From San Fran to LA...

We are currently flying down from San Francisco to LA. The flight has wi-fi so I thought I'd take snap and say hi from 10,000 feet up.

No one has started using Skype... yet! "I'M ON THE PLANE!"

Having lots of fun here on the West Coast. The weather is great and the people are friendly.

LA here we come!

Alcatraz and Angel Islands...

It had to be done... yesterday we took a trip to both world famous islands; Alcatraz and Angel in San Francisco bay.

We kicked off the day with a cable car ride all the way up Powell to Fisherman's Wharf. We then legged it round to Pier 33 to the ferry boats.

The trip over was short and sweet - great views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Once we got there, Alcatraz Island was way more interesting than I thought it'd be. Lots of history and really well presented. Ok, way too many tourists but we coped. Just.

Angel Island was Ok too but we could have perhaps done without the hour long tram tour.

Trevor Hogan...

Stu and I had a lovely day yesterday with Trevor. He's lived in the United States for twenty odd years but not lost his humour or his accent.

We had lunch in the Castro, Trevor then took us on a tour including Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, the beach, Lombard Street and back to his neighbourhood where we went for beers, a barfly chat and then on to dinner.

So nice to catch up with him and reminisce about the good old days. And have a bit of a bitch too!

San Francisco Gay Pride...

It was a long day. Long, hot and fabulous.

We were up early from an early night and had a super duper diner breakfast at Lori's. Then we traipsed down to Market to watch the parade go by.

Five hours it took. We went home at one point to have a break and came back to watch the rest. Epic.

There were the usual marchers; dykes on bikes, leather men, dance troupes, social groups, pressure groups, politicians, celebrities, bikers, recyclers, party animals and animal refuges. You name it.

After we'd had our fill we ambled over to City Hall where 5 blocks had been given over to hedonistic entertainment. Beers, dancing, 26 stages of music and mayhem. We loved it. Hundreds of thousands of people having a good time. And everyone seemed so good natured too. A perfect afternoon.

And being determined to guild the lily we headed over to the Lone Star Saloon to chat with dozens of people making firm friends and plans in vino veritas.

We left when we had enough and fell into our bed with just the right mixture of jet lag and tipsy. A good day.

San Francisco Tour...

On our first full day we decided to do the whole touristic thing. A full 5 hour tour including boats, buses and walking. Much of it I'd seen before on previous trips to SF but then much I hadn't. Besides, travelling with Stu meant I was seeing with fresh eyes anyway.

Prior to the tour we went to Lori's Diner on Powell and a mammoth country breakfast with all the trimmings.

The tour itself started at the port of San Fran and took in the following:-

▪ The Ferry Building
▪ Sausalito
▪ Golden Gate Bridge
▪ Chinatown (guided walk)
▪ Palace of Fine Arts
▪ Nob Hill
▪ Ferry/Bay Cruise
▪ Grace Cathedral
▪ Lombard Street - Downhill Walk
▪ Golden Gate Park
▪ Japanese Tea Garden
▪ De Young Museum Lookout Tower
▪ Alamo Square Park "7 Sisters"

After this epic tour I was not only tired and hungry but needed my bed. The jet lag was sure catching up with us both so we settled for a Maccy Dee on the walk back and headed for our the hotel. Early night for us.

San Francisco Bound...

Off to the West Coast for 10 days. First stop San Francisco. Turns out it's San Francisco Gay Pride weekend too. Whoop, whoop. Twiggy, better pack those feathers!

SF to Paris in Two Minutes...

SF to Paris in Two Minutes from Beep Show on Vimeo.