Day 3 - San Francisco

 

Beautiful soft rain and grey skies today; a fog covering various sections of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The floral displays in the garden beds and pots around the pier were magnificent, with colourful tulips in full bloom.



We explored Pier 38, delighting in Bubba Gump Shrimps, saltwater taffy in overflowing wooden barrels, and famous Ghirardelli chocolate stores.

The sea lions of Pier 39

We ventured out on a Blue and Gold 1-hour ferry loop around the Bay, with views of the City en route to the Golden Gate Bridge. The water became rougher and the wind stronger and colder as the bridge got closer and the rain closed in.



From a distance, much of the bridge was covered in fog, but as we closed in and stopped right under span, the sight of the stretching spans to left and right were awesome in size and detail.

Looking up, cars looked like matchbox toys. Looking down was the clashing and meshing of ocean and bay waters as they collided in a rip, inviting sea sickness. Just in the nick of time, the boat was underway again. Soon we passed Alcatraz, close to the island's shore, before returning to the docks.

Again we ate at Capurro's. Daniel had calamari which came with 9 crumbed baby octopuses which he gave to me. I chose Dungeness crab cakes and vegies.
...

Day 2 [continued] - San Francisco

..

Steam tug Hercules

First sights of San Francisco included:

~A stroll along the historic Hyde St Pier, the old ferry pier which is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. A variety of historical ships are moored there for viewing - and for exploring.

~First glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, portions of its mighty structure rising through the fog.

~Musee Mecanique, one of the world's largest (over 200) privately owned collection of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. For 50 cents, you can play them!

~Fishermen's Grotto, the fish markets, clam chowder, and fresh crabs being cooked on the street front, to be bought, cracked and eaten at stainless steel troughs right there on the footpath!

Tomorrow, more exploring, then on Tuesday we have our full-day tour to Yosemite National Park.
 ...

Alaska, USA - Trip with Daniel - Days 1 & 2

Daniel and I departed Perth, Saturday afternoon, 12th February, and after 38 hours, it is still only Sunday, 13th February, having crossed the International Date Line as well as the Equator. With tail winds we made good timing to Auckland on the 'red-eye'.

I love Auckland Airport:  Passing through the portal, complete with birdsong.

 A 36-minute sequence of traditional Maori designs from six themes,
including ocean and night sky, is projected across Pou Manawa
using projectors and LED lighting.

The Jet Park Hotel where we had booked a day room had the most comfortable beds and pillows. Five hours' sleep, a shower and brunch of Eggs Benedict with a cappuccino had us feeling pretty good as we boarded the plane again for 12 hours' flight to San Francisco.

Air New Zealand again provided an excellent flight, with fresh, quality, well-prepared meals, and touch-screen in-flight entertainment, with a choice of over 70 movies.  It was good weather with mostly smooth flying.

We arrived in San Francisco tired but feeling well. We've had a few learning experiences that are sometimes inevitable given all the factors that can lead to lack of concentration. The most costly was our first US dollars spent on the shuttle fare plus tip being composed of a handful of US notes that all look the same when tired, disoriented and surrounded by traffic and balancing suitcases. We realised shortly after that one of the two $1 notes included in the payment was actually a $100 note! The driver, who could speak very little English, gave us a big smile as he quickly drove away.

Feeling very thankful for the smoothly running trip and the pleasure of enjoying one another's company, we turned our attention to gratefulness rather than being upset for long. Settling in at the Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf, we both agreed that we would not sleep now, but shower and go for a walk and lunch. So we had our showers and promptly fell asleep for an hour or so!

[to be continued...]

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

My two grandsons are a delight in my life. Last week our Church held a large function in the community drama centre. In between taking my part with the music group, I assisted my daughter-in-law in keeping the energetic boys occupied. 

Unfortunately, the air conditioner had broken down at the start of the heatwave, and the full theatre became quite uncomfortable. But John discovered a really cool way to pass time. He discovered the cold water cask in the foyer! 

I thought, now this will keep him quietly out of mischief for a good half hour or more so I allowed him to carefully press the button on the cask and partially fill and recycle a few disposable cups.  As he did so, he happily drank about six of the half-filled cups of water and his little tummy bulged out in front as he started to make little burps, then got the hiccups. His Mum was not impressed when he produced big four puddles and needed four changes of pants in the next half hour!  I am told he filled two nappies on the way home. I still don't know how those little cups of water could produce so much output!  

Sharon told me that that had not been such a good idea!

I am inclined to agree...but at least he didn't get dehydrated in the heat!

Life's Cycles

...

On Saturday I dropped into Big-W for just a few minutes when an announcement was made that several display bicycles had been marked down to half price at the front of the store. For several months I had been watching a certain bicycle that I felt suited to my requirements, with a view to purchasing one when we moved to our new home with its surrounding parklands and cycleways.

Coolly and casually not rushing, I joined several other shoppers who were also coolly and casually not rushing to check out these bargains. There stood two children's bicycles and—I couldn't believe my eyes—my chosen bicycle, reduced from $248 to just $100. My hands reached out and wrapped around the hand grips—my Prize in my grasp.

It must be about 17 years since I have ridden a bicycle. The early compulsory chunky helmets, the style of higher crossbars on ladies' cycles, and increasingly busy roads had taken away the desire to keep fit by cycling. Now, with changed circumstances, all I had to do was mount this bicycle and if it felt comfortable I had first option to purchase my bike at a super bargain price.

The surrounding little crowd was watching me, with a few comments in the air stating interest in it and one definite, "If she doesn't take it, I will have it for sure."  All eyes were on me, this youthful spirit with the not-so-youthful body. It might have been a different story if I had mounted it from the left side, but I took it where I was, on its right. With my heavy handbag swinging wildly from my right shoulder I swung my left leg over the frame.

Uh oh; something had changed over those years. The joints were not so supple nor the balance as good.  Maybe I could swing the leg back, get balanced and try again, but my left foot became tangled between the seat and parcel frame!  Hopping about trying to free it and keep upright, the inevitable happened and CRASH, down I went on top of my handbag with the bike, foot still entangled, crashing down on top!

The crowd roared—or so it seemed to me! Several people hovered over me, untangling and helping me up, showing great concern and checking me out to see if I was hurt or in shock. They appeared stunned when as soon as I was on my feet I dropped the handbag, grabbed the handle grips, and tried again. Breaths were drawn and held...

Success! I straddled the bicycle and it felt good! Everything about it felt manageable and comfortable and my decision was made. The little crowd seemed uncertain whether to cheer, express disappointment, or concern for this mad woman.

Maybe my spirit is younger than my body...but I intend doing something about that now!

NightOwl's New Nest

...
For friends (near and far) who may like to follow the building of our new home, I will post regular updates on a parallel blog named Nightowl's New Nest. This may be reached by clicking on the title of this post (above), by the link on my complete profile, or at http://nightowlsnewnest.blogspot.com

This is our vacant block viewed from the back to front. Across the road is our "bonus front yard" which the Council maintains.

Rain at last!
Being sandy soil, this heavy downpour had drained away next day.

For updates, see you at NightOwl's New Nest...

This one is for Barry!

Earth Angel

It's time!

...

Eight months down the track...

* I have started a new job at the same institution but in a different discipline, and have been both grateful and humbled by the struggles of re-learning everything at age 60;

* We have bought a block of land;

* And a house to be built on it;

* Sold our home after months of preparation, opening on the hottest day this summer;

* Carried out marathon clean-outs and decluttering;

* Packed more boxes of my books than everything else we own put together!

* Fulfilled numerous regulations, repairs and maintenance before departing;

* Moved throughout summer's worst heatwave;

* Celebrated our 36th Wedding Anniversary along with the removalist's van;

We are grateful to God for a new beginning at this stage of our lives, and we deeply appreciate our supportive, faithful friends!

When Angels are sent...

...

Two of our lovely graduates with Leonie and me

June 2009: Just two hours earlier, we had received the news that under the restructure we no longer had places in our School. These beautiful young women didn't know that when they came to thank and hug us and have photos together. Truly these Angels were sent at exactly the right time!

Leonie and me (holding Nick - the graduand bear)

Jason is on the poster at the side!

It is times like this that are the best reward for our service in the School that has been our home for 19 years.

But other opportunities were to open...

When others care...

..

A gift from some thoughtful friends
from half-way around the World,
this symbolic Willow Angel has
brought me comfort in the
disappearance and loss of
my two beautiful cats
in just 21 months.

My cats' names:
~Willow and Angel~