Lessons learnt

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Hi from LAX - that's the airport as I'm not bothering with Los Angeles proper. Tour finished. Generally very good and interesting but didn't realise a bus tour would mean drop and pick up at every, actual, single door and no walking would be required. Next time must book extreme level of adventure travel! Saw a Redwood forest and a treeup close - but no time for a walk. Today was spent having a quick squiz at Santa Barbara - very horsey/grand ranches/palm trees and then a few hours at the Ronald Reagn Library and Museum.

Unexpectedely fascintating and for me as a Watergate buff was the plane Airforce 1 - used for 7 presidents including Nixon. (sorry for typos bloody pc - and i cant work out how to change the command)

Anyway - The next few hours were pent in a traffic jam on LA freeways - then onto my hotel. The night has become a bit of a farce - why when im presmenstrual does the whole universe seem to be also. - Got allocated a room on level 2, jumped in lift - no level 2. (busting to go to the loo meanwhile). Discover L 2 is acyualy Lobby level (doesnt everyone know this). Push L button - lift proceeds to L 18. Press L button - lift goes to 5 - man gets on - thinks I'm a fool, Push l button - lift goes to L 12 - I have enough and get off. Bakc to Lobby level - down long corridor hauling suitcase. Wrong corridor. Wrong wing, proceed back to Lobby and start again.

Onto the Proud Bird - restaurant recommended around corner by freind ranulph - full of war fighters and flying memorabilia that I love. Waiters cannot understand me as usual. 3 attempts at a straigth up whiskey fail. Waiter (or servers as they are now called), walks pass dropping tray of white slush all over my good leather Tods. Moments later bus-boy (no one can answer what a female bus-boy is called) sloshes water allover the table. Later, server passes with gigantuan sizzling steak - by this time ive ducked under the tabel for cover!

Rules for eating in America 1. Must ask for all sauces on the side otherwise food is bathed in sauce. 2. Dont bother asking bus-boy for anything as they are not allowed to help 3. Whilst server is in your midst order everything as they may not be back for 20 mins......

Night ends well - Lovely man at nternet is going to waiver the $24/hour internt fee. More from NY. Thanks for messages. Dad took barly to Toorak for night but Barley unsettled and slept on dads head.

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