The Republican husband of an adviser to President Trump describes in a few pointed words what others have taken pages to say: “No, I thought, President Trump was boorish, dim-witted, inarticulate, incoherent, narcissistic and insensitive. He’s a pathetic bully but an equal-opportunity bully – in his uniquely crass and crude manner, he’ll attack anyone he … Continue reading “They hate our country”
Dazzling San Francisco
Whether it’s Haight-Ashbury, The Painted Ladies, Pier 39 or another part of San Francisco, you’ll see plenty of colours in shop interiors, street art and architecture. View photos Dazzling San Francisco
The geeks shall inherit the earth
Great news: Alan Turing to be the face of new £50 note. Alan Turing was an extraordinary man whose life unjustly ended too soon. He helped lay the foundations of modern computing and artificial intelligence. To think what he might have achieved if, instead of being persecuted, he’d lived beyond his 41 years. https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2019/july/50-pound-banknote-character-announcement
The many faces of the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge seems just like another bridge. As you see it more and more, you begin to realise its elusive quality. Mornings in San Francisco seem to always start with a fog hanging in the air. As the morning progresses, the fog is burned away if the sun does its magic. The Golden Gate … Continue reading / view photos The many faces of the Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco architecture
09 July 2019 23:06 One of the first things I noticed about the housing in San Francisco is how unique each house is. Initially I thought this was a characteristic of one street. The more streets I saw, however, the more I realised that this was true of much of San Francisco and, as I … Continue reading / view photos San Francisco architecture
The streets of San Francisco
In the 1970s there were a lot of police shows, each of which had a distinctive feature or two. Some of the shows that come to mind include: Columbo: raincoat, “Just one more thing” Kojak: lollipop McCloud: cowboy in the city CHiPs: highway patrol Starsky and Hutch: car Banacek: clever crimes Hawaii Five-O: exotic location, … Continue reading / view photos The streets of San Francisco
Tiger Woods stopped my bike ride
Monterey, our final stop before San Francisco, looks like quite an affluent coastal town. There’s a beach there but we mostly walked around Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row (where John Steinbeck’s novel is set). On the second day in Monterey, some of the group did a bike ride, which was supposed to be about 20km. … Continue reading / view photos Tiger Woods stopped my bike ride
Looking at elephant seals and big feet
After leaving Pismo Beach, we drove north along the coast towards Monterey. We stopped to see Morra Rock where this woman told me that she had retired there having lived in San Francisco. The area had ideal weather: the temperature was moderate all year round. The rock, I learnt, is a volcanic plug (the leftover … Continue reading / view photos Looking at elephant seals and big feet
Pismo and Avila Beaches
The hiking was now over and the group part of my trip was ending. After seeing the giant trees, we returned to the west coast to stay making our way back to San Francisco. The first stop was Pismo Beach; the second, Avila Beach – a few kilometres northwest of Pismo Beach. Avila Beach is … Continue reading / view photos Pismo and Avila Beaches
Walking amongst giants
Hiking lets you see three of nature’s wonders: water (sea, river, snow), mountains, and trees. If I had to pick one to hike amongst, it would be trees. I find them magical. I talk to them. And, yes, I hug them too! I feel trees are our companions. When I pass a tree I’ve known … Continue reading / view photos Walking amongst giants