My longest train ride started from San Francisco on Sunday. I was up super early to ensure I didn't miss any connections, otherwise I'd have been in trouble. I had to make a one hour switch in LA at the end of the day otherwise I'd have to wait three days for the next train onward to Dallas. This time I wheeled my rucksack down the hill from Union Square and even had time to nip into Starbucks to pick up a latte. The Amtrak Thruway bus left from outside the West...

A chilled early morning catching up on emails and uploading items to the web. For breakfast I've had a chilled can of V8 and peanut butter on almond crackers in my room. I'm on the 14th floor of the Chancellor. I have a snippet of a view over Union Square, the shopping area of San Francisco (the Oxford Street if you like). It's lovely to feel the warmth on your skin. Yesterday was glorious sunshine and I enjoyed catching sight of my first palm trees and bougainvi...

Up early for my second day in San Francisco, and what a gorgeous day it is! My tourist bus ticket is valid for 24 hours, so I caught the bus in Union Square down to Fisherman's Wharf. I visited Pier 39, walking in the direction of the Golden Gate Bridge, weaving in and out of the various piers and lanes. A submarine and a warship are moored alongside one of the piers, which gained a lot of attention from passersby. I walked as far as a park, and then stopped for ...