Good times in California

Our days spent in California no longer involve endless sightseeing but merely spending good times hanging out with friends. That's great - we have such lovely times with Mary!

We chose to stay at the Huntley on this occasion. We are still in our "post-Shutters" period, though this time we felt that we had indeed moved on, and no longer felt a pang when we drove past the grey beachside property we have known and loved. The Huntley immediately endeared itself to us by replacing the "goodnight chocolate" with two Krisy-Kremes (though sadly, it was to be for one night only!)

Having been upgraded to Upper Class on the outward flight, we were feeling chipper when we arrived in Santa Monica, and were stepping out along 3rd St in no time. Usual haunts - the Apple shop to email home, Barnes and Noble to catch up with our favourite mags and at 10.30pm, a quick visit to the California Pizza Kitchen to stave off a case of the early morning munchies - though the following morning we hot-footed it to Le Pain Quotidien nevertheless!

The following days were spent in good company - we enjoyed meeting Kevin and David for supper in Lawrys, and having dropped in to see Anne in her Santa Monica office, made arrangements to meet up for lunch in Santa Ana that Saturday. Mary shared some of her favourite (and entertaining) knitting shops with Gillie and Mark got to see several branches of Chicos, which was a bonus (for someone...not necessarily Mark!) As always, we enjoyed being in Santa Monica and Pasadena, driving around Los Angeles and discovering Santa Ana and Orange - and hanging out in the Cahuenga Hills, of course!

We enjoyed hearing Ute Lemper at the Hollywood Bowl on a beautiful warm evening and were thankful of the enhanced comfort provided by the Target cushions ;-) !!

The photo is of Anne's garden in Santa Ana - a beautiful 1930s bunglalow in a delightful setting