Blogs from Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States, North America

Just a quick entry on our big car. It's a Dodge Grand Caravan which is very roomy and comfortable with marvellous Air/Con and seven seats and adequate boot space for 5 cases etc. However it handles like the Titanic as far as acceleration is concerned with it's automatic gearbox. It weighs 2 tons and only does 24 to the gallon on a long run! Gas is about half the price of the UK. It has a 3.6 litre engine and runs on Regular Unleaded fuel We got the car with 3 miles on the clock from Dollar Rental in San Francisco and it has been very comfortable... read more

Day 5, Dec. 4: West! West Till We Find Water! I spent a bad night, coughing so much that I feared they wouldn't let me board the airplane on Sunday. Accordingly, rather than trying to go see the La Brea Tar Pits, I did what I knew was best for my lungs. I went straight back to Manhattan Beach and I planned to stay there all afternoon. There is nothing more healing for my bronchitis than the salty ocean air. It was a lovely little town, clearly the Pawley's Island of California. The trolley driver said that it was a wealthy community with high-priced real estate, but it must be "old money," as everything was quietly good rather than flashy. They had blue cobblestone zebra crossings, and the drivers actually stopped and waited for you ... read more

After a few weeks of much anticipation, I have finally started the blog. I must admit, finding dependable internet service has been nearly impossible. Nonetheless, now at El Sheraton (the nicest hotel chain in South America) I´m balling it enough to make some entries. I must preface, my entries will be short but sweet.... Let´s start at the beginning, May 31st... The Bon Voyage Pub Crawl. With a great showing, and many people wearing politically incorrect clothing from different parts of the world, we set out to conquer Hermosa Beach, play an inordinant amount of flip cup, unknowingly ride around in bike taxis and, of course, get drunk! The day wasn´t without interesting moments (i.e. getting kicked out of Dragons and me getting a gigantic cut on my foot). Thanks to all of you who participated. ... read more

Well, we did it ..... well , ... not ALL of it ..... but we rode the bike path from Rodondo Beach to North of Manhatten Beach this morning . Not as far as we would like to have gone , but good just the same. Del didn't have his odometer with him so I'm just guessing ..... but I think we did about 25 miles. That's a bit whimpy , but we'll make it up when we get back to this area in a week and have more time. The temp is a perfect sunny 80 degrees ( wished I'd have put on my shorts today to ride but they were all packed ready for ..... "THE CRUISE" .... which we dock tomorrow) ....... and we are soaking up every ray of it. We are ... read more

Hello Everyone, So I had finally reached my final place in Australia, Melborne. (home of Neighbours!). After having a lovely lye in till 12, Luanas family (Luana, Anthony, Shelly and Lloyd) and me went shopping. There shopping centers are Massive. They just go on and on! I finally got a new jumper which was good as it meant I could finally wash my other one! That everning I went with Luana to see Shelly play basket ball. Its intresting to see the diffence in an older team play.That night Me Anthony and Lloyd caught the train into the city. They took me to see the famous casino. It was massive! It went on for over a mile, but was quite sad to see all the people betting there lives away. The casino is built so that ... read more