Lazy start to a grey day, but at least no rain.
Have a drive up to Cherbourg, not that we’ve never been there before!
A tad on the cool side with the wind.
Have a wander around the shopping centre and the main square. The place is infested with Brits, there’s a cruise ship in port.
Then a leisurely drive back. At least the suns been peeking through .
Free speech in Europe
This week’s rants are going to focus on living in a kakistocracy. People ask why do we spend so much time abroad. The answer is simple, I don’t want to be in the UK, it is a kakistocracy. The stupidity and ineptitude of our politicians, wokes and libtards drives me insane. At least when we’re in America I can escape it, as long as Wendy stops reading the UK news every morning. Yes, things are chaotic in America and they have their own bunch of half wits, but at least it doesn’t affect me so I can sit back and cope with it. As long as they don’t mess with my 6 month B2 visa I don’t really give a damn.
So I’ll stick with my last key task in life, “To be out of the UK for at least 8 months a year”. Good news is so far I’m easily achieving it, bad news is there’s no bonus attached.
Weathers pretty good, so the highlight of the day is taking the awning down rather than risk rain in the next few days. Takes about 40 minutes. Easier than erecting it.
Decide to keep it simple and leave all the windows in, amazing I manage to fold it into the bag.
New turbo roundabout in the USA. Bloody hell they can’t cope with a simple roundabout, this will be a death trap.
Have a stroll into the market in La Haye. Amazing for the first time ever we buy something, sausage and pork steak for my tea.
Market day is probably the busiest day of the week so the butchers decide to close – pots for rags.
THE BATTLE FOR LA HAYE-DU-PUITS
The strategic importance of La Haye-du-Puits was not lost to either side in the conflict, lying as it does on an important crossroads between Cherbourg and Coutances. Surrounded by hills, the Montgardon ridge lies to the west, the Mont de Doville and the Mont Etenclin to the north, and Mont Castre to the east. These heights were where the Germans had set up their defensive positions known as the Mahlmann Line. To break through this front and liberate the town, the Americans, coming from Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, had brought up 3 Divisions of the 8th Corps, deployed between Portbail and Baupte. To the west was the 79th Division, to the east the 90th, and between them the 82nd Airborne.
The battle for La Haye-du-Puits began on the 3rd July and lasted nearly a week, partly due to the strength of German resistance, and partly to the drenching rain which prevented the Americans from making full use of their firepower and mobility, and rendering efficient large-scale air operations difficult if not impossible. Between the 3rd and 7th July, the 82nd Airborne was dropped on Mont Etenclin and the Poterie Ridge. The 90th took particularly heavy casualties on the slopes of Mont Castre, which was only captured on the 10th July; the 79th got off more lightly in taking the Montgardon heights and Mont Doville, but encountered some difficulties clearing the Germans out of La Haye du Puits, which only completely freed overnight between the 8th and 9th July.
The town itself sustained considerable damage and many houses were destroyed.
Time to leave. After breakfast we set about packing up the caravan ready for storage until next year.
About 2 hours later and it’s all done. Amazing how it takes longer to pack up than to set up.
Nip to the supermarket and then relax around for the afternoon.
Drive off around tea time to get to the ferry. Sadly it doesn’t leave until 23:30 so we’ve a lot of time to kill, sat at the port in Caen. Eat our butties, drink some beer and wine, watch some TV.
Brittany Ferries send us an email with everything you need to know about your sailing. Typical screw up as it omits the address of the port. Seems fairly fundamental to me but what can you expect.
Trust us to get behind a couple of plonkers when driving off the ferry. He comes and checks the boot at least 4 times and she checks it 5 times, guess they’re looking for their passports. He wanders off to look. Everyone starts to drive off. She finds their passports. By now they’re holding up the row so she wanders off, assumedly to look for him. He comes back but she’s gone. Still holding line up. finally she comes back. What a pair of dollopers.
Finally get off the ferry and over to Brett’s for breakfast.
Lazy day at Brett’s combined with some shopping – joy.
Fish and chips for tea. I try Huss, meatier than cod.
Teachers face being stopped from calling pupils girls or boys under new gender rules drawn up by Scottish council officials.
They are urged to use “they” instead of “he” or “she” and “children” or “young people” instead of “boys and girls”.
Has the World gone mad? Who even listens to these crazy pillocks.
It’s the big day, Brett and Karine getting married. Meet them in Chichester, along with Karine’s two children. There’s just the six of us, Brett daughters wouldn’t come.
They’re getting married in the registry office. Very nice ceremony, in a pleasant location, mind you at £700 so it should be. They just wanted a no fuss wedding. Afterwards we all go to a French restaurant for a lovely lunch and of course some wine.
Then it’s back to Brett’s for more drinks and cake.
All in all a awesome day, and even the rain managed to stay away.
Be bonny and buxom in bed and at board.
This was a phrase found in a 1085 marriage contract overseen by the bishop of Salisbury.
Bonny: french for good. Buxom: German for obedient or compliant. “In bed and at board” means in the evening and in meals. Board apparently refers to sideboard where food would be kept. It is a promise to be good all day long and to feed the husband well.
Actually, buxom could be flexible…maybe there was another connotation after all.
Is Capitalism or Socialism More Democratic?
https://www.prageru.com/video/capitalism-or-socialism-which-one-is-more-democratic?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_9469095
Lazy coffee morning then in the afternoon we all go for a stroll around Arundel. Would have gone in the castle but at £20 a head that’s not worth it.
Human rights travesty
Joy getting out of France.
It took us all of 4 minutes to clear passport and immigration getting into Europe – well done Spain, amazing.
Now try getting out of France. They want to scan my suitcase, no illegals found; scan our backpacks, no illegals found; check under my armpits, no illegals found. What in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster are they looking for?
Pity they don’t concentrate their efforts on stopping illegals crossing on boats rather than standing by and watching them.
Today’s highlight is a trip to the Biscuit Factory. Amazing the cafe is open for lunch so we splash out on some coffee, sadly the lunch menu just consist of cakes and desserts, but at least they’re open – amazing.
Lazy morning, start to a cloudy day.
Stop off at Intermarches to buy a box of that gamay I enjoyed yesterday. All of E9.28 for 3 litres. Not bad, very quaffable.
A lovely sunny day so we splash out on French cafe life.
This was going to be an alcohol free day until I saw all those beers lined up. It would have been a sin not to try a couple of them. Conclusion if you want a beer go to Germany or the UK.
A lazy start to a grey cloud day.
The objective at Utah was to secure a beachhead on the Cotentin Peninsula, the location of important port facilities at Cherbourg. The amphibious assault, primarily by the US 4th Infantry Division and 70th Tank Battalion, was supported by airborne landings of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. The intention was to rapidly seal off the Cotentin Peninsula, prevent the Germans from reinforcing Cherbourg, and capture the port as quickly as possible. Utah, along with 
Sword on the eastern flank, was added to the invasion plan in December 1943. These changes doubled the frontage of the invasion and necessitated a month-long delay so that additional landing craft and personnel could be assembled in England. Allied forces attacking Utah faced two battalions of the 919th Grenadier Regiment, part of the 709th Static Infantry Division. While improvements to fortifications had been undertaken under the leadership of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel beginning in October 1943, the troops assigned to defend the area were mostly poorly equipped non-German conscripts.
D-Day at Utah began at 01:30, when the first of the airborne units arrived, tasked with securing the key crossroads at Sainte-Mère-Église and controlling the causeways through the flooded farmland behind Utah so the infantry could advance inland. While some airborne objectives were quickly met, many paratroopers landed far from their drop zones and were unable to fulfill their objectives on the first day. On the beach itself, infantry and tanks landed in four waves beginning at 06:30 and quickly secured the immediate area with minimal casualties. Meanwhile, engineers set to work clearing the area of obstacles and mines, and additional waves of reinforcements continued to arrive. At the close of D-Day, Allied forces had only captured about half of the planned area and contingents of German defenders remained, but the beachhead was secure.
The 4th Infantry Division landed 21,000 troops on Utah at the cost of only 197 casualties. Airborne troops arriving by parachute and glider numbered an additional 14,000 men, with 2,500 casualties. Around 700 men were lost in engineering units, 70th Tank Battalion, and seaborne vessels sunk by the enemy. German losses are unknown. Cherbourg was captured on June 26, but by this time the Germans had destroyed the port facilities, which were not brought back into full operation until September.
Manage to squeeze our car out of the dungeon.
wooden staircase. I think it dates back to Marie Antoinette’s time. Makes you feel old and dodarie when coming down and knackers you going up with your luggage. But, never mind the room is modern, comfortable and has a kitchen.
Lazy morning, warm and sunny. I have a stroll around town and visit the tourist info, amazing they were open, but pretty useless.
In the afternoon we’ve booked a tour of the Baron Otard distillery and the castle. Wasn’t really interested in the castle but it seems some king or other was born there so they got quite excited about it. Finally get to the serious bit with the distillery. Overall a very informative and interesting tour and the tour guide spoke good English. 
The best of the tour was left to the end, the tasting. Sadly they’re obsessed with their new D’Usse brand and you only get to compare the VSOP and XO. I ended up buying a Baron Otard VSOP to compare. Still prefer the Baron Otard but there’s not much in it. They won’t let you taste the Baron Otard VS, “that’s just for cooking with”, it’s also a lot cheaper. 
Exclusive, luxurious and splendid – all apt descriptions for the fine Baron Otard Cognac. This alcoholic beverage has an intriguing, ancient history attached, which dates as far back as the Middle Ages. Baron Otard Cognac has long been venerated from its conception in 1795, until today. This brand is superior in quality and highly valued.
Robust and powerful, smooth, but never harsh, the refined aromas merge with the distinct flavours, to position this brand of cognac way above the rest, on the highest of ranks. Baron Otard Cognac carries the mark of the quality. It is made to perfection, ensuring every sip delivers a taste so exquisite, you will attest that Baron Otard Cognac is indeed the master of all cognacs.
We set off for lunch at a local restaurant, bugger another restaurant that’s too lazy to update their website to show they’re closed – bloody French.
Cost me a bottle of the VS for Wendy, she preferred it to the more expensive VSOP – thank the FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster). I tried them all in the lounge afterwards. Also we had to buy 6 stylish small tumblers. Another day, another dollar / euro. Interesting in the lounge we couldn’t buy a glass of the Caribbean version – law against it – but we could try all the more expensive Cognacs – now there’s a surprise. And then people wonder why we left to EU?
Pineau des Charentes, (Pineau Charentais, or simply Pineau) is a regional aperitif of western France, made in the départements of Charente, Charente-Maritime, and (to a lesser extent) Dordogne. While popular within its region of production, it is less well known in other regions of France and somewhat uncommon abroad.
Weak government climate policies violate fundamental human rights, the European court of human rights has ruled.
Another warm sunny day. Time to man up and set up the awning. After 2.5 hours it’s done and stapled down. Can’t imagine it’ll wine a gold Olympic medal for the best set up awning, but at least it’s not fell down yet. They reckon these air awnings are easier than the traditional awning with poles. I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with that but at least you can set up single handed. Let’s hope it survives the winds forecast for Monday.
In the afternoon we drive over to Lunel to watch the bullfight.
Really enjoyed the Course Camarguaise, I think for Wendy it fell into the same category as a Rodeo, once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all.
From spring through to autumn, on the golden sand of Arles’ arena and in each Camargue village, an impassioned and knowledgeable crowd is gathered. Razeteurs (Camargue bullfighters) come head-to-head with Camargue bulls in this chivalrous game that requires such values as loyalty and valour from both Man and beast.
Skill and agility, along with a mutual re-spect, are key to the Camargue bullfight.
Unlike with corridas (Spanish bullfights) which show the matador’s name in big letters, post-ers publicising the course Camarguaise puts the bull’s name before that of the razeteur. 
The name of the manade (farm) from which the bull comes is also given. The true star of the show is really the bull! From fight to fight, his qualities bring him glory and make him a sought-after animal, guaranteeing some very action-packed afternoons!
As for the razeteurs, they are just support acts, their fame being based on the reputation of the bull that they are facing. No blood is spilled in the Camargue bullfight; the Camargue bull does not come to kill, unlike his Spanish cousin! When this bull kills, which unfortunately can happen, his name is scratched from all lists!
It is around the age of three that a bull is at the peak of his “training” and knows his “profession” well. This is the one that that breeder saves for the end of the show, allowing the younger and less experienced bulls to go first so as to learn how to avoid the traps set by the razeteurs. It is this which gives the fight its crescendo intensity and helps to recognise future “hopefuls”, be they bulls or razeteurs.
The clash of Man and beast in the ring requires much cunning from both parties. 
The organis-ers coordinate six bulls for one afternoon. The bulls take turns to enter the ring for a few minutes; just enough time to contend with several skilled and energetic razeteurs.
The razeteurs compete against one another to remove, as quickly as possible, the objects placed between the bull’s horns. These are strings, tassels and a cockade which each earn the razeteur a cash prize upon removing it.
But, before cutting and removing each of the objects with his four-bladed hook, he must first tire the bull, which, with good strong legs, often chases the razeteurs right up to the barrier. This results in the razeteurs throwing themselves several feet in the air over the barriers in order to escape the sharp and powerful horns. 
Sometimes, the particularly agile bulls will also jump over the barriers, making the event even more dramatic and emotional, especially for those lucky specta-tors in the first row!
At the end of each round to signify the end of combat, the famous aria from the opera Car-men is played.
Every year, the “golden rosette” in the Arles arena gathers the elite of the course Camar-guaise. At the end of this prestigious after-noon, the highly coveted rosette is awarded, honouring the work of the breeder and recog-nising the bravery of the best razeteur of the year. This razeteur, in addition to receiving the praise of the tradition’s professionals and the people of Arles, is allowed to kiss the always beautiful Queen of Arles.
Sadly another French Airbnb with parking designed to try the patience of a saint, not something I’m known for, and the need for a car the size of a Bubble Car. Sadly we have the misfortune to have an internal garage. The problem is reversing into it is a nightmare. It doesn’t have to be but they have some stupid barriers in place that serve absolutely no purpose other than making it inch by inch impossible to easily reverse in. No chance to drive in. Yet another example of sublime French stupidity. There really is no sense to it.
Another sunny day in the mid 60’s. Very lazy morning.
Sat on the balcony watching the seagull gracefully glide on the air currents, not a wing flap needed.
A corkscrew.
Lovely sunny and warmish start to the day. We could have breakfast on the balcony it’s that warm and best of all no breeze.
Then it’s a trip to that awesome, cavernous supermarket. We pass on the fridges and washing machines and just settle for wine, fish and steaks. I try a Teille for tonight’s tea. As it’s our wedding anniversary we treat ourselves to a bottle of Cognac to sip on our sunny balcony – cheaper than in a bar.
Great scallop (Coquille Saint-Jacques) or Pecten maximus, common names the great scallop, king scallop, St James shell or escallop, is a northeast Atlantic species of scallop, an edible saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pectinidae. This is the type species of the genus. This species may be conspecific with Pecten jacobaeus, the pilgrim’s scallop, which has a much more restricted distribution.
Does France have a national problem with bad eyesight.Judging by the number of Optician shops I think the whole population must have eyesight problems. Perhaps that explains why they drive up my backside, perhaps they can’t see me until they’re 10 centimeters away or they’re try to read my number plate.
Another sunny day so it’s a stroll around Palavas and the beach, followed by a somewhat dubious beer.
A pleasant stroll along the beach reveals some pleasant sites. Topless bathing in France lives on. Hallelujah. I think in this instance we should thank the skill of a plastic surgeon and the benefits of silicon engineering.
Another warm sunny day.
Have a saunter around the shops and then it’s back on the tram to the car. Followed by a treat for Wendy to that ginormous Carrefour supermarket in Perot’s
Up early and ready for a 10:00 departure
It’ Toulouse. It’s France. It’s Sunday. And of course it’s closed. The problem is figuring out when they can bother opening.
After a lazy morning we have a stroll into Port Vendre. As we should have remembered everywhere is closed – it is France after all closed Saturday lunch through to Tuesday morning; plus Saints day (amazed how many saints there are); plus special events; plus stock taking. And of course closed for 3 hours at lunch time – staggered lunch breaks are much too difficult for them to comprehend.
More climate nonsense from the EU. Under EUDR, importers of commodities like coffee, cocoa, soy, palm, cattle, timber and rubber – and products that use them – must be able to prove their goods did not originate from deforested land, or face hefty fines.
Lazy start as usual. Sunny day so we try out the deck chairs on the balcony but by lunch time the balcony is in shade.
Warm sunny day. Drive over to Collioure. Leave Wendy in the car – she’s taking it easy on her back today – while I have a stroll around the town and harbour.
be here in summer, just no where to park.
Another sunny day with a lazy start. We start to pack some of the bags and lug then down to the car ready for tomorrows departure.
Then we have a languid but tortuous drive over to Cerbere. The roads we’ve around the vineyards on the hillsides. Not a lot there but we get a coffee on the promenade and enjoy the afternoon by the sea.
Lazy start to the morning followed by a trouble free, 5 hour drive down to Plymouth.
Today I celebrate the screw top wine bottle, none of the difficulty of the cork so beloved by the French. Just easy on a road trip. Screw open, no need for a corkscrew. Drink. Screw bottle top with the remnants, assuming of course you’ve not managed to swig it all down.
Up early’ish for a traditional English breakfast. Traditional boarding house style breakfast, no buffet, just cooked on demand.
Then stroll up to Plymouth Hoe, so much history there.
A visit to Plymouth Hoe. Francis Drake finishing his game of bowls before setting off to defeat the Spanish Armada. And I’ve just seen to most beautiful Spaniel ever, a black and gold sable cocker spaniel. I’m so annoyed I didn’t get his photo. When I retire I will just have to have one.
Just a short 2 hour drive to our first overnight in San Sebastián. Driving along the auto routes in Spain and France is so much more relaxing than motorways in the UK. There’s no one on them. Mind you that’s not surprising considering you have to stop every 200 yards for yet another toll plaza. 
Suites lovely, but no one mentioned that the water doesn’t flow unless you pop your key in the slot. Bizarre!
Thankfully breakfast is better than last nights dinner. A great buffet continental selection.
Awesome sat in a sunny park in Tarbes, with flocks of peacocks. For the first time get to see a white peacock. Then watch a rampant pigeon trying to mount a female who in typical female fashion is having none of it, headache and playing hard to get. The male’s fascinating as he stalks after his prey, but still sates his hunger by pecking food from the ground as he follows her.
Drive over to Carcasson. The castle looks amazing. It’s a warm sunny day, but a tad breezy. Check into nice hotel and then have a stroll over to the castle. 
Tea is good, I enjoy a lovely cassoulet followed by tradition bread and cheese. And so to bed.
This castle is amazing. Just strolling around, enjoying the sun and warmth, and imagining how life used to be.
I always thought America was bad for the exhaust bandits driving up your backside to see what’s inside your exhaust pipe, but France is so much worse. The safe stopping distance in France is 50 metres. I blame the EU using the metric system as the stupid ones are confused my metres and centimetres so they assume it’s 50 centimetres.
Another sun, cloud and breezy day. After a good breakfast we take a stroll over to the castle again and pay to walk the ramparts and go into the castle. We’ve done it before but can’t really remember it. 
Then it’s a 90 minute drive over to our Airbnb for the next week in Port Vendres.
Swinging car into park lot is a nightmare, tight squeeze built for a bubble car. Then we have the key fiasco. Retrieve key 1 to get us into a courtyard. Retrieve set of 4 keys needed to get us through the various doors to our apartment. None of the keys are labelled and none of the doors / apartments are labelled. Stupidity rules yet again. Do these people ever think.
Apartments lovely with sea views and a balcony. Wot, where’s the comfy balcony furniture gone? It’s pretty well equipped and comfortable but you have to burst out in hysterics when you look at the thimbles they have for tea cups. Obviously think the rest of the world only drink espressos.
A grey day and not so warm.
Drive around a few supermarkets in the hope of finding some of that soft Australian liquorice. No luck.
Appropriately warm and sunny for our last day of our California Road trip.
Take a drive up to the famous La Jolla Cove for a pleasant stroll around and watch the seals. Try to find somewhere for coffee, but no luck other than rip off Starbucks. What the hells going on this Is America or have we been transported to some 3rd World ghetto.
Drive down to explore La Jolla Shores. Sit down on the beach front for coffee while Wendy goes indoors to order. A stroppy waiter confronts me. Oh I need to take your order. Well you weren’t here so my wife had to go inside to order. “Look I don’t give a rats who takes my order, it can be Donald Trump for all I care. All I want is a coffee, black, no pollutants. Simple.” Wendy encounters shit service indoors so we vote with our feet.
Leave Monterey, we’ve had a fabulous time there, and drive over to Sacramento.
Start the sunny day with a good breakfast.
The next stop is the state capital. It’s only half a mile away but in true American laziness we drive to it.
There’s an indigenous Peoples Protest. What are they protesting about. Well, it appears that some of them have gone missing or been murdered. When I ask a so what question they point out that indigenous people are 7 times more likely to be murdered or go missing. Apparently, they’re not blaming police negligence. Fortunately, there’s a protest march followed by a cultural dance event in front of the state capital.
They all have flags of their Nation but of course some woke snowflake has to spoil it with a Palestinian flag – disgusting they allow it.
Signs to the tour are wrong, point this out but everyone knows they’re wrong and nothing can be done about it, too much bureaucracy and politics involved so instead they just f..k with customers and waste their time. Typical politicians.
Yeah, it’s pancake day or as the Americans call it Mardi Gras. When I was a kid this was one of the highlights of the year. Just English pancakes for tea with orange juice, if you were lucky, and sugar on them, no Maple syrup or other exotic toppings. Times were hard and it’s a reflection of the times that his was one of the highlights of a kids year.
We’ve decided to add a stay Thursday and Friday at our Desert Hot Springs Airbnb rather than stop over two nights in Motels somewhere. So it’s a 3 hour drive down to Desert Hot Springs. A lovely scenic drive and very little traffic.
Have to say the photographer did a good job of making the rooms look way bigger than they actually are, but they’re big enough and lovely furnished, so it’s not a problem.
Sort Apple TV out and we’re settled in for the night with a couple of beers and some Zinfandel.
Lazy start to what will be a lazy day and for Wendy the excitement of a supermarket trip.
After a lazy start to a warm sunny day we’re off to Joshua Tree National Park, I’m excited.
Call in the visitors centre, tempted into buying another JT hat and then buy an annual NP pass, ready for summer.
Devastated at how busy the place is. Mind you perhaps coming on a Saturday was not such a good idea, and to top it off it’s a bank holiday weekend – Presidents Day on Monday. But the child in me could hardly wait. Nearly all the parking areas were chockablock, just too many damn tourists. Managed to park and have lunch sat by skull rock along with thousands of other pesky tourists. take a small stroll around the area, decide the best philosophy is to just drive around and enjoy the scenery as we will be coming back another day. scenery is awesome especially the rocks never mind the Joshua trees.
Sun and cloud, with the odd shower.
Then it’s one of the highlights of our trip, or so we suppose, as we visit Hearst Castle. Despite having passed this way several times we never got round to visiting it.
William Randolph Hearst Sr. (/hɜːrst/;[1] April 29, 1863 – August 14, 1951) was an American businessman, newspaper publisher, and politician known for developing the nation’s largest newspaper chain and media company, Hearst Communications. His flamboyant methods of yellow journalism influenced the nation’s popular media by emphasizing sensationalism and human interest stories. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887 with Mitchell Trubitt after being given control of The San Francisco Examiner by his wealthy father, Senator George Hearst.
After moving to New York City, Hearst acquired the New York Journal and fought a bitter circulation war with Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World. Hearst sold papers by printing giant headlines over lurid stories featuring crime, corruption, sex, and innuendos. Hearst acquired more newspapers and created a chain that numbered nearly 30 papers in major American cities at its peak. He later expanded to magazines, creating the largest newspaper and magazine business in the world. Hearst controlled the editorial positions and coverage of political news in all his papers and magazines, and thereby often published his personal views. He sensationalized Spanish atrocities in Cuba while calling for war in 1898 against Spain. Historians, however, reject his subsequent claims to have started the war with Spain as overly extravagant.
Mixed weather so after a lazy start we set off from the hotel in Cambria, really nice place, to our Airbnb in Seaside, just outside Monterey. Couldn’t go up Highway 1, as planned, the road is closed.
Rained all day so the usual lazy start. Drive down to Cannery Row, a tad disappointing. Just went shopping, trying to find a decent supermarket was worse than trying to find a decent web site. Then hunkered down and spent the day in.
Sun and cloud day, so after the usual lazy start we take a drive down the Famous highway to the Big Sur. some awesome coastal views. Can see why it’s the most dangerous road in America, too many great views to distract you. Although we’ve drive highway 1 South to North, we had planned on this trip to drive all the way up highway from Atascadero to Monterey but it’s closed is currently closed due to a massive landslide that occurred in January 2023 at a location called Paul’s Slide. This landslide buried a two-mile segment of the highway, making it impassable. It’s not forecast to be open until late 2024, but at least we got to photograph the iconic bridge.
In the evening we go out for dinner to Tarpy’s. Paul’s recommended their Shrimp and Grits. It was just around the corner from our Airbnb, the shrimp and grits were amazing, I was stuffed. But as for the rest of it, well. Place was freezing, needed long Johns and an anorak. Had an Artichoke starter, what an Anorexic Artichoke, hardly any flesh on it. Wendy had the Meatloaf, not very tasty, but the shrimp grits made it all worthwhile.
Sunny day so we take a drive around the famous 17 mile drive. Yes, we have to pay $11.95, but unusual for to say it was well worth it. Some spectacular ocean views and get to see the World famous Lone Cedar – reminds me of the cover of the book Snow Falling On Cedars.
The Lone Cypress is a Monterey cypress tree located in Pebble Beach, California. Standing atop a granite headland overlooking Carmel Bay, the tree has become a Western icon and has been called one of the most photographed trees in North America.
Sunny day. Off down to the Aquarium . Parking is a nightmare. I end up ina 2 mile No Left Turn debacle, unbelievable.
Take out a second mortgage for the coffee and can you believe $20 to park.
Pop round to Audrey’s to return the free tickets.
Seeing elephant seals in the wild is a truly remarkable experience, and coastal viewpoints in California offer breathtaking sights of this species that you won’t want to miss. As you watch these large, blubbery mammals interact in their natural habitat, the experience is made even more special knowing that you are witnessing a conservation success story. 
Northern elephant seals were hunted to the brink of extinction by the end of the 19th century. After decades of being slaughtered for their blubber, which people used for lamp oil during that time, only an estimated 100 animals remained on one small island off the coast of Mexico. 
Mexico and the United States declared protections for this species, and northern elephant seals rebounded in a big way—there are an estimated 150,000 – 200,000 individuals today, and the population continues to grow every year. 
This species is found in the North Pacific, ranging from Baja California, Mexico, to the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. Elephant seals spend the vast majority of their time—about nine months of the year—in the open ocean, only coming to shore twice each year to breed and molt. 
They have one of the longest migrations of any mammal in the world, traveling up to 13,000 miles each year from shore to their feeding grounds in the northern Pacific Ocean. During their biannual migrations at sea, northern elephant seals forage for bottom-dwelling creatures and dive up to depths over 5,000 feet (that’s equal to four Empire State Buildings!). 
While there are peak seasons between December and June when most elephant seals haul out, or temporarily leave the water, you can see elephant seals year-round in California on their breeding beaches, called rookeries. But with so much of their lives spent underwater up to 5,000 miles offshore, how is it that elephant seals can be spotted on the beach during any season? 
Whether you visit an elephant seal viewing point or tune in to our live beach webcam, you can watch wild seals ashore and observe their fascinating natural behaviors. Follow the incredible life journey of this species in the timeline below, find out when and where to see elephant seals in California, and learn how you can help protect these animals. 
Another sunny day. 
In the evening I watch the Super Bowl tonight. Pity I don’t understand it. Adverts galore. Half time entertainment was pathetic, who were they? Wot no costume failures.
Drive over to the Santa Monica Mountains. First stop King Gillette Ranch. Of course the visitors centre is closed but have a shuffle around. Then it’s on to own main objective, Malibu Creek Park. Sit an have lunch admiring the Mountains – well hills really – and the Blue Birds. Then head off to the Rock Pool. It’s near the visitors centre which as well as being closed is a 1 mile walk away from the main car park. What numpty dreamt this up. Don’t they realise this is America, nobody walks in America. On top of that the distances shown on the signs are a total screw up. Not only must their idea of a mile be based on some mythical American mile, but to find the Rock Pool gets further away as you get closer must be some sort of space time distortion in the fabric of their universe.
Anyway finally get there and it’s infested with two families and an excess of noisy rug rats.
Pass on Peter Strauss Ranch. 
Then decide we’ll drive down the rest of the famous Mulholland Drive, can you believe it’s closed. Oh well, 101 back to home for afternoon tea in our new mini-kettle – Assam, so civilised.
Another sunny day and lazy start.
Then we do the botanical gardens, at least with plant watching they don’t fly off like bird watching. The place is in need of a bit of TLC and some signs. Good 90 minute walk up and down but not really worth the $7 each. 
The sea mist is shrouding the Channel Islands, there’s an occaisional peep through the mist.
Lazy start to a grey day as we pack to move onto to Nat and Pauls home in Atascadero. I must be about 8 years since we last saw them.
Then drive onto Atascadero after yet another brief supermarket stop.
Then drive down the coast to Harmony for a shuffle around the pottery and glassworks. Only 18 people live there!
Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund’sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day) is a tradition observed regionally in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.
While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.
To serve all our troops in all branches of the United States Military by sending care boxes full of items they need for their professional and personal well-being.
We were going to drive up Highway 1, all along the cost to where it was closed off. But when we saw the various work crews clearing fallen trees decided it might be more sensible to just hunker down for the afternoon. Test out some SQL solutions for PCMSC, and who knows I might even get some of the Benjamin Franklin biography read.
