The next day we had to do washing though when we got there we found the change machine was out of order. We scraped together all the coins we had and found we just barely enough coins for one wash between us. So we washed enough stuff for the rest of the trip. With the wash issue sorted out we grabbed some food and drinks.
The next day we went to a book shop bought a load of books and discussed American revolutionary history as taught in English schools with a book store employee who looked a bit like a thin Kevin Smith. We did a lot of reading on our veranda enjoying a selection of adult beverages. Finished 3 books in the time. Found the aircon really was not working well and sitting out on the veranda was the only way to remain cool it got quite hot at nights since there were no windows that could be opened.
On our last day we spent some time out photographing the sunset due to having to book our seats on the internet we were just a touch late for it and barely caught the sun as it was going down. Still got some nice shots of it. After that we went to the Stinking Rose a garlic restaurant that had been recommended to us by Debbie at Rich's surprise 30th a few months earlier. We had a pitcher of Fat Tire beer between us and various garlic themed food. On the table there was a jar of garlic to spread on the bread we made moderate use of it. I had Garlic and potato soup to start and for the main course I had “The Silence of the lamb shank” a lamb shank with some fava beans and a chianti glaze and of course garlic.
It was excellent the lamb very succulent and just falling off the bone it was also quite garlicky.
For pudding we had Gilroy's famous garlic ice cream with some sort of caramel sauce. We had already experienced Gilroy itself as we drove through it earlier in the trip and parts of it are loaded with garlic such that you can smell it for several miles.
The ice cream was quite interesting … powerful stuff. Unfortunately you can't just tell someone what garlic ice cream is like … you have to experience it for yourself.
Everything still tastes of garlic.
Next morning was flying back day, we sorted out the room and checked out leaving our bags with the hotel we wandered off and got some breakfast. Once we were fed we did a bit of shopping picked up some postcards and bits then headed back to the hotel to wait till it was time to go to the airport.
We collected our bags and were looking to sort out a taxi the guy on the bags desk suggested a shuttle which since we were not in any hurry and it was cheaper we went with. A short wait later the shuttle turned up it was one of these slightly stretched vans with room for maybe 8 people. The driver immediately engaged us in conversation about Cliff Richard, then asked us if the Shadows were still alive (they are and are about to start their 50th anniversary tour or so says wikipedia), then quized us on who the guy on the radio was (Phil Collins). After that either pleased with our responses or disgusted by them he lapsed into silence for the rest of the trip.
He flung the van through the streets of San Francisco with wild abandon beeping the horn semi randomly and weaving like a pro. We picked up one more passenger then were off to the airport.
We arrived in pretty good time and so got on with the business of checking in, dropping the bags, and passing security. Byrnie was selected for extra security screening and got a pat down search and had the wand thing waved over him but they didn't ship him off to gitmo so all was well.
Then there was a few hours of waiting and then onto a plane for yet more waiting. I read another book and watched a few films even managing to doze a bit. Saw “The Hangover” which was pretty good better than I had expected from the trailers, “Terminator Salvation” which was meh, the excellent “Hudsucker Proxy”, and most of the Simpsons Movie.
We landed about lunch time UK time and once we collected our luggage and got through passport control and customs it was coming up for 2. The rail air whisked us back to Reading and then we grabbed a sandwich at the subway in Reading station to get some real food.
At this point we went our separate ways me on a train home byrnie on foot since he was already homeish. Looking back it's been a pretty good trip some highs some lows but all in all a very good time. It's back to work tomorrow and it'll all seem like a distant memory in no time.
So next year is Vancouver … probably :D
