HOME 3/4 Mar - Thursday/Friday

NO PICTURES AND A WHINGE.

Leaving a hot Los Angeles at 72°F (22°C) today. 

Whilst booked out of our hotel, we were asked if we had a good stay. I yes, except we were not impressed with the tour of LA that their concierge had booked us on, and that fact that the concierge had not told us that there were wheelchair available at the hotel (a fact we only discovered today). He had told us that we could hire them from a local firm for $100 per day. She therefore offered us a $60 credit to use in their restaurant, which we accepted, the four of us then enjoyed brunch in their restaurant.

We drove to LA International Airport without the aid of a Satnav. Which made the drive interesting; we only went the wrong way half a dozen times. But we got there in one peice. I dropped everyone off at LA T2, then took the car back to Alimo Car Rental, while I was on the shuttle bus back to LA International, Dorothy rang to say our flight will be leaving from Tom Bradshaw Terminal, so I got dropped off there.

We got Pat into a wheelchair, and then went on to Check In. The guy who was checking us in, weighed Liz's case and put it behind him while he weighed Pat's and mine. While he was printing the lables for the cases, someone moved Liz's case (which had no label on it) and were unable to find it. He suggested we waited until someone came to take Pat to the gate. They eventually located Liz's case and we went to the boarding gate.

Again Pat, Liz and I had premier economy seats, which are quite spacious. With Dorothy booking late, there was only availability in economy. Our 10hr flight to Heathrow took off late, at around 17:00hrs. As I was not able to sleep, I watch 4 of 5 movies. We got into Heathrow T2 around 11:00hrs, there was assistance for Pat, which was a bit disjointed, but we eventually collected our cases. That was the end of co-ordinated assistance for Pat.

In the baggage hall, we were told someone would pick Pat up and take her to T5 for our return flight to Manchester. I asked 3 different airport staff how to get a wheelchair for Pat and was given 3 different options, none of which worked. Another suggested speaking into the information request pole, which I did and was told someone would come along with a wheelchair. I reminded them 10 mins later and was told the same. Eventually a guy turned up, buy said he did not realise that a wheelchair was required; he went of to get one. 10 mins later he returned with a wheelchair and took Pat to the assistance centre and ordered a minibus to take us to T5. It's now after 13:00hrs and our flight is 15:15hrs.

After over an hour of badgering the mini bus turned up and took us all to T5, we rushed to British Airways Check In about 14:30hrs. The girl at Check In said she would book us in straight away, Pat, Liz and I booked our cases in and got our boarding cards. Dorothy was then told that the flight was now full and there was no room for her. If she had Checked In online she would have been OK, but as she did not have access to her emails, so that was impossible. The Check In girl made several telephone calls, and then told Dorothy that she would give her a boarding card with no seat number on it. If Dorothy speaks to the people on the gate, there could be a seat for her.

Then we went of through the security scanner. Two of Pat's backs are pulled out for a physical check. Dorothy and Liz took Pat to the gate, while I wait in queue for Pat's bags to be physically checked. The two girls in front of me took a while to be checked, then I threw the bottle of water away from Pat's bag and her small bottles of bits had to be put in a plastic bag. I then joined the rest of the gang at the gate (Dorothy was allocated a seat at the gate - phew), we were then told our flight was delayed by 30mins. Our departure was actually delay by an hour, then when we landed in Manchester we sat on the tarmac for over half an hour, while we waited for a stand to become available. Apparently the early morning snow had delayed all the flights.

It was 6°C when we landed at Heathrow and below freezing during our first night at home.

This last blog is a bit of a whinge. I think that's because I'm jet lagged and it's the end of a great adventure. 

PS. Our central heating boiler was broken when we got home. Welcome back to reality. 

Hollywood (LA) 2 Mar - Wednesday

This is the last full day of our holiday. All good things must come to an end.

We have booked a tour this morning. It is a little misty (actually its smog), but the out look is good, 75°F (24°C).

To prove I was there, at the Hollywood Vista Point. You can see the Hollywood sign behind me, on Mt Lee. 

Mt Lee looks misty, but it's smog.

Modern smog in Los Angeles, is a type of air pollution derived from vehicular emission, and industrial fumes that react in the atmosphere with sunlight.

On the way up to the Hollywood Vista Point, we passed the entrance to the Hollywood Bowl, where numerous pop concerts have been held.

At the Hollywood Vista Point you can see the Hollywood Bowl, again the smog impairs the photo.

Lots of great homes on stilts to maximise their plot and view.

Our driver was driving like Lewis Hamilton, which kept throwing us around. Making it very difficult to get photo's of some of the star's homes.

After Hollywood Hills we moved into Beverly Hills. Again lots of impressive housing and the area is well looked after.

Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Bel Air, are each cities in their own right, they have a higher rate of local taxes and being affluent areas, their fund raising events and donations for the community are well supported, resulting in better amenities,  roads and parks. These areas are really well looked after. 

In Bel Air we past this property, which was the home of the Beatles when they performed at the Hollywood Bowl.

They planted 4 palm trees, one for each of the fab four, when they lived here. The fourth one is just off shot to the left of the photo (thanks driver).

Getting back into West Hollywood, down the Strip - Sunset Boulevard on Sunset Strip. There are numerous restaurants  and clubs, such as the Comedy Store

And the Saddle Ranch Chop House

As you would expect, there are some grand hotels in Hollywood.

This is the house that was used as Ironman's house, in the film of the same name. In the film the house was on a clif next to the beach. That's the magic of film making.

After lunch Liz and Dorothy went of exploring. They managed to find the seedy side of town. Which was a little intimerdating.

Pat and I missed this, as we called for a drink in the Jameson's Irish Pub. Unfortunately it was happy hour, so the pint of IPA that I ordered was delivered as two pints, as I did not want to upset the staff, I drank both pints.

The result of this drinking, was that I spent the afternoon sleeping it off. 

After our evening meal we went for a walk down Hollywood Boulevard. In one of the stores there was (what we were told was) one of Elvis Presleys' original 1959 Eldorado Cadillac. We were told that this was originally white, but Elvis spent $1M customising the car. This included diamond inserts on the bonnet and in the seats, as well as changing the coulour of the car. Elvis had a collection of over 200 cars.

Outside the Chinese Theater I met Donald "Don" King (the American boxing promoter who has a unmistakable flamboyant personality).

Here we sealed our deal. I just need to get in training for my World Title fight.

Hollywood (LA) 1 Mar - Tuesday

Leaving San Diego it was a little misty and around 66°F (19°C)

The view from Liz and Dorothy's room before leaving San Diego.

From their room you could see the reclaimed land and lake behind the hotel, The Mission Bay Park.

125 miles later we are in Hollywood, the weather has picked up, 75°F (24°C). This is the view from our hotel room on the 17th floor.

From our room, zooming in on the Hollywood Hill you can just make out the famous sign.

Round the corner is the TCL Chinese Theatre. Famous for celebrities hand print in front of the heater.

You Made My Day

Clint Eastwood 21 August 1984.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell (June 26, 1953)

Elton John's plaque on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.

Rod Stewart's plaque.

We finished the evening with a meal in the world famous Buffalo Wings. 

No I have never heard of it before, but it had a lot of things going for it. It was handy, and it was handy, and it was handy.

I did not know that buffalo had wings. It turns out that they don't. They are actually chicken wings. Although they had other options on the menu, which everyone went for, except me. 

All the meals were fine (not great but OK). There was a long after burn from the BBQ sauce on my meal, and that was not the hottest one on the menu.

San Diego 29 Feb - Monday

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PAT. 40 YEARS since we got engaged.

Misty morning, which hung around the waterfront all day. Even so, it was a warm day 67°F (19°C).

As Pat can't walk very well, we decided to take the Old Town Trolley Tour.

The girls on the back seat of the trolley at the start of the tour.

Down at Seaport were some old sailing ships, one had been used in making Prites of the Caribbean.

We also passed the USS Midway, which is now a museum. It was huge.

Passing through the city, there were many well tendered gardens. 

Loads of palm trees, as you would expect. Such as these outside the San Diego Convention Centre.

Then we went over the Coronado Bay Bridge

The bridge opened to traffic on August 3, 1969. It is 11,179-foot-long (3,407 m or 2.1 miles). And rises to 200ft (61m) at its highest point. This is enable the US Navy to get their ships into the harbour.

The island of Coronado has some great beaches. Which also have life guard stations.

The famous hotel on Coronado, is the Hotel Del Coronado. Many movies have been filmed here including Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot.

Our next stop is Balboa Park, which is huge, over 1,200 acres in the centre of San Diego.

The Japanese Friendship Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition, it gounds extend for two acres. The Garden’s winding paths are a Zen garden for meditation, an exhibit house, koi pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate, and a Fujidana  (wisteria arbor). 

Pat relaxing out side the Prado Restaurant, where we had our anniversary lunch.

A panoramic view of the Lily pond at Balboa Park.

The Botanical  Gardens behind the Lily pond.

Inside the Botanical Garden.

A fountain outside the History Centre, where Pat and I watched a 30min film about San Diego history, specifically about Balboa Park.

Our eventing meal was again in the hotel restaurant. As you can see, the romantic lighting was to much for Pat. She had to use a torch to order her meal (as I did). 

San Diego 28 Feb - Sunday

A misty morning in Santa Monica. The outlook is 68°F (20°C), similiar to yesterday.

Before we leave Santa Monica we went down to the pier there.

Route 66 - the 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monaca ends here.

 

The beaches here have been famous for body builders and acrobates for years. Most of this has moved down to Venice Beach these days.

When Liz and Dorothy went to Venice Beach yesterday, they were not impressed with it. There were more large people than body builders and the air was filled with the sweet smell of illegal substances.

The pier here in Santa Monica has been here since 1924, although the ballroom is no longer on the pier.

There is now a fun fair on the pier, but it only opens on 5 March. So we could not go on the rides.

Looking back down the pier, it reminded me of going to Southport when I was young.

As it was Oscar day in Los Angeles today, we decided to leave Santa Monica before it became to busy.

 We were on the San Diego Freeway for most of the day, although we did find time to stop at a little coffee shop, that was full of bric a brac. Pat was in heaven. 

Our hotel for the next couple of nights, is the Hiton San Diego Resort & Spa.

It is a really nice hotel, but there is a shortage of lights both in the bedroom and in the restaurant. And with my failing eye sight, I needed an extra light to read the menu.

The meal I eventually ordered was very good.

Santa Monica (LA) 27 Feb - Saturday

It looks like it is going to be a cooler day today, the forcast is 68°F (20°C). But we are still in our shorts.

As there was a bus stop outside the hotel, we used this to go down to the beach. Pat and I got of the bus to go to Santa Monica State Beach. While Liz and Dorothy stayed on to go down to Venice Beach.

After Pat and I got off the bus, we walked a short block to the beach, passing some great houses. Can you see the small whale on top of this house?

All the houses were well looked after and had their own individual style.

Just before the beach a kind local took a photo of Pat and I.

Lots of palm trees bordering the beach.

Beach vollyball is very popular.

The beach has life guard stations every few hundred yards.

This being Saturday, the beach was quite busy.

There were quite a few people surfing. It was difficult to get a photo of them, as they usually fall off before I take the photo. They are not like the professional ones you see on TV. But I did manage to catch this one before he fell off. 

You can also see the fun fair on the pier in the background.

Back on the beach several volleyball games are in full swing.

That evening, after our meal Pat went to our room to rest, so Liz, Dorothy and I went to O'Briens, an Irish Bar on Wiltshire Boulevard.  

I'd no idea that San Dieago had connections with Ireland.