We arrived at the Holiday Inn Goldengate about 2.15 pm. After unpacking and resting a little we went round the corner from the hotel and jumped on the most famous cable car in the world. We rode down the hilly roads we had seen in many a film, down to Pier 39 and walked through Fisherman's Wharf streets. Going to bed now, really tired. 8 hours behind uk
Tuesday 4th, We had an early start, getting the coach for a whistle stop tour of San Francisco. The coach took us to Lombard Street, where we walked down the most curvy street in the world; drove through Pacific Heights, with all the expensive houses, saw Mrs Doubtfire's house; drove through - the flower power - Haight Ashbury district; drove along Goldengate Bridge; popped into Golden Gate Park and peeked into China Town.
After getting out of the coach we split up for lunch and met later at Pier 39 to go to Alcatraz by boat. Passengers are counted on and off the island. Apparently people try to swim from the island, it is thought to be quite a challenge. The three prisoners that escaped are thought to have drown in the cold fast current of the bay. No bodies were ever found.
I am trying to eat healthy, but there is no middle ground. Only expensive healthy food or less dear junk food. I am going to put so much weight on. Today we had a sandwich/roll thing, ham and cheese, between us and crisps. This was not cheap but a lot less than eating in a restaurant. Tonight we had salad, but it was expensive. Eddy has texted to say he is picking us up tomorrow.
Wednesday 5th (just happens to be Alan's Birthday) We had a great time with Eddy. He took us miles out of the SF city, all down the coastal road. We visited Bean Hollow Beach, lunched at Panda Express, a chinese chain, had a coffee at Pescarero, saw a banana slug and redwood trees in Butano National Park. Saw the lighthouse that Hitchcock used for the Birds film. We had a walk round a farmer's market and thrift shops in Capitola. Had a beer in The Britannia, an Irish pub in Capitola, near Santa Cruz, saw wooden Victorian houses in San Jose when we collected Eddy's wife, Mary, from work. We enjoyed a meal at an Italian restaurant and a gelato ice cream in Mountain View, round the corner from Eddy's House. We saw his house and inside his man cave/cellar which was full of musical instruments, computers and tools. He dropped us back at the Holiday Inn at 9.30; so we could pack for our 5am start tomorrow. Tomorrow we head for Merced by St Joaquin train and coach to visit Yosemite Park.
The double-deck St Joaquin train is very good but not particularly fast, which gives plenty of time to take in views, such as San Francisco Bay as we leave Oakland. This is an industrial area with oil, chemicals and power all present. Although the recession has hit hard you can see where America's wealth came from. (Alan)
Eddy had just told us about them when I spotted one. It was just as if he had arranged for someone to put it there for us to see.
Compare the size with Eddy's car key:
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