We did it! We rode the bridge!

Yep, we did it. We did what we planned to do and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge - all 1.7 miles of it! This of course though wasnt enough for two people who love cycling and love a challenge - we actually rode from San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf right round the whole of the bay back to Tiburon. Total of about 20 miles.

So we started off on the 10:40 ferry that takes you from Tiburon to Fishermans Wharf. We cycled through a very busy and very bustling Wharf and then hit the bike trail on our way to the Bridge. This part wasnt too difficult and about an hour or so later we were in the amazing town of Sausilito - very rich and very beautiful. Full of niche shops, loads of galleries, restaurants and history. We had lunch in Scomas which for a sea front eatery was amazing. They are quite often in my experience over priced and not very good but this one was the exception. I had the prawn sandwich and Alan had the chicken sandwich. The food was excellent as was the building itself. We then had a look round and did a bit of shopping. We then set out again onto Tiburon. Well, if the first half of the ride was easy then the second half was anything but. This place is so hilly that one hill we had trouble walking up let alone riding up - it nearly killed me but we made it, I got the bike back to the shop (just across the road from the hotel) and as usual warned Alan that if I ever had another bright idea he should kill me first!

WARNING - This Post could offend.....

......but there again knowing most of the people who will read this I very much doubt it will!

This is the reason for a second post for the 29th. As planned we caught the ferry to The City to do a big shop. So we disembarked the ferry and after spending a few minutes round the wonderful weekend markets and the Ferry Building Farmers market we made out way ironically up Market Street towards the Mall.

What we wernt prepared for was that this street would be closed for what looked like a march, protest - something like that.

Within a few minutes it became blatantly obvious especially in this liberated, free thinking city that there was something very out of the ordinary going on.

The first thing we saw was a coach with what looked like Guru Josh sitting on top and the bus painted in true hippy style, then as we looked around we realised that there were many people dressed up and in the case of the pictures that may offend some gay men with absolutely no clothes on!!!!

This is apparently the Lovefest 2007. An internationally celebrated festival for peace, love and tolerance - or in some people's case just an excuse to get your tadger out in public without spending a night in the cells!!

Anyway, it was loud, funny,colourful and well.....gay!! We just didnt expect this and were gobsmacked for the rest of the day - after that shopping seemed dull!

So back on the ferry to Normal Ville - Blimey what a day this has been!

Tiburon ...another little gem of a find!

I was determined to stay in bed for twelve hours - I made 10 - which is unheard of with me, my sleeping at home is so bad that I'm lucky if I have four or five hours sleep a night!

We got up and had breakfast at the hotel - very nice then went to have a look round the town - what a beautiful place this is - what another brilliant find!

As Tiberon is a long was round from San Francisco centre there is a ferry which takes you across the bay to The City and it travels many times a day, so our plan was for out first day to go into The City, have a spending spree in the malls we know there and then make out way slowly back to the ferry terminus and then back to Tiburon.

The 30 minute journey takes you past Angel Island and Alkatraz Island and gives you an amazing view of the City, the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge.

Tiburon - A Sharks Tale

Tiburon, I believe is Spanish for shark. What an incredibly delightful place this is! This is a tiny town peninsula North of San Francisco, across the bay. We chose this place as I've been to San Francisco twice before and none of the hotels I knew or liked were available so we looked a little further afield and by an amazing coincidence this area was recommended to us by the nurse who a few weeks before had treated Alan's leg in A&E - funny how things happen like, I doubt we'd have even thought about this area if he hadnt had the accident and that would have been a great shame.

Tiburon, what a wonderful, tiny, QUIET town. So different from The City (that's what people from this area call San Francisco) and so much money.

The hoel is called The Lodge and is incredibly comfortable. The bed I would like to take home with me and as I said above the town and the hotel is very quiet! That's certainly one word we wouldnt have used if we'd stayed in The City! But dont get me wrong just because it's quiet doesnt mean there is nothing here. There are some wonderful restaurants and beautiful views over the bay and the people seem very friendly and helpful.

So for this first marathon of a day (we were up for 26 hours) we walked down to Main Street where the annual Oktoberfest was being held. There was local and German beer ( a bit like our beer festivals in atmosphere) being sold on the street and an um pa pa band - although I'm not actually sure that The Birdy Song qualifies as Bavarian music :S

We then decided to have a meal and chose Sam's which is well documented all over the internet and travel sites (est. 1920 by a Maltese guy called Sam something) I only wanted something light so had the dungeoness crab cakes with a salad which was awesome, I have never tasted crab like that before! And Alan had the Niman New York Strip - the best medium steak I have ever tasted - I had to try some. Apparently like most things in this town the beef is farmed organically and locally and I can tell you this if this is what local, organic food tastes like then we all need to eat less but better quality meat!

So back to bed, its about 9pm here (5:30am UK time) - I've done well.....very tired.....onto the real adventure tomorrow....

My Virgin Upgrade!

I love travelling and reaching my destination but my God sometimes travelling to the destination can be tiring, uncomforatble and most of all time consuming. So when the chance arose to upgrade to Premium class for a nominal fee we jumped at the chance. The difference this made to our trip was incredible. We had wide leather seats, extra leg room (always a bonus for Alan who's over six foot) and we were treated to all the best food and drink throughout the journey - even being greeted by a never ending stream of champagne as we boarded the plane consequently I slept for almost four hours - unheard before this, my very first upgrade.

The worst thing about the journey however was that we were stuck on the tarmac at Heathrow for over an hour before we could take off (dont know what this was all about) and then when we eventually did arrive in San Francisco we were circling for what seemed like forever as we'd missed our slot - not to mention the fact that he tried to land once and aborted so we had to go round again so by this time I was tired and I am embaressed to say I was actually quite scared as the pilot was throwing the 747 around like Ted Striker!

Anyway, the good thing is that I slept for more than four hours (may have been the drink, may have been the seats - hopefully a mix of both) so despite the fact that we didnt actually arrive in SFO until midnight English time I was still awake and not at all tired as I usually am in Economy. As I pointed out to Alan he has made a big mistake here - I could get very used to this kind of luxury - the lady will never do economy again. :)

Anyway, onto another delay - picking the car up from SFO! Alamo seriously need to sort out their admin at the airports - it took over hour to actually book the car out (a white Chevy Impala). By this time it was rush hour in San Francisco - not really what you need when you have already travelled for over twelve hours and are driving on the wrong (ahem I mean the right) hand side of the road - but Alan says he can mentally switch over as soon as he gets to the USA and as we'd had such a comfortable flight he wasnt too tired so about another hour later we arrive in Tiburon.

Here we go again......

So it's finally arrived, the day before the holiday and as usual I am full of excitement, anticipation, worry and sadness. The excitement for all the new experiences, the new places and the feeling that the only problem you have is where to have breakfast or dinner! The anticipation - have we chosen the right places, hotels - anticipation - the not knowing! Worry? Well, I'm afraid I always have a tinge of worry about going away and being so far away from my family but that'll go as soon as we touch down in San Francisco. ......and lastly the sadness at leaving my animals and of course in particular my beloved dogs Bailey and Harvey. In fact the only good thing about coming home again is seeing those two terrors again!

I know however my doogies are in safe hands, my very good friend Paul has agreed to house sit and apart from the fact I can trust him and rest easy while I'm away - I also know they absolutely adore him and forget about me in about ten minutes!

So just a few hours from take-off, a couple of weeks off work, wine, food and sundhine - bring it on!

Richmond Championship Dog Show

At last my return to the show ring - and what a disaster. The show was lovely in the wonderful setting of Loseley house - and of course only ten minutes away!! But, Harvey simply wouldn't let the judge (a very well respected and knowledgable Jean Lanning who was very kind) go over him. In fact as soon as it was my time up before the judge he just flipped. What can I do? This has now been going on for six months and we dont seem to have moved on. It's very frustrating because I had some positive comments about Harvey today - he is looking nice but what good is that if he wont let anyone touch his body - so bloody frustrating.

On a plus note, someone has enquired about using him they liked him so much today so this is a double edged sword really. He looks good but I cant show him and people are even considering using him as a stud!! Life can be very cruel some times!!

After the show we went to the usual Ramsey and Karen after show meal. The weather was beautiful, the company was well all doggy and The Nagaty's house has a very tranquil setting - very nice and a nice way to end a very frustrating day.

Harvey is now dog tired and so am I. He may not have let Jean go over him but he so loves a day out with me and meeting all the other people and dogs.....and for all his faults I still take the best dog home!

RIP Tan - aka Chartan Tanfastic

I am absolutely reeling in shock. Tilly Thomas'

young dog who had the same sire and Harvey and was just a month older has died. He died suddenly and without any sign of illness. The autopsy has identified a brain haemorrhage.

In dog showing you start off in the puppy classes and soon sum up and get to know who your main rivals are going to be for the next nine of so years of dog showing - in fact I cant still remember most of the usual contenders that Annie and I competed against and that's nearly 20 years ago so apart from the reality that these wonderful companions could so easily be taken from you at any time the shock that one of Harvey's main 'rivals' will no longer be in the ring with him is very difficult to comprehend at the moment.

I would be completely and utterly devastated if such a thing happened to Harvey. My thoughts are with Tilly.