Day 10

Awaking early, we wanted to get out of Roanoke as quickly as possible. After the deluxe breakfast provided by the motel - stale muffin and water - we were on the road again.
The music was changing on the radio the further south we got; we were getting closer to the home of Country! ‘I Work Hard But I Play Harder’ and ‘I Love Her But I Love to Fish’ were two of our personal favourites. The peaceful humming along to such lyrical genius was interrupted by Lynne’s excitement of a sign to Pigeon Forge - ‘That’s where Dolly Parton is from, let’s have lunch there.’
Acting on a tip from a very friendly southern gentleman in the visitors’ center (note American spelling for authenticity), we stopped at Applewood’s Farm for an enormous portion of Southern Fried Chicken, mashed potato and green beans. Complimentary apple fritters as an appetizer was a little confusing, as was being addressed by the waitress as ‘y’all’ when there were only two of us, which had us both looking round for the other people in our group. However, these are reasons we already love the south - the food and the dialect!
These first impressions were reinforced when we finally reached Nashville after a marathon ten hour journey (one hour of which was spent driving around the city in circles due to Lynne’s map-reading abilities)! We love Nashville! Heading downtown, we stopped at Robert’s Western World for a pale ale and some real live country music. Being advised by another friendly local that we should stay in Nashville for two nights rather than head to Memphis, the beer started to flow well! The band were amazing, with one of the most incredible guitarists we have ever seen. Leaving the bar we headed for Tootsies. The queue was ridiculous, but eagle eye Matthew, always thinking of his new wife, spotted a bar advertising ‘smokers welcome’. Off we went! Meeting the real Big John, who bought us some crappy champagne as a wedding present, and laughing at the drunk barmaid, we stayed for a couple and headed on. Coyote Ugly was the next destination, and yes, Lynne did dance on the bar! What an amazing night!