Biker takes a break.

Biker takes a break.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Two reasons I don't want to leave; the view and , well, the view !!!!

Biker chick.

Biker chick.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Got up relatively early this morning and went out for a ride on the bike. The weather is incredible (just I'm due to leave, dammit), and when a city is as beautiful as San Francisco, good weather just makes it heavenly. Damn those immigration restrictions.

Mother, I assure you Shana is an excellent biker, and yes I would like one of my own!

A's by night.

A's by night.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Headed to an evening A's game last night and watched them kick the collective ass of the Boston Red Sox. I've seen 2 games, they've won both, I figure they should employ me as a good luck charm. I'm particularly pleased they won as I had a bet with Catherine, a Red Sox fan. She owes me a bottle of the wine that she made, I don't have to buy her dinner in London, hee hee.

A glorious morning.

IMG_0750
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Shana and I had a long morning cycling round the city on monday. The weather was stunning, I was on the fabulous BBQ bike that rides like a dream ( and that my delightful girlfriend bought for my trip here ) , we were cycling by the bay, ate at Mohito's - my favourite Mexican restaurant - over to Fort Mason, through the Presidio, to Golden Gate Park. I would have assumed that I had managed to work off all the extra calories gained by the frightening amount of junk food I have consumed over the last few weeks - didn't happen though. All this was followed by dinner at a friends house - amazing wine, an immigration lawyers phone number and a great view of the city out of their lounge window along with fun and intelligent company made for a great night. It was all rounded off by quite a hangover the next day ! Worth it though.

Stretching our legs.

IMG_3293
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

We (Shana, me and our friend Catherine) drove out to Tennessee Valley on friday morning for a much overdue hike. It was foggy and chilly but it was great to head into the hills and get some fresh air. Behind us is Muir Beach. At about 11.30 we were at the Pelican Inn, a fabulous and prettty darned accurate reproduction of an English Pub, we downed a quick pint and then retraced our steps before all of us went our separate ways - to work. Not a bad way to start the day.

A T & T Park

IMG_0742
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Home to the SF Giants (baseball don'tyaknow) and thus a case of 'grrrrr' now that I'm an A's fan ! However, it's baseball, it's by the bay, the sun was shining and thus I got very excited !!

Effect of nuclear radiation.

Effect of nuclear radiation.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

On the way for a hike in Tennessee Valley we stopped off at some disuded bunkers , from which artillery were set up to protect the bay , which was considered to be a very vulnerable point. From this photo I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't, in fact, nuclear bunkers and there had been an element of success ! Shame, as the head is rather cute !

All the 'B's'

All the 'B's'
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

I have to move here, I'm fitting in with my love for the 'B's' : Beer, burgers, baseball and bowling. The latest mainstay of American culture for me to get sucked into was B for bowling. Theresa and I spent approximately 40 minutes driving around the Presidio trying to find this amazing bowling alley. The music was pure 80's, perfect for me with my cheesy taste, plus everytime a Journey track came on my scores headed towards the roof - I've found my secret weapon "the smell of wine and cheap perfume ....... don't stop believing" great stuff.

Carlos Almaraz - West Coast Crash (1990)

Carlos Almaraz - West Coast Crash (1990)
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

The de Young Museum has a fabulous Chicano exhibition that we checked out yesterday. I was really impressed with the work of Carlos Almaraz. The Museum was only recently reopened after a huge renovation. It's not bad, there isn't much of a natural flow between the rooms which can be frustrating but there is some great work in there. If you're ever in SF go by, it's in the gorgeous Golden Gate Park and there's an amazing view from the top of the tower. Make sure you put aside a whole morning or afternoon for it though, if you try and rush it you'll leave feeling slightly disappointed.

Cable Car Museum

Cable Car Museum
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

And here they are. It's a noisy place but rather exciting, especially if you've spent the last few days travelling around on cable cars.

I made a visit to the Cable Car Museum, a small place but well worth seeing. I hadn't reaslised that all the cars are being pulled around by a couple large cables that run round the whole route throughout the city. You see them in operation as they travel in, round the huge wheels and back out again. San Francisco's is the only mechanically operated cable car system in the world and they can't get rid of it as it's now a registered national treaure , or something like that. Either way they can't touch it - hurrah.

Union Square by night

Union Square by night
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

How's this for a view from the hotel room ?!

A busy day.

Monday was rather busy, in a very positive way. The afternoon was spent at the Family Winemakers tasting at Fort Mason. A great event where hundreds of family run wine businesses allow you to taste their wines. A couple of my favourites were Lagier Meredith , Corison and Silverpines. It seems my palate is very 'European' but there were some good wines to be tasted. This was followed by the Campton Place Experience. Shana works at Campton Place Hotel and after a certain period of time employees are able to bring a guest and check in, have dinner, stay the night and have room service breakfast all at the expense of the company. The room was wonderful and it was topped off with an amazing view of Union Square.

Orbit Erika & Danny

Orbit Erika & Danny
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Another Orbit shot. A great set, fabulous music, deservedly good reviews. (photo Lisken Rossi-Huber).

Orbit - Melanie and Erika

Orbit - Melanie and Erika
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

A couple of photos from Orbit for you (the show I was FOH Manager for at Intersection). It was a really nice, fun piece of work. It sold out most night, the audiences loved it. Can't ask for anymore really. (photo Lisken Rossi-Huber)

Intersection for the Arts

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Intersection for the Arts
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

This ordinary looking door is actually the entrance to Intersection for the Arts, the venue I have been working at over the summer. It is an incredible place and has helped make my stay so memorable. The work that takes place is exciting and essential, the staff are talented and passionate. Everyone has made me feel incredibly welcome and a part of the Intersection family. They immediately made me a Front of House Manager and gave me a set of keys to the building, such trust and faith in me is very moving. Having a job to go, a place where I have responsibilites and am expected to attend at certain times helped me settle into the city and has helped make me feel very at home here in San Francisco. I owe them so much. Thank you Intersection.

Tomorrow night is the final performance of 'Orbit', the show I have been attached to. Each night I carry out my duties and usually, when I'm not needed, I will read until the end when I say goodbye to the patrons. However, the last couple of evenings I have sat and watched, laughing, tapping my foot to the rhythm of the music and trying to soak in as much of the final performances as possible. Tomorrow night I will do the same, only this time I know I will have tears in my eyes. Once the show is over we will drink and celebrate a very successful run (most performances were sold out) and I will begin the process of saying goodbye. I will also make them a promise, that the next time I am in San Francisco, they will be at the top of list for people to visit.

The Dirty Girls.

The Dirty Girls.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

The glorious (gorgeous) victors. OK, we didn't win but we did bloody well. Our team name was indeed 'The Dirty Girls' and we lived up to that name, hard not to under the circumstances.

Mud, mud, glorious mud.

Mud, mud, glorious mud.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

We weren't kidding when we said we had to crawl through a mud pit !!! It was like being a kid again. I even managed to keep my glasses clean - a natural response when you've been a 'specky four eyes' for over 20 years !!!

Speedy.

Speedy.
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Finally, the 'official' photos from the Muddy Buddy have arrived. It was hot, it was sweaty, it was GREAT fun.

Vineyards of the Rubicon Estate

Vineyards of the Rubicon Estate
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

In amongst the trees is the Coppola family home.

Napa Valley is so beautiful. It was a wonderful trip and I can't wait to head out there again.

Cellars of the Rubicon Estate

Cellars of the Rubicon Estate
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

The Rubicon Chateau

The Rubicon Chateau
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

It was pretty quiet while we were there but it didn't have the 'refined' atmosphere of Domaine Carneros. The grounds are quite spectacular though.

Vineyards of the Rubicon Estate

Vineyards of the Rubicon Estate
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Next we went to visit Francis Ford Coppola. Formerly known as Niebaum Coppola Estate, the newly named Rubicon Estate is a very glam place. Lots of fancy vine covered trellis, a large fountain, an exhibition of Coppola's movie memorabilia, it is a very attractive place although it has, surprisingly enough, a little less personality than Domain Carneros. A friend of Shana's works for the company and she had arranged a tour and tasting for us (which we shared with the 'Surreal Gourmet' - never heard of him ! and his friends, two lethario types from Portugal who were apparantly after glamour and women while in the US, they were somewhat disapointed to find themselves on a tour with four lesbians !!!). The wines are not to my taste but it still made for a great experience.

A message for Julian

Meeting an old friend
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

While I was at Domaine Carneros I had a lovely surprise, it seems an old acquaintance of mine is now working there and as you can see from the photo he is proudly managing the planting of some new vines. I met Rody (or jacko as he is known by some) through my best friend Julian and Rody wanted me to say hi to his English friend. Julian I can tell you he is well and enjoying the Californian sun, he hopes you can go and visit him very soon.

The barrels of Domaine Carneros

The barrels of Domaine Carneros
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

First stop was Domain Carneros, the stunning chateau built in 1989 by Claude Tattinger and the winery creates amaing sparkling wines, and a pinot noir that I was rather taken by. We were given a full tour of the estate by the lovely Kathleen and were then able to taste their full range of sparkling wines and 2 red wines. I highly recommend their Rose, actually anything that sparkles and has their name on it, I'd say go for it. Then we were given a real treat, Eileen Crane President/Winemaker joined us for a chat and drink. She was behind the creation of the whole winery having been hand picked by Tattinger. She was friendly and very sweet. She revealed that she is a huge theatre fan and we talked about the arts for a while. Only once she left our table did I learn how much of a big deal it was that she had joined us for so long.

The beautiful Napa Valley

The beautiful Napa Valley
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

On Sunday we took a trip that I was really looking forward to, I was finally getting to visit Napa Valley and drop by some of its vineyards. Once again we hired a convertable - this time a Mustang - and drove through the valley looking like the superstars that we truly are.

No 1 A's fan

No 1 A's fan
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

it's all her fault !

"Let's Go Oakland"

"Let's Go Oakland"
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

3 - 1 to Oakland, that's what we like to see.

Go the 'A's" !!!

Go the 'A's" !!!
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

I have a confesstion to make, I've become a baseball junkie !!! I finally got to see a live baseball game (this had been one of my aims on my original US tour last year but had never managed to pull it off). We watched the Oakland Athletics, or 'A's whup Tampa bay's ass in a very fast game. I shouted, cheered, clapped, joined in with the chanting. The sun shined and we drank beer and ate the biggest hot dogs I've ever seen. It's an incredible atmosphere, very family friendly, lots of fun and very relaxing. I am now the proud owner of an Oakland 'A's' t shirt and little Julian has an 'A's' baseball cap that will make its way to England for him. I'm a complete convert ....... "Lets go Oakland, lets go Oakland, lets go Oakland ........."

Tropical Zone

Tropical Zone
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Spent a morning at the Conservatory of Flowers. I'd got confused and thought it was actually the Botannical Gardens ! But it was a lovely morning and we'll find our way to the Botannical Gardens on another day !

The Dirty Girls

The Dirty Girls
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

OK, read the following for evidence of insanity..... The Muddy Buddy is a wonderful event, teams of two run and cycle around a course approximately 6 miles long, one sets off on a bike and the other runs. The one on the bike reaches a transition point, leaves the bike for their partner and then clambers over an obstacle. They then run the next section and the first runner eventually reaches the transition point and sets off on the bike after completing the same obstacle. Does that make any sense at all ? Basically you alternate between running and cycling and complete an obstacle at each transition point. Eventually you reach the obstacle from which the event derives its name. The Mud Pit !!! The first to reach it has to wait for their 'buddy', then together you crawl through a mud pit up to your neck - see the photo above for a picture of the two of us covered in -by this time - dry and crusty mud!!!!
It was great fun. The day started at 5am when we set off from Austin for the National Park in which it was taking part. I was worried we wouldn't find it - we hadn't bothered to print off a copy of the map. I needn't have worried; in the pitch black of early morning we found ourselves part of a convoy of trucks and SUV's all with a bike attached to the back heading out of Austin. It was rather exciting and resulted in two rather giggly sleep deprived hyper women - the excitement knocked at least 15 years off our ages!! The heat was intense but if you take enough water on board you're fine. if anything it was too short and we both wished we could have been pushed a bit harder. I'd do it again in a shot !

Putting our stamp on a hotel room

Putting our stamp on a hotel room
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

We were in Austin to take part in the Muddy Buddy, a race involving running, cycling and various obstacles. Like a couple of professional athletes we took over the hotel room with a mountain bike, various tools, bags of sports kit, beer .........

Winged beasties

Winged beasties
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

One of the most famous things to do in Austin is watch thousands of bats set off from under a bridge in search of their evening meal. People gather on the bridge and in canoes on the water. It was fascinating and the huge number of the little critters is just stunning.

A summers evening in Austin

A summers evening in Austin
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

Austin is a great city to visit, next to wonderful lakes and rivers, cute neighbourhoods, lots of live music and fun bars (including a fabulous gay country and western bar -great dancers and that stetsun and boot look is really quite attractive! But hey, I have my own Texan so I'm not lacking there). I was introduced to more family members -Shana's sister Sarah this time and then over the next couple of days I met Kelsey, Caitlin and Cade, her children.

Simplicity

Simplicity
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

I started my stay with my great friends, John and David, in Dallas. The temperatures were rediculous - heaven only knows how people can get anything done in this part of the world, you end up diving into the car to benefit from the air conditioning, the frist time I've looked forward to being in a car ! I had some time in Dallas and ended up at the Museum of Modern Art, the photo was taken in the sculpture garden, a relaxing place that I hid out in whilst escaping the mind numbingly dull, deserted concrete fest that is downtown Dallas.

Next stop was a visit to Shana's mum's where we swam in the neighbours pool (another attempt to escape the rabid heat!), I had a driving tour of Shana's home town and met her dad. Everyone was lovely. Next stop Austin ......

wow - double decker trains !!!!

wow - double decker trains !!!!
Originally uploaded by LaMinch.

OK, I admit it, I've been pretty useless at keeping up the blog this time round. It's a little harder to get motivated when you are staying in one place for the whole time. Also, from the lack of comments I gradually came to the conclusion that no one was reading it !!! On the off chance that one or two people happen to drop by I'm going to start putting a few things on again, photos mainly. So here goes........ About 10 days ago I headed off to Texas, to hang out with friends, meet some of the 'in-laws' and to compete in the Muddy Buddy. I flew out of San Jose so had to get a train to the airport - the first time I've been on a train in the US and my first time on a double decker train. It's incredible how the simplest things can amuse you - various people received texts telling them 'double decker - wow' !!!