This, being Hollywood – or almost – is Will Rogers State Beach. (Old cowboy star. Look him up.) In front of you are the hills of Malibu, my hotel is in the canyon behind the 2 blocks of flats on the right and behind me, so to speak, are Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach. Continue reading One more California beach….

So, having finally found my hotel, I discover (admittedly whilst driving around looking for it) that I am just down the hill from Sunset Boulevard. Couldn’t see any of the houses in the dark as they are all hidden behind high hedges, walls etc. However, here I am in Santa Monica drinking coffee having finally found somewhere to wash my knickers. And suddenly: the cafes … Continue reading Santa Monica

Not doing so well with the wardrobe. 3 weeks of travelling and I have had to replace a pair of shorts, a bra and a pair of sandals. Ho hun Continue reading Wear and tear

So this morning I walked around Santa Barbara. Nice town, affluent but not as precious as Carmel. Nice beach, shops etc. Then I went to the mission – the only one still active and run by the Franciscans. I had seen these posts on the freeway and wondered what they were. The Camino Real was the royal road between the Spanish missions, from San Diego … Continue reading Even more driving – a lot of it unnecessary

Left Big Sur at 7.30 to drive to Hearst Castle. Although Google Maps reckoned it would take 1 hour 40 minutes, they reckoned without Big Sur. Taking 90 degree corners with nothing but air between you and a 300 foot drop to the sea doesn’t encourage speed. As I couldn’t take any pictures, you can watch it on YouTube – https://youtu.be/vLDXKC9e7Zg Arriving at San Simeon … Continue reading Driving – much driving

Today I went to the Henry Miller memorial library and bookshop. Very cosy, set in his old house. They have events, music, films etc. Question – was he just a pornographer? Discuss using one side of the paper only. Not a question to be raised amongst the admiring, I feel. Then I read my book on the beach and watched pelicans diving for fish at … Continue reading Big Sur continued

Spent last night in a hotel in Carmel. I am afraid that there are no pictures except of the beach as the place is so exquisite, all you would get is trees with the occasional roofline or flower thrown on for good measure. There are several estate agents but nothing cheaper than $1600000. They apparently don’t go in for anything as vulgar as numbering the … Continue reading Amongst the rich

This is the sunset from my current room balcony in Carmel. Note view of sea. Continue reading To make up for the lack of whale photos

The scenery near the coast is mountainous, covered in trees and, quite a lot of it, protected. As are the beaches. Behind all that is a flat plain with featureless vegetable farming. No hedges, fences, trees or variety of crop – kale and lettuce as far as the eye can see. The scene setting for The Grapes of Wrath , 90 or so years ago. Continue reading Across the plain to Monterey

So I left cousin Ann (who does not want her photo taken and suggests Bob and Ruth come and visit her instead to see what she looks like), picked up a snazzy blue car at the airport and drove down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. Stopped at Half Moon Bay for a second breakfast (oops) with a load of fishermen, went for a paddle with … Continue reading San Francisco to Santa Cruz