San Francisco

We've been spending the last few days here in San Francisco catching the sights. Just outside San Fran, we drove down through the Napa Valley and did a wine tasting. Its like an imitation of southern france with the most authentic looking decadent houses plonked in the middle of the rolling hills of grapevines.

The weather here is like the UK - its so fresh and cool, which is a nice comforting change from the heat of the last couple of weeks. There's this weird fog here that you can see sweep over the hills into the sea and that whole interaction (which is something to do with condensation) means that you'll have over cast 5 minute patches that cover a few streets, followed by hot sunny patches, followed by windy patches.

Its very european in atmosphere and appearance. All the houses are like pretty painted townhouses and there's pockets of tiny independent stores and cafes around. I'd describe San Fran as a big gay, friendly, bohemian seaside town. Here's a sea lion colony that live on some rafts by the pier. Its like a soap watching the 'families' and the guys fighting over territory etc.

We're staying here tonight with Speedy and Katrina. Speedy is Chris' old friend from back in his travelling days in South Africa. They have a beautiful house on the hills with lots of forest and wildlife about. Here's Chris and Speedy (aka Michael Cain - what an ace name) in front of 'The Crookedest Street'

Everyone thought they were brothers when they were travelling cos they looked alike - apparently they both had short curly hair then. I can see the resemblance! but Speedy has a very broad northern irish accent so you'd guess they weren't related pretty quick!