- Details
Jet lagged and up early we had first-class breakfast at a five-star hotel on Nobbs Hill, the only place open at 5am! Then to the Cable Car Junction and their ticket machine to buy day tickets after which we travelled all over the City of San Francisco for the ride and views, returning to the Union Street cable car turn for coffee at Carl Jnrs.
Lunch at the Ghirardelli Centre but the chocolate factory was closed for extension and renovation which was a pity. Back to Fisherman’s Wharf and Hyde Pier to see the historic ships in the Maritime Museum and then the hotel swimming pool for the girls whilst Daniel and Angela went off shopping on their own. The others not being hungry, myself to Fisherman's Wharf shrimp and crab tea before we all retired for the night
We were in bed by 7.00/7.30pm last night and slept until about 2.00/2.30am this morning due to our jet lag when we were all awake and so got up and dressed/washed. I used the time to write my journal and change my video batteries. We used our "travel jug" and power adaptors to make our morning drinks before all else were awake. To the "front desk" where I checked in all of our valuables into a safe deposit box and got details of which places were open to eat at 5.00am in the morning. We then had to set off on foot, it being too early for transport, and climbed Nobbs Hill only to find the suggested restaurant to be a specialist in Chinese food. We were getting rather tired and frustrated, and I was having to carry Della and so we found a five-star hotel and had a first class breakfast there instead.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
- Details
Up at 6am for 2hrs of careful packing, then breakfast en route before embarking on a Jumbo 747 for the flight to San Francisco for the start of our US Trip booking into the Travelodge Hotel Fishermans Wharf where we settled in to interconnecting rooms and I walked to get a shrimp salad
Up at 6.00am again this morning and there followed a hectic two-hour session of packing to ensure we had everything that we needed for the United States. Loaded up the Range Rover and, despite expecting to have to use the roof-rack, found that there was plenty of space inside after all. After securing all of the doors and windows and ensuring that the security lights were on but all other appliances off, we left the house and drove off south on the A1. I had given the gardener keys to the conservatory and rear toilet and a master key to Diana's parents. We stopped around Hatfield for breakfast at the Happy Eater and then drove round the M25 to arrive at the Terminal 4 Car Park to arrive in good time. We had got a bit worried on the way over not having any recent idea of the car parking arrangements. The inevitable long waits at Heathrow for the security and check-in arrangements prior to departure.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
- Details
Up at 6am for a busy and productive day, making my preparations for being away for two weeks, whilst still training canvassers, being interviewed on Radio Cambridgeshire, and making a good impact at the HDC Finance & GP meeting over the Poll tax changes before meeting up at Derek's house. Also to withdraw £4,000 in cash and then exchange half of it for dollars before to bed at midnight.
I had a very busy, but productive, day and quite a tense one, wondering whether I could do all that I needed to and still remember to do all of the things necessary for spending two weeks' away. I was awake at 6.00am which has been my custom recently and then sat in bed for half an hour trying to wake up with my morning tea. Time to check my office after shaving, showering and dressing and I made out an urgent action list for the day as I had a lot to do. One of my first tasks was to telephone Chris Colbert and Derek Giles about my movements this evening - I had remembered an HDC Finance & GP meeting and could therefore only help the Eaton Socon canvassing for an early half hour to train the new candidates.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
- Details
This day started with concern over the gas leak which had given me a headache overnight and then continued with me editing FOCUS copy following the remarks and suggestions of colleagues before I delivered my own copies to Diddington and fielded some residents’ concerns with Peter Thornhill's estate
We ventilated the house as much as we could last night to try and avoid the fumes but there was still gas fumes that gave me something of a headache this morning. We called the gas board after breakfast and told them of the history and hoped that they could sort things out this time. I was expecting calls from my colleagues this morning about the accuracy of the FOCUS material and the first two came from Derek, either side of breakfast, before he went off to church.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **