Last Monday dawned bright and warm as you would expect in California in July, but to be truthful it was boiling hot – never below the mid-nineties I would say all the time we were in Davis with B and Tim, Sophie and Ollie. What better way to start the week than a little trip to San Fran?

The Wilkos drove to the city, whilst Matt and I caught the Amtrak which is way easier than negotiating Reg over the Golden Gate Bridge. As with all public transport there were some issues – i.e. the first train that we planned to get was cancelled and the next one was two hours later – but we had a lovely coffee and pastry in Davis whilst we waited. As a university town Davis was very good for coffee shops with Wi-Fi and I took some photos of their cabinets for cakes – ready for Al’s Café when I am back!

We met up with the others in San Fran by the middle of the afternoon. The train journey was fun – who doesn’t like a double decker train as the views are so much better and it seemed to hug the coast as we approached the city. We had booked a hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf so we all met up and went for a wander around that area. The sea lions on the pier looked enormous and were very funny making that honking noise. I must say after a week of drinking and eating with B & Tim I feel that I might resemble one!

We had a late lunch and then set off to show Ollie and Sophie the trolley buses. I am not sure that they could believe them – they are incredibly exciting and dangerous. Matt and I had forgotten how exhilarating it is to be on something about a hundred years old, operated by someone who looks as old as the bus, with just one handle, up and down those huge hills! Then when you want to get on or off you have to brave the oncoming traffic!

The reason for being in San Fran on a Monday evening was to go to the AT&T stadium and see the San Francisco Giants take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at baseball. Sadly, the Giants are really bad this season, so despite the organ and the entertainment between the innings – which consisted of a t shirt gun, quizzes, kiss cam, etc. – the evening did fall rather flat as the Giants were thrashed.

As you would expect dear reader we threw ourselves into the game as best we could. We seemed to be seated in a section for foreigners – so we had French, German and people from Southbourne (?!!) near us. We all drank as much as we could in the time and ate pizza, hot dogs and pretzels. Pretty much like all sporting stadia the world over – this was all over priced muck and we suspected that the beer was even watered down!!

Oliver I think probably enjoyed it the most as a sporting spectacle. The rest of us loved the view from the stands which make you feel that you are actually out to sea. As the sun set it was hard to stay focused on the game when ferries and cruise ships were docking nearby.

Tuesday started with one of Matt’s desires being satisfied – breakfast at the IHOP. Dreadful – so we don’t need to go again on this trip – so that was good news – to have it out of the way.

The six of us hired some bikes and rode to Golden Gate Bridge and it was frankly perfect. Windy and sunny (when we were last in San Francisco with Barbara in 1999 – the weather was very hit and miss – but this time it was glorious). The city is very cycle friendly so we were all safe on the paths. The bridge itself was a nightmare as one side is being worked on – so not much space for cycling what with pedestrians, other cyclists and dogs – so we turned back just before half way. However, we made it and it is such an impressive structure that it makes for a great photo backdrop. A little extra magic is supplied each time a tanker or chopper goes over or under it too.

Super lunch by the water and then B, Sophie and I decided that we would do a little bit of shopping. Oliver started out with us, but the allure of Tim and Matt just sitting in a coffee shop held more appeal – especially as by now we were in a changing room. No one wants to see their old auntie in her underwear…

Matt and I trained it back that evening and we were all thrilled to be back in Davis and the lovely house with the pool. It was a super trip to San Fran and I thought so much of Jenny and Martin who were married there and of course when we went last time Caz and Chaz who were honeymooning when we met them. It is a great place – looks much more affluent than in 1999 – lots of apartment blocks downtown and perhaps not quite so many tramps… but still absolutely loads compared to other places we have been.

We had a chilled day on Wednesday in Davis. Spent the day by the pool and nonstop chatting. As you can imagine after all these months of only brief calls to my sister – we had loads to catch up on. That evening we went to the farmer’s market in Davis, which was very jolly – lots of fruit, veg, bread, olive oil, street food, live music but unlike the UK not one beer tent! Imagine that at home?!

Thursday, we set off early to take Reg into Sacramento to have a service. We have now done 19,000 miles and before we do our epic drive across the States we wanted to have his brakes and radiator checked. He had a little funny turn on the day of the fire in Yosemite where he overheated climbing up the hills, so we cannot take any chances. Whilst he was in the hospital we had a lovely breakfast watching the political workers come and go outside the state capitol all with their security passes and hot office clothes on. Brought back memories of having to wear proper clothes and high heels (well Matt anyway!) and gave us a stark reminder of how lucky we are to still be doing this.

The Wilkos joined us late morning and we did a self-guided tour of the capitol building. California is so big and rich that their state government is larger than some European countries so the buildings and the associated offices were impressive. We even saw a political demo outside the door about gay marriage. After that we had a little stroll around Old Sacramento up by the river, but my word it was so hot we quickly gave up and went back to the house after Reg was given the all clear (albeit with some new oil and filters).

Friday, we had to leave Davis so we headed down the coast so that B & Tim were closer to LA for their flight back. We stopped in Morro Bay which is a bit like Gibraltar. A huge lump of rock beside the beach which seems to attract sea lions and otters, plus pelicans and gulls galore. We had a wonderful last evening together. A bit too rowdy perhaps for some of the other guests – but my word we went out with a bang – even dancing was involved much to the embarrassment of Ollie and Sophie.

Saturday was a sad day to say goodbye to the Wilkos – but it had to be done. We parted and they went down the 101 to Santa Barbara and Matt & I briefly went back north as we wanted to go to Salinas again and see a bit of the Big Sur. Because of the weather earlier in the year – i.e. the terrible rains that California had in Feb and March the road has been swept away in a few places and it is not currently open to drive along – just odd sections. Anyway, despite our sore heads we managed to have a nice lunch below Hearst Castle (did not do the tour as we had done it previously) and watched the pelicans fishing and seals getting very close to the beach.

Sunday, we returned to the Steinbeck museum in Salinas and saw ‘Rocinante’ – which was his Reg from 1960, that he drove around the US in. Travels with Charley has been a very influential book for us on this trip – so it was good to revisit this brilliant museum and Salinas which is a great town.

After the museum we did drive the Monterey part of the Big Sur and spent last night in the Big Sur state park. To say California is busy at the moment is the understatement. We cannot believe our luck when we manage to get into a site and last night was a case in point. The site is right beside a washed-out bridge so we went for a walk along route 1 and had the road to ourselves. The businesses along the route are just about hanging on as some of the damage is very severe and they will miss this summer’s trade completely.

Today we headed south ourselves. We see Sally on Saturday which will be a good tonic after leaving B & Tim. It has been a wonderful week for us – a proper holiday within a holiday – but now back in Reg and excited for the next four months.

Have a super week and happy birthday Rachel and Bean. Sorry that the cards are not in the post!! A x