Hello everyone,

So we've had a good taste of the USA now; LA was MASSIVE and sprawling, but once we landed and found our hotel it was suprisingly pleasant, particularly Venice Beach where we were staying. We did most of the sights though not all we wanted to as we weren't feeling 100%. We managed the walk of fame, Chinese Theatre, Hollywood sign, and a few celebs homes, as well as their 'Farmers Market' which reminded us of Camden Market.

After LA we picked up a hire car (driving on the right is tricky but I've managed so far!) and drove up the California coast stoppping first in Santa Babara. After Santa Barbara it got really countryfied and unspoilt, but the weather also started to get a bit more chilly, so we've already done a fair bit of shopping and bought most of our Ski gear, jackets, thermal undies and such so we're nice and warm.

We stopped in a very strange town called Solvang, in the wine region where they filmed the movie Sideways. It was a whole town built by Dannish missionairies to look just like an old Dannish village. It was a real working town, but it looked like Disneyland!

Here in San Francisco we've had a good sample of most things. We've been busy driving across town and using the cable cars trying to fit in all the wonderful attractions the city has to offer. We've been out to Alcatraz and had a good time soaking in the various flavours of the city's different districts. From Haight Ashbury where the hippie movement started, to the shops and restaurants on Fishermans Wharf, to the grand public library at the civic centre where we viewed an exhibition on Abraham Lincoln. The exhibitions at the Yerba Buena Centre For The Arts were wonderful, though Debbie wanted to touch some of the sculptures she wasn't allowed.

After this we're driving out of town across the golden gate bridge to the Sonoma valley wine region, to enjoy the fruits of one of californias largest exports - their wine!

Lots of Love Alex and Debbie xxx