting clauses in these articles!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Sunday 2 Nd February 2020.....sports and sports and sports!!!

Well Doris and Percy sure raises a sports nut!!!!

I set my alarm for 3 am and got up and really enjoyed watching the men’s final and it went to five thrilling sets!!

Back to bed around 7am and slept till 10am....

I only have a week beforeI leave on my next journey so I did some sorting of my cupboards and drawers and getting things set aside I need to pack away and also things I need to take with me.

At 1 pm I went to the tennis courts where 12 of my friends had gathered for another one of the tennis slams that like to organize....this one I dedicated to my long time tennis partner Carolyn who passed away suddenly in November and also combined it with a Valentine theme which is why everyone is wearing red and white...

In front of the lovely plaque that is outside one of the courts where Carolyn and I used to play!!

We played for three hours..changed partners and I know everyone had a great time...everyone received a small prize and it was a fun afternoon!!

Came home showered and ate and now settling down to watch the Super bowl..I am not really a fan of American football but I am enjoying this game!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 1st February 2020...rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!!!

Here we go again with the rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!!

January went by in a flash!!!

My morning started out on the tennis courts, I know what’s new??

Always enjoy this time and afterwards I went to the local market and bought some veggies and baked goods.

I want to buy a few pottery gifts to take away with me and this town...

About a 30 minute drive away is the pottery capital of the State....

I did find what I wanted and enjoyed the drive!!

These are all boxes of tiles!!

It has turned cool again tonight.

The men’s Tennis final is on live at 3 am Sunday morning and I do want to watch so the plan is to go to bed around 11 pm and set my alarm and then after the match go back to bed.

I can sleep in tomorrow as I have nothing on till 1pm when it is the annual tennis slam that I organize......so as you can see going to be a tennis weekend!!

Yashi Kochi!!