Still in Solvang

Hi Everyone, here I am again. I don't know how the photo of Conner came up in my Photos that I thought I had uploaded of Fess Parkers Winery, but it did, so I thought I would leave it there as he's a dear little boy and many of you reading this have never seen him.
We went to Fess Parker's Winery yesterday, 29th August.(That's Gladys and I out the front of it) For those of you to young to know who Fess Parker is, He is the actor who played the part of Davy Crocket" of the Coon Hat brigade "! Everything there was very nice and highly priced !! I bought Rick a bottle of Red that cost $21US,so the wines are'nt cheap either. After we left there we went to the Chumash Casino.When we walked into the Gaming area we could have been at Burswood Casino.People sitting at the same old machines like we have and about the same number. Perhaps Burswood is a bit bigger. I lost zilch. They didn't get any of my money 'cause I didn't play anything!! I don't think it's as impressive as Burswood, but it's very nice. There were beautiful things in the Gift shop to buy,but I was very strong and once again bought nothing.
While sitting here typing this there is a Woodpecker in the roof above hammering away at his Acorn. Apparently they bury the Acorn under the tile on the roof and come back to it when there is a little worm coming out of it. Clever little fellows, arn't they ?I also saw a Mocking bird for the first time the other day, I think the locals may call them Bluejays.
Thanks for comments received, bye now.

Police Station Where Mel Gibson was taken to on left. Gladys and I at Fess Parkers Winery and One of my Great Grandson, Conner.

On our way home from Malibu

Houses on the hill in Malibu 27th Aug. 2006

Chers

More Highway traffic on 101

Traffic on Pacific Coast highway in Malibu

A wealthy home high on the hills of Malibu

Monday 28th August 2006

Have been trying to get my photos to down-load, but without success, I just don't know where I go wrong !!
We went to Malibu yesterday, had a wonderful day. The crowd there was amazing and more Hummers than I've seen in the same place..........ever. We had lunch at a place called "Coogies Beachside Cafe" and what a meal !! I missed the excitement as usual, there were 2 blokes with a big camera chasing some good looking black man.( I know he was good looking 'cause we spoke to him earlier in the parking area) He was sitting in a car apparently waiting for someone to come out of the shops and when they came out the blokes with the camera chased them trying to get photos.Don't ask me who they all were though, I missed the main players !!!
We went first to the cafe down on the beach where the Rockford Files was filmed, but when told there was a two hour wait we gave it a miss.It was already 1.45pm and our tummies were hungry. The homes once again were spectacular, but I suppose if one is going to pay $66,000,000 for a home you'd want something pretty good. For my money I would like something a little more stable than the ground these house are built on. We saw one home that was uninhabital because of rock slides. These mountains are pretty unstable and right on the San Andreas Fault Line. They have a lot of small earth- quakes. The traffic coming home was horrendous, fortunately it was travelling South and we were heading North on Pacific Coast Highway. We passed through 3 mountain tunnels on our way home which I found interesting.
Would you believe I was woken this morning by a Woodpecker !!!?? It was pecking at the tree above my bedroom. They're pretty little birds.
I really saw so much yesterday it's hard to know what to write. Not everyone is interested in the Court House Mel Gibson was hauled into on his DD Charge, but I was ! I also took a picture of Cher's House,( which should interest Loz.)Oh, very nice !!!!!!!!!!

At home in Solvang

Thanks for comments and special thanks to Judy for getting rid of the double pic.
We have had a day at home today, Gladys thinks she must have eaten Shell Fish last night and she is allergic to it. Rick told me that one moment she was next to him and the next moment she was on the ground,collapsed !!From there on it was all bad news for her and she has been very sick today, so we all kept very quiet for her. I hit the bed with a book, and ofcourse, I fell asleep.
So no exciting news today!!
The weather is quite warm and I sat out for awhile (in the shade) by the pool. The little Humming birds fascinate me. They are only the size of a large Dragon Fly. Rick and Gladys are being plagued by Gophers this year too. The little devils eat the roots of the Shrubs and the lawns and you only know they've been there when you see a mound of soil on the lawn, or your favourite Shrub dying ! I'm glad we don't have them in W.A.

Gladys and Rick's Home

One roomed School from Old Days.Still in use

Thursday

We went out after all yesterday! Gladys wanted to buy a new pair of boots so we went to Macys in Santa Barbara. It would have to be in the most beautiful Mall I've ever been in. The architecture is all Spanish ( as a lot is in Santa Barbara ) and it seems so different to anything we have in Perth. I looked, but didn't buy anything. I didn't see anything different to buy !!! The only bargain I bought was when we went to the local Pharmacy in the morning. I needed some Multi Vitamins and they were offering the "Buy one get one free" deal, so I did !
I like the idea of the return of goods if you get home and decide you don't like what you've bought. The Goods can be taken back 6 months later and changed, even though you have either worn it or used it. The salesman who sold Gladys the shoes said "Take them home and try them and if you find they are uncomfortable, you can return them "!!
I also saw my first Humming Bird yesterday. They are so tiny. Gladys said they also have a lot of wild Canaries around their area too, but I haven't seen any of them. There's Rattle Snakes up in them there hills too, but I don't want to see them.
Don't know what's going on here today, I can't get into any of my e-mail accounts. Except ihug . Most annoying !! So apologies to anyone who has sent mail,will try and answer as soon as I can get in. Bye now.

home in Solvang Wednesday

The photos were taken on Sunday at Santa Barbara. At Sternes beach the photo is really of all the little crosses. Each cross represents a Fallen Soldier in Irac. A man puts them up every day. Going to the post Office now, the weather is quite warm, about 34degs I think.
Many thanks for comments. I like to hear from home.

Sterns Wharf & The Santa Barbara Mission

Solvang Tuesday 22nd August

Had a rest day yesterday, just went down to do a bit of food shopping and while we were there I bought a pair of thongs to slip on in the mornings. I forgot to bring mine?? I forgot to bring a lot of things though, the main thing being my Thyroxine Tablets. Fancy me forgetting them!!Ah, well, don't suppose I'll die without them !!
I'm having trouble putting photos on this blog, I don't know why. I'll try and put another now. Don't tell me I'm not clever !!! I uploaded the same page twice !!At least I uploaded them !!??
Bye the way Dave, don't you worry about the Brown Bears getting me, they're not seen here very often even though the locals know they're in the mountains. The polar bears are a different matter...................starting to get a bit worried about them !!! Rick laughs at me and wants to know how I think I am going to handle the cold weather up in the Rockies when I'm cold here !

Santa Barbara on Sunday

Rick and Gladys took me to Santa Barbara yesterday..............what a beautiful City !!!We drove all through the hills where I was assured the "Real" money is, and I can believe it. I can't begin to describe the beautiful homes on the side of the steep mountains. Most of them are hidden behind high walls or high hedge fences and the gates are very imposing. The landscaping is beautiful too, everything seems to grow well here and the Bouganvilla is a mass of colour. We also had a look at one of the oringinal Stage Coach Stations called Cold Springs Tavern where one can eat all types of "Old Days "foods such as Bear, Deer, Squirrel and ofcourse, "normal meats" like cattle steak,etc. I will try and attach a photo of it. There were a lot of people there so we just had a look inside, we didn't stay for lunch. We had our lunch at Stearns Wharf overlooking Santa Barbara Harbour and Yacht Club. The Restraurant was called "Long Boards" and we must have looked very hungry because the serves of food were enormous !! I had a roast turkey sandwich and it contained enough in a basket to feed an army !!Loads of French Fries with everything !! We were able to drive out on to the wharf where there was Valet parking no less if one ate in this particular eatery.
After lunch we went sight-seeing. Rick showed me a couple of the house he grew up in which belonged to his Mum and Dad. Lovely homes worth a fortune now. As Rick said " Pity we can't see into the future ". I also saw Fes Parker's opulent hotel complex right on the waterfront where Gladys has her hair done at the cost of an Arm,a Leg and Her first born !! And I know Ida will be thrilled to know that we drove through the Coast Village Road where Oprah Winfrey Shops and eats when she's in town at Montecido. Rick and Gladys pointed out the homes where many of the Film people live or lived. The list is far to long to list here, but it seems many of the rich and famous either live or have lived in Santa Barbara and I can understand why, it's a beautiful part of the world.
We also visited the Santa Barbara Mission Church which is quite famous. We had a "Comfort stop " there, and I was surprised to find one didn't close a door to the toilet, one pulled a curtain across !! That was something a bit different ! I will try and attach a photo of the Church as well.
Thank you Chelle and Leona for your comments, nice to know all my typing isn't in vain.

Saturday's Drive

Went through Solvang again today up into the hills around the beautiful homes. We were all trying to spot the first Deer, gee they are hard to spot when they stand very still and blend into the background. Ric was the first to see one.
There were a lot of people about, this is a real tourists spot. Thanks for the "comments" Pam & Dave. I would hate to think I was typing this and no one was reading it.
Not sure what the plans are for tomorrow now, Ric and Gladys think the drive to Monticido may be to much for me with my hurting ribs,so we may do that next week.
Hope all is going well at home, I dropped Lorraine a quick e-mail asking her to put my indoor plants from the bathroom outside for Joy to water along with the rest of them. Will one of you remind her for me please ? Will try and get to this again as soon as possible, bye now.

Golf Dinner

Went to the River Course Golf Club for a Barbie last night. Bit of an eye-opener. The food was a bit different, not as much variety as we would have, but still very good. Gladys and Ric were disappointed with the Band, to say the least!!But I thought it was ok. Loud, but the musicians were characters and they amused me. I asked Gladys why there seemed to be so many daughters there with their fathers ! She assured me they weren't daughters (or grand-daughters) they were wives etc. !!!Gladys said the trend is changing a bit though and soon it will be "Why are there so many sons here with their mothers"?
The weather is warming up and 100 degs F is forecast for next Tuesday. Gladys assured me that was probably wrong, it's usually hotter than they forecast. Yikes!!!
Going for a long drive tomorrow down the Coast, so won't probably get back to this blog until Monday. Bye Now.

Hope the photos I've uploaded come up ok. The first one was taken from the car as we drove through Solvang, the other is self explanatory as I put a heading on that one. I think I should have practiced more uploading photos to this blog, even now I forget how I did them !!!
Yesterday Gladys took me into Solvang and I sat in the car while she did her bit of shopping, then Gladys took me for a drive around the country side to see the beautiful Ranches and homes, they are unreal !! I saw where President Reagan had his summer home in the Santa Barbara Mountains,then we looked around San Inez Valley and Gladys pointed out Westerly Stud Farm, the 2nd largest horse ranch in the country.We also saw Deer grazing on the side of the road with their babies. They were'nt as timid as I thought they would be. And ofcourse there were squirrels running across the road all the time. Dear little creatures, but apparently full of desease. Gladys was telling me that a Mountain Lion came down into Solvang this year too, looking for water. That would have been scary. Had my first beer last night, Trader Joes Vienna Style Lager !! A dark ale, not as good as ours I don't think. We are going to the Golf Club for dinner tonight, a bar-b-q, so will tell you about that on my next posting.
Thanks for "Comments" received, Cheers, Thelly

Michael Jacksons Driveway

Hi Dave.

Thanks for answering. And don't you worry about the Vultures, I was not only in the car, I was moving frantically about at the same time !! There was no way they were going to think I was dead !! I felt a bit that way though 'cause I was still suffering from Jet-lag. Feel ok now, we had a day at home today. The ribs are still hurting like hell but I will just have to get on with it unless I let it completely spoil my holiday. Tell Jim not to get to carried away with his new classes, I can't mentor what I don't know.(and I don't know to much as it is!!)Don't know what I'm doing tomorrow............apart from eating Bananas !! They're 99cents a pound over here. Will never get used to the American money, it all looks the same. Oh, and it cost me $10 Aust. as a tip to the stupid woman at the LA Airport who took me to the wrong terminal !! I didn't have any change and she kept telling me how good her service was. She had to be kidding !!!!!!!!! Going to bed now, love to all, Thelly

Solvang

Had a lovely drive around Solvang yesterday. Gladys took me to see the Ballard Inn which was in the "Mayberry Show" and we also drove past Michael Jacksons property where Neverland is. We only saw the gate, but ofcourse Mike wasn't home !!Strange............I thought he would have been waiting there for me to invite me in for a cuppa !! Gladys also pointed out the Firestone (you know, the tyre people) property.It is an historical home and really beautiful.We drove all through Solvang, not a very big place but very quaint and touristy. When I am not quite so sore we are going to take a walk around it. Have seen a few different animals that I don't usually see around WA too, like Ground Squirrels, Gophers and Vultures. Gladys and Rick tell me that there are quite a few Coyotes up in the mountains behind us too. Judy, Gladys too me past Aunt Lillians house as well. The houses here are really quite different from the houses in Perth, very large and sprawling.It is a country area though, so I suppose I should have expected that. Gee there are a lot of different cars here to what we see in Perth. Big fancy things they are, and lots of long tray utes and motor homes. I find driving on the right hand side of the road daunting
. I would'nt like to try it. Full marks to you Rags for mastering it !!
Don't know what's happening today, Gladys is vacuuming while I'm typing this, I feel like having a rest day myself,but Gladys may have something else in mind. We'll see. Hope all is going well back home, thanks Jude, Steve and Dave for the comments,it's good to hear from home when one's so far away. Love to all.

Hi All, I've arrived. Not safely, but I'm here in Solvang after a very long air-flight!! I was suffering from jet-lag very badly by the time I arrived in LA, and there was a mix up with my "Help and Assist" lady. She took me to the wrong waiting lounge for my connection to Santa Barbara, so I missed my connection. Not that I was caring by that time because I kept dropping off to sleep all the time!! Anyway I eventually arrived in Santa Barbara on a small plane that had little narrow steps to get off!! And "Yes"! I fell off the last step!! I'm really getting this falling over down to a fine art. With a bit more practice I should become an expert at it. I took the skin off the middle finger of my left hand, skin off my left knee, and jarred all the right side of my body. So once again I'm walking like Quasi Moto!! Rick and Gladys had been and gone by the time my flight arrived. They expected me again on the 7.30pm flight,so I rang them and Rick came and collected me. I reported my fall to the airline,and they have rang me already this morning to find out how I am and to assure me they will pay any medical expenses if I need to have any treatment. Hopefully that won't be needed. But I sure am sore!!!
On a brighter note, I am in beautiful country. High mountains and glorious scenery. And I'm in a beautiful home to boot !! My bedroom has a Chandalier in it and I'm sleeping in a king-sized bed!! I'm feelin very spoilt. And the weather is beautiful. With any luck, I may even get to see a few film stars, Rick was pointing a few of their homes (Well their gates) out to me on our way home. All very interesting!! Hope all is going well at home and at H.H., and I hope your all missing me too !!?? Will type more first chance I get, bye for now. Thelly

Yes Dave. I wondered who the strange lady was too!!! Then Judy told me it was meeee. She put it on there when I was over there last night. Pity about the shade across my face, but that was the best of a bad lot. Welcome, Jim. And don't you worry about the Polar Bears !!
Trying hard to squash everything into my suit case. Bloody hopeless!! Have had to put some things back into the drawers and wardrobes. No room!! Look after yourselves everyone, bye now, Thelly

Friday 11th August

About 60 hours to go and now they're trying to frighten me with terrorists. I just hope that the Terrorists won't want to target the New Zealanders taking holidays in USA!! Ah well, if the plane blows up over the Pacific, I'll be taking a holiday all over the Pacific as my son said !!! And how am I going to clean my teeth now??? Can't take any toothpaste !!!

One week to go

Have my tickets................... and one week to go.!! And the suitcase locks don't fit !!