Wow. I am super sorry about the lack of updates that have been happening - I'll take full responsibility (and point it at Fiona. Everyone knows she's the lazy one...). Ahem. Anyway, here's what's been happening since we last left you....

27th - Vancouver

We finished Vancouver with a cycle around Stanley Park because the weather had cleared up, then a walk to Granville Island for some beers at the brewery there and finished with a fun swim at a local pool. We then went for an Italian and tried to see Avatar in the cinema but it was sold out ( so we went home and watched Father Ted instead!).

28th - Vancouver to Seattle

On the 28th we began our long trip south. In the morning, I went shopping for some goodies (impulse purchased a set of travel speakers for $8 CAD which have been absolutely brilliant) and we got on the bus south to Seattle.

Most of our trips through the US border have been a bit pressured and we've always felt under scrutiny - but not this one. The lovely guy on the desk warmed to us immediately, did his job of asking some good questions and once happy with the answers took a few minutes to tell us of his travels with the Air Force - including landing a C130 Hercules in Antarctica! This was much better, we didn't feel like criminals coming into the US and it put a really positive spin on the trip down.

In Seattle we went back to the hostel we stayed at before (City Hostel in Seattle, highly recommended) and were welcomed back like prodigal sons. We ate at Mama's Mexican which was brilliant food, then went to bed nice and early for the trip down.

29th - Seattle to Arcata, CA

Sadly, Mama's didn't agree with us so much in the morning - and so the upset stomachs began about 100 miles into the road trip. I won't go into detail, but after an epic journey of 12 hours and 600 miles we collapsed into a King Size bed of a local motel. I now understand the fascination with chain motels - clean, cheap, comfortable places you can rely to get your head down. Good job Days Inn!

30th - Arcata to San Francisco

What a beautiful drive we had ahead of us. Because of the epic push on the previous day, we could take time to go off the beaten track and enjoy some of the scenery that California has to offer. We took the 101 through the Redwoods Country Park, then the 1 along the coast. We have some excellent photos as we shot through some of the most fabulous countryside I have seen in a long time. Highly recommended.

We crossed the Golden Gate bridge into downtown San Francisco, and down Lombard Street (accidentally - good job Navigator, sheesh. Going down was fine but getting up to the start in an Automatic car with a shiny Lexus behind me was a sweaty experience).

Got the car away and into the hostel, no problem. We met Guy and Gina, friendly hippie-esque types who were 'Dead-heads' - big fans of the band 'The Grateful Dead'. They were here to see the New Years Show that was being put on by the band. Lovely people other than their obsession with burning incense (though that may have been because our stomachs still weren't better and it was an en-suite bathroom for the dorm).

Hogmanay - San Francisco

A lazy morning followed by a wander down to Fishermans Wharf to see the famous sealions was the plan - but they had all disappeared! Never mind.

At 4pm we found an Irish bar that was open and toasted the UK New Year. We phoned some people in the UK, but most of you were far too busy forgetting about us - for shame! A quick bite to eat at the hostel, then we went to a bar called 'Edinburgh Castle' but it was dead so we only had one drink there. We then wandered and randomly stumbled into a pub on 4th and Mission that we can't remember the name of but it was full of old motorbikes! The barman was very generous - even more so when he made it clear that he wanted to visit Scotland! The margaritas were served in pint glasses and boy, they don't measure things here (though I learned later although it looks like he was freepouring, you can measure the shots by counting the seconds. 3 seconds = 1 and a half shots).

We had two margaritas, went out and saw a big fireworks display on the shore then headed back to our new favourite bar for two more. We were kicked out when they wanted to switch the lights out, it was an excellent night with some great banter with fun locals!

1st January, 2010 - San Francisco

2010? Where's my flying CAR?

The 1st was spent feeling very hungover. We didn't do anything of consequence, and this was very nice once the world stopped spinning. Relaxing is part of the trip. More Father Ted was watched.

2nd - San Francisco

After such a 'wasted' first day, we hit San Fran hard. We went up Nob Hill and saw the Coit Tower, down into the Market area and saw some lovely food, into the sourdough factory then RIGHT ALONG to Golden Gate Park via the San Fran University. It was awesome, it's a really beautiful city - especially the parks which I would have wanted to do more of.

Ok....sorry guys, I gotta go to bed. This is as far as I can get, will promise to do more another time. Goodnight! Stu xx