Day four of the Trans America Challenge saw the crews given the chance to chill out and dry out in this most laid back of American cities and, the twelfth floor breakfast buffet in the Thompson Hotel, with windows on three sides, was the ideal spot to plan whatever this morning.

Obviously there were jobs to be done though, car prep’ and laundry being the two most obvious but, this was also a great opportunity to pick up the Stetson, belt buckle and boots you always knew you wanted.

Thankfully, the weather really seems to be improving and this morning, it was actually warm and dry enough to take coffee outside so, Mick de Haas planned on parking his Mercedes somewhere sunny for a few hours. There’s a slight misfire as well but he’s hoping that some of this light therapy might be all that’s needed to sort out the Red Lady.

Mike Harrison was fretting over the delayed delivery of a new wiper motor which he badly needed yesterday but, according to the forecast, from here on in he might not need it quite so much.

David and Jo Roberts’ Triumph has an intermittent fuelling issue and with Tony Jones working at the front end, Jamie Turner tankside and Bob Harrod reattaching an overworked wiper blade this truly was a team effort. Andy Inskip meanwhile was keeping an eye on Daniel and  Barbara Wiedemann who were checking the tyre pressures and oil level in their Mercedes.

Mornings tend to be quiet in Nashville we’re told and it seemed to us that the relaxed vibe throughout the city was merely down to the fact that it was keeping its powder dry for this evening.

There’s music and beer everywhere. Along Broadway, each drinking establishment had a live act thumping it out from 11.00am - 3.00am and, sharp eyed and well tuned crews were also treated to the sight of country legend John Prine recording a music video outside of the legendary Ernest Tubbs’ Record Store.

For most crews, a light lunch was called for and then a short siesta before the darkness drew in, the lights went on and the band struck up.

We’re back on the road again tomorrow, leaving behind the Country music scene and heading into Memphis, the land of the Blues.

Syd Stelvio