Monday 22nd December 2003, Day 100/273 - San Francisco, California.

Sent a ration pack to 'Da Howards'. I asked my Mum to bring out some English goodies for them to thank them for looking after me and to replace the Hob Nobs I stole. As ever she came up trumps. It was a palaver sending them with the heightened security and it being Xmas. I think they thought M&S breakfast tea contains Sarin or something.

We then went in search of Vitalis hair lotion for my Dad. Apparently they've stopped selling it in the UK and my Dad swears by it. He says it gives him confidence and when you see him slick his hair with it you wonder (I mean 'can see') why. Now all he needs is some Brut 66 and the ladies will come flocking.

We then took a cab over to the wharf again. It's a bit of a stomach churner going over the hills in a high speed cab being driven by a boy who's Mum probably still ties his shoelaces. The driver also displayed his outstanding geographical knowledge.

Boy:- 'So where you from then?'
Bloo:- 'England'
Boy:- 'Oh, is that anywhere near the UK?'
Bloo:- 'Quite close'

Of course he'd never held a passport either.

I'm glad that in the 2 days that my parents have been here I've been able to display the real American people. We've seen the beggars on the streets and the squalor that they live in.

We're still really struggling to get out to Alcatraz. There computer system is down as a result of the power cut the other day. So we wandered down to pier 39 which is really cool. Right down at the very end is a colony of sealions living in the wild. It's fascinating to see them in a free environment. They are playful, but argue with each other over space to sleep on top of the floating pontoons. They make a loud snorting noise. It all reminds me of sleeping in a hostel. No sign of any beachballs balanced on noses.










Big news in America today is an earthquake in San Simeon, about 150 miles south. We drove through there last Friday so that was a bit of a close shave. Apparently you could feel the tremors all the way up here, but I just think it was my Dad's snoring.

So we've had an exciting time since we reached San Francisco. Day 1 - Power Cut, Day 2 - Terrorist threat, Day 3 - Earthquake. What's gonna happen tomorrow?

Sunday 21st December 2003, Day 99/273 - San Francisco, California.

First thing today was to book my flight to Denver on the 29th. It's been hard to book the tickets online as expedia wants an address to send the tickets to (The Littlest Hobo, c/o some dive) and the airlines won't take UK credit cards online or over the phone.

We then went to IHOP for breakfast, but unfortunately it was closed, as we discovered was half of San Francisco due to a massive power cut. So we took a cable car out to Fisherman's Wharf which was an interesting experience.

It turned out to be a bit of a wasted day as lots of the places are closed. We did loads of walking and saw plenty of real Americans (poor and weird) and real America. I know my legs are aching, but my parents get around well for OAP's, especially when you consider that my mum has a broken toe. She broke it on the cage she got to put my sick cat in. Um fate???

It's nice to have them here and not just because they are spoiling me rotten, although I'm loving that by the way.

Today the news is reporting a heightened security level across the country. The way it's reported is very different to back home. They just seem to be waiting and wanting to report an attack. We wouldn't even know if the level had been changed back home.

Saturday 20th December 2003, Day 98/273 - Woodside, California to San Francisco, California.

In the morning Amanda gave us the grand tour around Woodside. It's a lovely little town exactly how you would expect an old American town set in the mountains to be. We had a trip around the Stanford University Campus, which is one of the US's leading university's, and then a trip up the mountains through the Redwood trees. I'm sure it would have been a beautiful view, but unfortunately today was a little cloudy. We ended the tour with lunch in the small local deli. They had trouble understanding our brand of English. "We don't get folks from outta town very often."

Having said our goodbyes we drove to the airport to pick my parents up. The last time I picked them up from an airport was at Gatwick in September 2002 when they had just returned from a 2 week holiday. Whilst on the holiday Nikki and I had separated and decided to divorce. It came as quite a shock to them as Nikki had dropped them off at the airport and nothing was wrong at that time. Their first question upon their return that time was "Where's Nikki?" Today my Dad's first question was "What was the Fleet score?" Finally someone I can relate to. Unfortunately my response was at least as disappointing as it has been on the previous occasion. We got beat 1-0 by King's Lynn. I think they were at least happy to see that I hadn't wilted away.

With all the luggage it was lucky that we had an American small car. I managed to navigate my way into the Holiday Inn Select @ 750 Kearney Avenue and then went to drop the car back off at the rental place. Total cost was $335 for 4 days rental having driven 604 miles.

Back at the hotel I caught up on all the Fleet news and my parents finally confessed to breaking my cat (Bloo's) leg and she's had to have it pinned and put into cat traction. Bloo's okay so i can't really complain, also it meant my Dad missed the Rugby World Cup Final and it cost them a fortune. I don't think I'll ever get my cats back.

Friday 19th December 2003, Day 97/273 - Monterey, California to Woodside, California.

Enjoyed a free breakfast at the hotel and then headed up the coast again to Santa Cruz where we stopped off at the boardwalk. This is where the film 'The Lost Boys' was set. It's more accurate to say that it was the inspiration for the film as it looks nothing like it. Today it was totally deserted and typical of a seaside resort in winter. It's got an 80 year old wooden big dipper and loads of other attractions. Looks like it would be fun.

Continuing up the coast we stopped in a little place called Half Moon Bay where we found a British Pub called 'Cameron's'. This was a great find as it even had an olde English shoppe that sold everything from Irn Bru to Pataks curry paste and Cadbury's chocolate to Tetley's tea bags. We ate proper fish and chips and stocked up on polo mints, walkers crisps and maltesers, before heading inland towards Woodside.





We had some time kill so we went to the cinema to watch the 3rd Lord of the Rings - the Return of the King. It was good and now all the story clicks into place, but I do find it a little tiresome when all the heroes keep escaping death (just) and everything ends up as you knew it would 10 hours of film ago.

We spent the night at a friend of Mx's who she met on the Dude Ranch.

Thursday 18th December 2003, Day 96/273 - Caycuos, California to Monterey, California.

We took a short drive up the coast to Hearst Castle. It cost $18 each to tour one of the houses of someone that I'd never heard of. The castle is set 1,000 foot up in the hills and it takes 15 minutes to get there by bus. In the time of Mr Hearst it used to take 5 hours up a winding dirt track. When you get to the top you can see why he built it up there. You get the most stunning view out across the pacific ocean and in the mornings you can see the mists rolling in.

For those of you who don't know, W R Hearst came from a rich family and went into the media industry. As the guide claimed he built the biggest Media group EVER. I think Rupert Murdoch would have a thing or 2 to say about that claim. Anyway he made a shed load of cash and had 20 different houses and built 7 estates similar to this in grandeur but each on a different theme. Strangely none on an American theme.

This place is totally extravagant. It's on a 90,000 acre estate and built to resemble a Spanish Town buying lots of european antiques to adorn the house. These people always seem to be trying to build things in somebody else's style. Why didn't they start their own style.

At home we built castles to defend ourselves, here they built them to show off. This isn't really a castle in the traditional sense of the word, but its typical of a bloke who's come into money. The Americans love him. I think he was the typical American dream. Make shed loads of cash and sod everyone else beneath you. I hate this man and 30 minute ago I'd never heard of him. The place is mighty impressive. I'd love to know how much he gave to charity.

He held the most lavish parties here, inviting all the Hollywood stars to stay in the guesthouses that he had built and play tennis on the floodlit tennis court, or swim in the indoor or outdoor pool. All this from a man who died in 1951 at the age of 88.
















We left Hearst Castle and continued up the coast and around the hills. This is much nicer than yesterday as there are far less signs of civilisation and the natural beauty is made more stunning by the lack of human intervention. It's also the longest road in America without a take away restaurant or chain hotel and it's the only American road with a bend in it. We travelled about 50 miles without seeing a McDonalds or Holiday Inn but also no petrol stations. A minor crisis was averted when we rounded a corner and saw a shell garage. It was the most expensive petrol in America, but still cheaper than anywhere in the UK.

We continued on up through the Big Sur before finally reaching the civilisation of Carmel. We took the 17 mile drive for $8.25, by mistake, around Pebble Beach. The penny didn't drop until we were on the drive, that this is the home of some of the most famous golf courses in the world. I've already played Spyglass and Pebble Beach etc. (on Tiger Woods 2003). We had a late lunch at the lovely Spanish Bay golf course. I think we fitted right in and didn't stick out at all.

Further up the coast is Monterrey which is really nice also. We found a Holiday Inn Express and negotiated a knock down deal of $65 for the night with an ocean view because of my priority card. Regular price is $244. I was able to enjoy my first bath since Andy H's house, and yes that was a month ago.

In the evening I went into K MART (a massive superstore) to buy my Mum and Dad a fitting Xmas present for their arrival on Saturday. I simply wanted a bottle of gin and some tonic water. Those who know my parents will understand. They drink it for medicinal purposes, the quinine prevents malaria. Having wandered aimlessly round the store for some time, passing the gun counter, looking for the alcohol section I asked an assistant. The conversation went.

Bloo:- 'Excuse me. Could you tell me where you keep the alcohol?'
Front end associate:- ' Do you mean rubbing alcohol?'
Bloo:- 'No I mean drinking alcohol'
Front end associate:- 'We don't sell it here'
Bloo:- (a little confused) 'Okay rubbing alcohol with have to do.'

How can they sell guns and not alcohol?

Wednesday 17th December 2003, Day 95/273 - Hollywood, California to Caycuos, California.

'Road trip' I collected the car and as ever they charged me more than they had quoted despite the number of times that I had asked them to confirm the price. It was $53 for the rental and $26 for the insurance per day. Never mind they were nice and efficient, especially at sealing the deal. The car I ordered was a small car. I got a Chevrolet Malibu, which is an American small car. In England we would call it a family saloon, about the size of a Vectra.




Mx and I set the ground rules early. I forbade her from talking, unless I was on the wrong side of the road. She freely admits that she witters. She also has an infuriating habit of saying 'this is nice' wherever we go. I have an infuriating habit of saying 'It's alright' in my typical unemotional way. To this end we made a deal that every time she says 'this is nice' she pays me a $ and every time I say 'It's alright' I pay her a $. I think I'm gonna be rich.

Having reacquainted myself with the right/wrong side of the road/car we headed out of LA down Sunset Boulevard until we picked up the Pacific Coast Highway (route 1) at Santa Monica.

We stopped of in Malibu to fill the car with petrol/gas. It cost $18.50 to fill the tank. I guess it will start getting cheaper now we've got Saddam. From Malibu we got the best view of LA, in the rear view mirror. Malibu itself was a little disappointing. It was rather busy and obviously over used.



Further up the coast we stopped off at Zima Beach which was far nicer. The view from the road is pretty stunning although it is spoilt by man. There is a large air force base and off sea oil rigs and plenty of towns en route.



We stopped in Oxnard for an IHOP. The road system is intensely frustrating. How can you be travelling along one route then suddenly find yourself on a different route without having turned off the original route. You've got to keep your wits about you. I just wish they'd put proper junctions on the freeways. Also directions to towns are few and far between. They name the junctions after major routes in the town, unfortunately every town has a Roosevelt Drive, it's just a shame you don't know which town you are in! They seem to rely on the fact that everyone is local. Almost all the cars that pass have California plates. We don't, we have Maryland. That's why everyone is trying to run us off the road.

We later stopped in Santa Barbara. Although this is a very nice place I was still slightly disappointed in it. I guess that I just expect places that people speak highly off to be immaculate. Nowhere I've ever been to has ever been immaculate (apart from Fleet), particularly in America. Maybe I need to lower my expectations.

Having seen no sign of Michael Jackson (he's got more pressing matters apparently) we took the cliff drive out of Santa Barbara. Don't they realise that I'm from Dover (sort of). These aren’t proper cliffs.

We made it through San Luis Obispo to a very small seaside town called Caycuos and found a traditional US motel. The Dolphin Inn actually exceeded my expectations and all for a bargain price of $45.

We had a nice trip up the coast singing (sort of) away to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, My Xmas album, Kevin (Bloody) Wilson (Mx turned her nose up at this), my special compilation and the Smiths. We made some pretty strange noises on the way and if we didn't know the words we just made them up.

Tuesday 16th December 2003, Day 94/273 - Hollywood, California

First stop today was to the bookstore to buy the book that Andy H suggested. I went to 2 used bookstores on Hollywood Boulevard to try for a book swap, but all they have are trashy romance novels with stains all over them. I eventually found a decent store and bought 'Around Ireland with a Fridge' by Tony Hawks.

Mx and I then spent the rest of the day doing the tourist thing of walking up and down Hollywood Boulevard taking photos of the stars at our feet. It's an odd phenomena, but has to be done.




Who?

The Hoffmeister

How cool is he?

Legend!

Shame he can't see it

Nice hair

Who ?

Legends

That's me that is

Hmmm! 9 and a half weeks

My fav actor

My fav band

Legend

Just a funny name

Legend

Who?

Thats me that is

Why?

Why?

It's not unusual



Legend





My favorite Bond girl



Perv

In the afternoon we walked down to Paramount studios to watch the filming of the US Sitcom 'Becker' starring Ted Danson (of Cheers fame). We got the tickets for free from a bloke on the street. You can find these blokes all over Hollywood handing out tickets to be in the studio audience. We were lucky and got into a half decent show. We could have been watching 'Dr Phil' or something else I'd never heard of.

For our trouble we got a slice of pizza and a small bottle of water. It was interesting to watch the filming, but it did get very tedious as they have to film every scene 3 times. We were there 3.5 hours to see them record a 30 minute episode, not including adverts and half had already been filmed on location.

The episode we watched was the 2nd to last in the final series of Becker. If you get to see it I can guarantee you a few laughs, but watch out for the ending. It's supposed to be powerful, but it's typical American cheese. We cringed the whole way through it.

Time has begun to stand still again. I guess it's because I know I've got somewhere to be. The first 2 weeks of the tour went really slowly, but since then time has flown by.

On the whole I've enjoyed myself in Los Angeles. There is plenty to do, but I'm just tired of all the travelling you've got to do to get anywhere. I did stay out of the real scummy parts.

Monday 15th December 2003, Day 93/273 - Hollywood, California

Went and reserved a car today for our drive up the Pacific coast to San Fran which starts on Wednesday. $52 a day.

Finished book 9 now. John Grisham's - A Painted House. Really easy to read and well written, but not sure I actually learnt anything and I was left with more questions than answers.

Movie night in the hostel tonight. 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' was the first film. Too weird for me so I left. I think you need to be on drugs to appreciate it. That's alright for most of the people in the hostel (especially the staff), but my drug days are long behind me.

I'm so bored. Mainly because I'm not feeling well and not doing much, but also because I've spent about 20 nights in a row in hostels and this is my 9th night in this one. There's nothing much wrong with the hostels, but I guess I was happier on the Greyhounds doing the cities quicker.

I suppose I've always suffered from this. I was a nightmare on a weeks holiday. After I'd caught up on my sleep I was ready to go home or move on.

I'm tired of having the same conversations with different people that I've got nothing in common with. I haven't really bonded with anyone in this hostel, travelling isn't always enough. Everyone is doing the same route. I'm glad i've done it slightly different from the rest, but I am currently trying to work out what to do with my month in Oz.  I may need to extend my time there.

I have learnt that you can't be best buddies with everyone. You can't click with everyone. That isn't a bad thing either. They might find me boring, but you know what? I find them boring too. You is what you is baby!