A tale of many contrasts!

Lack of Internet connection over the last couple of stops means that this is a bit of a long one as I catch up on where we are. The following was written on old-fashioned pen and paper about 36 housr ago - and what a difference a day makes!

Well this blog takes us from the heart of the city to the middle of nowhere - downtown San Francisco to the Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon via the glorious west coast and Big Sur. SF seems like a lifetime away and I'll hardly do it justice now, but Ted's souvenir coin (he's gaining quite a collection!) says it for all of us: "I left my heart in San Francisco". A day and a half was barely sufficient and we kicked ourselves for leaving so little time in the itinerary, but we did get around a bit and thoroughly loved what we saw. A very friendly, fun, continental vibe but more relaxed and inclusive - anything goes. Mooching through Chinatown and somehow alluring the cheap tat on offer; a quck haircut for me - it was driving me nuts! - so now I can say I left my heart AND my hair in SF! Lunch on Pier 39 with the Ladds and a wander through Fisherman's Wharf to admire the sealions and dip our toes in the freeeeeeezing Pacific before heading back downtown over those famous hilly streets via Cablecar. Then a little retail therapy and sups with the surviving Ladds and then to bed. Was so wonderful to catch up with Cathy and the gang - but horrid to have to say goodbye all over again!

Picked up the car the next day and then took it out on it's maiden voyage (with us at least) over the Golden Gate bridge and back. Ted disappointed because there was not much evidence of gold, Iain even more so because of the thick banks of mist and fog swirling in to ruin his chance to capture it all on camera. Emma Rosie and Jemima enjoyed it but boy is it chilly in SF when the wind blows!

Then onwards down Route 1, the Pacific Highway and apparently (I can believe it) one of the most beautiful routes in the US. Absurdly, couldn't resist stopping off at the English pub and restuarant for lunch with its double decker bus, union jacks everywhere, and a life-size cardboard cut-out of Wills and Kate right next to our table! Spectacular coastal views all the way to Big Sur Ldoge, our next abode for a couple of nights. Could have stayed there for ages, it was so beautiful.... rugged wind-swept beaches, seals, sea lions, cormorants... and a pleasant one mile (uphill and sweaty!) climb from our lodge to the lovely Pfeiffer falls through gorgeous woodland. Very Cornwall in places, but sandier - and windier! Was very grateful for the shelter fo the rocks! Last evening we did the inevitable - bumped into a family we knew, though not well, from Kings Dubai! Well we did in both Syria and Jordan, so why not here?! A great recommendation from them of a restaurant with spectacular plunging sea views for sunset. Inevitably Iain forgot his camera but at least we could all eat in peace together, even if that perfect sunset shot still eludes him.

Then epic drive (5 hours) to where we are now - the land of the big trees! Yesterday and today have been spent hiking to see the two most enormous trees in the world - General Sherman and General Grant - but actually the sheer quantity of beautiful giant trees is more impressive than the individuals. 2,000+ years of growth and survival is simply awe-inspiring. We really are in the middle of nowhere here - getting petrol is problematic, fresh fruit even more so (what is it with the yanks and vitamin c?!) We're cut off from the Internet and have no phone reception too, though Iain wandered off with his lap-top up the hill to try his luck and wish his mother a happy birthday, so fingers crossed.

Our cabin here is basic but warm - we're effectively 'glamping' but without any means to self-cater, so we're all a bit scuzzy and unwashed - but happy. As I write, the sun is setting on the trees, the deep blue sky is turning paler and there is a chill inthe air which is making me very grateful for the jersey I'm wearing. I'm sipping on a beer and ready to go and refuel soon. No point burning off all those calories on long, mountainous treks (some longer than others when you get lost as we did yesterday!) if you can't enjoy putting it all back on again at the dinner table! Have the marshmallows and toasting sticks for our fire when we get back, so that's pudding sorted too!

We have one more day here to chill out, hang loose and hug trees before we head back to the bright city lights - this time Las Vegas! It's a 7.5 hour journey so if I haven't killed the children by then, Iain may well try bartering his offspring for betting chips so he can literally put everything we own on black!

All that's left to say is Happy Belated birthdays ot Heledd, Henry and Jill and we hope you enjoyed plenty of cake! Love to you all xxxxx

POST SCRIPT - WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!

As mentioned at the very top, this was written 2 nights ago. Yesterday we discovered we'd got the days wrong, and instead of having a day to catch up on ourselves - and the laundry - we were in fact supposed to be on our way to Vegas already! We packed up in 10 minutes and at 3.30pm started the daunting drive to Vegas, arriving last night at around 10.30 after only 1 small 15 minute stop to pick up sups to eat on the hoof. Have arrived to the total opposite of what we left. Eco-friendly does not really come into it and the lights as we arrived last night were amazing! Staying in the swankiest stop-over so far so feeling very chipper indeed (and much cleaner!) Off now for brekkie and to go see Vegas baby!