Would have gone in the redwoods forest (drove off route 1 to see some) but nowhere for refreshments and Robin was hungry. Anyone coming here should bring a cool bag. You could fill with propper food rather than crisps and fries



We have finally stopped a Motel 6 again at San Simeon. Felt so tired that i book 2 nights Tomorrow we will visit Hearst Castle and probably go back and see the elephant seals again they were all laying on a beach just before san simeon. I do hope the rest of the route1 is a little nicer drive than the first bit. How can you want to be near the sea and not in in?


Friday 25th
Spent day at Hearst Castle which was very interesting. Robin was very impressed by their swimming pools. I was not impressed when Robin Jim and I were in the museam bit and it was as quiet as a library and Robin blew off really loud. Oh how I wish I had not been standin nex to him as everyone looked at me!! Couldn`t help but burst out laughing. How commen are we but it was funny and Robin did own up to it! Had to be there to appreciate. Well done Robin put a bit of houmour into a very serious atmosphere.

The Castle really is quite impressive and I bough a book of W R Hearsts life just to learn a little more. Would have encouraged local (American) talent if I had been designing rather than importing all the French, Italian and English antiques, which are all awe inspiring and work together but would have wanted an original spending that much money rather than copying ancient ideas.
Went to beach for a walk. Saw a turkey buzzard soaring as well as my old favorites the pelicans at the sea. Saw first walking/fishing pier, have not swum in ocean yet maybe tomorrow.. Hope Jims arm is better. Found Jims lost credit cards in his lost wallet (after cancellling all of them) Sods law.

Sat26th Oct
Went to Aquariam at Morro Rock, fed seals and sea lions. Spent day a Morro Rock, was really foggy so went to museum first and it was sea otter weekend. Jim siad his head hurt where he had learned so much and it was a really good hands on museam. Did loads walking, saw sea lions, sea otters, pelicans, gulls and loads of other sea birds. Could not sleep because of the noise of the sea lions.

Sun 27th Oct
Went out canoeing, fantastic, was inches from pelicans diving, sea lions surfacing and sea otters eating. Great fun. Saw the fishermen catching loads. The sea here is like a luch table and when you are in canoe nothing is scared of you. Started driving towards Ventura and had to stop in San ----(will look up name later) near Lapoc to go to a Mexican Rodeo. The guys riding the bulls were fantastic but the horses were so beartiful that I never even noticed the cowboys. Everyone there was Mexican except us and it was in Spanish so we were trying to understand. Bands were great. Tequilla flowed.

Mond 28th
Spent night in hotel 6 in Lapoc and left for Santa Barbera this morning. Long Beach was a nice clean town. Ate Maine lobster (Robins 1st lobster) at the Moby Dick restaruan t on the Pier. Played on the beach and then made our way to Ventura for the night.

Tuesday 30th Sept
Went to Ventura horbour museam and observation tower (to try to spot some whales) Tried to book whale watching as they said quite a few had been sighted last week and I know Jim would love to see a blue whale. Hope to catch up with the whales lat as unable to book. Stopped for a quick splash on Malibu beach, lovely long sandy beaches. Went to Santa Monica and then up through LA to Ainhaim. Got hotel right opposite Disney and have booked 4 nights so that my barclaycard can be delivered here. Went out to downtown disney and had a lovely walk. Will have to get up early tomorrow as Robin has to eat loads of free breakfast before we go Disney!