abode acrobat . net

On the way up to Santa Barbara by train, I stopped in Los Angeles for a family union (a bit like a reunion, but I’d never met these people before). Long-lost Great Auntie emigrated long before I was born, partly for the weather. They call California the Sunshine State, but I think that’s just to stop you noticing the freezing Pacific winds and the fog. We had an enjoyable lunch on Mothers’ Day (the generation gap confused some waiters), and it didn’t take long to catch up on the last 27 years - and I left them with copies of my CV in case I had missed out any particularly good exam results.

Santa Barbara, another great retirement location, was quiet enough to enjoy a final stint of solitude to reflect on the North America tour. My only genuine regret was not buying cheap socks when I was in Wal-Mart during the camping trip. Since that missed opportunity I have been unable to find another Wal-Mart, or similar good value elsewhere.

Only twice was I fooled into thinking that adding “chips for a dollar” to a food purchase would be good value. You should see the looks on their faces saying “Ha! You thought you were getting fries, but actually I’ve just handed you a miserable packet of Walkers!”

Now I’m leaving these fond American memories behind and flying back to London for Ben Lester’s 30th birthday party (it is not an open invitation, I’m sorry to tell you). This will be swiftly followed by the demolition party - grab a beer, sit on the hill, and watch them demolish the childhood home! These things don’t happen every day and I wouldn’t miss them for a couple more burgers and a bit of windy sunshine.

The next foreign adventure starts in Bangkok. Two weeks to wait for more remarkable tales!