Early rise at 5.45am yawn yawn eventually left LA at 9.15am as the coach got caught up in heavy traffic. First stop for lunch was at supposedly Danish town of Solvang?? Will check with my sons partner to see if it's authentic and looks anything like Danish architecture, quite charming either way. Next stop a place called Hearst Castle built around 1900 by a millionaire who owned several newspapers. Apparently all the rich famous and interesting people were invited, Charlie Chaplin, David Niven etc. The house was on top of a hill overlooking the ocean so the views were great. For the first time in my life I witnessed the whole of the sea covered in a blanket of mist it looked interesting unite interesting but when you have visited places like Chatsworth nothing compares I'm ... read more

Left St Louis on Tuesday, it rained really hard in the morning so I didn't go out as didn't want to get soaked before the journey. Monday was thunder and lightening and rained intermittently so managed to get my new camera sorted out. Caught the train at 8pm on Tuesday and arrived in LA at 4.30aM on Friday. Most of the journey was across Texas which is a huge state, most of it is either flat agricultural land or desert. it took two day to get through Texas alone unfortunately there was no wifi on the train so couldn't update the blog before today. Arrived in LA this morning. But have been through three time zones in as many days so not quite sure what time it is!!! From what I have seen of LA I ... read more

Well had to be done, and boy did I enjoy it, the best museum I have been to GRACELAND. I loved it. You forget as time goes by what great music he sang, some you don't hear for years and you hear them again and they sound so fresh and alive. I can't believe so many people still go after thirty five years. The guide said that thefamily only own 15% of the business now and they still make around 8million every year. The personal items still belong to the family. I was transported back to my teenage years, I loved the music and still do. the house has been pretty much preserved as far as you can tell and does look very 70's. There are commentaries from his ex-wife and there are original photos still ... read more

Well what can I say about Roanoke, errrrmmmmmm!!!!!! Not a lot really, the journey here was lovely about two and a half hours from Charlottesville, the trees are lovely at the moment,vibrant yellows, oranges, greens and deep reds. We passed by well manicured lawns with ornamental ponds, with a backdrop of rolling hills covered in autumn colours and behind that the blue ridge mountains. Paddocks with either horses or cows, neither of which I fancied riding thank you Mrs Player? ha ha can you see me on a horse!!! Wouldn't know which shoes to wear for that!!! People seem to use their front porches quite a lot here maybe we should adopt them in the UK then perhaps neighbours would actually speak to each other. The one good thing that they had in Roanoke at the ... read more

Left Washington DC and arrived in Charlottesville the same day as the Dali Lama. He was giving a talk in the town, unfortunately our bus was delayed and we didn't arrive until the speech was half way through. couldn't get a ticket but did listen to some of it from a bridge above the site however there was traffic going over the bridge so it was difficult to hear it. Charlottesville is a delightful little town, it has a very cosmopolitan feel, laid back and relaxed. have already found a great restaurant, the theatre and a concert hall. There was a country band playing in the street when I arrived and coupled with a beautiful day it was very enjoyable. Tha lady I am staying with is very musical and she plays several instruments, cello, violin, ... read more