After 8 great days on the road Ramona and I are taking a well deserved break and what better place to do it that a small coastal town Capinteria, about 10 miles from Santa Barbara, with my special friends that I met in Mexico years ago.
The town is lovely, friendly, warm and sunny (sorry to my Nanaimo readers!!). The photos below were taken this afternoon on a short walk. I have had a fabulous week and what a great start to my journey and now enjoying a few days of seeing old friends again and taking in small day trips in the surrounding area.

Had my first mis-hap with Ramona yesterday leaving a parking lot, I drive very cautiously and when I came down the small ramp to the street I heard a bang but thought it was something moved around in one of the cupboards. I went about a mile up the road and pulled off at a view point to have lunch. I have made it a habit that when ever I stop or before I start I walk around Ramona and check her out. Sure enough at the back I see the straps that hold the pvc pipe with my hose inside, I saw the straps but I did not see the pipe. So the banging that I heard was the pipe breaking away. I high tailed back to town and there at the side of the road someone had placed my pipe, with hose still inside. I put the pipe inside and drove to the nearest hardware store and bought more big straps and in the parking lot re-attached the pipe and problem solved without too much heart ache.

Have a great day and enjoy where ever you are..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO I WISH I WAS IN NANAIMO!!!!!

 

 

 

These pictures were taken out of the window whilst I was having breakfast!

Today was a tour of the very famous Hearst Castle and I spent over 4 hours there it was an amazing event and again just too much information, it is worth a google to read about the history of this vast and incredible home perched atop the mountains with spectaular ocean views.
The tour was very well organized and the photographs are of the pools, the guest bedrooms, the incredible dining room and the castle itself. Mr Hearst was a collector of ancient pieces of art and it is just incredible to see what works he has on display. This was a memorable visit and well worth the time.

I then continued on down the west coast to a small town outside of Santa Barbara called Carpenteria, where i have friends and Ramona is going to take a well deserved rest for a few days. I will explore this town and the beautiful area on day trips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes with all this immense wealth Mr.Hearst liked ketchup and mustard on his food and insisted the bottles be on the table!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 1st 2007.....it is one year today since I worked my last shift at the Granary Restaurant and what a year it has been. The months have just flown by and I have been blessed to have been healthy and lucky this year. My friends play a huge role in my life and even though we are sometimes many miles away they are still my friends and nothing changes that fact. I have been lucky to travel several thousand miles, see a new country and purchase my dream mobile casa...A time to reflect on many things, the loss of my Dad, spending time with my brother, taking care of Ken for a month, seeing my friends happy and enjoying life. I never take for granted my health and how fortunate I am to be able to do what I am doing. A big thank you to everyone who sends me e mails I love to see the in box full and it is a special way to connect through the distance. I also think it is great to be able to talk to my nephew on Skype, a couple of nights ago about 11.30pm I was puttering around in the motor home and then the phone on the computer rings and it is Andy, made my night. Anyway it has been a wonderful and exciting year and as I head further south I await the new adventures with gusto and thought in my heart is of course "PURA VIDA".

NanaimoSNOWFALL WARNING CONTINUED
Currently
Observed at: Nanaimo Airport 8:00 AM PST Saturday 1 December 2007

Cloudy
Temperature 0°C Pressure/ Tendency 100.5 kPa↓ Visibility 24 km Humidity 75 % Wind Chill -4 Dewpoint -4°C Wind E 11 km/h Air Quality Health Index 2
Regional NormalsMax Temp. 7°C Min Temp. 1°C Record Values
TodaySunrise 7:49 Sunset 16:21 Moonrise N/A Moonset 12:58 5 Day Forecast from Environment Canada
Saturday
High 1°C
Snow at times heavy
Saturday night
Low -2°C
Snow
Sunday
High 3°C
Snow mixed with rain

Monday
High 14°C
Low 2°C
Rain
Tuesday
High 11°C
Low 8°C
Showers
Wednesday
High 7°C
Low 3°C
POP 30%
Chance of showers
These icons are a summary. See complete text below Imperial Units past 24 hour conditions past 24 hour graphs another forecast
Text Forecast from Environment Canada
Nanaimo: Issued 5.00 AM PST Saturday 1 December 2007
Snowfall warning in effect.
Today Snow at times heavy. Amount 10 cm. Becoming windy this morning. High plus 1. Tonight Snow. Amount 10 to 15 cm. Windy. Low minus 2. Sunday Snow becoming mixed with rain late in the day. Snowfall amount 2 cm. High plus 3. Monday Rain. Low plus 2. High 14. Tuesday Showers. Low 8. High 11. Wednesday Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. Low plus 3. High 7.



HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND MY NANAIMO FRIENDS!!!!!!!