Just Des(s)erts

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Headed south through Arizona to warmer climes, passing through changing scenery as we as we descended into classic desert features of cacti and arid landscapes. We were into the 90's during the day and a pleasant mid 40's at night. A couple of one night stop overs in Prescott and Phoenix on our way to our eagerly anticipated stay at our Californian hosts, Jona and Susy's holiday home in Tuscon. After another hectic month on the road we were looking forward to a time out. Our residence for the next six days was a Mexican style villa with luxury 'mod cons' beyond belief, such as running water, flush toilets, non-inflatable beds, chairs , tables and a strange illuminated box in the corner containing little people with big hair and white sparkly teeth, insincere smiles with lots of good ideas on how to spend your dollars. We quickly fell into the routine of the affluent desert set, early morning work-outs of desert trail runs or biking, late breakfasts on the patio absorbing the rising desert sun. Daytimes spent avoiding the midday heat in air conditioned malls ensuring we were in time for cocktails on the verandah to watch the sun go down. In this near perfect environment Nik's only complaint was the unwanted attention of our hosts labrador. For some strange reason at every given opportunity took to licking his exposed flesh, by day three Nik was wearing overalls and gloves. Why anyone would want to do that I have no idea. During our stay we even managed to wangle an invite to a local cycling clubs annual get together, hosted at a beautiful ranch style house where we tried our best to cement anglo / american relationships. This was quite successful until we managed to deplete the alcohol reserves on offer. At least they are now better informed about the full extent of the English vocabulary and some of the flaws in American foreign policy. In true Brit tradition we were the last to leave and inwardly proud for not being sick on any of the expensive furniture. In all seriousness we were very grateful for the friendliness and hospitality of the people we met.
Another desert crossing west on to San Diego, our final destination before leaving North America. More home comforts as we were to stay at my brother and his wife's place Gavin and Grace in downtown San Diego where he has been living for the last 20 years or so. For information Gavin and I are complete opposites, he is tall, good looking, suave, laidback ( ive never seen him break sweat ), he likes good food, fine wines, fast cars and stylish clothes. Its hard to believe we are from the same gene pool. Our first day was very successful sorting things out for our push south, documentation, Insurance, spare truck parts, maps an AK47 and other precautionary items. Things fell into place so well even saw Pompey stuff Newcastle 4 - 1 so I bought my first ever lottery ticket as it seemed I was on such a roll. First prize 28 million dollars !! .... and guess what?......I lost. With all jobs done there was time to cruise north along the pacific coast in Gav's new Mercedes to where we used to live as 'trailer trash' in 1986. Hardly recognized the place as its been so developed but the beaches and giant pacific rollers are still as we remembered. San Diego is famous for its many restaurants and it seems Gavin has been to all of them. By a 3 to 1 vote we decided to go to a top sushi restaurant on the saturday night. I felt like I was doing a bush tucker trial but it was hard to opt out as Gavin and Grace enthused like a rabid Ant and Dec. First prize went to a freshly murdered giant shrimp that had its head boiled but its body left raw. To be eaten in one, tail first.... oh well makes for a good photo. The whole experience was quite an education but given the choice I would go for meat and 2 veg everytime. A final Sunday roast then onwards for the next chapter across the border into Mexico, with as you can see the bear with 9 lives still in tow !

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Photos

Arizona Desert
Bearly alive!

Tuscon Holiday Home
The good life

An Old Bike!
Drug free, honest!

San Diego
Gavin and Grace's Gaff

Bush Tucker Trial
What a revolting creature, the shrimp is pretty ugly too.