The “Real-ness” of Santa Barbara

An enticing glimpse over the hotel balcony into the hidden alleyway opposite Classic promenade view Travel always feels to me like a search for the real. Distinguishable from mere holidays, of course, which are a search for hedonistic pleasure. I’m generalizing, of course. It’s a bit of an intellectually arrogant distinction with a kernel of … Continue reading →

The Little Kempner Again

For those of you who read my last blog post, you know that I want nothing more from my time in America than to see a celebrity. If I can darken my pale pasty skin colour then that is simply a bonus. My ambitions are high, what can I say? Any car enthusiasts out there, … Continue reading →

When is a View Not a View?

Cliff top dwellings I was very excited to wake up yesterday morning at Shell Beach and see a view of the Pacific out of the bedroom window. A beautiful view, framed by the ubiquitous cochineal-red oleanders, grey-blue succulents and ochre gravel. To the right, a cliff top path. To the left, another cliff top path. … Continue reading →

Isabel prepares a feast

Look at her gleam^^ I, Isabel, write from the solitude of an empty hotel room. Well, Rachel’s here but she’s deeply asleep and so would be no use in a fire. So for all intents and purposes, I’m on my own, and in the shit if there’s a fire. Rick, leader of the pack, has … Continue reading →

Jogs, Runs and Managing Expectations

The path to nowhere This last week, I’ve been spoilt with my early morning runs. The San Francisco Bay Area, the Carmel Valley upland trails… Delightful exhilarating scenery. Then comes a night at the Hampton Suites and Inn, Paso Robles: the hotel trapped within a major Highway 101 interchange with a few local main roads. … Continue reading →

Musings From a Mole

Evening kittens Here’s the latest goss: I’ve reverted to the waking hours of my 8 year old self. I am tucked up in bed by 9.30 every night. Any later and I start to panic. On a school night, it was vitally important that I got a proper rest, so that I’d be in a … Continue reading →

Passing Paso Robles

Cambria Main Street This morning saw a successful and timely win against Satnav, who in a spirit of provocative meanness tried to force us down Highway 101 again for our journey south. It took a hundred miles before the spoilt brat stopped demanding a legal U turn at the earliest safe opportunity, but we closed … Continue reading →

The Big Sur

Despite the mist, no one could fail to be impressed by the Big Sur. Except four adolescents in the back muttering about how Highway 101 would have been faster.