Don't know whose network I'm plugged into, but if they're silly enough to have an unsecured network lying around ...

This is New Year's Day here & we have made it to Pismo Beach. Really great to able to walk on a real beach with real (light coloured) sand.

We've made it to Los Angeles. Just as well it was Sunday when we arrived, as the traffic was bad enough, although we did arrive early enough to do some cruising through Hollywood. The room at the motel here, in comparison with the "quaint" one in San Francisco, is a palace - room to move & a king size bed. We almost have to send each other messages. Likely plan for the week is: Monday, Disneyland Downtown; Tuesday, Mexico; Wednesday, Universal Studios; Thursday, rest & prepare for the fight. Ooh, Freudian slip - flight.

Monday, as planned to Disneyland Downtown for general browsing & Julie's favourite pastime, shopping. Then as we were heading back towards Hermosa Beach, I suggested having a look at the Queen Mary, which we did. It was Bob's troop ship in WW2, so it was rather special for both Julie & Bob - we even spoke to him from there.

Mexico was a fascinating experience. We drove to the border & parked the car, as US-based insurance doesn't count over the border, & then simply walked in. Taxis are well organised, with a reasonably fixed price for the ride into downtown Tijuana. Walking down the tourist strip, you get badgered at every shopfront. At one point, there were 3 of them coming at Julie & she just threw up her hands & walked away. We bought some jewellery, as everything else has to be packed! Returning back to the US was quite easy, by comparison with others that I have made. The immigration officer just wanted to tell me where he'd been in Australia. He didn't even put a stamp in my passport!

At Universal Studios, I took about 150 photos, including the backlot tour, the sound studio & the Backdraft attraction. It was a nice easy day, deciding together what we wanted to see, do or eat. Then we got stuck in the traffic on the way home (of course).

Final day, Thursday, we spent the morning resting & repacking.  The 2 big suitcases had another layer added to each one & the 2 medium ones were loaded up as far as they would expand. Julie was amazed at how much we got in. Then we drove down to the old mission at San Juan Capistrano & spent a relaxing couple of hours wandering around it. Then it was back to the freeways, which are relatively easy if you're a "car pool", which contains 2 or more people - you have a special lane which generally hikes along a whole lot quicker than the others. Imaging doing 75 mph (that's 120 kph) with a large concrete barrier on the left & a line of almost stationary traffic on the other, hoping like hell that one of them doesn't decide to pull out in front of you. We got to the airport at 7 for a 10:30 flight, which means no waiting in lines, but it's just a long wait instead.

Whoa! Just checked back & a week has flashed past already. We have spent time settling in to being together in the house & Stewart has disappeared to the coast for a few days. Julie has had lots of fun learning new words & customs. Needs to learn that cigarette ashes don't go in the recycles box, though.

Managed to get Julie off to New Zealand to stay with Karen & Les & their family for 10 days. The word from Les was that "she hasn't stopped talking since she got here". She spent a few days at the beach with them & fell into the trap of not putting enough sunscreen on her feet, which of course never see direct sunlight, so they got rather badly burnt. She also had a few swims in the ocean & got dumped a couple of times. All in all, it's been a very relaxing time for her.

And I've gone back to work & don't get to talk her as much as I'm used to. At least I am coming home & doing up to an hour's worth of gardening each night, so it's getting done (slowly) & I'm getting some exercise. Also received an ultrasound picture of the new grandchild, otherwise known as April's Peanut (because that's about how big it is). Datsun has grown - I figure he has added at least another inch in length in the last month. I have also started a "Julie's News" page on this site, so that you don't have to put up with just my point of view.

On the weekend, I attended the 21st birthday party for Jane, who along with her cousin & best mate Bridget, had been Doris's favourite Venturers when they were going for their Queens Scout Awards. Both Bridget & Jane's father John spoke of the impact that Doris had had on the girls, encouraging them to really step out of their comfort zone & try new challenges, and of the tragedy that she couldn't be there. I hadn't realised that Doris had indeed had such an impact, on these two young ladies & on on so many other people with whom she had contact over the years. I felt really proud to have been there with her & to have played a small part in all the good work that she did.

Gee it's good to have my wife back in one piece. She arrived on time tonight, after an exhausting holiday in New Zealand. Photos have been posted, but she hasn't got around yet to writing up her many exploits.

And she has convinced me that we need a little friend for Datsun.  Oi vay!

We enjoyed a really nice day on Australia Day (that's 26th January for those of you who don't know), hosting a small BBQ here at the house.