The Big Sur and other things…….

The Big Sur

We drove back from adorable Mendocino to San Francisco in one piece - more or less - we did a runner at the Golden Gate toll booth 'cos we were in the fastrack lane by mistake and it wasn't manned. I'm sure we are on the 'most wanted' toll runners list now. 

We got back to San Fran to find Jay had arranged another dinner party with us as guest of honour - a great night with lots of singing and red wine. Met a couple more of Jay friends - Lainie and Anne - two very different characters. 

On Thursday we wandered down to Fisherman's Wharf and further out onto the groin - it was freezing - so windy!  We spent some time slouching on the bleachers to warm up again.

Keeping warm on the bleechers -  Fishermans Bay

Fishermans Wharf

Happy Hour - note to self - look for Happy hour at all places. Our first happy hour spent in a very cool American Diner - we had mini burgers (sliders) pork ribs and chicken tacos - and half prices wine and beer - gotta love that. 

Finally went to a comedy club in the evening — it was great — except I got picked on a bit — my fault for admitting to not speaking Spanish - in a town where nearly every one can (smart arses)!  On Friday we had another dinner party at Jay's - this time it was Herb, Hesta and an Angelina Jolie look alike. 

Comedy Club San Fran - note to self - don't speak to comedians!

On the Saturday we went to Herbs for dinner - great night - he cooked a great "American" meal of collard greens, sweet potato with marshmallow and corn bread plus BBQ'ed salmon. Funny couch surfer from Singapore was there and a couple have Herbs friends - we had a great night and ended up talking complete crap about movies and the attribute of movie stars  - awesome!

Sunday we hired the car from San Fran airport and drove to Monterey - we stayed a the Bayside Motor lodge - just like the Bates Motel - but with a very sweet manager - an Indian guy called Neil ! I gorged myself on watching TV - first time in nearly a month - fantastic.

Of course he feels lucky - look who he is married to!

Monterey was interesting - Cannery Row was touristy as expected but also very pretty - lovely scenery. Bought Richard a delicious lemon meringue pie - a piece cost $4.50 - the whole pie only cost $7 - we should have bought the whole damn pie!

Drove to Carmel on Monday - the Lonely Planet says it "glows in it's own smugness" which sums it up nicely - but wow what a fantastic beach it has. Lots and lots of people were walking their dogs off the leash - good excuse to talk to people  and very friendly. Had a drink at the Hogs Breath pub and watched the news about Osama.

We stayed with couch surfers last night and again tonight. They are a nice couple who run the local visitor centre in Salinas (famous for being home of John Steinbeck). We spent oh, about four hour standing in their kitchen chatting before dinner - I don't think Richards knees will get back to normal for days! 

Today we drove the BIG SUR - fantastic - breath taking coastal road - with huge sheers drops from the edge of the road to oblivion - yes I was slightly terrified at times. We had lunch at Nepanthe - an old log cabin that used to belong to Orson Wells when he was married to Rita Hayworth - sadly there were no traces of them  - photos etc which I would have loved to see.

Tonight we are taking our CS's to dinner and tomorrow we are driving to Santa Cruz to meet some new CS's - fingers crossed this time!