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
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