More from LA/San Fran

Just had to upload this picture which I should have uploaded yesterday. This is at the Andaz which was our first hotel in LA. It really was a fab hotel - we had complimentary wine on arrival (and each evening - and it was good stuff) and the mini bar was stocked with soft drinks (Coke, Sparkling and Still water, Fruit Juice, Sprite etc) and chocolate, Pringles and nuts, raisins and cranberries which were all complimentary and stocked up each day. In fact you were invited to take them out with you when you went out for the day.

Well, this was on the rooftop with the swimming pool. I just loved lounging on this great big thing which was packed with cushions and shielded from the wind (it was evening when I was up there). Fab views across LA too.

On our last day in San Fran there was an Italian Parade for St Columbus Day. Now don't ask me why we had a Chinese Float but we did - and marching bands. Thought this one was the prettiest.

This is the sexy one. It really was a good Parade, the marching bands were great, the horses were lovely to watch and so well-behaved (apart from the one that stood in front of us and relieved itself - what a lot of liquid!). The whole atmosphere was "carnival" and the children loved it.

Back in LA we went to Universal. Now Chas had not wanted to go there but I finally persuaded him and he loved every minute of it. Here am I with my favourite character, Shrek. I just love him - what was the Princess doing on the photo? Actually she was the sweetest girl.

The Simpson Ride was nowhere near as tame as I had imagined and my hands were hurting when I got off with gripping so hard. It was one of those virtual ones as well. Can really recommend it.

LA and San Francisco

This was where we went on our first day in LA. We went to see La Brea Tar Pits and these are models of mammoths as would have been caught in the tar and unable to get out. it is one of the world's most famous fossil localities. Visitors can learn about LA as it was during the Ice Age. Why not go to the website for the Page Museum and see for yourself. It was fascinating inside the museum and we spent far too much time in there.

Then we got back on the bus and went to The Grove and the Farmer's Market. We loved it there and guess who we saw - Eddie Izzard. He completed the equivalent of 43 marathons in just over seven weeks, covering a minimum of 27 miles a day. Some going eh? Chas went over to congratulate him and, of course, I had to have a photograph taken with him. He raised 200,000 pounds for Sports Relief (there's no pound sterling symbol on this keyboard in America). You might have seen him in Valkyrie with Tom Cruise.

This is the trolley bus that goes around the Grove. It really is a lovely place and I bought a Journal book in Barnes and Nobles - the biggest B & N I had seen. There are some fabulous shops - expensive ones as well and the most delicious clam chowder was served in the Farmers Market.

From LA we flew to San Francisco and stayed in a hotel down at Fisherman's Wharf. It was great down there, so lively, lots of live music, buzzing with people ... and ... of course ... the seals. Couldn't wait to see them and if you look closely to the bottom right of the picture one obliged me by taking a spell in the water - can you see him on his back with his flipper sticking up (is it called a flipper or is it his tail?) We went to see them just before we left to fly back to LA and that day - boy oh boy - did they stink!!!

Whilst in San Fran we also did a sail to Sausilito which is famous for its Mediterranean flair. It was lovely sailing across because we got a great view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. On the way home we stopped at Tiburon and we saw lots of Pelicans there. I was so pleased that we managed to get a picture of them.

We did a day touring the areas we wanted to see - Chinatown - Japantown and Haight Ashbury whilst in San Fran but I won't load up loads of photographs of that day.

On our last day we walked up the biggest hill(s) I have walked up in a long time. Lots of stops for me, walking backwards to try to make it easier and all that kind of thing. What was it I wanted to see? The crookedest street in San Fran. Was it worth it? Yes - and I got to see the Wild Green Parrots that I had missed getting on film on the first day when we went up to Coit Tower.

Hope you enjoy this little view of our holiday.