The Deep South

McComb, Mississippi is the home of Bo Diddley, Omar (of the Howlers), and one of the Chi-lites (if you're under 40 you probably won't remember them). Ever since he first spotted this town on a map John has wanted to visit and it's close proximity to New Orleans meant this trip was the ideal time to come.

It was strange for John to see his name on so many buildings! McComb is a small town, around 13,000 residents and is a quiet but friendly place. It's one of those places you sometimes wonder where all the people are hiding, that was probably because we were out walking around in the middle of the afternoon in the extreme heat! The locals know better.

We stayed at the Villa Jenny for 3 nights and had a fantastically relaxing time, there was a lot of time spent lazing around just reading and talking. After a few days in this part of the world

the slow talking and brow wiping of Tennessee Williams plays becomes a reality!

George our Host renovated this house, we loved the style, it was interesting and really comfortable

Thanks to George and Rob we hit the ground running in New Orleans, their recommendations mean we are staying in a good hotel, know all the best places to go to hear music and how to get around.

This is a really great city, easy to walk around and well served by old fashioned trolley buses if needed.

We have taken 100's of pictures of the architecture but none really do the place justice.

Basically you should all come! Stop the kids pocket money, sell a kidney, do whatever it takes. Great architecture, music, food and probably shopping (although we daren't look given our luggage limitations).

Excellent street music.

We went on a boat tour of the Bayou's and swamps. We saw some of the local wildlife including a few Alligators. They are pretty sure the recent oil spill will not get into this fresh water area (it's about 10 miles from the Gulf Coast). However there is still damage visible from Hurricane Katrina in the form of wrecked boats and waterside buildings and trees that have died from the salt water that was swept into the freshwater at the time.

An interesting mix of instruments! Produced kind of a North African sound.