Wow, I can barely remember yesterday except that I KNOW I did a lot of things!! lol I explored San Francisco - mostly on foot and went to Pier 39 - oh that is so amazing.....lol They call candy floss cotton candy and slushies icees!! lol There was a live street performer who managed to get people from the public up and be part of her act - and OF COURSE there had to be an AUSSIE involved somewhere. In fact he was the first one she approached. If you remind me when I get home I will tell you about the performance - it involved sharp knives and juggling and burning torches!! rofl You really had to be there though. They have all these seals as well at Pier 39 on all these floating rafts that boats used to be tied up to. They are just hilarious.
Went to the Fishermans Wharf and to Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. The Marguerita was good even though it was on the rocks (it really did almost equal Senor Sanchos) but the calamari was nothing like the Crooked Kilt calamari but the salad was nice lol and almost a normal size for a salad!!!
Felt a little woozy after the Margarita ( I don't know why I want to keep spelling it Marguerita!! lol my fingers just type away for themselves).
I was pretty tired after all the walking yesterday and had a fairly early night - well, I was going to until newcomers arrived in the room next to me - and then I found that I could hear them talking etc through the wall. Well, either I'm part of the action or I'm NOT...lol so had to resort to ear plugs and struggled to open my bottle of wine - DON'T tell anyone but......it was so hard to open I had to use a bit of kiwi ingenuity as I had only one of the old fashioned type of corkscrews...lol and I put the T-bar of the corkscrew over the hooks on the back of the bathroom door and then pulled on the bottle with all of my weight!! lol Yup, I was desperate!! mmmmmmmmmhmmmmmmmm I've become a bit of a wino - all Carole and Tiffany's fault!! lol Watch out, they plan to hit New Zealand next year so we'll have to make sure they get a Wairarapa winery welcome!! lol They are awesome ladies and helped me out with lots of things while I was here - including instructions about how to get to the chocolatiers at the Ferry Building!! lol
OK - before I hit the sack.....lol I must tell you that I went on an awesome tour today....but I am too tired to type it up, will try and do it tomorrow. It was such a cool day - Met a girl called Michele (who is Japanese American) will type up her full name and tell you all about her tomorrow. Met a young version of "Mr Big" (Chris Noth) at the ferry terminal and a couple of really lovely people on the tour - Debbie and Patrick (I think) from Utah and Jason was our tour guide.
Ok sweeties......too tired to do anything else except flop into bed. Will catch up again tomorrow and hopefully will work on how to do my photos as well.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday night?? Where did the weekend go???
Oh Lord, I knew if I didn't' do this daily I would forget!!! I don't remember everything we did on Saturday - lol I know I checked out of the Paso on Saturday morning and then checked into the Adelaide - VERY DIFFERENT!! lol It was very comfortable though and still with all the mod cons and a laundry!! They have the laundry machinery outside though - guess they can in their mild climate - it just did get me wondering what it would be like for folks in the winter time though, out shivering while waiting for their woollies to dry!! lol
Matt will have to remind me what else we did - What I DO remember is going to Carole & Tiffany's for the most exquisite dinner - oh man - they served something up from Paradise!! Shirley, you would just LOVE these girls!! So, would everyone else but imagine wine tasters extraordinaire and foodies together - WOW!!! There were a couple of lovely ladies there as guests as well who are planning their marriage for later on this year.
I drank far too much wine and think Matt poured me into the hotel room - I certainly slept without the need for a tablet!! lol
Somehow I was up again at 5am - didn't bother getting organised very quickly though as they have all these channels and checkout wasn't till 11am.
We went out to San Miguel mission on my last morning which was just beautiful - they are trying to restore it at present and it's still a functioning church as a service had just finished when we got there. Just amazing - the buildings are so old and have such a Spanish/Mexican influence that with all the brickwork and tiles it's cool inside even though it's stifling outside.
Bought so much stuff had to leave a box with Matt to post. The UPS (United Parcel Service wanted almost $200 to send it home and they advised me to take it to the post office - so as I was leaving that afternoon I asked Matt if he would mind posting it on for me!! lol It's going "slow boat" so I hope it doesn't take months and months to get back to New Zealand otherwise Zoe is going to be annoyed with me.
OK.......The train - the Amtrak was quite impressive as you go up to the second story and I had a sleeper car. Great view too of course of the local countryside - I mean what else can I say except that everything is SOOOOOOO HUGE!! lol It's like they supersize everything from their burgers to their agriculture to their vehicles!! lol I loved Paso though - it was a very comfortable place to stay and very much like Carterton in many ways. It felt like a second home when I was there.
My hotel in Oakland, San Francisco is a kind of bland American hotel I think - a little scary with deadlocks and special latches on the inside of the doors to keep people out...arggggggh. Saw my first beggars and had my first hilarious experience at a place called Best Buy. I keep losing my American charger to keep my cellphone up and running.
Went in and was told by a large black lady that there was a "LINE"......she was so sweet when I went over to where she was waiting though - and told me she realised I didn't know - but she was such a hoot........she was very vocal about the service (although polite) and at the end of our conversation she organised what I needed from the store on my behalf and gave me a big hug goodbye!! It was so cool. She told me she had been born and raised in Oakland and that she loves it for its diversity.
I made contact with another friend here in San Francisco that I had lost touch with for a while - and he has been really neat. I walked around today and found out where the free shopping shuttle goes from, went into places just for a nosey....like PetMart, Michaels (a huge barn full of arts and crafts pieces) and various larger stores. Found a starbucks....YAY.......although the girl was wonderful and understood my order I really couldn't understand what the young guy was saying when I asked if the coffee standing there was mine!! rofl....I had to ask...this is a latte? with non-fat milk?? and two shots? Had to go through it one at a time as he talked so fast and with the 'terms'....that I thought HUH???lol
Used one of those newspaper things you see in the movies, putting the money in and getting the paper out - just for the fun of it!! rofl
Got myself a little lost at one point and ended up in the 'wrong' part of town......knew I had as saw two ladies go past with their trollies and empty bottles!! lol Removed myself quick smart..I was ok as I had already called into City Hall and picked up a map!!!
My friend, Rob called round and has lent me his laptop so I could update my blog and took me out to a restaurant for ribs - mmmm yummy!!! He is a great tour guide as he just has so much knowledge about this area. Apparently he was born in Richmond and lives fairly locally as well. We went down to a place called Jacksons Square - oh it was so funny.......it's like the high street and the Amtrak and trains run right through the middle of it!!! I was having my photo taken when a couple of teenage girls approached us and wanted a photo taken of them together. We thought they must be out-of-towners too but no, one of the girls was off to MIT (apparently that is a really impressive educational facility for the swots! lol).
We went into Berkley after dinner - which was a little more 'student' oriented - kind of like a mi between Palmerston North and Wellington I guess. It is well known apparently for it's differing and liberal viewpoints. Of course there is a large university in this area and it's all set up for these young people. Even the coffee shop has all the tables literally lodged up against each other so that when large groups come in they can all study together.
I have had my rest now and hope to go into San Francisco tomorrow and spend the day seeing some of the sights. I am kind of excited and a little scared - have been told that there are just so many people it can be overwhelming. I saw the transport system they have here today where the train goes under the water......it's like the London subway system I guess, they call it BART and seem to have stations all round the place. The hotel is very near the freeway but it's all double glazed and with lots of insulation you can't hear a thing!!!! Had a good nights sleep last night - more hours than I had in the previous week put together I think and maybe that is a good thing! lol
Anyway, will sign off for the night now and hit the sack - want to be up at a reasonable time tomorrow to get moving. Hope everyone is ok and have to admit, am missing home just a 'tiny' bit!! lol
Matt will have to remind me what else we did - What I DO remember is going to Carole & Tiffany's for the most exquisite dinner - oh man - they served something up from Paradise!! Shirley, you would just LOVE these girls!! So, would everyone else but imagine wine tasters extraordinaire and foodies together - WOW!!! There were a couple of lovely ladies there as guests as well who are planning their marriage for later on this year.
I drank far too much wine and think Matt poured me into the hotel room - I certainly slept without the need for a tablet!! lol
Somehow I was up again at 5am - didn't bother getting organised very quickly though as they have all these channels and checkout wasn't till 11am.
We went out to San Miguel mission on my last morning which was just beautiful - they are trying to restore it at present and it's still a functioning church as a service had just finished when we got there. Just amazing - the buildings are so old and have such a Spanish/Mexican influence that with all the brickwork and tiles it's cool inside even though it's stifling outside.
Bought so much stuff had to leave a box with Matt to post. The UPS (United Parcel Service wanted almost $200 to send it home and they advised me to take it to the post office - so as I was leaving that afternoon I asked Matt if he would mind posting it on for me!! lol It's going "slow boat" so I hope it doesn't take months and months to get back to New Zealand otherwise Zoe is going to be annoyed with me.
OK.......The train - the Amtrak was quite impressive as you go up to the second story and I had a sleeper car. Great view too of course of the local countryside - I mean what else can I say except that everything is SOOOOOOO HUGE!! lol It's like they supersize everything from their burgers to their agriculture to their vehicles!! lol I loved Paso though - it was a very comfortable place to stay and very much like Carterton in many ways. It felt like a second home when I was there.
My hotel in Oakland, San Francisco is a kind of bland American hotel I think - a little scary with deadlocks and special latches on the inside of the doors to keep people out...arggggggh. Saw my first beggars and had my first hilarious experience at a place called Best Buy. I keep losing my American charger to keep my cellphone up and running.
Went in and was told by a large black lady that there was a "LINE"......she was so sweet when I went over to where she was waiting though - and told me she realised I didn't know - but she was such a hoot........she was very vocal about the service (although polite) and at the end of our conversation she organised what I needed from the store on my behalf and gave me a big hug goodbye!! It was so cool. She told me she had been born and raised in Oakland and that she loves it for its diversity.
I made contact with another friend here in San Francisco that I had lost touch with for a while - and he has been really neat. I walked around today and found out where the free shopping shuttle goes from, went into places just for a nosey....like PetMart, Michaels (a huge barn full of arts and crafts pieces) and various larger stores. Found a starbucks....YAY.......although the girl was wonderful and understood my order I really couldn't understand what the young guy was saying when I asked if the coffee standing there was mine!! rofl....I had to ask...this is a latte? with non-fat milk?? and two shots? Had to go through it one at a time as he talked so fast and with the 'terms'....that I thought HUH???lol
Used one of those newspaper things you see in the movies, putting the money in and getting the paper out - just for the fun of it!! rofl
Got myself a little lost at one point and ended up in the 'wrong' part of town......knew I had as saw two ladies go past with their trollies and empty bottles!! lol Removed myself quick smart..I was ok as I had already called into City Hall and picked up a map!!!
My friend, Rob called round and has lent me his laptop so I could update my blog and took me out to a restaurant for ribs - mmmm yummy!!! He is a great tour guide as he just has so much knowledge about this area. Apparently he was born in Richmond and lives fairly locally as well. We went down to a place called Jacksons Square - oh it was so funny.......it's like the high street and the Amtrak and trains run right through the middle of it!!! I was having my photo taken when a couple of teenage girls approached us and wanted a photo taken of them together. We thought they must be out-of-towners too but no, one of the girls was off to MIT (apparently that is a really impressive educational facility for the swots! lol).
We went into Berkley after dinner - which was a little more 'student' oriented - kind of like a mi between Palmerston North and Wellington I guess. It is well known apparently for it's differing and liberal viewpoints. Of course there is a large university in this area and it's all set up for these young people. Even the coffee shop has all the tables literally lodged up against each other so that when large groups come in they can all study together.
I have had my rest now and hope to go into San Francisco tomorrow and spend the day seeing some of the sights. I am kind of excited and a little scared - have been told that there are just so many people it can be overwhelming. I saw the transport system they have here today where the train goes under the water......it's like the London subway system I guess, they call it BART and seem to have stations all round the place. The hotel is very near the freeway but it's all double glazed and with lots of insulation you can't hear a thing!!!! Had a good nights sleep last night - more hours than I had in the previous week put together I think and maybe that is a good thing! lol
Anyway, will sign off for the night now and hit the sack - want to be up at a reasonable time tomorrow to get moving. Hope everyone is ok and have to admit, am missing home just a 'tiny' bit!! lol
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday Night!! and still going
Wow, today has been amazing - up early to head off to Hearst Castle - owned by the newspaper magnate William Ralph Hearst. Being father of the infamous Patty Hearst - somehow the tour guide didn't want to hear the question about the 'bomb' that had damaged part of the building. Amazingly we heard the thunder rolling in San Luis Obispo this morning and apparently according to the radio the lightning was striking and fires were raging.
The castle was just so cool but even with walking around for at least one and a half hours we didn't see the entire thing. We went to the movie afterwards which enabled us to see the building of the castle from the day it began - was just amazing. I had a trim latte at the Java stop this morning on the way to the castle and then another coffee at the castle.
Went on to see the elephant seals on the beach after the visit - which was soooo cool!! They are HUGE!! Took some more photos - of course!! lol
Then went to a place called In and Out Burger!! rofl Guess the closest would be a MacDonalds but everything is fresh and the potatoes are chipped while you wait and look - it was a great little place and apparently in a place called Atascadero.
We then went and met up with Tiffany and Carole again at a winery - oh man, they are club members at this winery and this was even better than the other ones!! I mean at least 85% of the wines were extremely potable. Matt was so neat - actually tasted the wine along with us much to the surprise of his sister!! rofl
Went back to the hotel for an hour to recuperate and pack some food and then off to Albertsons to get the bits and pieces to make shish kebabs.....OH MAN - you should have seen their shrimp!!!! About 7 times the size of our ones at home - makes ours look miserable little buggers!! lol
Haven't tasted them yet but am looking forward to eating them...........We're at Jason and Shawna's again tonight and are having an amazing bbq with their family which includes Tyler, Bryson, Braeleigh and Ashley and Justin - it's going to be an awesome night I can just tell!!! lol
Am drinking Bianchi champagne tonight with Shanna - pronounced Shawna as I have been spelling it all this time and just checked with her!! lol I gave Jason some salt-water taffy from Morro Bay tonight and gave Shanna some of my kiwi antiflamme - the one that comes from Nuclear Free NZ and is in the purple container.
I will catch up with you guys again tomorrow - we have been invited out to Tiffany and Carole's for dinner - and they LOVE cooking - and have already asked me what sort of things I am allergic to. Told them that the only things I couldn't cope with were oysters and anchovies - so am really looking forward to seeing what they have concocted tomorrow night.
See you tomorrow guys.........mwah
The castle was just so cool but even with walking around for at least one and a half hours we didn't see the entire thing. We went to the movie afterwards which enabled us to see the building of the castle from the day it began - was just amazing. I had a trim latte at the Java stop this morning on the way to the castle and then another coffee at the castle.
Went on to see the elephant seals on the beach after the visit - which was soooo cool!! They are HUGE!! Took some more photos - of course!! lol
Then went to a place called In and Out Burger!! rofl Guess the closest would be a MacDonalds but everything is fresh and the potatoes are chipped while you wait and look - it was a great little place and apparently in a place called Atascadero.
We then went and met up with Tiffany and Carole again at a winery - oh man, they are club members at this winery and this was even better than the other ones!! I mean at least 85% of the wines were extremely potable. Matt was so neat - actually tasted the wine along with us much to the surprise of his sister!! rofl
Went back to the hotel for an hour to recuperate and pack some food and then off to Albertsons to get the bits and pieces to make shish kebabs.....OH MAN - you should have seen their shrimp!!!! About 7 times the size of our ones at home - makes ours look miserable little buggers!! lol
Haven't tasted them yet but am looking forward to eating them...........We're at Jason and Shawna's again tonight and are having an amazing bbq with their family which includes Tyler, Bryson, Braeleigh and Ashley and Justin - it's going to be an awesome night I can just tell!!! lol
Am drinking Bianchi champagne tonight with Shanna - pronounced Shawna as I have been spelling it all this time and just checked with her!! lol I gave Jason some salt-water taffy from Morro Bay tonight and gave Shanna some of my kiwi antiflamme - the one that comes from Nuclear Free NZ and is in the purple container.
I will catch up with you guys again tomorrow - we have been invited out to Tiffany and Carole's for dinner - and they LOVE cooking - and have already asked me what sort of things I am allergic to. Told them that the only things I couldn't cope with were oysters and anchovies - so am really looking forward to seeing what they have concocted tomorrow night.
See you tomorrow guys.........mwah
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Later On Thursday evening!!!
Well, the jolly computer screen kept freezing.........so in the meantime we have been out to dinner because Carole and Tiffany phoned and they had met up with friends in town and were having drinks and invited us to join them!!!
We met up with them at the Downtown Brew and I tried Tritip for the first time ever - a really yummy cut of steak - so basically I had a steak sandwich and fries! yeah, I know - Americans eat a lot of meat and starch! lol Anyway, I had a James Tobin sparkling wine which is quite well known over here and was really lovely - actually, I had two of them!! lol
Have arranged to meet up with Carole and Tiffany for lunch tomorrow after the Hearst Castle tour at 0930am and then we will probably do another couple of wineries...YAY! lol and then we are going to a concert in the park just for half an hour or so and then on to Jason and Shawnas for a bbq!! Man, what a social life - I don't know HOW I'm keeping up but I am!! lol
Will probably crash in San Francisco or when I get home!! lol Have decided I will just keep the private room on the Amtrak - although Carole was offering to drive me all the way to San Francisco tonight in their Mercedes! Whoa!! lol These people are just SO lovely - generous to a fault and really fun, vibrant and I am having one of the best holidays ever Shirley!!! rofl
Shirley told me if I didn't have fun it would be all my fault - well, I have to tell you - that this has been one of the most wonderful experiences in my life and I will really cherish all the memories and people I have met - and I want to do it AGAIN!! lol
Lots of love from moi
Cheryl
We met up with them at the Downtown Brew and I tried Tritip for the first time ever - a really yummy cut of steak - so basically I had a steak sandwich and fries! yeah, I know - Americans eat a lot of meat and starch! lol Anyway, I had a James Tobin sparkling wine which is quite well known over here and was really lovely - actually, I had two of them!! lol
Have arranged to meet up with Carole and Tiffany for lunch tomorrow after the Hearst Castle tour at 0930am and then we will probably do another couple of wineries...YAY! lol and then we are going to a concert in the park just for half an hour or so and then on to Jason and Shawnas for a bbq!! Man, what a social life - I don't know HOW I'm keeping up but I am!! lol
Will probably crash in San Francisco or when I get home!! lol Have decided I will just keep the private room on the Amtrak - although Carole was offering to drive me all the way to San Francisco tonight in their Mercedes! Whoa!! lol These people are just SO lovely - generous to a fault and really fun, vibrant and I am having one of the best holidays ever Shirley!!! rofl
Shirley told me if I didn't have fun it would be all my fault - well, I have to tell you - that this has been one of the most wonderful experiences in my life and I will really cherish all the memories and people I have met - and I want to do it AGAIN!! lol
Lots of love from moi
Cheryl
OMG - It's Thursday already!!!! ARRRRGGGH
This is my second attempt at typing this blog - grrrrrr This laptop holds a Windows Vista programme and SOMEHOW the damn thing deleted itself. FAR OUT!!!! So, this may be a shorter version than the last one.....!!! lol
This morning was kind of a non-starter - my plans had been to walk to the local mall where Walmart was located but for some reason my sleeping body decided to take advantage of my dozy state and refused to get up at six thirty and only resurfaced around 9am and in my slowly awakening state I decided I would accept the offer of a lift from my American friends!! lol
Drove to Walmart while they shopped at the local supermarket "Albertsons" - and apparently I took so long they did their shopping, delivered and unpacked it at home and still returned while I was trying to manoeuvre my way through the gigantic aisles of Walmart. Embarassing but true!! lol
I went to a little coffee house and had an iced Latte - I tell you, Cafe Bambino still does the best Trim Lattes this side of the black stump!!!! There is NO kick to their coffee - very bland and they don't seem to know the meaning of the word trim milk!! lol "You want soy ma'am??" NOPE....just trim milk .....lol
Anyway, they were lovely and the owners son had just been out to New Zealand and had the best two weeks of his life with a host family there according to his dad - so it's nice to know our reputation precedes us.
Dropped in on Carole and Tiffany today and they are just amazing ladies!! Wahooo.....we went off to a couple of spectacular wineries....oh it was just soooo cool!!! We had lunch at the Crooked Kilt before we set off on our wine journey - and it was great. I had the calamari again and asked for a side salad - thinking that an appetiser of calamari with a little greens would be okay!!! The salad was served in a bucket sized bowl and even though I invited the entire table to share the salad there was an enormous amount left at the end of the meal - so asked them to doggy bag it!! Oh yikes!! lol Yep, the cautious kiwi comes out again - I know I probably won't eat it - but couldn't bear to see the waste.
We travelled in style in Carole and Tiffany's new Mercedes.....man, it was POSH!!! rofl and so lovely - The first vineyard was one where the garden was full of the most beautiful sculptures by a local guy called John Jagger - yep, got Matt to use my camera (he is a much better photographer than me and actually remembers to stop and take photos!! lol It was a lovely winery and bought one of their wines called Statuesque. The winery was called Sculpterra - so obviously themed with the sculptures in mind. The land has been in the family for some time and is owned by a doctor. The doctor's son has now just graduated from Cal Poly doing viticulture and has been studying with another local winemaker (IRISH!! lol who has been making wine for the vineyard.
The next stop was to a very unusual winery called something like Coultiere....I can't remember now exactly except that the wine wasn't terribly good - only one white and the reds were too earthy for my taste. The hats and wigs were hysterically funny though so we tried lots on - well, I tried lots on and I have the photos to prove it!! lol
The last winery....mmmmmmmmmmmhmmmmmmmmmmmmm Bianchi - YUMMOOOO - we didn't get there till nearly 4.30 but it was really awesome. Specialised in whites and the Sauvignon Blanc was gorgeous as well as the champagne and the Pinot Noir...Honestly, they were accusing me of favouritism because they had used kiwifruit in the ones I REALLY liked!! lol
Got back to the hotel and we started the bottle of Statuesque before Carole and Tiffany had to go and meet friends for dinner - have arranged to see them tomorrow though and before I leave. It sounds like they are moving to San Diego and as I love the reputation of the zoo - was saying they should come to the Wairarapa and do the wine trail and then I can go and stay with them and visit the zoo!
We then went on back to Jason and Shawna's to pick up the cord for the laptop - which I am using now to do this post. We stayed for a while and they insisted I should meet Monty their Ball Python.....eeek. They were being a little mischievous as well - when I went to the loo and returned they told me to be careful as they had let Monty loose and he was under the couch where I was just standing. Yup, I got out of the way very quickly before they revealed Monty's hiding spot - he was hiding under Matt's
This morning was kind of a non-starter - my plans had been to walk to the local mall where Walmart was located but for some reason my sleeping body decided to take advantage of my dozy state and refused to get up at six thirty and only resurfaced around 9am and in my slowly awakening state I decided I would accept the offer of a lift from my American friends!! lol
Drove to Walmart while they shopped at the local supermarket "Albertsons" - and apparently I took so long they did their shopping, delivered and unpacked it at home and still returned while I was trying to manoeuvre my way through the gigantic aisles of Walmart. Embarassing but true!! lol
I went to a little coffee house and had an iced Latte - I tell you, Cafe Bambino still does the best Trim Lattes this side of the black stump!!!! There is NO kick to their coffee - very bland and they don't seem to know the meaning of the word trim milk!! lol "You want soy ma'am??" NOPE....just trim milk .....lol
Anyway, they were lovely and the owners son had just been out to New Zealand and had the best two weeks of his life with a host family there according to his dad - so it's nice to know our reputation precedes us.
Dropped in on Carole and Tiffany today and they are just amazing ladies!! Wahooo.....we went off to a couple of spectacular wineries....oh it was just soooo cool!!! We had lunch at the Crooked Kilt before we set off on our wine journey - and it was great. I had the calamari again and asked for a side salad - thinking that an appetiser of calamari with a little greens would be okay!!! The salad was served in a bucket sized bowl and even though I invited the entire table to share the salad there was an enormous amount left at the end of the meal - so asked them to doggy bag it!! Oh yikes!! lol Yep, the cautious kiwi comes out again - I know I probably won't eat it - but couldn't bear to see the waste.
We travelled in style in Carole and Tiffany's new Mercedes.....man, it was POSH!!! rofl and so lovely - The first vineyard was one where the garden was full of the most beautiful sculptures by a local guy called John Jagger - yep, got Matt to use my camera (he is a much better photographer than me and actually remembers to stop and take photos!! lol It was a lovely winery and bought one of their wines called Statuesque. The winery was called Sculpterra - so obviously themed with the sculptures in mind. The land has been in the family for some time and is owned by a doctor. The doctor's son has now just graduated from Cal Poly doing viticulture and has been studying with another local winemaker (IRISH!! lol who has been making wine for the vineyard.
The next stop was to a very unusual winery called something like Coultiere....I can't remember now exactly except that the wine wasn't terribly good - only one white and the reds were too earthy for my taste. The hats and wigs were hysterically funny though so we tried lots on - well, I tried lots on and I have the photos to prove it!! lol
The last winery....mmmmmmmmmmmhmmmmmmmmmmmmm Bianchi - YUMMOOOO - we didn't get there till nearly 4.30 but it was really awesome. Specialised in whites and the Sauvignon Blanc was gorgeous as well as the champagne and the Pinot Noir...Honestly, they were accusing me of favouritism because they had used kiwifruit in the ones I REALLY liked!! lol
Got back to the hotel and we started the bottle of Statuesque before Carole and Tiffany had to go and meet friends for dinner - have arranged to see them tomorrow though and before I leave. It sounds like they are moving to San Diego and as I love the reputation of the zoo - was saying they should come to the Wairarapa and do the wine trail and then I can go and stay with them and visit the zoo!
We then went on back to Jason and Shawna's to pick up the cord for the laptop - which I am using now to do this post. We stayed for a while and they insisted I should meet Monty their Ball Python.....eeek. They were being a little mischievous as well - when I went to the loo and returned they told me to be careful as they had let Monty loose and he was under the couch where I was just standing. Yup, I got out of the way very quickly before they revealed Monty's hiding spot - he was hiding under Matt's
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday - still in Paso
Hi guys - ok I will try and keep this relatively brief but you KNOW how I go on!! lol I went to a sushi restaurant yesterday for lunch - YUMMOOOOO I had never had sushimi before which was just delightful although the hot roll was a little spicy and the crunchy roll a little on the sweet side but the Japanese beer was just right with the rice and sushimi. I'm not usually much of a fish or seafood eater but I tell you being so close to the coast the fish is so fresh - it was ALL gorgeous. I just loved the salmon and the two different types of fresh tuna - unreal!! Not sure what the others were but they were yummy!! lol I think it was a latish lunch as well!! lol I did a lot of my emails and posts yesterday and was still busy typing everything when Matt arrived to pick me up to take me to Jason and Shawna's place.
These people were just SO delightful. I met Tyler who is just a sweetie - a really lovely kid with a huge smile and I'm sure an even bigger heart. He has a dog called Buddy, a black cocker spaniel who was abused and who he is training. There were two other dogs there as well - a tiny chihuahua type dog called Melanie (very affectionate and licky!! lol) and another dog called - well it sounded like Kaia! lol But not sure how they spell it here!! They were all laughing so much at some of my difficulties with the people I have tried to talk to that there was a lot of 'teasing' going on - but managed to get my skydiving video playing on Jason's laptop computer and they were IMPRESSED!! rofl So, got my own back.
They showed me their gorgeous little garden out the back too - they are growing squash (which isn't pumpkin but a bright yellow zucchini looking vegetable), lots of artichokes, apples and heaps more things that I didn't take in as I was playing with the dogs and talking as well!! lol
I invited them back to the hotel and they came to have a swim in the pool and hot tub and join another huge group of people there that were all staying at the hotel for a convention or conference. If it's the same one I have to listen to every day as I leave (I feel really sorry for them) It's AERA Energy I think - but the attendees seemed all very nice and 5 of the people had heard of New Zealand because one of them had watched or bought the Once Were Warriors dvd and of course had shown the rest of them. Man, they wanted to know how much of it was true - and while not wanting to LIE, I didn't want to be put in this position when I am trying to get people to come and visit us!! lol
We had a reasonably late night for me - around 1.30am but that was ok. Went to sleep and was awake again around 6.30am this morning - and went out to breakfast at an ALL American restaurant - tried GRITS!! they were ok lol kind of stodgy and a bit like a bland porridge - but very filling.
Went out to Morro Bay (think that's how you spell it) and that was just AWESOME!! - There are pelicans all over the place - yup got some photos! There are sea otters and sea lions and ground squirrels.....oh it's just soooo cool. Lots of people sea kayaking and I bought some sea water TAFFY!! would you believe it!! lol Asked Matt if he could take a photo of the guy making the taffy and he tried to take one through the window - which didn't turn out of course - so embarassed my American hosts by noticing that the back door was open and went round the back and called out to the guy if we could take a 'photo'.....of course he couldn't understand me and was asking if I wanted a "fresh what??" ....rofl Apparently they call them 'pictures not photos' ....so after a little sign language and clicking of my hands he was happy to oblige although he didn't realise I wanted HIM in the picture too!! lol
His name was Wes - and of course I have some Taffy for Zoe and Jade and Luke. Assorted bags but not too big.
When we saw the ground squirrels I was so delighted I offered them some grapes and they were eating them from my hands - oh man, it was so cool. Unfortunately, the camera had a hissy fit so there is no evidence - however there were lots of witnesses!! One of the little squirrels followed us back to the vehicle - so I asked Matt if he could bring some more grapes over and this little guy came right up to me and was sniffing my leg!! lol A dad and children came past and the dad was saying - now, watch that squirrel, it's going to bite that ladies leg!! hahahahahah
Of COURSE it DIDN'T!!! But I did reward it with several grapes and although the kids were a little nervous I gave the dad a small bunch of grapes in case he could persuade the children to feed them later on and get a wonderful photo himself.
Apparently I made people a little nervous hanging over the piers looking for sea otters below and climbing out to some of the rocks in case they were there!! lol However, told everyone I would just float even if I fell!! Think they are too worried about what Shirley might do to them if I don't get returned all in one piece!! lol
It's an early night tonight and everyone is too exhausted (except for me that is!! rofl) So, here I am back at the Paso Robles library - zipping away at my emails and posting my blog. I am not sure how to let people see this - but the blog is through my work email address: CartertonInfoCentre@gmail.com and the website is www.blogspot.com and the name of the Blogger is : CartertonConnections. I think you have to look for CartertonConnections rather than anything else and I thought if I try and type this as much as I can I will remember most of what goes on in my day.
Jason very kindly lent me his laptop last night for the rest of my stay in Paso as it has wireless connection but unfortunately he left the connecting cord in his car!! lol The battery is low and as everyone is so exhausted and resting I thought I would hit the public library again which is great - air conditioned, free and lots of books - I mean, what MORE could a girl want!! lol
I have been invited to Jason and Shawna's house for BBQ dinner on Friday night and apparently they are cooking a speciality of the area - tritip steaks and seafood (shrimp I think) kebabs...lol So, I am really looking forward to that.
I have missed out on a coach seat on Amtrak but have managed to book a private room (on the train!! lol) and can keep phoning every day to see if they have a cancellation. I have also done on an online booking in San Francisco over the phone with a LOVELY girl called Annie but you would have been in hysterics!!! We were finding it so hard to understand each other that we had to spell out everything (and I mean every word) phonetically - so JAGGARD became J for Jack, A for Apple, G for ghost (tell you about THAT when I get home!! lol - don't want to spook myself out!!) R for Robert and D for David!! lol You get the picture??? Anyway, she was a little angel and I have learnt before I begin any negotiations I have to start by apologising that I am from New Zealand!! rofl
My friends here have started doing this thing anywhere I go and start talking because they get the giggles.....(saying to each other...it's ok - she's not retarded she's from NEW ZEALAND!!) rofl
It is just amazingly hot weather here and so very shortly I may well go for another swim in the hotel pool and will try to catch up with you guys later.
Not sure what the plans are for tomorrow - think we are catching up with Carole and Tiffany (both police officers in the Atascadero force) but more later!!!
See you everyone....mwah
These people were just SO delightful. I met Tyler who is just a sweetie - a really lovely kid with a huge smile and I'm sure an even bigger heart. He has a dog called Buddy, a black cocker spaniel who was abused and who he is training. There were two other dogs there as well - a tiny chihuahua type dog called Melanie (very affectionate and licky!! lol) and another dog called - well it sounded like Kaia! lol But not sure how they spell it here!! They were all laughing so much at some of my difficulties with the people I have tried to talk to that there was a lot of 'teasing' going on - but managed to get my skydiving video playing on Jason's laptop computer and they were IMPRESSED!! rofl So, got my own back.
They showed me their gorgeous little garden out the back too - they are growing squash (which isn't pumpkin but a bright yellow zucchini looking vegetable), lots of artichokes, apples and heaps more things that I didn't take in as I was playing with the dogs and talking as well!! lol
I invited them back to the hotel and they came to have a swim in the pool and hot tub and join another huge group of people there that were all staying at the hotel for a convention or conference. If it's the same one I have to listen to every day as I leave (I feel really sorry for them) It's AERA Energy I think - but the attendees seemed all very nice and 5 of the people had heard of New Zealand because one of them had watched or bought the Once Were Warriors dvd and of course had shown the rest of them. Man, they wanted to know how much of it was true - and while not wanting to LIE, I didn't want to be put in this position when I am trying to get people to come and visit us!! lol
We had a reasonably late night for me - around 1.30am but that was ok. Went to sleep and was awake again around 6.30am this morning - and went out to breakfast at an ALL American restaurant - tried GRITS!! they were ok lol kind of stodgy and a bit like a bland porridge - but very filling.
Went out to Morro Bay (think that's how you spell it) and that was just AWESOME!! - There are pelicans all over the place - yup got some photos! There are sea otters and sea lions and ground squirrels.....oh it's just soooo cool. Lots of people sea kayaking and I bought some sea water TAFFY!! would you believe it!! lol Asked Matt if he could take a photo of the guy making the taffy and he tried to take one through the window - which didn't turn out of course - so embarassed my American hosts by noticing that the back door was open and went round the back and called out to the guy if we could take a 'photo'.....of course he couldn't understand me and was asking if I wanted a "fresh what??" ....rofl Apparently they call them 'pictures not photos' ....so after a little sign language and clicking of my hands he was happy to oblige although he didn't realise I wanted HIM in the picture too!! lol
His name was Wes - and of course I have some Taffy for Zoe and Jade and Luke. Assorted bags but not too big.
When we saw the ground squirrels I was so delighted I offered them some grapes and they were eating them from my hands - oh man, it was so cool. Unfortunately, the camera had a hissy fit so there is no evidence - however there were lots of witnesses!! One of the little squirrels followed us back to the vehicle - so I asked Matt if he could bring some more grapes over and this little guy came right up to me and was sniffing my leg!! lol A dad and children came past and the dad was saying - now, watch that squirrel, it's going to bite that ladies leg!! hahahahahah
Of COURSE it DIDN'T!!! But I did reward it with several grapes and although the kids were a little nervous I gave the dad a small bunch of grapes in case he could persuade the children to feed them later on and get a wonderful photo himself.
Apparently I made people a little nervous hanging over the piers looking for sea otters below and climbing out to some of the rocks in case they were there!! lol However, told everyone I would just float even if I fell!! Think they are too worried about what Shirley might do to them if I don't get returned all in one piece!! lol
It's an early night tonight and everyone is too exhausted (except for me that is!! rofl) So, here I am back at the Paso Robles library - zipping away at my emails and posting my blog. I am not sure how to let people see this - but the blog is through my work email address: CartertonInfoCentre@gmail.com and the website is www.blogspot.com and the name of the Blogger is : CartertonConnections. I think you have to look for CartertonConnections rather than anything else and I thought if I try and type this as much as I can I will remember most of what goes on in my day.
Jason very kindly lent me his laptop last night for the rest of my stay in Paso as it has wireless connection but unfortunately he left the connecting cord in his car!! lol The battery is low and as everyone is so exhausted and resting I thought I would hit the public library again which is great - air conditioned, free and lots of books - I mean, what MORE could a girl want!! lol
I have been invited to Jason and Shawna's house for BBQ dinner on Friday night and apparently they are cooking a speciality of the area - tritip steaks and seafood (shrimp I think) kebabs...lol So, I am really looking forward to that.
I have missed out on a coach seat on Amtrak but have managed to book a private room (on the train!! lol) and can keep phoning every day to see if they have a cancellation. I have also done on an online booking in San Francisco over the phone with a LOVELY girl called Annie but you would have been in hysterics!!! We were finding it so hard to understand each other that we had to spell out everything (and I mean every word) phonetically - so JAGGARD became J for Jack, A for Apple, G for ghost (tell you about THAT when I get home!! lol - don't want to spook myself out!!) R for Robert and D for David!! lol You get the picture??? Anyway, she was a little angel and I have learnt before I begin any negotiations I have to start by apologising that I am from New Zealand!! rofl
My friends here have started doing this thing anywhere I go and start talking because they get the giggles.....(saying to each other...it's ok - she's not retarded she's from NEW ZEALAND!!) rofl
It is just amazingly hot weather here and so very shortly I may well go for another swim in the hotel pool and will try to catch up with you guys later.
Not sure what the plans are for tomorrow - think we are catching up with Carole and Tiffany (both police officers in the Atascadero force) but more later!!!
See you everyone....mwah
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday afternoon
I just tried to do a catch up blog post up until the time I arrived in San Luis Obispo. It was hot but there was a familiar face at the airport and an air conditioned vehicle along with a big chillybin full of cold water, pepsi, nectarines and peaches and a big bag of Doritos!! (The Doritos weren't in the chilly bin by the way!!! lol It was SO nice to be met and to travel with someone pointing out all the points of interest on the way!! Truly awesome.
I was tired but overtired if you know what I mean - we went for a walk around the square -oh no, we checked in first and they upgraded my room to one with a hot tub!! Very kind of them, but it's 100 degree heat outside!! What the?? rofl Going in to the building though was interesting - very old looking - all kind of Mexican/Spanish hacienda and brick stuff - really cool. As you went into the place where my room was though - there was a formal little area of seating (almost 30's in it's appearance) and there were LILIES. Well, you know what lilies remind us all of!! and yep - it was kind of like being in a funeral parlour!! Yikes!!! lol Even had Matt looking sideways!! hehehehehe
There were some children doing a wee private performance for their grandparents that they had choreographed when we were coming out - and I was so enchanted, got a couple of photos and we sat down and watched the performance and applauded at the end. It was soooo great - honestly, two girls and a boy and just so natural and hilarious. The young boy even KNEW where New Zealand was as they had studied it at school!!! lol I was VERY IMPRESSED.
Have some photos and will post them whenever I can download them or bring back the hard copies to attach to the blog! lol
Before going out to Cambria I went to the local supermarket - yahooooo!!! lol What amazing fresh produce they have there and very reasonable. I couldn't resist and bought two huge bags of grapes! They are WEIRD though - they don't use butter or margarine on their sandwiches! lol They just put the spread straight on!
Yesterday - Monday we went out to Cambria (it's kind of similar to Waiheke Island in feel) lots of artists, little shops and wineries on the way, and of course the ocean!! The coolest part was seeing a ground squirrel - a live ONE not road kill eating something beside the road. There was a little gecko at the beach too on the log. Oh just such a neat place!! Really enjoyed that part of it.
We had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and had a marguerita (well, I had TWO - AND spooned all the ice out (it was kind of like a flavoured slushie!!!) ) OH YUMMMMMMMMMM Best Marguerita I have EVER had um well MargueritaS...lol and the chicken enchilada wasn't bad either!!! hahahahah
Got out a DVD called And all that Jazz - Of course Matt fell asleep and snored like a trooper but I enjoyed it. Matt went home and I hate to admit it, but instead of eating dinner I dined on Doritos, grapes and a packet of Starbursts that had been left behind!! heheheh Watched some television
TUESDAY.....
Woke up at 4am......read for a while, dozed for a while and then finally got up at around 7.30am. Showered, dressed, tidied and then thought...ok, now what!! lol So, I went out for a walk around the Square, figuring I would find the Information Centre that had been pointed out to me on Sunday night on our walk. Do you think I could find it? Accidentally, I pushed my way into the Santa Lucia bank before opening time - I didn't read the notice - just pushed the door and it opened so I went in. I wondered why the staff looked so startled but when I was leaving after getting my instructions - realised the next person coming in was attempting to use a key to unlock the door!! ROFL.....Yep, interesting eh!! Lucky, I didn't look dangerous.
I thought I followed the instructions from the bank but I still couldn't find my way - and every time I would pause in thought and try to focus on where I might be, some courteous driver would come to a halt - thinking I wanted to cross the road - and as I was too embarassed to admit I was just a ditz....I would cross the road and then try and sneak back a little further down!! Got to a corner though and a lady carrying coffee asked me if I was looking for something. I said I was looking for Information.....meaning the Information Centre and of course...she's saying........What SORT of Information do you want!
I kid you not guys, they really do speak in an entirely different way. I am having trouble at times making myself understood or understanding what it is or how they operate!! rofl
At this point in time I am the Paso Robles Public Library using a temporary library card to use their computer. First of all, I had to sign my life away and hand over my passport all to be given a card that was for use in the childrens library when I tried to hand it over at the reference desk!! lol However, I have it sorted - the Dewey System is alive and well and all is good with the world.
Earlier today we went to Starbucks for coffee, Walmart for some pharmacy stuff (like my fish oil capsules which I didn't bring with me) and some extra socks - somehow I seem to have only bought one pair with me. Don't know HOW that happened.
Ok......After Walmart - we drive ALL the way to the Post Office to get stamps - and I needed an interpreter there too!! rofl We stopped at Matt's work so I could use the rest room and the computer to email all you guys and Shawna and Jason were there so Shawna got out of the car and gave me a big hug!! Their little godson, Andrew was in the back of the car and kept asking what my name was!!
Eric and Shawna recommended Eberle (said like Eb er lee) Winery, so off we trotted in perfect time to have two tastes of wine before doing a little tour of the winery. They have caves underneath (man made) which are gorgeous. Cool and kind of mystical in a way with all the suble lighting - very amazing and got some great photos!!! Yes, I bought some wine - the Chardonnay was very potable!!!
I was tired but overtired if you know what I mean - we went for a walk around the square -oh no, we checked in first and they upgraded my room to one with a hot tub!! Very kind of them, but it's 100 degree heat outside!! What the?? rofl Going in to the building though was interesting - very old looking - all kind of Mexican/Spanish hacienda and brick stuff - really cool. As you went into the place where my room was though - there was a formal little area of seating (almost 30's in it's appearance) and there were LILIES. Well, you know what lilies remind us all of!! and yep - it was kind of like being in a funeral parlour!! Yikes!!! lol Even had Matt looking sideways!! hehehehehe
There were some children doing a wee private performance for their grandparents that they had choreographed when we were coming out - and I was so enchanted, got a couple of photos and we sat down and watched the performance and applauded at the end. It was soooo great - honestly, two girls and a boy and just so natural and hilarious. The young boy even KNEW where New Zealand was as they had studied it at school!!! lol I was VERY IMPRESSED.
Have some photos and will post them whenever I can download them or bring back the hard copies to attach to the blog! lol
Before going out to Cambria I went to the local supermarket - yahooooo!!! lol What amazing fresh produce they have there and very reasonable. I couldn't resist and bought two huge bags of grapes! They are WEIRD though - they don't use butter or margarine on their sandwiches! lol They just put the spread straight on!
Yesterday - Monday we went out to Cambria (it's kind of similar to Waiheke Island in feel) lots of artists, little shops and wineries on the way, and of course the ocean!! The coolest part was seeing a ground squirrel - a live ONE not road kill eating something beside the road. There was a little gecko at the beach too on the log. Oh just such a neat place!! Really enjoyed that part of it.
We had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and had a marguerita (well, I had TWO - AND spooned all the ice out (it was kind of like a flavoured slushie!!!) ) OH YUMMMMMMMMMM Best Marguerita I have EVER had um well MargueritaS...lol and the chicken enchilada wasn't bad either!!! hahahahah
Got out a DVD called And all that Jazz - Of course Matt fell asleep and snored like a trooper but I enjoyed it. Matt went home and I hate to admit it, but instead of eating dinner I dined on Doritos, grapes and a packet of Starbursts that had been left behind!! heheheh Watched some television
TUESDAY.....
Woke up at 4am......read for a while, dozed for a while and then finally got up at around 7.30am. Showered, dressed, tidied and then thought...ok, now what!! lol So, I went out for a walk around the Square, figuring I would find the Information Centre that had been pointed out to me on Sunday night on our walk. Do you think I could find it? Accidentally, I pushed my way into the Santa Lucia bank before opening time - I didn't read the notice - just pushed the door and it opened so I went in. I wondered why the staff looked so startled but when I was leaving after getting my instructions - realised the next person coming in was attempting to use a key to unlock the door!! ROFL.....Yep, interesting eh!! Lucky, I didn't look dangerous.
I thought I followed the instructions from the bank but I still couldn't find my way - and every time I would pause in thought and try to focus on where I might be, some courteous driver would come to a halt - thinking I wanted to cross the road - and as I was too embarassed to admit I was just a ditz....I would cross the road and then try and sneak back a little further down!! Got to a corner though and a lady carrying coffee asked me if I was looking for something. I said I was looking for Information.....meaning the Information Centre and of course...she's saying........What SORT of Information do you want!
I kid you not guys, they really do speak in an entirely different way. I am having trouble at times making myself understood or understanding what it is or how they operate!! rofl
At this point in time I am the Paso Robles Public Library using a temporary library card to use their computer. First of all, I had to sign my life away and hand over my passport all to be given a card that was for use in the childrens library when I tried to hand it over at the reference desk!! lol However, I have it sorted - the Dewey System is alive and well and all is good with the world.
Earlier today we went to Starbucks for coffee, Walmart for some pharmacy stuff (like my fish oil capsules which I didn't bring with me) and some extra socks - somehow I seem to have only bought one pair with me. Don't know HOW that happened.
Ok......After Walmart - we drive ALL the way to the Post Office to get stamps - and I needed an interpreter there too!! rofl We stopped at Matt's work so I could use the rest room and the computer to email all you guys and Shawna and Jason were there so Shawna got out of the car and gave me a big hug!! Their little godson, Andrew was in the back of the car and kept asking what my name was!!
Eric and Shawna recommended Eberle (said like Eb er lee) Winery, so off we trotted in perfect time to have two tastes of wine before doing a little tour of the winery. They have caves underneath (man made) which are gorgeous. Cool and kind of mystical in a way with all the suble lighting - very amazing and got some great photos!!! Yes, I bought some wine - the Chardonnay was very potable!!!
Three Days in.....and oh what a TRIP!!!
OK guys, as most of you know - the beginning of the trip was a little hairy and strange - starting with the fact that on Saturday Katherine needed to be taken to the hairdressers as Q had her car at work and she wasn't prepared to take his out of the garage as he had been a particularly CLEVER little male and parked it with cms to spare either side!!! lol
Coming back from Masterton - it began to snow!! For the first time in my life I was driving in snow and it wasn't something I would like to do on a frequent basis - however, we went on down to Greytown to Shoc Choc got our goodies and then of course Katherine wanted to go to the supermarket. By this time, totally stressed out (Because being the master procrastinator that I am and have always been) I hadn't packed - and so in trying to back out of the car park with the sleet coming down and the windows fogged up!! Damn Honda for not putting a rear wiper on my car!! lol Of course I backed into someone that was double parked behind us. FART!! Gritting my teeth and trying to look apologetic when I was feeling anything BUT, I tried to justify my dreadful driving and so, being an older gentleman of some courtesy he agreed not to worry about it.
I finished off my afternoon by driving Katherine to the liquor store - although (don't tell her) within 30 seconds of the request I almost forgot where I was going!! lol Getting home - I did get packed - kinda......I think I talked to Matt - but you know I can't remember now!! No, I'm sure I told him about the little ding in the car!
Anyway, the messages started to come in that the Rimutakas were closed and would be closed the following day so sweating through it, I decided I would catch the train down (the only problem being that it left at 0800 hours...and MY flight didn't leave till 3.00pm in the afternoon. *sigh*.....Katherine's mum, was my heavensent driving angel and not only walked me through the check-in process and sat with me for a couple of hours before she deemed me capable of not wobbling in my determination to get on the plane!
Auckland was a nightmare!! YUCK YUCK YUCK....sorry, any JAFAs out there but the confusion, stringency of customs and security was WAAAAAY too long for a little M.E. person! lol especially when I had already been in alert mode since around 6am. The flight left at around 7.15pm for L.A and I sat next to a nice young American couple. I remembered my sisters words of wisdom not to tell every stranger my story so I didn't talk at all...(well hardly!! lol) The guy in the seat behind ...........he was a whole different kettle of fish!! American accent ok, but the most irritating voice I had ever heard....and he yakked on and on and on!!! Asked the young couple if he would EVER stop talking and they looked slightly embarassed and smiled at me politely. After another 15-20 minutes I announced to them that I would be happy to give the guy one of my sleeping tablets! lol He finally shut up and I did doze. YES, I did warn everyone that I snored!!! I also told them that WHEN I did - NOT to bother to wake me up but I do wonder if there was subtle stuff going on because I kept coming to!
Yahoo.....At L.A. somehow I hadn't been booked in for assistance but somebody else who had, had already left - so I got Courtney (my little Air New Zealand angel!!!) OH WOW, it was SO awesome - she got me through customs (took me through the US not the visitors desk) and carried my cabin luggage all the way.....and made sure I was sitting down at my leap off desk for Paso Robles before she left. Thank you Air New Zealand, Thank you Courtney and Thank YOU Paero for such a wonderful person!!
Anyway, I managed to work out how to phone Matt from the United Airlines terminal before I boarded an old 'bone rattler'...OMG......It was a little plane.....which was okay, but what wasn't ok was it groaned and rattled and I was RIGHT down the back with all the groaning and rattling. A young woman, covered in tattoos (gorgeous looking) got on beside me and then proceeded to use her cellphone until the very last moment on takeoff. Man, I was sweating at that point - thought, I haven't come all this way to be thrown out of the skies by some rebel youngster who wants to live life HER way......and was just about to do a 'Raewyn approach' on her....when she switched off. I am sure there were sweat droplets on my forehead!! lol
Pretty hard landing too coming in! Felt like the plane had a flat tire (tyre)....I am trying to adjust to the American culture here!! lol
Coming back from Masterton - it began to snow!! For the first time in my life I was driving in snow and it wasn't something I would like to do on a frequent basis - however, we went on down to Greytown to Shoc Choc got our goodies and then of course Katherine wanted to go to the supermarket. By this time, totally stressed out (Because being the master procrastinator that I am and have always been) I hadn't packed - and so in trying to back out of the car park with the sleet coming down and the windows fogged up!! Damn Honda for not putting a rear wiper on my car!! lol Of course I backed into someone that was double parked behind us. FART!! Gritting my teeth and trying to look apologetic when I was feeling anything BUT, I tried to justify my dreadful driving and so, being an older gentleman of some courtesy he agreed not to worry about it.
I finished off my afternoon by driving Katherine to the liquor store - although (don't tell her) within 30 seconds of the request I almost forgot where I was going!! lol Getting home - I did get packed - kinda......I think I talked to Matt - but you know I can't remember now!! No, I'm sure I told him about the little ding in the car!
Anyway, the messages started to come in that the Rimutakas were closed and would be closed the following day so sweating through it, I decided I would catch the train down (the only problem being that it left at 0800 hours...and MY flight didn't leave till 3.00pm in the afternoon. *sigh*.....Katherine's mum, was my heavensent driving angel and not only walked me through the check-in process and sat with me for a couple of hours before she deemed me capable of not wobbling in my determination to get on the plane!
Auckland was a nightmare!! YUCK YUCK YUCK....sorry, any JAFAs out there but the confusion, stringency of customs and security was WAAAAAY too long for a little M.E. person! lol especially when I had already been in alert mode since around 6am. The flight left at around 7.15pm for L.A and I sat next to a nice young American couple. I remembered my sisters words of wisdom not to tell every stranger my story so I didn't talk at all...(well hardly!! lol) The guy in the seat behind ...........he was a whole different kettle of fish!! American accent ok, but the most irritating voice I had ever heard....and he yakked on and on and on!!! Asked the young couple if he would EVER stop talking and they looked slightly embarassed and smiled at me politely. After another 15-20 minutes I announced to them that I would be happy to give the guy one of my sleeping tablets! lol He finally shut up and I did doze. YES, I did warn everyone that I snored!!! I also told them that WHEN I did - NOT to bother to wake me up but I do wonder if there was subtle stuff going on because I kept coming to!
Yahoo.....At L.A. somehow I hadn't been booked in for assistance but somebody else who had, had already left - so I got Courtney (my little Air New Zealand angel!!!) OH WOW, it was SO awesome - she got me through customs (took me through the US not the visitors desk) and carried my cabin luggage all the way.....and made sure I was sitting down at my leap off desk for Paso Robles before she left. Thank you Air New Zealand, Thank you Courtney and Thank YOU Paero for such a wonderful person!!
Anyway, I managed to work out how to phone Matt from the United Airlines terminal before I boarded an old 'bone rattler'...OMG......It was a little plane.....which was okay, but what wasn't ok was it groaned and rattled and I was RIGHT down the back with all the groaning and rattling. A young woman, covered in tattoos (gorgeous looking) got on beside me and then proceeded to use her cellphone until the very last moment on takeoff. Man, I was sweating at that point - thought, I haven't come all this way to be thrown out of the skies by some rebel youngster who wants to live life HER way......and was just about to do a 'Raewyn approach' on her....when she switched off. I am sure there were sweat droplets on my forehead!! lol
Pretty hard landing too coming in! Felt like the plane had a flat tire (tyre)....I am trying to adjust to the American culture here!! lol
Thursday, August 7, 2008
PRETRAVEL NERVES
Ok, well here it is Friday afternoon and I'm already sweating the small stuff!!! Victoria Te Tau has come in and gave me a message from Kim (who I have never met - word goes round huh) to tell me to use new luggage and don't look wasted as they are very stringent in the States at the moment and I will be subjected to a 'cavity' search!! OMG....with my chronic fatigue - I ALWAYS look wasted!!!
No, I haven't packed yet.............yes, I know I should have.........but I just can't coping with thinking about things like that at the moment. It was my pommy mate, Colin who suggested I set up this blog and I emailed him last night to say I would ask Victoria today - forgot until Victoria walked into the office just now!! I guess some things are meant to be!! lol
I have been over and talked to Pete Cunningham at the police station this morning and told him to make sure Zoe doesn't have ANY parties, I know people will keep an eye on her/out for her/any which way but loose!!! lol Katherine is great too and I know she will look after my babies and clear the mail etc. I don't really have anything to panic about - just should let it all float past really - BUT.......lol my mind is so scattered right at the moment I can't seem to hold on to anything in particular.
Ok......as long as Ruth (Deputy Mayor) and Carolyn (Cafe Bambino Owner) DON'T carry out their nasty little threat to see that the gnomes end up boxed and packaged and are there waiting to meet me in L.A. I should be alright!! rofl
At least Peter King now has a gnome sanctuary - mmmm, that's right must remind my co-host Sue to set up a new clue and a new shop front for them this week.
I have to fess up that I am SO nervous that I have put on a half stone this week - this is really grotty but I am going to tell you that I am like the "Itchy Witch" -have you ever read that story? Well, felt peckish but wanted to be good - so put my box of light Hubbards feijoa cereal beside me on the bedside table last night - and thought I would just have the odd wee nibble - must have kept nibbling through my sleep as my tummy was oddly full this morning, there were a LOT of grain flakes throughout my bed and those on the floor were hoovered up by an ever-eager Milkshake and somehow the box was nearly empty.
Just FREAKED when I got on the scales.....kept thinking .........NO - that can't be right - Not OVERNIGHT! *sigh*......ok sweeties - will try and keep up with this over the next couple of weeks and you can all have a jolly good laugh while I scamper round California.
No, I haven't packed yet.............yes, I know I should have.........but I just can't coping with thinking about things like that at the moment. It was my pommy mate, Colin who suggested I set up this blog and I emailed him last night to say I would ask Victoria today - forgot until Victoria walked into the office just now!! I guess some things are meant to be!! lol
I have been over and talked to Pete Cunningham at the police station this morning and told him to make sure Zoe doesn't have ANY parties, I know people will keep an eye on her/out for her/any which way but loose!!! lol Katherine is great too and I know she will look after my babies and clear the mail etc. I don't really have anything to panic about - just should let it all float past really - BUT.......lol my mind is so scattered right at the moment I can't seem to hold on to anything in particular.
Ok......as long as Ruth (Deputy Mayor) and Carolyn (Cafe Bambino Owner) DON'T carry out their nasty little threat to see that the gnomes end up boxed and packaged and are there waiting to meet me in L.A. I should be alright!! rofl
At least Peter King now has a gnome sanctuary - mmmm, that's right must remind my co-host Sue to set up a new clue and a new shop front for them this week.
I have to fess up that I am SO nervous that I have put on a half stone this week - this is really grotty but I am going to tell you that I am like the "Itchy Witch" -have you ever read that story? Well, felt peckish but wanted to be good - so put my box of light Hubbards feijoa cereal beside me on the bedside table last night - and thought I would just have the odd wee nibble - must have kept nibbling through my sleep as my tummy was oddly full this morning, there were a LOT of grain flakes throughout my bed and those on the floor were hoovered up by an ever-eager Milkshake and somehow the box was nearly empty.
Just FREAKED when I got on the scales.....kept thinking .........NO - that can't be right - Not OVERNIGHT! *sigh*......ok sweeties - will try and keep up with this over the next couple of weeks and you can all have a jolly good laugh while I scamper round California.
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