Weekend in Boscastle, Cornwall

At the beginning of February,  I took Jen off on a mystery weekend down to Cornwall.

We went to a tiny village called Boscastle, recently in the news due to a the terrible flooding of the village in August 2004.

Jen in a Boscastle Street

They are still working in the village to widen the river and building a new bridge to try to stop further flooding.

The Wellington Hotel

Our room is the turret room between the words "THE" & "WELLINGTON"

The hotel actually had three floors damaged during the flood, and in the bar they have very old oil lamps which were donated by Thomas Hardy the writer many years ago when he used to stay there. One of them was badly damaged in the flood, but has been lovingly retored by the Thomas Hardy Society and replaced in the bar.

There were a few themed rooms, and our's was the "Guy Gibson" room. There were quite a few photos and memorabilia relating to the great WW2 veteran of The Dambusters Fame.

Jen looking out over Port Isaac

On Saturday we drove from Boscastle, through Tintagel, the home of King Arthur's Castle and onto Port Isaac. We had seen Tintagel and walked to the Castle when Jamie and Marisa were children, so we gave it a miss this time. We went to Port Isaac because there is a popular TV programme shown here called "Doc Martin" which we like to watch. the village is quite idyllic, and very picturesque. Although the day before, I drove through it, big mistake, the wing mirrors on the CRv were millimeteres away from scraping the houses on either side of the vehicle. Apparently you are supposed to park at the top and walk down into the village, which is what we did the next day. 

The rugged North Cornwall Coastline

We walked down into the village, and then up the other side past Doc Martins house and a little way along the coastal path to look out over the fantastic coastline. we were very lucky with the weather for the weekend, as it was the first sunny Saturday for a few weeks.

Padstow Harbour

We then drove a few miles further to a favourite place of ours, Padstow.

Nowadays it has been taken over a little bit by a famous chef here in England named Rick Stein, I don't know if you get him out there in California or not. He is well known here for being a fish chef, which is quite handy really I suppose being near the sea. there are Rick Stein Fish and Chips, Rick Stein's Seafood Cafe, Rick Stein's B&B, Rick Stein's Cookery School, and Rick Steins Delicattesen amongst other things. For a small area seems a shame, although I suppose it brings in the tourists.

In the evening we drove back to the Hotel, to see the end of England being beaten by the Welsh at rugby, and then headed downstairs for an evening meal in the hotel bar.

They also had 4 stained glass windows in the hotel that Queen Victoria had made specially to commemorate her only visit to Cornwall.

On the Sunday we drove home, the weather had changed, it was raining and the wind was so strong it was blowing the Honda all over the road as we crossed Bodmin Moor.

It was a lovely relaxing weekend, and perhaps later in the year we'll take another one somewhere else in the country.  

Cancer Charity Event

In January a friend of ours and his family hosted a Charity Night for his sister who tragically died of cancer.

Barry, our friend used to work at Glaciers with us,and is now a full time Elvis impersonator, and a very good one at that.

Five years ago, his sister threw a charity concert to raise money for Cancer Research as she was suffering at that time.

During the concert my other 3 friends dressed up as backing singers and surprised Barry on stage, it went down well and they have been asked to repeat this since, by Barry during a performance.

After the first concert, Barry's sister said she wanted the concert repeated for her 45th birthday in five years time, whether she made it or not. Unfortunately she did not make, but the concert went ahead.

This time Barry's mother asked if the lads could do something to surprise Barry again, so they decided on re-enacting Queens pop video of "I want to break Free", but his meant another member being added to the group, so they rang me!!

These photos are when we did our first dress rehearsal, we have not had photos yet of the actual performance, but will post them when we have. The actual performance consisted of "I Want to Break Free, "We will Rock You" and "We are the Champions". Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and overall the evening raised £6000 ($12000).

Problem was, because the event was held in The Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster, many of my work colleagues were there who had cameras, camera phones or videos, and they haven't let me forget it yet.

Stormy Day at the Coast

West Bay looking toward Burton Bradstock

Lately we have had some very windy weather, and when this happens we always like to go to the coast to get some fresh air and see the waves. One of the best places locally for seeing some rough seas is down at West Bay in Dorset about 18 miles from Chard. So the Sunday before last, being fed up sitting in doors fed up with the rain and wind, we put on our winter coats and headed off to see what it was like at West Bay. Here are some photo's of the conditions.

Looking out over the new Harbour Entrance.


Unfortunately, because the sea was coming up over this side of the harbour entrance we couldn't walk along it on this trip.

A View looking towards Lyme Regis direction.

Although we walked along here, the waves did tend to come over from time to time, so there was persistent salty spray, which meant I had a lot of trouble seeng out of my glasses.

Jen and Oliver "relaxing" in the Sea Breeze.

This is a rare photo of a phenomenon called "Wind through Tail Lift". It is caused when pointing a dog head on into a gale, when the dog opens it's mouth, the wind rushes through the mouth out of the ar** and thrusts the tail parallel to whatever surface the dog is standing on.

West Bay Harbour.

When you turn back and come back into the harbour, it seems quite calm and placid after the roughness of the sea. We were very lucky, because the rain held off all the time we were there, which was a bonus. The weather is much better now, although very cold, with heavy frost in the mornings. Although nothing to what parts of America are experiencing at the moment.

November Weekend in London

View from London Eye toward Buckingham Palace

View from "Eye" over Houses of Parliament

View looking down the Thames.

Jen with the Eye in the background.

Jen with Jamie at Covent Garden.

On the last weekend in November, Jen and I went on a trip to London, an outing we had booked up before coming to America, so that we had something to look forward to on our return from California.


We travelled up to a hotel next to Heathrow airport where we had tea before going on to the Royal Albert Hall for a concert, " A Classical Extravaganza". It was a brilliant concert, like The Last Night of the Proms", if that means anything in America, but with a laser light show and indoor fireworks. It was given by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with the Royal Choral Society, The Band of the Welsh Guards and the Muskets and canons of the Moscow Militia for the grande finale of the 1812 Overture. They also had a fantastic violinist, David Garrett, the David Beckham of the classical world. I believe he is American, if you ever get a chance to see him please take it, he was really excellent.


The next day, Sunday, we went on the London Eye, we were very lucky as the weather was good, and we had a great view all around.


After the Eye, we spent a couple of hours at Covent Garden, we rang our son Jamie earlier because he lives in London, and he met up with us there. It was nice to catch up with him and have coffee and dinner together. He took us to Leicester Square, where we saw Dustin Hoffman being interviewed before the premiere of his latest film. We then met up with the coach again outside the Wardorf Hotel, took a sightseeing trip around London before heading back to Somerset after a very relaxing weekend away.

The Decking Project

The beginning of the project. Paul and Rob having a good old English tea break.

The layout of the steps down into the garden.

The finished project.

These are just a few photos of our new decking outside the bungalow for Stacey to see. It was a joint effort between Paul my son in law, Rob, (Paul's Dad), and myself. We started last February, as Rob said we would then have the good weather to enjoy it. Unfortunately we didn't get much good weather last year.

Our last few days in California

On Tuesday we took a trip out to Lombardi Ranch, because out here everyone is preparing for halloween. So as you can see Cora found herself a nice pumpkin to take a rest on. There were thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Also a competition for scarecrows in the sunflower fields.
Wednesday we went to a local landmark here in Santa Clarita, it was the William S Hart Mansion. William S Hart being a well known silent cowboy movie actor. There were some magnificent views over the valley from this spot. They also had a small animal park in the grounds.
In the afternoon Stace and I were lucky enough to get a game of golf at Robinsons Ranch Golf Club. This is a Championship course, and the views were stunning. It was the hardest course Stacey had ever played, so I had no chance. I actually lost about 10 balls during the round, mainly due to the fact when in the rough you looked for them at your peril due to the rattlesnake warnings. We were treated like royalty, we were met at the gates, and someone took your clubs and put them on your buggy for you, you had ice box provided on your buggy to keep your drinks cold, and towels to take to cool you down. Pity someone couldn't play golf for me as well !!
One of the stunning views on the course.

This is a view of the Spa and pool at Stacey and Lisa's complex, although the weather has been really hot, the water has been a bit too cold to tempt us in.

Tomorrow we leave to come home, the three weeks has gone very quickly, but it has been an experience I know we will always remember fondly, I hope we have given everyone a sample of Californian Life with this blog.

It only remains for us to thank Stacey, Lisa, Cora, Lisa's family and everyone we met on our visit, for giving us such a great time, and one we will never forget. Thanks !!!

Ventura Golf

On Sunday, Stacey and Cougs met up with Scott, one of Stacey's american golfing buddies, and drove about 40 miles to Ventura by the coast to play golf. It was cooler to start with because of the sea breeze, but we brits were hard and didn't need our coats, 'cos we're used to it.

As you can see from the picture, I played a sensible game, aiming for the shade of the trees, the others thought I was playing rubbish, but it was all in the cunning plan !!

Above is a photo of the three of us, Cougs, Stacey and Scott taking a break between holes. Scott and I played american golf, and rode around in a golf buggy, while Stacey walked to keep himself fit. As you can see we are not as small as it looks, Scott is a big guy !!

After the golf, Lisa, Jen and Cora came to meet us and we had a walk around Ventura, an older town than Santa Clarita. This is the lovely Cora Rose in her car seat.

We then ended up in a good old American Diner, called the Busy Bee, '50s music coming from the old jukebox in the corner. Thought when I went to the restroom I might have seen the Fonz, but he'd left earlier I guess !!

On Monday we met Stacey for lunch, and then he left work early in the afternoon and we went for a ride to the Malls, passing beautiful countryside on the way. This area is expanding very rapidly, and new towns are being built regularly.

Every few blocks there are shopping parades, with plenty of places to eat, it's hard to understand where they get all their custom from, there are so many. I'm doing my best to keep them in business, the least I could do while I'm here.

Everytime I have a meal, Stacey takes a photo, he hopes to have a collection called, "Cougars eats his way around California", as his guest, I can't let him down.

Jen outside Heart & Soul Cafe
Below Andy at Black Bird Air Park

Andy, Lisa & Cora at Vazquez Rocks

Another view of Vazquez Rocks

Stace, Lisa & Cora at the Rocks.

On Saturday we had to change our plans, as the Freeway to downtown LA was completely blocked off due to a bad accident, so we headed north into the desert, heading for Antelope Valley where Lisa used to work on the newspaper.
We drove up through the mountains and stopped at a nice little cafe called Heart & Soul Cafe in a tiny town called Green Valley. Lisa knew the owners from a paper story she had written earlier, and we were made very welcome.
We then carried on into Palmdale in Antelope Valley where we had dinner at the Blackbird Air Park. There were quite a few planes around to look at, and all for free !!
When we came back, we stopped at Vazquez Rocks, really wild west, and a place where quite a number of cowboy films have been filmed.

Hollywood & Beverley Hills

At the Grove Shopping Mall Beverley Hills Jen find another handbag shop

Jen, Lisa, Cora and Cougs outside Kodak Theatre

Jen & Andy outside Kodak Theatre

Notice the Hollywood sign in the background.

Outside the Graumann Chinese Theatre Hollywood.

On Friday, Stacey came home early and we all took off to Hollywood and Beverley Hills on the first of the "Howard's Hollywood Tours". Firstly we parked up in Hollywood where we took the obligatory photos with the Hollwood sign in the background. We then made our way to the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars take place every year. Then we strolled down Hollywood Boulevard, where they have the stars in the pavement with all the stars names on. We made our way up to the Graumann Chinese Theatre where the stars have their hand prints and footprints immortalised in cement. After a coffee, we drove down Sunset Boulevard then around Beverley Hills before looking down Rodeo Drive at all the shops. We finally ended up at The Grove shopping Mall in Beverley Hills where there were many "posh" shops, where Jen managed to find 'another' handbag shop, and also a place called the Farmer's Market with dozens of eating places. Stacey chose one, Lisa chose another, and Jen and I another, and all met up to eat at the same table. On the way home there was a bad accident on the opposite side of the freeway to us which slowed traffic somewhat. Later on there was a massive accident involving 15 trucks in a tunnel, which caught fire. Today people In Santa Clarita were advised to stay in their homes as the complete area was gridlocked, they say on the TV it could be gridlocked until Tuesday. We did intend to go back into LA for the day, but instead headed in the opposite direction into the desert and cowboy country. Another superb day that will be on tomorrows blog.

The Grand Canyon Trip

The Hoover Dam
Views of Grand Canyon


On Tuesday we took the coach trip to the Grand Canyon, although scheduled for 11 hours it actually took 17 hours for the whole journey, a very long day, but well worth it to see such a wonderful thing.

It really takes your breath away when you first see it, and these photos were taken from the very edge, looking over the Canyon.

We were 6500 feet above sea level, so the air was thinner than we are used to, and the Canyon is 18 miles across and 5000 feet deep, it is also over 200 miles long. There was just a very narrow wall about 2.5 ft tall keeping people back.

Unfortunately, just before we arrived, a young 4 year old girl had her hat blow off and she turned round and chased it, and went over the edge. Sadly they could not save her. It was so sad that such a beautiful place could have such tragic happenings, it certainly puts things in perspective.

We took loads of photos of the Grand Canyon for future viewing on our return.

On Wednesday we returned to LA, had a quiet day Thursday walking round the shops and going to the Mall in the evening.

Monday in Las Vegas

On Monday Lisa took us to Burbank Airport where we flew out to Las Vegas.
Although we had an hour and half delay, the flight took just 1 hour and we arrived before lunch. LAs Vegas is a different world, very hot during the day, but the hotels are very cold with the air conditioning. They also have oxygen pumped in to the casinos to keep the punters awake.




Andy on the Strip Las Vegas


We saw all of the large hotels, and went into a few of them to see the different themes.
Huge great places that you can easily get lost in.











Jen Outside the Venitian Hotel Las Vegas
















Looking over to the Mirage on the Strip

Chris, Paula, Stacey & Lisa ( under table sorting Cora out)

Jen, Cougs and Cora paddling.

Stacey & Cora on one of the water slides

What a day, time for a nap !!

On Sunday we went to Magic Mountain Water Park as guests of Lisa's dad Chris who is a LA County Sheriff, at their family day out. The weather was hot, the beer and food was free, and we all had a great time. Stacey, Lisa, Paula and Lisa's sister Melanie had a great time on the water slides, while Jen And I made do with paddling. I don't think my knee would have coped with the slides, so the speedos are safe for another day!! We ended the day firstly at Starbucks where Melanie works, ( so we get discount ), that's the way to do Starbucks. Then we went to Qdoba where we picked up some Buritto's to have for supper. A great day out for all of us, thanks to Chris and the LA Sheriff's Department.