San Francisco - Alcatraz - Muir Woods - Sausalito

Eric and I at Ghiradelli Square... before eating and drinking lots of chocolate, mmmm!

What could be better just before Christmas than three days in San Francisco? It was great to have a break in the LONG voyage to France and although the San Franciscans kept telling us that it was unseasonably cold for them, we didn't really notice. It was 50°F (whatever that is - I'm sure it doesn't compare to the 0° to -5°C here in Bordeaux)!

Eric at Pier 39, with Alcatraz behind him

The giant redwoods (sequoias) at Muir Woods, about 45 mins north of San Francisco

The very famous Golden Gate Bridge - for some reason when I think of San Fran I always think of Full House. Anyone else with this problem? Damn those omnipresent Olsen twins I say!

The sea lions at Pier 39... the most amusing thing there. I could have spent hours watching these grumpy buggers continually pushing each other off the platforms! It's a good thing that there didn't seem to be any residential buildings nearby - you'd never get any sleep.

We had a wonderful time... and despite my intial concerns about the hotel being just about in the Tenderloin, no problems. Loads of freaks however, but hey, maybe that's just the US? Eric even let me in the shopping mall - trust us to arrive in San Fran and the first thing we find is a Westfield...

Merry Christmas!

We're All Going On A Summer Holiday...

Hmmm, maybe not so much a 'summer' holiday in the sense that we're going away in summer, to somewhere where it's winter! The tickets for Alcatraz are booked, the greenbacks are in our wallets and all I have to do is try not to forget our tickets and passports... and I must get some batteries for the camera.

We Galopins have been fairly studious lately with housey things . EGG returned at the end of November - nicely timed with Pip's departure so only one trip to the airport was required that day. Notice that I've linked her blog in so that you can check out what the Pipster is up to in Canadia.

You should also see Fred and Charlotte's blog - Chacha really does a much better job of updating their one than I do. You'll see we feature regularly - from dinner with friends, to crepe soirees at No. 81.

No doubt that I will begin to update this more from next year when life takes on a new twist... N.C. here we come! If this comes as a surprise, keep one eye on the blog and we'll let you know our movements.

x j