1983 - Snow and QE2 12 January 1984 – Heading Home

Thursday 12 January 1984 – Zurich

Well, they haven’t been too bad at all. We woke up at 05.40 and got cracking pretty quickly as I was not certain how long it would take to get to the airport.

We left at 06.40 as planned. It was still pitch dark and quite cold. There was very little traffic about until I stopped to fill up and then there suddenly seemed to be hordes. We missed our first access to the freeway but managed to find a second. Both were badly signposted and since I am not at my best driving on the incorrect side of the road in the dark, I was a little tense. The airport turnoff was not that clearly marked either, but we got there quite well, arriving at about 07.20.

The Skycap who took our bags was an ill-mannered blighter as was the security man but at least we got our bags checked right through to Harare.We would have been well above our allowable weight of 20kg per case if we had to check the luggage in Switzerland. But as it was we were allowed the TransAtlantic allowance of two suitcases per person, irrespective of weight. We had packed on the basis that we would just have our flight bags with us in Zurich, so all was according to plan.

We took off at 08.30 in a United DC 10 with a very pleasant crew. Rab and Matt had a snack in the airport so didn’t have the airline breakfast, but I did – pancakes and omelette – delicious! There were some spectacular views of snow covered mountains before clouds intervened. Since this coincided with the start of the film – an enjoyable Dudley Moore comedy – that suited me.

The plane was half empty so there was plenty of room for us to get comfortable. After the film finished we had a lunch of cold cuts, which wasn’t up to the standard of the breakfast. By then we were flying over Lake Eyre which was frozen over completely – a lovely sight. An interesting feature of this flight was that you could tune into a commentary given by the pilot, which added to the enjoyment.

There was some concern about the weather reports for New York. The night before we left about 5in of snow had been dumped on the city and we thought we might be delayed. It made a lovely sight as we came in to land on one of those cloudless winter’s days. We landed at Kennedy a little early at 10.20 Eastern time although of course it was 13.20 by our body clocks.

So far so good, but that is when the problems started. The runways were very icey so speed on the ground was kept right down. Although this gave us some fascinating views of the aircraft in line to come in to land stretching into the far distances, we were a little concerned as we had to change terminals and I had to pick up the two suitcases we had left in safe custody before checking in at 17.00.

We finally got off the plane at 15.00 and were lucky to catch a link bus right away. We retrieved the suitcases and although I had a slight problem checking in because I didn’t have Rab’s passport or the San Francisco baggage checks we were aboard by 17.30. We had very nice pre-booked seats over the wing but there were two yelling brats in the centre aisle seats alongside of us and we didn’t fancy listening to them all the way to Geneva. Using the fact that the carpeting under my seat was soaking wet, we escaped to the back of the plane where there was an empty four seater as the plane was far from full. Although it was in the smoking section and we bounced around a fair deal, at least it was peaceful.

We had a very good dinner – Duckling A La Orange – and then watched the movie – John Travolta leaping around. Once this was finished there seemed little point in trying to sleep since it was only two and a quarter hours to Geneva but we did doze a bit until the cabin lights came on an hour later for breakfast. Just a continental breakfast but very good.

We landed on time in Geneva despite having taken off an hour late from Kennedy, having made up the time during the night. Soon after we touched down it started snowing heavily which caused some delays as our wings were de-iced and the runway cleared. Once we were in the air it was a short 30 minute hop to Zurich, where it was raining.

The du Theatre felt like coming home and since it was 00.40 by our body clocks – 10.40 local time – we had a good old snooze for three hours before going down town to get some money and various other bits and pieces. Had a snack meal here at the hotel and were abed by 20.30 after a long day!.

Back in the snow!

1983 - Snow and QE2 10 January 1984 – San Francisco #3

Tuesday 10 January 1984 – San Francisco #3

We all slept well and late – I only woke after seven and the others were later than that. The television was turned on and of course that put the kibosh on an early start.

It was dull and overcast again so we weren’t in any particular hurry so it was after 10.00 when we got down for breakfast. The woman in charge seated us in the dining area which was uncomfortable, so we moved and she was most upset. Apparently the staff get the guests on rotation and we were upsetting the pattern. Bally cheek, I say. (we had no idea how poorly wait staff were paid in the US and how important tips were to them.) Since we wouldn’t move back, the waiter was moved to our table and all was well. We had our last American breakfast of pancakes, egg and sausage for me but a banana pancake for Matt – very nice indeed but rather rich.

Matt and Rab in the woods

I decided we had seen enough shops yesterday so after breakfast we headed for Mills Wood on the other side of the Bridge. This is a forest reserve which contains the only indigenous forest within easy reach of San Francisco and there are many redwoods there which I thought should be worth seeing. It was drizzling slightly when we left the hotel, but it didn’t last for long. We found our way pretty well over the Golden Gate Bridge and to the off ramp to the reserve. The road was very winding which got both Rab and Matt going a bit, but nothing serious and both recovered well.

The trip was well worth it as far as I was concerned and even my two Philistines were not unimpressed. Although the trees are not as tall as some of those in the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, they are still over 200 feet and beautiful to see. It was quiet and cool and we spotted a chipmunk and some very pretty birds. We were just looking at a slice of redwood that was said to be over 1,000 years old when it was cut down in 1930 when a loud Australian voice queried our citizenship. A very nice couple from Sydney with whom we had a drink at the restaurant. They were very pleasant and offered to give us details of their contacts in Hong Kong. Remains to be seen if they will do that. (They didn’t. Our experiences in all our travels were that rarely, if ever, did promises of keeping in touch come about.)

We made our way back to the hotel via The Cannery which is another collection of trendy shops. Rab said on Sunday that she wondered how they all stayed in business. Robbie said quite simply that they did not. Many failed but there are always more to take their place. Of course it is winter and not the tourist season but it is really quite pathetic to see all the shops with no customers. We dropped the car back at the hotel and went across to the Burger King so that Matt could have his last Whopper. He had two.

Back we went to Jefferson Street to pick up my photographs from the One Hour Shop. I had been a bit worried about the last film, which was 200 ASA as I had inadvertently kept the setting on 400 ASA for the last 36 shots from San Simeon onwards. All was OK however and they turned out well. We used one of our Sheraton vouchers and so we now have duplicates of all the shots.

A last stroll along the front and a few video games – Rab is quite taken by Frogger – and we landed up at Fisherman’s Wharf eating a pot of shrimp as we walked. I was also tempted by a plate of breaded prawns for $5.75. Our final stop was a shop on Pier 39 to buy a very nice wooden carving we saw yesterday. We thought it would be about $40 but it was $100 so we decided to give it a miss. A last caramel apple and then an absolute final Burger King for Rab and Matt.

We got back here at 20.00 for an early night after I finished packing, but the TV was so good tonight that it is now 23.10 and the set is still on! Hope they are not too grumpy tomorrow!!

1983 - Snow and QE2 9 January 1984 – San Francisco #2

Monday 9 January 1984 – San Francisco #2

I was awake early again at about 05.30 worrying away about all that might be going wrong at home and about our return trip. Ridiculous stuff, most of it. Rab stirred at about 06.30 and of course it didn’t take long for Matt to wake up after that. The weather was still foggy and the predicted temperature was 52°F (about 11°C by my calculation). So we had to break out our anoraks – or aardvarks as Becky refers to them.

As forecast, the fog stayed down pretty low and in view of the cold conditions we felt there was no point in driving around sightseeing. We finally got out of the room at about 09.15 and decided to have breakfast downstairs despite the cost. It was very good, but pricey at $30 including the tip. Rab had decided that she wanted to go downtown and that we should catch a bus. (I hate public transport and indeed even now we very rarely use it, but Rab has a thing about using it when we travel, as part of the overall experience.) so we did that, standing around in the chilly morning for quite some time before one turned up.

Chinatown was where she wanted to start so we went there. I felt it was a bit disappointing, rather like Grey Street in Durban (this was an area where shops with Indian proprietors were clustered) except that the shopkeepers had different features and the goods were marginally more Eastern. Mainly bazaars and jewellery shops and although we went into many of the latter, Rab kept saying she had no intention of buying anything since she was certain it would be cheaper in Hong Kong (the planned destination of our trip at the year’s end). From my point of view this seemed to render the entire exercise as pointless.

Anyway, we traipsed around for a couple of hours and then worked our way down to Union Square where all the better department stores are - and all the beggars. We were stopped several times by folks on the bum and on one corner a band of buskers was playing – washboard, bass and banjo. Rab had decided that the jeans that we didn’t buy in San Diego were a good buy after all and so we spent the next hour or so trying, unsuccessfully, to find some. If time had permitted we may well have gone back to San Diego!!

Our "tram". Note the antique cigarette ad in the background!

We finally decided to head back to Pier 39 with its 135 shops many of which offered discounts to us as Sheraton guests and so we caught one of the ‘motorised trams’. The trams, or trolley cars, for which SF is famous are all out of service right now so some bright lad got the idea of mounting a tram body on a truck chassis and now charges 50% more than the bus fare running between Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. Very enterprising of him.

 

Pier 39

He dropped us off right at the pier and we spent the afternoon wandering around rthe shops – not that there was much of the afternoon left as we only got there at threeish. Rab bought some shell serviette rings and Matt got another NFL T-shirt to go with his Dallas Cowboys one. The caramel apples we bought to gnaw on as we walked were delicious. My back was giving a lot of trouble today and Rab wanted to get her boots on as she was feeling cold, so we headed back to the hotel.

 

Matt and me down at the pier. Great hair!

We dropped our purchases off there and picked up the car to start the hunt for the T-shirt Rab was determined to find – one of San Francisco with a bit of glitter. She turned down one which showed the Bridge with flashing red lights – a bargain at $40 I thought and settled for a more sedate one which met her specifications.

On we went to a restaurant called Victoria Station at Rob’s suggestion to have some beef for a change. (Because fish was so scarce in Zimbabwe, we tended to eat a good deal when we travelled, but every now and then felt like a good steak.) we could not recognise any of the cuts on offer as they all have names that differ from what we are used to. We ordered what was termed prime rib expecting to get a grilled steak but got instead a large slab of very pink meat. It was very tasty but not what we had expected.

Our final call of the day was at the front to visit Ripley’s Believe It Or Not before coming back to the hotel. Most of the stuff was junk but there were some amazing miniature items including grains of rice with the Lord’s Prayer on them etc etc.

And so to bed

1983 - Snow and QE2 7 January 1984 – San Francisco

Sunday 8 January 1984 – San Francisco

Had a very good night’s sleep last night. As I said to Rab it would have been very nice to have stayed a bit longer. Rob was on holiday so we could have done but we felt it wouldn’t have been right. We stirred lateish – about 08.00 and had a very nice, if unusual breakfast – a sort of quiche with raisins and date bread. Becky and Rob are very keen on good “healthful” foods. They are not fanatics but, like so many Americans, they are very aware of the ingredients of foodstuffs and what is said to be good and not good.

Heading off to San Francisco, Rob was driving our car with me and Matt while Rab went with Becky. The drive in was interesting although it was very foggy so there wasn’t much of a view. We had booked in to the Best Western Carriage Inn so we drove straight there. As soon as I saw it I knew what Rab’s reaction would be and sure enough she wasn’t keen. I couldn’t altogether blame her as it was in a pretty ropey part of town, just a block from the Greyhound terminus – always a bad sign according to Robbie.

So off we went to check out a couple of other hotels. The first one was the St Francis which is a magnificent looking place – very posh indeed. The room rates were between $130/180 a night and at Rob’s suggestion I asked if there was a discount available. The desk clerk said he could not give me a discount unless I telephoned – and suggested I use the house phone across the lobby. I did this and got an offer of a room for $85!! That certainly supported  Rob’s advice to never accept the asking price in the USA – a concept quite foreign to us.

On the basis of this, we thought we might check out the Sheraton at Fisherman’s Warf, especially as the St Francis wanted $12 per day for parking. The Sheraton had initially quoted $114 as a bare minimum on the phone, but face to face we got a room for $75 plus $5 per day parking. Since it is much more convenient to be down this end of town, we checked in and then left our car here and went off with Rob in his car.

A bit misty for a good shot across the bay

It was still foggy but we really enjoyed our drive. We went over the Golden Gate Bridge and on to Tiburon, a very arty area. We had a sandwich at Sam’s Bar – typically American, a meal in themselves at about $6/7 each. The bill for five of us including two beers each was $40. we tried a Mexican beer Dos Equis which is much darker than American beer – and much nicer. After that we popped into a coffee shop next door for sweets – and what a selection of cakes – with very nice coffee.

Golden Gate Bridge!

After having a stroll around we drove around the area looking at the houses and the cars! There must be more Mercedes per square mile than most places! We stopped to have a look at an incredible home being built high on one of the hills out of lava imported from Italy. As we drove around we spooked two buck, which was a bit of a surprise. As it was starting to get dark we went to another view point to see the city lights and then went on seeing the sights. One of these was “the most winding road in the world” which was a bit of a disappointment. We thought it would be a long and winding road but it was just a short stretch of highly banked curves.

Matt with a couple of local monsters

We stopped off at the Hyatt for a pit stop for Matt – what a place. It is built like a hollow pyramid and standing in the foyer you can see all fourteen floors above you. We took a ride in the glass elevator which was a bit of a thrill. As it was getting on a bit, we headed for food at Fisherman’s Wharf. Since it is against Robbie’s principles to pay for parking we drove around for quite some time before he found a free space. He took us to an expensive restaurant and while the food was good there was no doubt that we were paying for the situation. I am sure the food would have been as good at some of the smaller places on Pier 39.

When we came to pay the bill, for which I used my credit card, Robbie found that he had no cash on him, so we spent the next half hour driving round and round the wharf area looking for a Bank of America money machine. Eventually we asked at the cookie shop where we had stopped to get some emergency rations and they told us. However their directions were misinterpreted so once again we circled the area until Robbie finally succumbed and asked a gas station attendant. The machine was right behind the hotel. And it wasn’t working! So Robbie had to do what I had suggested all along – give me a cheque.

Supermarket shopper

Although it was after 22.30 by this time they came into the hotel for coffee and cookies and finally left at about 23.40 they are good company and we enjoyed our day with them. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

1983 - Snow and QE2 7 January 1984 –

Saturday 7 January 1984 – Los Gatos

I slept very badly last night, worrying about all sorts of silly things. So we got cracking fairly early and were on our way at about 08.00 heading for San Simeon and Randolph Hearst’s beach cottage.

There was quite a bit of fog about when we set off and we kept running into patches throughout the day. The countryside was beautiful this morning – green and lush. We were disappointed to find that the coastal highway Highway #1 was closed as a result of a massive landslide last winter about 50 miles north of San Simeon. This meant that after visiting the Hearst mansion we had to backtrack to Cumbria and head inland from there to join the Highway #101.

 

From the road

Matt and Rab by the outdoor pool

The Hearst place was simply unbelievable! As ever the logistics of undertakings like this intrigue me and building this pile and laying out the grounds in 1919 must have been an incredibly complicated operation. I was very glad we had visited it and even Rab and Matt (not renowned for their interest in anything like a museum) enjoyed it. We were quite lucky too in that we arrived at about 08.56 and the next tour left at 09.00 so we did not have any wait at all. Security in the mansion is very tight indeed since there are so many priceless art treasurers.

The main house entrance

After the tour we headed back towards Cumbria pausing for breakfast at the Cavalier at San Simeon. We only just made it, getting to the restaurant a couple of minutes before they closed up at 11.30. Once again Matt and I did justice to a full American breakfast, including pancakes, while Rab was content with toast.

The road from Cumbria back to the 101 was very beautiful, rising a couple of thousand feet over the coastal ridge and showing us some lovely countryside – rolling green hills stretching for miles. The descent was not quite so pleasant and the countryside behind much more dry and barren.

Our drive north on the 101 was not particularly interesting although we had a brief stir of interest when a CHIPS car pulled alongside us and told us to slow down before shooting off after a speeding motorcyclist. Got a bit of a fright, I did, as I had not seen him coming and have no idea where he came from. We had been driving for about two hours at this stage in convoy with a lad in a Buick and a couple in a Chevrolet pickup. We were taking it in turn to lead at about 70 mph – the speed limit being 55 mph. We had actually slowed down a bit because there was a bit of traffic about and we had caught up with the motorcyclist who had roared past us earlier, so we were lucky to get away with it.

We had intended heading back to Highway #1 to visit Monterey and Carmel but the Hearst visit and the backtracking took too long and we had to by-pass this area to my regret. We turned off at Salinas, having passed by Soledad where Rab says there is a high security prison containing, amongst others, Sirhan Sirhan and Charlie Manson. Rab also thinks that James Dean grew up in Salinas, but I think Rebel Without A Cause may have been based there. I know John Steinbeck wrote about that area – must check-up when I get home.

The parts we passed through after turning off the highway were rather grim and ugly. We had to turn off because we were heading for Robbie and Beck (Rab’s step-brother and his wife) in Los Gatos since we had promised we’d pop in and see them on our way through. We found their house without too much trouble. It is in a very mountainous area and the roads were very steep and winding. Beautiful outlooks.

We had intended to go on to San Francisco tonight but Robbie invited us to stay. As it was getting very foggy and it would have been dark by the time we got to the city, I accepted his offer. I find driving in the dark a bit of a strain at the best of times – and here it is ten times worse. They had to go out tonight (to a church meeting we think) so they led us downtown to Los Gatos where we had an excellent seafood meal at Steamers. I had grilled prawns, Rab had fettuccini with crab and shrimps. We had clams for a starter as well, which meant it was a pretty pricey meal by our standards at $38 but it was good value. The food was excellent.

I didn’t enjoy the drive back much in view of the foggy conditions but we made it without incident. Rab has just finished some hand-washing and now we are off to bed.

1983 - Snow and QE2 6 January 1984 – Pismo Beach

Friday 6 January 1984 – Pismo Beach

We had intended leaving Anaheim early this morning, but Rab was a bit slow in getting going and then it took twenty minutes to get through to Central Booking so that we could reserve a room at the Sheraton in San Francisco. Rab fancied staying at Fisherman’s Wharf and although it was pretty pricey at $117 per night, we booked in there.

It was also a bit late for breakfast and there was a long line there so we headed for the Jolly Roger which we had spotted in the main road – Katella Avenue – thinking it would be the same as the one where we had such a good breakfast in San Diego. But it wasn’t. still the food was good and we enjoyed it. A bit cheaper than the Sheraton too.

With a short stop at Avis to pick up maps of Los Angeles and San Francisco we were on our way at about 10.00 – about an hour later  than I had intended. We found our way to Sunset Boulevard quite easily and then we went up Vine to Hollywood. We stopped off there as Matt had been told that there were a lot of poster shops in the area. If there were any they were remarkably well hidden because we couldn’t find one of them.

Magazines and newspapers from all over the world

We did find some very interesting shops however including an incredible newsstand, the owner of which was fascinated to find we were from Zimbabwe, and a toy shop where Matt and I could have spent hours. Apart from anything else there were hundreds of masks and items of fancy dress. We allowed ourselves about an hour in the area just strolling around and spotting the names of stars embedded in the pavement before moving on.

We drove all the way down Sunset through Beverley Hills, Belair etc to the beach and the Pacific Highway. Rab had always wanted to see Malibu Beach but was a bit disappointed in it as it was a narrowish strip of brown sand. Not quite as pictured!! 
 

Malibu on a smoggy day

We stopped off for a drink at a diner right on the edge of the cliff – not the most safe place we thought as on the opposite side of the road a house had started sliding and half of its swimming pool was heading toward the road. I blew my top, regrettably, due mainly I think to the tension of driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road when we had a near miss at a junction. My fault of course, as driver, but that didn’t stop me berating my companions for not keeping a good lookout. Apart from this incident I had encountered no real problems, but it was a bit of a strain driving in such unfamiliar conditions.

Break over we headed on north up the highway in slightly overcast, rather misty weather. Well, just how much was mist/fog and how much was the renowned Los Angeles smog was difficult to tell. Our guide the day before had told us that it was an amazingly clear day but it was pretty mucky by our standards. The drive was enjoyable and the countryside interesting. Both Rab and I felt it looked a bit shabby and neglected and most of the beaches were not a patch on those in the Cape (back in South Africa)

Lunch was good at Santa Barbara

We got to Santa Barbra at about 14.50 and decided to take a look at the town and get a bite to eat as we were all feeling a bit peckish. It is a really beautiful little place – and as the sun was shining it looked even better – with plenty of palms and miles of beach. Rather like Camps Bay only more so, with Spanish style buildings scattered about. We heard on the local radio that practically the whole place was demolished in an earthquake in 1925 and rebuilt then.

Driving out on the pier in the middle of the bay – a rickety rackety affair – Rab and I shared half a large crayfish for $6.75. Really delicious it was too. Matt had a more mundane choice – a burger with local French fries, which are more like sautéed jacket potatoes. It was lovely out there and we felt we could have stayed a deal longer but we still had quite a long way to go to our overnight destination – Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach

It was well after dark by the time we got there and to make matters worse I took the wrong turnoff which meant driving for miles along the secondary roads instead of the freeway. We finally made it and found the hotel Rab had selected from the AAA handbook – the Seacliff. It was a Best Western and was perched right on the edge of a drop of a hundred feet or so. Very clean and comfortable.

The Seacliff at Pismo Beach

The AAA handbook suggested a restaurant for our evening meal – again I took a wrong turn which took us well out of our way – but we were disappointed in our meal. Pismo is famous for clams, so naturally we ordered the speciality of the house – Clams au Gratin – and got a couple of enormous clam shells filled with potato and white sauce with cheese on the top. There may well have been some finely minced clam meat as well, but we couldn’t be too sure. There probably was because there was a fair bit of grit. Matt had the Fish Dinner for Children, part of which was a candy bar. He didn’t get this, so as we were paying, he asked casually how much the Hershey Bars on the counter cost. This prompted the proprietor to provide him with one – cheeky blighter.

Back at the hotel we watched the preview of a new TV series – Blue Thunder which Matt had been looking forward to having seen the original movie on the QEII. I was a bit disappointed in it although Matt said he thought it was good. I can’t see it taking off!

And so to bed.

1983 - Snow and QE2 - Los Angeles and Universal Studios

Thursday 5 January 1984 – Los Angeles and Universal Studios

The original plan for today was to go to Knott’s Berry Farm and then to drive into Los Angeles tomorrow. However following the reaction to Disneyland yesterday, this plan was revised and we set off bright and early this morning on a bus tour of Los Angeles and Universal Studios. Since we were setting off at 08.20 and only returning after 18.30 we thought it wise that we should have a substantial breakfast, which we did. Eggs easy over, crispy bacon hash browns, pancakes and syrup – a right good meal and well worth the $18.00 we paid.

Star Wars footprints

The bus tour  cost us $75.00 for the three of us and was well worth it. The young lady doing the commentary was very interesting and was a fount of information. First stop was Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where Matt soon found his Star Wars footprints and Rab her Marilyn Monroe’s. We were very amused by Curtis who stands outside the theatre all day and every day, posing in a cowboy outfit and looking just like a waxwork. A woman was certain he was until he grabbed her which gave her one helluva fright. He spends his entire life there apparently – what a way to earn a living.

Marilyn Monroe's spot

After that we set off for a tour of the Stars’ Homes and Beverley Hills. The tour had been somewhat truncated as the bus companies have been harassed by the police acting on behalf of the rich and famous who are not too keen on having their privacy invaded. It was still very interesting seeing such sights as Khashoggi’s house, which as I recall was valued at about $2.5 million, standing derelict with paint peeling and the garden full of weeds. His wife apparently lives in the servant’s quarters as she waits for the settlement of her divorce proceedings when she was awarded 50% of the estate estimated at $81 million. (Khashoggi was an arms dealer involved in many other aspects of business. In retrospect his worth in the 80s is now estimated at $40 billion).

 

We were there! In Hollywood!

We also saw some of the few plots available in this area. One was about a quarter acre and had sold for $750,000. we were struck by how small the plots were and how close the houses were to each other. Our guide told us some interesting facts about the stores in the area, some of which only opened by appointment!

After that we set off for Universal Studios and the weather, which had looked a bit threatening when we left, cleared up and we were in sunshine again. Fortunately we were in shorts and T-shirts so we were OK. The Universal tour was well worth it despite problems we had with our tractors. Right from the start, when we ran into a Cylon ambush, Matt loved it.

The first area we visited was the sound studio where we were shown how special effects are achieved. All very interesting especially as Rab and I volunteered for a demonstration and landed up being cast as Buck Rogers and his partner piloting a spaceship through the asteroid belt. Matt said we were very good – if a little fat.

Matt meets the monster

The next hour was also excellent as we toured the sets. Although we knew what to expect, it was all very well done. We were left with three hours to amuse ourselves in the shops and entertainment area. We saw a couple of good shows with the stuntmen and the animal trainers. The latter featured, amongst others Boomer and he was very good indeed and obviously loved his work. There were also some very clever birds, two of which flew out into the audience and performed their tricks there. Rab and Matt managed to look into every shop and we came away with three more T-shirts and some stickers. (Although I don’t record it in my journal we also met a couple of conmen – can you have a conwoman? Matt had bought a couple of posters and they offered to mail them for us. We handed over the postage and never saw the posters again.) We also met a lad from Cape Town there who overheard us speaking and recognised our accents. He was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Terry in trouble

We made it back to the bus by 16.15 and off we went back to Anaheim. We took a longer route back – about twenty miles longer – to save about twenty minutes by avoiding the crowded rush hour filled freeways. I would hate to see what they were like because we were on a six lane highway which was bumper to bumper for the best part of an hour. Rab was fascinated to see the police arrest a lad as we paused at a traffic light on our way home – she thought he was being mugged at first.

We got back safely at about 18.15 and I nipped down to the corner shop for some beers. We were parched as we only had one drink and a quick hot dog at Universal. Rab was very keen on having a Chinese meal this evening so we went down to Fu-Ling’s place (no fooling!!) and had a very nice meal for about $27.00, although Matt managed to spill the soup over himself.

We have decided to give Knott’s Berry Farm a complete miss and shoot through tomorrow, spending the night up the coast somewhere.