A little interlude...

Well, here we are back in good old blighty. We arrived into Heathrow at 3.30pm, beautiful weather, much better than California. There were no hold ups and we were straight onto The Heathrow Express. Fifteen minutes later we were on the tube, a couple of changes and we emerged at Stratford which is being regenerated, thankfully, for the Olympics. We were knackered! We plodded down to the hotel, into it's restaurant and Jim was snoring by 8pm. He woke up briefly so we could cry over the kids in Sierra Leone on John Bishops sports relief marathon, then back to sleep. I slept for an hour then I was wide awake, bright eyed and bushy tailed until 4am. How rubbish is that!

Anyway the call of the Westfield Shopping Centre was too strong to resist so off we went! That night we spent a pleasant evening in the pub, then strolling down the embankment before going to see Legally Blonde. It was fab! We loved it. Back to the pub then we stood in Trafalgar Square and admired the scenery, the buildings, the restaurants, the whole ambiance. Having visited so many cities in the past seven months we agreed - it's good to be British! London has such a buzz and it's not American!!

We were late to bed, slept deeply for a couple of hours then we were wide awake again. Oh man! I finally fell asleep at 5 am and woke up at 9.45. All stations go - we had to be at Bromley-by-Bow underground station by 11. We ended up running and arrived red-faced and panting. We caught up with our group and walked alongside the cleaned up river Lea past beautiful old mills.





Our guide was brilliant, she was funny and enthusiastic and told us lots of anecdotes about the area and it's people, how they lived and worked, how the area degenerated and how it has now been regenerated. There is lots of outside art and sculpture and the new cycle tracks are being used by lots of people.


We walked along the cleaned up canal tow path and onto the greenway where we heard lots of stories about previous Olympics, the various stadiums and what will happen to them after the games. She was so passionate about her subject that it was catching. The various stadiums are really impressive, particularly the Aquatics Centre and velodrome.





I can't wait to see the opening ceremony, acrobats will arrive in the Olympic stadium, coming down from the 16 lighting rigs you can see.



We've got to come back to go up the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the idea is you go up in the lift and come down the spiral staircase. It is pretty nice!!

We had lunch at the container cafe, do you think they've modelled it on Christchurch.


Fab food and long black coffee, just like in New Zealand. It was perhaps no coincidence that the girl who served us came from New Plymouth on the North Island. We had a nice chat about her home town!

The rest of the weekend whizzed past, we unpacked a bag we had packed last August which has been stored in my brother's loft. It was just like Christmas - I'd forgotten what was in it, hair straighteners, hooray! We have been spending the week catching up with friends, family and chores. Jim collected the car from my nephew's farm where he has looked after it very well. Thank you Patrick! He has taxed it, we've renewed our photo driving licences, I've been to the hairdressers, at last, the opticians and to the doctors to get my last hepatitis B jab. Thanks for feeding us Sheila, it was great to see you and the food was lovely.

I've had a lovely day today, visited school and surprised my lovely mate - and boss. It was great to see everyone, school was looking fab and there was a real buzz. I had a good lunch in great company then back on the train. We're going to Liverpool tomorrow to catch up with Liam and Alex and hear all their news. Our plans are becoming a bit firmer for Europe, we're getting excited all over again.








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Location:Cleveland Way, Carlton Minniot, United Kingdom

Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel

What an awful drive from San Francisco to Monterey - 2 hours of horrendous rain with blinding spray making travelling on the freeway a nightmare. So much for going via Santa Cruz, it was pointless. Anyway the hotel is gorgeous, we've got a fab room complete with a fire, and we've used it - every day!

Monterey is pretty but freezing and it keeps on raining. We've enjoyed two days with a little sun but the rest.....

California is skint - and you can tell. We set off to walk around a heritage trail last Thursday which was great but we couldn't go and see inside the buildings because all the museums and adobes are closed, 'Due to budget cuts' and won't open again, 'until further notice.'


Still, you could see into the gardens, the magnolias and daffodils are flowering and look lovely. We detoured into Fisherman's Wharf, drawn by the squeals coming from under the pier. How many seals can you get onto a platform?


We decided to drive from Pebble Beach round 17 mile drive which has views over the Pacific. It was ok but it's mostly private property and golf courses and the views are behind chain link fences. We were distinctly underwhelmed but did pull up alongside a falcon, a little consolation.


On Friday evening we went to Crabby Jim's for dinner. No comments about my husband's personality or personal hygiene please - I've already said them all! We had a great night until the 'tipping incident.' As I'm sure you know, America, some parts more than others, has this tipping culture where you basically tip everybody for everything they do, even though it is their job. Fair enough. But, after visiting Thailand, and particularly Cambodia where they need our money just to live but refuse any tips, even when you insist, this American greed grates,

After finishing our meal we were given the bill and Jim put the cost of the meal plus the obligatory 10% in. The waiter was watching him and, as he closed the folder he came straight over, took out the notes and said, 'You haven't left enough, I have to pay the bell boy and the barman.' I thought, 'You really shouldn't have said that.' Sure enough James replied, 'You're rude, you shouldn't be asking me for more money, you are very lucky you are getting any. I didn't meet, nor speak to the bell boy or barman, I suggest you pay them a proper wage instead of getting the likes of me to do it for you.' At this point I put my jacket on and beat a hasty retreat! Jim went on and on about it all night long!!

Saturday was proper winter, freezing needles of rain. We spent the afternoon in front of the fire doing paperwork stuff, Jim looking at routes for Europe and me looking at jobs in the TES!

On Sunday we had a good day in Carmel. After a brunch of brioche toast, poached eggs and fresh fruit, not quite the brunch Jim had in mind, no bacon in sight, we walked along the beach. Refreshing you could call it! Bloody windy, I'd call it.


Carmel is gorgeous, all sweet little shops and immaculate houses. Obviously a very wealthy enclave. There are several empty shops though so even a rich community is not immune from the economic woes. We meandered around the streets, ducking inside out of the showers. The houses were so well maintained, not a flake of paint anywhere, not a weed and not a blade of grass out of place. Very lovely, but like a film set, not real. I'm guessing the houses occupants don't do the gardening!!

We had a pleasant little interlude at the Carmel mission, very peaceful and interesting.


We had a massive walk yesterday, the sun came out and we did a bit of a route march from one end of Monterey bay, through Cannery Row, past Fisherman's Wharf right through Pacific Grove. It took us 2 1/2 hours and was brilliant.








Look how easy seals make my most hated pilates move - side plank!! On the way back we nipped into an outlet mall. An hour later we set off to walk back, complete with several carrier bags.

We left Monterey today and have driven to San Luis Obispo along the coast road which is beautiful, breathtaking views and lovely scenery.








Don't ask.

Tomorrow, that's it, we're driving back to LA and flying home at 9.15 pm. We're really sad that this part of our trip is over but have begun to look forward to Europe. We get into Heathrow on Thursday afternoon and are spending the weekend in London, going to visit the Olympic site and take a walking tour. My lovely sons have given us tickets to see Legally Blonde, another birthday present, which of course, I'm sharing, so we're doing that on Friday, hope we stay awake! Back to Thirsk on Sunday, to where we started our journey, my brother and sister-in-laws house.

I'll keep blogging, hope you keep reading. Love from a sad A & J. xx

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Location:Abrego St,Monterey,United States

Spring in San Francisco

Our favourite day in America so far - rafting 12 miles down the Colorado river. There was 12 of us, a great little group, two from Utah, two from Mexico, four locals from Las Vegas, two Aussies and us. After Dave, our guide gave us our safety talk and we'd taken possession of lunch, in nifty little sandwich boxes we got to keep, we bagged our spot on the raft and we were off. Starting off from the foot of the Hoover Dam we rafted down the river through the Black Canyon which was spectacular. Nevada was on one side and Arizona on the other.


Dave was really knowledgeable, if a little 'loud' and kept us entertained as we negotiated the route.









We swapped travel tales with the others, particularly the girls from Oz and time went really quickly. We spotted shy long-horn sheep, big turkey vultures, graceful blue herons and lots of fish. Back on dry land, and into the minibus some five hours later and one of the Aussies struck up conversation with a guy from Utah. He asked her where she was from. She answered, 'Australia.' He nodded at her then said, 'Do you need a passport to come here?'

Back in Boulder City we had a great night in a wine bar with fab food. The following day saw us in the car for just over 5 monotonous hours driving through the Mojave desert, the roads are long, straight and full of massive SUVs. Everywhere is brown, brown or brown.

We had an overnight stop in Bakersfield, not the prettiest place we've seen. Having asked the receptionist if he could recommend somewhere for a snack, we found ourselves in a Mexican restaurant, far better than any we'd eaten in whilst in San Diego. A huge huevos rancheros later and our 'snack' took the place of lunch and dinner! The next day - more of the same. Another five hours and finally we were stuck in a traffic jam going over the Bay Bridge. Hooray, San Francisco at last.

Breaking the rule again, to not revisit places, the reason we are in San Francisco is to take a trip to Alcatraz, we felt we missed out on that last time and both Liam and Alex have been so, not to be outdone we were going too!




Lovely, lovely San Francisco, we rode the cable car, shopped til we dropped - I bought a gorgeous bargain pair of boots in Macy's sale, 75% off - photographed the painted ladies, ogled at the 'ladies' in bondage gear posing for tourist photos with tattooed bums and boobs exposed, walked over the Golden Gate bridge...









feasted on clam chowder in sourdough bowls in Boudins at Pier 39 and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf. Phew, to do list done.






Today it was pouring down and freezing. Tragically it meant we had to wear jeans, through the day! That's the first time since last September! We set off to walk to Pier 33, twenty minutes later I had the most enormous blister you have ever seen, and then it burst!!! Ow. Damn you, new boots! Jim left me loitering on the street corner for half an hour whilst he walked back to the hotel and picked up the car. Having picked me up we bought blister plasters, big normal plasters and tape, then parked on a $17.75 car park. Damn you, bargain boots!

Anyway, onto the ferry, in the rain, to Alcatraz. What a brilliant trip, we got the guided audio thingys and followed the nice man's instructions. It was very well done. Loved it. It was a bit thought provoking, the cells are tiny and packed tight.








We're back in our hotel now, the gorgeous, quirky Queen Anne which is furnished with glamorous Victorian furniture and artefacts. Brollies are in the bath, sodden jeans are hung over the doors and my blister is exposed to the air, just like my mum taught me.

Having adored the gorgeous coffee in New Zealand we have been searching for a decent cup of coffee here, I know, it's extremely tricky. As James pointed out, Starbucks 'searched the whole of Italy to source the best coffee beans' ......brought them back to America, and ruined them. Today, we discovered Peets, a double shot espresso hit the spot. Not as good as in the southern hemisphere, but a massive improvement on the usual dish water.

We've decided to take a brief holiday before we head back to the UK, tomorrow we're going to Monterey for a week. We've never been there before, hopefully the rain won't follow us.



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Location:Octavia St,San Francisco,United States

All my dreams came true!!

Hello, hope you are all well. It seems ages since we've blogged, well it's almost a week and a pretty exciting week it's been too!

Leaving San Diego we embarked on a 4 hour journey (we took the scenic route) over mountains, through deserts and sand dunes to the unremarkable desert town of Blythe. The best bit was the sand dunes where it was really windy. We came across the Imperial Dunes Recreation Area where there were massive RVs parked up. They all had dune buggies and were racing up and over the sand, it looked brilliant.






More laundry to do, a gym to visit, some lounging by the pool then dinner at the generic steak diner. Our journey continued the next day as we made our way to Lake Havasu City. Along the road, in the rocky deserts, in the most incongruous places, were numerous RV parks. These RVs are massive, the same size as a 60 seater coach. The road was full of them, most towing a motorbike or a huge 4x4. Bowling along in our little Jeep Jim started to feel a bit inadequate. 'I wish I had a big rig,' he sighed. I told him I wouldn't be that enamoured of it if he did, so not to worry! In typical American style, in the middle of nowhere, there was a stars and stripes (flag) planted on the top of a huge rock.


Eventually we arrived at Lake Havasu City, the home of London Bridge. A very nice man from the local rotary club told us all about the city father bidding for the bridge and transporting it from London to this dry desert land. A man made channel was created diverting water from Lake Havasu, and the bridge built to span it.






The best bit? There was a world record attempt taking place - for the most people line dancing in one place, in this case on London Bridge!! Only in America....


Day 180 of our travels and we were on our way to Las Vegas, staying at the 5 star Trump International Hotel courtesy of Hotwire.com. On checking in the receptionist asked if we wished to upgrade to a larger room. We declined. Once in our room I made my way to the bathroom, past the sitting room, dining area, extra king size bed and dressing area. As James helpfully pointed out, any bigger room and I would have got lost! Vegas has changed since we were last here, loads of abandoned building sites, some very tired looking hotels and casinos but better food and new flashier resorts. I like Las Vegas - for a few hours, but after that it grates on me and drains my energy.


Of course we watched the fountains at the Bellagio, wandered around it's gardens, looked at the sad looking birds at the Flamingo and listened to the gondoliers singing at the Venetian.





Tuesday was incredible - so windy, speeds of up to 90 mph, sand storms closed the road between Arizona and Nevada. From our hotel window we could no longer see the mountains, or in fact the other side of the street. The once beautifully regimented sunbeds were floating in the choppy swimming pool and banging around in the hot tubs. Members of the hotel staff battled to stay upright as they tried to rescued the beds on the 16th floor! The palm trees were bent double.Only a very few brave souls tried to walk in the storm. We decided reading was the way forward! That night we took a taxi to Planet Hollywood and watched the fantastic 'Vegas - The Show.' Brilliant, great singers, great energy and the costumes......

The reason we were in Vegas though? TO SEE DONNY!!!!!!! I know a lot of you, well most of you, will not understand my excitement, but I also know several of you who do! A fabulous birthday present, and one which took me right back to my teenage years!

We were shown into the showroom at the Flamingo (needs a refurb, or better still, knocking down!) Our seats were somewhat disappointing but, after a greasing of the palm, in typical Vegas fashion we were moved to seats right next to the sticky out bit in the centre of the stage. Look at the photo (had to take photo after show finished, they wouldn't let cameras out during.)


OMG, I don't think I breathed through the whole show. I was literally 2 feet away from my fantasy. Marie was a bit of a revelation too - she can actually sing! She sang Pie Jesu. Immaculate.

Donny had a wicker fan with a picture of himself on when he was about 16, a prop in a dance routine. He signed it then offered it to the audience. I stood up and reached out, he looked at me, smiled, then a large, blonde woman ran onto the stage and grabbed at it. There was some indecision, he was obviously going to give it to me, then he succumbed and gave her the fan. Cow! Whoops, that's the first time my Buddhist blessing hasn't worked in months!!!!

However, he sang Puppy Love to me. Well, he made eye contact with me while he was singing! James would like to say at this point that I ought to appreciate the things he puts himself through for me! I do, I really do!! I was on a high for the remainder of the evening, and this morning, especially as we left Vegas.



We're now in Boulder City, next to Lake Mead. There is loads of fresh air, beautiful scenery, no neon and no palms to grease! Tomorrow the adventure continues, we're going rafting on the Colorado river......


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Location:Jasmine Way,Boulder City,Nevada,United States

California Dreaming

We left the beautifully calm Auckland airport at 3.30 pm on 28th Feb and boarded our Quantas flight, apart from the in-flight movies not working and the fact that I jealously watched James sleep effortlessly, the flight was uneventful. We arrived at the disorganised, disinterested and manic LAX at 6.40 am on 28th Feb and finally emerged to catch the hotel shuttle at 9.10 am!!!

Still, it was a beautiful clear and bright day, the trees were loaded with pink blossom and we had our first American hotel breakfast to look forward to! After an hours doze we went for a walk, remember we were staying near the airport in Westchester, not the prettiest of places and not conducive to walking! But it served the purpose, which was to keep us awake as long as possible. By 8.30 we gave up and slept solidly for 12 hours!

The next day we picked up the fifth hire car of our trip, a Jeep Compass. Impossible to create a name from the registration plate this time so Jim simply called it Al - it came from Alamo.

Since September we have been lucky to visit places we have never been to before, and determined to continue in this vein whilst in America and Europe where we have been several times, we bypassed Los Angeles and drove 1 1/2 hours south to the beautiful city of San Diego.


We stopped for lunch on the beach in the San Diego district of Oceanside, sharing our lunch of bagels and peanut butter, liberated from breakfast, with several squirrels. They loved the peanut butter but weren't keen on plain bagels!


That evening we visited the state park of Old Town, a celebration of Spanish mission houses and all things Mexican. It was beautifully restored, if a little like a theme park. Feeling a little spaced out we had an early night and another 10 hours sleep! Travelling back 21 hours messes with your body clock and your mind...

We woke up to a sunny, bright but windy day so took the trolley bus around the sights of San Diego.


It has a large military and naval presence with excellent maritime and naval museums. I loved the statue next to the Midway aircraft carrier which is now a museum. It's called 'Unconditional Surrender,' stands about 30 feet tall and depicts the photo of the sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York at the announcement of the end of World War II.


What a gorgeous city, fountains, art work, statues, etc, so pretty. Jim got talking to a guy called William Princeton, Bill, an ex-army chap. He was fab, dead chatty and interesting. They were comparing policing in the UK and US. I left them to it! On the return journey on the trolley the driver was holding competitions where everyone clapped and whooped. How tiresome!! He eventually handed out a dollar to the person who came from the furthest away. Everyone was falling over themselves to shout out various states. Eventually we tentatively said, 'England.' Well, everyone went quiet, then gave us a round of applause!! The dollar was duly passed down the bus to us. Jim pondered, and said, 'Do you think they know thats further than New York?'

Today, finally feeling a bit more human we hit the mall! Jim insisted on wearing an England rugby top he bought in a closing down sale of a shop set up for the Rugby World Cup 2011 in Auckland. Twice, chatty assistants asked where we were from...


This afternoon we've seen Balboa Park, home to loads of museums, gardens, restaurants, walking trails, etc. We walked round the desert garden and down into a steep canyon. A fab lunch followed. All in all a great day.









I love American telly. Whilst I'm typing this Sean Hannity on Fox is holding a 'serious' political debate which has deteriorated into a shouting match. Brilliant!

Into the car tomorrow and heading out of town over the Algodones Dunes, past the Chocolate Mountains and heading for Blythe on the Colorado River.



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Location:Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, California