It’s been raining in Houston.

Not that bad by Houston standards but some areas have had torrential downpours and flash flooding. The Bayou has been up over the paths we usually walk, but it recedes as quickly as it rises.

However, to newbies like us it is a tad disconcerting to have tv programmes interrupted by horrible high pitched alert noises, followed by a screechy voice proclaiming doom to all. In a shouty male American accent of the Anchorman variety, the alert we got went thus:

“PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND NOW. ACT QUICKLY TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE!”

Now this would have been rather difficult since there is no ‘higher ground’ near us, so far as I know. Everything is dead flat. Well apart from the Bayou and that is lower than us so we just sat tight and resumed watching tv once the screechy voice had finished.

I looked out of the window and although there was a considerable downpour – you could tell from the drops of rain in the puddles – the water was not accumulating outside our house and so no need to climb the stairs just yet. But there may come a day when we’ll be grateful to be interrupted and thankful for the warnings – which we will heed to be sure.

Of course, we knew it would start raining very heavily day upon day – because we’ve just gone and bought bikes!

Maurice managed to get a rather nifty and fast one second hand for the same price I got a brand new one at Target. Here’s hoping mine does not fall to bits after a few miles – but so far so good.

Just before the inclement weather, we went exploring along the Bayou past the Hermann Park walk we normally take, along a bike trail which I believe goes all the way into the downtown area. We passed the most amazing residential area where the houses are ginormous and you are left wondering just how many people living in Houston can afford such palaces. And they must be a nightmare to maintain. You would need an army of workers – hmm I wonder if the occupants do indeed secure a variety of services (legal and illegal perhaps).

Back in the day – this was the deep south and the owners of the palaces of the time did rely on an army of workers to keep them in the lap of luxury.   These workers were not paid, however, except with a roof over their heads and they were traded like livestock until Lincoln managed to win the war and win hearts and minds to his cause.

Still, it’s fun to cycle past and peer into other lives and occasionally glimpse a resident putting out the rubbish, or should I say, trash. Everyone is always so friendly “Hello, how are you?” invariably comes, and you are left with the feeble reply of “fine thanks, you?” uttered in two seconds, if you don’t, they have already turned and walked away or walked past. “Fit like” is so much more economic of one’s time and “nae bad” as much as you really want to offer.

Speaking of friendly greetings, Maurice recently had his hair cut at a Sports Cuts. This is a franchise that pops up in various shopping areas in Houston. This was Maurice’s first experience of Sports Cuts and as a new customer he was treated to a neck and shoulder massage in a special room, a hot towel facial massage and free shampoo and conditioner. As well as his haircut. And all for just $17 which is about £11. He also gets a free sideburn and neck trim on his next visit. Bargain. Although not as cheap as Mikes.

Each of the three hairdressers in the salon gave a simultaneous greeting when someone entered: “Hello and welcome to Sports Cuts!”. This was uttered each and every time a customer came through the door. However, sometimes one of them missed the cue: “Hello and welcome to Sports Cuts”, “..Sports Cuts !” came the echoing greeting, not quite in unison. Maurice chuckled.

Customer service US style never fails to amuse me. Take a recent visit to Whole Foods where a young man was oh so eager to please us while he scanned our groceries then asked for the cash. As Maurice presented his card “Credit or Debit sir?” “Debit” came Maurice’s reply. “Awesome!” said the lad. One of many instances where a word was used that really did not fully recognise the circumstances of its context. Anything less “awesome” than presenting one’s card to pay for groceries – albeit a Debit card – I have yet to find.

On the way back from our cycle run and we see the other side of Houston. Less than a mile from the mansions of MacGregor Drive and we see homeless people living under the bridges over the Bayou. A small pile of possessions heaped beside or under them as they lie slumped for shelter, settling in for the night. The bridges over the Bayou won’t provide much shelter tonight I don’t think.