Venice was the destination today: we walked from the Santa Monica Pier (part of Route 66) along the beach to the famous "muscle beach" where there is an outdoor gym. We dabbled in the Pacific and saw some bikini-clad Baywatch-style lifeguards, their huts and their hypercool rescue cars. The shops in Venice were similar to those you might find on Torbay Road, but we were readied for such a treat when one of Jez's new friends from Blackburn described it...

We arrived into LAX late in the evening of the 16th June after an 11 hour flight (with slight turbulence). I had 2 main meals on the plane as I was not full after the first and there was apparently lots left over. Was bumped a few times by the cabin crew who were not able to steer thier trollys well, and one guy dropped a reasonally heavy bag on my head as he was getting something out from the overhead compartment. Still, arrived in one piece, and when through cu...