One thing that I've been discovering on this holiday that I meant to include yesterday: there seems to be quite a wide variance between the fitbit and the phone on counting steps. Taking today as an example, the fitbit says 15,000 and the phone says 25,000. Weird.
As for today we've been enjoying time in and around the parks. Nicky and Jake went on the Jungle Cruise and the Haunted Mansion whilst I sorted out a work thing this morning. We had some lunch at the pizza place in Downtown, and had a good look around the shops there.
Back to the parks this evening, and it seems like Jake and I have ended up with a new mountain triple - the Matterhorn (first ever ride), Big Thunder, and then Grizzly River (which Nicky joined us for).
Nicky and I finished off the evening with a rather nice glass of wine in the Napa lounge at the hotel.
Thursday, 3 August 2017
Wednesday, 2 August 2017
Day 2 - Grove, Caltech, Angels
Things that I learned on day 2 of our holiday:
- LA traffic is a nightmare
- The Grove is a very pleasant shopping centre
- I like cakes from Laduree, they are rather indulgent
- When it comes right down to it, Jake probably doesn't want Yeezy trainers enough to spend the amount of money they cost on them
- A smaller lunch choice and a share of a cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory is still a very large meal
- LA traffic is a nightmare
- Caltech seems like a nice place, even if the architecture is a little concrete-inspired in places
- Jake doesn't want to go there anyway
- LA traffic is a nightmare
- The LA Angels baseball team's star player is called Trout
- Thanks to a giveaway this evening we all now own a pair of socks with his name and face on them
- Baseball takes a long time to play, and for a lot of the time, the crowd don't seem to be giving the action their undivided attention
- Once the result looks pretty clear (in this case at the bottom of the 7th) lots of people go home.
Tuesday, 1 August 2017
Day 1 - California Adventure
The California Adventure is underway properly, and as is becoming common, by the time we got to the end of our day of arrival, it was suddenly time for sleep yesterday, and so no blogging took place. Our journey here was straightforward - we made it to Heathrow in plenty of time, parked, and had no queue at check-in. Straight through security and the traditional airport breakfast was enjoyed. Our gate was displayed on time, and we didn't have to wait at the gate, but boarded straight away, meaning that there wasn't the usual faff of sitting around and getting called by row number. Flight was a smooth ride - Netflix subscription definitely did well with both of my travel companions watching downloaded shows. I read three books (Michael Lewis's 'Home Game', 'Detective Cross' (bookshot), and 'The Sunshine Cruise Company' by John Niven). The captain did a good job of sounding breezy about some malfunction or other in one of the engines, but it didn't seem to matter, and the flashing lights kept a respectable distance away when we touched down at LAX! Orlando could learn a thing or two from the immigration team here, and it wasn't long before we were on the shuttle bus to the car hire. Annoyingly the hire desk put the optional extra on our hire so we had to argue briefly to get that removed ($110ish) before taking the car. The old sat nav, having been loaded up with US road info, worked fine, and we were at the hotel after about 45 mins.
We decided to get park tickets for each day, and so after a brief rest headed in to Disneyland, via a stroll through California Adventure. First stop was something to eat, which was at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street, and then a quick go on Buzz Lightyear, so that we could say we'd done a ride on the day of arrival. (And, even better, I got top score!)
That was about all we were going to manage before jet lag kicked in, so we headed back to our room to call it a day.
Some of us slept better than others, but we were up and out by about 7.30 this morning, and first stop was to have a look at Cars Land, as it was still being built last time we were here. We went straight on the Radiator Springs Racers, which were lots of fun, followed by breakfast at Flo's V8 cafe - some mighty fine (and not small) pieces of banana bread.
After breakfast, a stroll back over to Paradise Pier, and to Toy Story Mania. I was unable to repeat my scoring success of yesterday (Jake won this time) but still lots of fun. A quick roll-a-ball horse race (Jake again) and then on to the big wheel, where we decided to go for the moving/rocking option. This seemed fine as we did our first loop, when the ride was still in load mode. Then, the second, non-stop loop was a slightly different experience. Wow do they rock a lot!
To calm the nerves, Nicky and I went on a few rides aimed for small people (Golden Zephyrs, The Little Mermaid), before meeting up with Jake and going on the Monsters Inc ride and Soarin'.
Having declared that sufficient park success, we headed back to the hotel and Nicky and I relaxed by the pool for a while, before we made our way over to the nearby outlet shops, and had a late Johnny Rockets lunch. Outlet was ok, but not Florida standard. Jake got some tops in Ralph Lauren but that was about it.
This evening we've been back into the park for tea and to watch the World of Color water show, and now it is time to turn in again.
To finish, two photos, one taken today, and one taken seven years ago!
We decided to get park tickets for each day, and so after a brief rest headed in to Disneyland, via a stroll through California Adventure. First stop was something to eat, which was at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street, and then a quick go on Buzz Lightyear, so that we could say we'd done a ride on the day of arrival. (And, even better, I got top score!)
That was about all we were going to manage before jet lag kicked in, so we headed back to our room to call it a day.
Some of us slept better than others, but we were up and out by about 7.30 this morning, and first stop was to have a look at Cars Land, as it was still being built last time we were here. We went straight on the Radiator Springs Racers, which were lots of fun, followed by breakfast at Flo's V8 cafe - some mighty fine (and not small) pieces of banana bread.
After breakfast, a stroll back over to Paradise Pier, and to Toy Story Mania. I was unable to repeat my scoring success of yesterday (Jake won this time) but still lots of fun. A quick roll-a-ball horse race (Jake again) and then on to the big wheel, where we decided to go for the moving/rocking option. This seemed fine as we did our first loop, when the ride was still in load mode. Then, the second, non-stop loop was a slightly different experience. Wow do they rock a lot!
To calm the nerves, Nicky and I went on a few rides aimed for small people (Golden Zephyrs, The Little Mermaid), before meeting up with Jake and going on the Monsters Inc ride and Soarin'.
Having declared that sufficient park success, we headed back to the hotel and Nicky and I relaxed by the pool for a while, before we made our way over to the nearby outlet shops, and had a late Johnny Rockets lunch. Outlet was ok, but not Florida standard. Jake got some tops in Ralph Lauren but that was about it.
This evening we've been back into the park for tea and to watch the World of Color water show, and now it is time to turn in again.
To finish, two photos, one taken today, and one taken seven years ago!
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Stop Time
Packing of bags has been taking place today, and we are just about ready for the off tomorrow morning, with our outrageously early start for the airport. Jake still needs to sort out his hand luggage, but he's out partying this evening with Izzy - a pool party in Longfield apparently, although I can't imagine much use will have been made of the pool given that it has been raining all evening.
One of the priority tasks pre holiday has been to finish my book! I have been reading the latest Matt Haig, 'How To Stop Time' (signed first edition from Goldsboro) and excellent it was too.
Very tempting to quote the last paragraph from the book, partly because it includes the title, mostly because it is quote-worthy, but seems a bit odd to quote the very end, so here is another paragraph from a little earlier that struck me:
"People you love never die. Not completely. They live in your mind, the way they always lived inside you. You keep their light alive. If you remember them well enough, then can still guide you, like the shine of long-extinguished stars could guide ships in unfamiliar waters. If you stop mourning them, and start listening to them, they still have the power to change your life. They can, in short, be salvation."
One of the priority tasks pre holiday has been to finish my book! I have been reading the latest Matt Haig, 'How To Stop Time' (signed first edition from Goldsboro) and excellent it was too.
Very tempting to quote the last paragraph from the book, partly because it includes the title, mostly because it is quote-worthy, but seems a bit odd to quote the very end, so here is another paragraph from a little earlier that struck me:
"People you love never die. Not completely. They live in your mind, the way they always lived inside you. You keep their light alive. If you remember them well enough, then can still guide you, like the shine of long-extinguished stars could guide ships in unfamiliar waters. If you stop mourning them, and start listening to them, they still have the power to change your life. They can, in short, be salvation."
Friday, 28 July 2017
Marty
Sad news from Disney today. Marty's died.
Marty was one of the originals. He was there at the opening of Disneyland back in 1955, and had been at the opening of every Disney theme part since then. Marty was at Imagineering before Imagineering even existed. Marty wrote the words for Walt to say and to put his name to. He was a Disney Legend through and through.
He even had a window (a City Hall) on Main Street at Disneyland. I will be tracking it down and taking a picture next week.
See here for the news announcement from the front page of the company's website today.
Marty was one of the originals. He was there at the opening of Disneyland back in 1955, and had been at the opening of every Disney theme part since then. Marty was at Imagineering before Imagineering even existed. Marty wrote the words for Walt to say and to put his name to. He was a Disney Legend through and through.
He even had a window (a City Hall) on Main Street at Disneyland. I will be tracking it down and taking a picture next week.
See here for the news announcement from the front page of the company's website today.
McCain
I was thinking about mentioning Senator McCain the other day, and now I just have to.
Remember John McCain. He had a couple of goes at being President. First time around was for the 2000 election, but he lost out to George W Bush for the Republican party nomination. We all know how that went for the next eight years! Still, he stuck around as a senator, and when Dubya had run out of time, he had another go, this time securing the Republican nomination, and ran up against Obama as the Democratic nominee. Again, we know what happened, McCain was defeated, and we had the historic moment of a first black President of the USA.
However, having been a senator since the 1980s, McCain wasn't about to disappear, and he went back to work, and at the age of 80 has recently secured a sixth term in US Senate as the representative for Arizona.
Sadly, Senator McCain has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, has had surgery, and is facing an uncertain future. Upon his return to the Senate earlier this week he was afforded a standing ovation. He took the opportunity to berate his colleagues, to remind them that they'd been listening to the wrong people, to the commentators and the news outlets, the 'loudmouths'. He said that what they needed to do was to return to 'regular order', which meant listening to constituents' needs, being willing to work in a cross-party fashion, and finding a way to get things done.
Well, it didn't take long for Senator McCain to be true to his word. Irrespective of huge pressure from his own party, last night he made a stand, and decided to vote against the latest attempt by the Trump administration to repeal Obama-care. In doing so, hopefully he has safeguarded access to affordable healthcare for millions of people (something we think of as normal) for the foreseeable future, and hopefully the Trump circus will turn its attention to something else. Senator McCain needed to be there to make the difference - the vote was 51-49.
Well done Senator McCain.
Remember John McCain. He had a couple of goes at being President. First time around was for the 2000 election, but he lost out to George W Bush for the Republican party nomination. We all know how that went for the next eight years! Still, he stuck around as a senator, and when Dubya had run out of time, he had another go, this time securing the Republican nomination, and ran up against Obama as the Democratic nominee. Again, we know what happened, McCain was defeated, and we had the historic moment of a first black President of the USA.
However, having been a senator since the 1980s, McCain wasn't about to disappear, and he went back to work, and at the age of 80 has recently secured a sixth term in US Senate as the representative for Arizona.
Sadly, Senator McCain has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, has had surgery, and is facing an uncertain future. Upon his return to the Senate earlier this week he was afforded a standing ovation. He took the opportunity to berate his colleagues, to remind them that they'd been listening to the wrong people, to the commentators and the news outlets, the 'loudmouths'. He said that what they needed to do was to return to 'regular order', which meant listening to constituents' needs, being willing to work in a cross-party fashion, and finding a way to get things done.
Well, it didn't take long for Senator McCain to be true to his word. Irrespective of huge pressure from his own party, last night he made a stand, and decided to vote against the latest attempt by the Trump administration to repeal Obama-care. In doing so, hopefully he has safeguarded access to affordable healthcare for millions of people (something we think of as normal) for the foreseeable future, and hopefully the Trump circus will turn its attention to something else. Senator McCain needed to be there to make the difference - the vote was 51-49.
Well done Senator McCain.
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
New garden
Jake has been having a pretty busy time over the last couple of weeks. He's just arrived back home after 5 nights in Wales doing his practice D of E expedition (which I think has gone well, apart from a minor ankle injury, but it seems as though he struggled on through). Before that he had four days of travelling around the South East doing work experience, and discovering that the world of work turned out to be OK after all, mostly thanks to working with some interesting people. And, that was hot on the heels of spending the previous weekend at a music festival in London.
So, I expect he's fairly worn out. Good job it's the end of term in a couple of days.
Well, whilst he's been dashing around, we decided to get on with a bit of a garden project, and to that end have had a bit of a sort out of the tatty old patio in the back corner of the garden, and turned it into what we think is a rather nice spot to relax with a glass of something cool during the hot weather.
So, I expect he's fairly worn out. Good job it's the end of term in a couple of days.
Well, whilst he's been dashing around, we decided to get on with a bit of a garden project, and to that end have had a bit of a sort out of the tatty old patio in the back corner of the garden, and turned it into what we think is a rather nice spot to relax with a glass of something cool during the hot weather.
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