I left my paint smelling room and headed into a few suburbs to take a peek at some of the houses. Unfortunately I was in what I assume was their rush hour and so I could not stop to take photos, but take my word for it that some were just lovely.

Heading north again with Sat Nav, which kept directing me onto the newer freeways, was sometime a trial. I saw a sign for Highway 1, but Sat Nav was telling me to go a different route. Testing! However I managed to correct myself a few times and passed a lot of agricultural areas & also a lot of rather furry looking cattle. I have discovered that wherever is says State Beach, this means that it is some sort of national park and they charge a daily fee for parking up - needless to say I did not bother with those after a while.

At Lompoc, I stopped off at the Wal-Mart.... & I treated myself to a medium sized bag of Peanut M&M's. For just over $2 which is a bargain... mmm I see myself putting on a lot of weght with these treats.

I went past a sign that said 'California Mens Colony'... well I wondered if I should venture in ;-) Luckily someone was riding on my tail so I could not turn in time, but as I drove past I did notice large fences & what looked like guard towers on the corners. Perhaps a prison?

I stopped at a lovely beach area called Avila Beach. Again more houses and great weather - very sunny and warm with no sea breaze at all.

Morro Bay is also delightful. My hotel room is comfy and there is free wi-fi in the breakie room. Along the beach is a large volcanic rock (Morro Rock) which is at the entrance of the bay and has a walk around it. A few surfers were in the bay at dusk & the sunset was gorgeous.

I managed to get myself to the laundromat today. Yes it has to be done occasionally when travelling. I had already bought detergent, but did not have enough changed. However there was a maching that gave changed and its all in quarter (25 cents). The smallest note I had was $10 so needless to say I have ended up with a purse full of poxy quarters. It is an American thing to go to the laundromat. Do these people not have machines at home and if not, why on earth not??

A walk along the main parade at dusk to watch the sunset & a delicious salmon steak in the 'Flying Dutchman' along with clam chowder (this is soup to those of us that did now know!) a Blonde beer and a Reisling. Delightful.