Horsing around in Tehachapi

The drive from L.A. to Tehachapi is long and driver James is tired from the walk. We are inadvertently caught up in road rage as a car in the lane next to us is sticking by our side no matter what we do and he's doing it to wind up the guy in the big truck behind him! When he finally speeds up and moves in front of us the truck driver isn't happy and decides to return the favour. We slow down and keep our distance, not very rock and roll of us but the truck driver was a bit scary! Finally pulling up in the horse ranch we are warmly greeted by Nancy and Don who introduce us to their 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, a donkey and a grumpy goat who doesn't come out to say hello. Even though it's late we have a nice chat with Nancy and Don and they tell us that the most recent addition to the family arrived today, Lola the dog. She is a very nervous dog, especially on the slippery kitchen tiles but Nancy and Don are doing a great job of settling her in. We're happy to hear that deaf dog Boomer accepts our visit by barking at us and then pointing his bottom at us for a scratch, nice to meet you too Boomer! Time for bed in the cosy trailer.

Boomer

Lola was even scared of the camera.

Missy Sissy

Mo says hello

Grumpy Banjo

We wake up to the sounds of birds singing and a noisy donkey which makes a nice change from the noises of a big city like L.A. It's Christine's first time at taking the wheel and she drives into the town centre to see what's going on. It's a nice small quiet town and everyone we speak to is really friendly but seem perplexed as to why we're staying here for a week! We eat in a cafe and watch a really, really, really long freight train go past. This draws our attention to the Train Depot museum and while we're not big train enthusiasts we enjoy finding out about the historic railway and the famous Tehachapi Loop (if a train is long enough and goes on the loop it ends up 'driving over itself'), we'll have to visit the loop at some point this week. Back at the ranch Nancy and Don have kindly invited us to join them for a steak dinner; it's a tri-tip, which we've never heard of but it's a southern speciality apparently. While waiting we watch the hummingbirds around the feeder, they're fascinating to watch. Dinnertime, the steaks are delicious, the A-1 sauce does what it says on the tin and dessert is a huge Oreo cake, we're in heaven! We have a great time chatting the night away and somehow the conversation gets on to whale sex (?!), we decide to call it a night and Nancy tops off a great evening by giving us some girl scout cookies, yey!

It's time to walk off last night's dinner by going for a hike up Tehachapi mountain but first we head to the local bakery, Kohnan's to pick up some lunch. Nancy suggested we buy one sandwich between us and she wasn't wrong...gotta love US portions! It's a hard walk (7000ft and very steep) but we make it as far up to the top as we're allowed (the very top is on private land, spoilsports) albeit a bit out of breath and celebrate by walking back down again and having our huge sandwich while admiring the view. Back at the trailer we watch a film given to us by Nancy and it's another win for Christine as DeNiro is in it (swoon). After some food and a quick chat with our hosts we go to bed (told you it was a hard climb!)

Today Nancy has promised to give us a horse riding lesson on Missy Sissy. She gives James some heels to wear and teaches us how to groom the horses (It brings back CHICKS charity memories for Christine) before taking us to the field to saddle up. James starts tucking his jeans into the top of the boots (works for wellies!) but gets laughed at and told not to as "you don't want to look like a rookie". It's Christine's turn first but she can't seem to get the horse to do what she wants so she's happy to let James have his turn. Grinning from ear to ear, he's loving it! Nancy says "look at that, he's found his peace with the horse" after a while of horsing around it's time for food before James gets a turn at driving Don's VW Beetle (chaperoned by Nancy of course). He's always wanted one so it's a real treat but Nancy nearly has a heart attack when he slows for a cattle grid and we nearly get rear-ended by the car behind. Over here they just bomb over them at 60mph! We drive to Brite Lake which is really pretty with wood carved sculptures all around it. A trip to K-Mart is needed and we find a bargain, 18 horror films for $5! That's our night sorted.

Although we're enjoying Tehachapi it's time to venture out to Bakersfield which has a small zoo called CALM. All of the animals are unwanted pets or animals that have become too dependant on humans to survive in the wild. It's a glorious day and we have a nice stroll around the zoo, saying hello to porcupines, beavers, crazy chipmunks and bears. An attention seeking Roadrunner came to say hello by tapping on the glass where we were standing, beep beep!

 It was nice and quiet so we didn't bump into too many people but that did have a disadvantage when we went to feed the goats and the two big bullies kept pushing the others out the way.

After a few hours we make our way to the centre for some food and find a nice looking restaurant. Christine decides to be healthy and orders a salad secretly hoping it is an American sized portion but when it arrives it's teeny! It is lovely though and James is willing to share his fries and huge sandwich so all ends well (for Christine anyway). We've heard that Bakersfield's main attraction is Dewers ice cream parlour and taffy shop so of course we have to sample the goods. Two ice creams later and we're ready to head home via the crazy shop that is Wal-mart. It is huuuuuge but luckily we know what we're after so we don't get too lost but do treat ourselves to our first tray of 12 donuts. Yummy!

Exciting day today as it's time to see the famous Tehachapi Loop! After waiting for half an hour for a train a nice bearded man pulls up and tells us that the train is stuck in the next town and won't be here for at least an hour and half, doh! Fortunately we have a back up plan and drive to the historic Keene cafe for some food, maybe we'll see the train on the way back?

Finishing our huge portions (seeing a theme yet?) we head back to the loop but still have no joy, we'll have to try again before we leave. The next adventure is a nature walk at Stallion Springs, it's so peaceful and we enjoy watching the ground squirrels, lizards and red tailed hawks but don't see any bobcats, tut. Back at the ranch James offers to cook bean chilli for Nancy and Don. They look a bit confused by the idea but the offer is much appreciated, we're the first guests to cook for them. We have another great evening of food, wine and squidgy brownies baked by Nancy and top it all off with an episode of the Big Bang Theory.

It's our last day in Tehachapi so we're going to go to the other famous activity...Ostrich feeding! The tour is good but concentrates a little too much on the 'uses' of ostriches for Christine's liking. We even met a celebrity ostrich (Ralph) who appeared in a Megadeath video and who fell in love on set with a lady with a feather headdress heehee! Next we collect our super size spoons and head for the feeding pen. The ostriches are so fast at eating the food it's all gone in seconds and we have to keep taking the spoon away so that they all get some. Some aren't even bothered when the spoons are empty and try to eat those instead.

After buying some camping gear for our next stop we go back to the Ranch where Nancy asks us for a beer, "Don wants to make you Beer Can Chicken!". What a lovely surprise and fun way to end our stay in Tehachapi, we'll definitely be trying this one at home although we forgot to ask for Nancy's recipe for her gorgeous honey bread.

The next morning we say goodbye to Nancy and Don and thank them for the wonderful time we had there. They are the nicest and most generous hosts we've met so far, it feels like saying goodbye to family as we drive off in search of Yosemite National Park.

Los Angeles

Start of adventure, part 2!

Finally the day arrives to set off to the States on the second part of our travels. We fly to LA, rather conveniently, from Manchester so we start with a lift to Salford Crescent (thanks Pat!) to jump on a train to the airport. Unfortunately it's also commuter time and because of our bags we can't fit on the train when it arrives, but lucky for us the Platform Controller sees, takes pity on us and promises to get us on the next one. Sure enough when it arrives he pushes us to the front of the queue and orders everyone to make room so we can squeeze on. It's a shame we didn't get his name but big thanks to him or we'd have been waiting at the platform until forever! Our flight is a bit delayed so we have plenty of time for the constitutional airport drink courtesy of Christine's mum (thanks Pat!) before we board and leave the UK. Again.

Having just decided that we'll watch Last Vegas together on the plane (Christine's happy as it's got DeNiro in!) James finds that some plonker has snapped off his headphone plug in the socket of his chair...argh! Maybe we'll get to change to first class seats? No chance, but at least we get to move; to a window seat with no window! Time to settle down? No...this socket is busted too but we're far too British to complain again and make do with sharing Christine's. Hope we didn't miss out on an upgrade. After another film, a couple of meals and a few glasses of free wine, we land in Philadelphia for our connection. Too bad this plane is a normal domestic flight so no films or food for this 5 hour flight. It is the evening when we fly into LA so we get to see the city lit up at night. It goes on and on and on and on and on... scary!

Customs is pretty painless. Christine goes first so she gets asked all the questions about our plans and then we go to find our car. After being quizzed by the rental assistant about why we're not married after 2+ years together (awkward!) James picks a sickly green Kia (great choice James!) because "it's a bit higher and might not get lost in between all the trucks". Time to navigate around a strange, massive city in an unfamiliar car at what seems to be the tail end of rush hour. Eek. James must have done OK though as we arrive safely at our home for the next couple of days and meet our host, Mario.

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Poor Mario has been stuck in a wheelchair for a few months since being attacked by a drugged up madman on his way home one night but he assures his it wasn't anywhere near his neighbourhood. He's obviously glad to have visitors because he is very chatty, and when he runs out of things to say he just starts over! He is full of good advice about how to get around in the city though.

We know that jet lag will hit sooner or later but figure that we should do as much as possible before it does so we decide to hit Hollywood straight away. Universal Studios looks like fun so that's our first stop but when we see the price ($85 each) we decide that having our picture taken in front of the sign and with King Kong will be enough for now.

It's star spotting on the Walk of Fame next, which starts off with us not really knowing anyone until we get further towards the centre of town and see the really famous names, Woody Woodpecker, Kermit, Bugs Bunny and other slightly less legendary names! James gets all giddy every time he sees someone from Star Trek while Christine says "Who?".

As we get to the centre of Hollywood and the crowds get bigger James is picked out by the worlds worst look a like team as 'Captain America' points and says "You've got me on your shirt!" Soon we're joined by a miniature Avatar alien and; a black Marilyn Monroe too who insist on having countless pictures before asking for money. "Err, we've not got any cash at the moment mate", that's no problem for these guys who give us very specific directions to a cash point but thankfully stop short of marching us round there so we seize our chance and make a run for it!

Our next stop is the Chinese theater with all the celebrity hand/foot prints in concrete. We have great fun searching for our favourites and then, in Christine's case getting very excited because "DeNiro has the same size hands as me!!!"

All the excitement and heat has made us tired so we head for a bar (Irish of course!) to take advantage of happy hour, watch the crazy people walk along Hollywood Boulevard, and share a starter portion of cheesy chips that fills both of us up. So by now we're ready to head back and give in to the jet lag and as we make our way back to the train we are asked to spare some change, replying that we don't have any the man very loudly shouts "Nothing?! What did you spend it all on?! Are you on crack? You crackheads ain't choo?!" Ahhhh Hollywood you are classy.

We decide to get off the train a stop early to see what Olvera Street is like. It's a lively, colourful Mexican street full of stalls, restaurants and colourful displays. At the end of the street we hear music and see lots of people having a good ol' bop to fun music. Christine instantly falls in love with Olvera street and James has to drag her back to the apartment!

The next morning we're up early and find the nice surprise of a parking ticket. Why? Because we didn't turn our wheels on a hill, arghh! How were we to know that? Oh well you live and learn so we put it to the back of our minds and go to explore downtown L.A. There's not much to report about that really, we saw the Walt Disney concert hall and a few funny signs before getting on the train to go to Venice beach. It's a long journey but we finally get there and stop to eat our butties under the watchful eyes of some hungry seagulls. Time to walk along the front where there are stalls and a few street entertainers; the dog dressed in a bikini with dollar bills shoved in it's bottoms was a bit disturbing. Back on the train we stop at the science centre but it is only open for another hour so we settle for watching the squirrels in the rose garden before facing the long journey home via another stop at Olvera street (Christine can't get enough!)

Today we are joining a group of people to do a hike up to the Hollywood sign. It's free to join in as it's a local man who just wants to show people around and meet new friends (There are lots of group activities like this for all around the world, Couchsurfing.org and meetup.com are the websites to look at). To get there we drive down the famous Sunset Boulevard which contains part of Route 66! Stupidly Christine hasn't got her camera to hand so misses her chance to get a picture of the sign, doh! Meeting up with the group the hike starts with a trip to the Batcave which James is very excited about, the leader seems to be in a rush so its a few quick pictures before starting the 'sign' hike. It's a very hot day but also very clear which is lucky for us as apparently it's usually very foggy over the city. The group stops at a big tree which is supposed to be the tree from the famous story of The Giving Tree. There are lots of notes in the tree from people asking for their wishes to come true. Moving on we reach the top of the mountain and are above and behind the Hollywood Sign. It's surrounded by a fence so we can't touch it but we get great views of the city and a very nice man takes our photo for us.

Making our way back down the leader starts to walk back the way we came, but we want to see the front of the sign! We're not the the only ones and a small group breaks off and heads in the direction of the sign. We get a few obligatory photos with the sign before heading back down with the rebel group. It's nice to chat to the other people in the group and we get some tips for our travels. By the time the hike is over we've been invited to go for a meal and drinks which we'd love to do but we're already late for our next stop, the horse ranch in Tehachapi.

Brussels

We've come to the last city on the European leg of our travels and we're here for one reason only (no, not the beer) to see our good friends Mark and Anais. We landed quite late in the afternoon so have enough time to check in with our host and meet our housemate Frank before meeting up with Mark and Anais to go to a traditional Belgium Irish pub where we meet up with some of Mark's friends. We have a good laugh, good beers and gorgeous pommes frites before heading back for a good snooze.

Today's weather is beautiful and Anais mentions that there is a Quiddich match going on in a nearby park so we have a wander over, keep our eyes open for broomsticks and our ears open for 'rah rah rah!' chants. Unfortunately it's not as easy to find a Quiddich match as you'd think so we settle for a nice walk around the park before heading back and getting treated to leek and cheese flan cooked by Anais, yum yum!
Next up Mark promises to take us to a hip and happening place where we can dance the night away...oh no, sorry, it's Greek football, not dancing. I always get those two mixed up. After an exciting match (ha!) we move on to the next place accompanied by Mark's friend George, and the place is packed! We debate whether to befriend a man who is crying into his sandwich just to nick the seats on his table but by the time we nominate George to make the move the man has gone and a swarm of people have nabbed the table. 3rd time's a charm as we move onto the next bar where we find a seat, listen to good music and meet up with more of Mark and Anais' friends. James makes a new BBF in James and they natter together like two old women... "I have a house in Wythenshawe", "so do I!! Wait, your name is James? So is mine!!", it was meant to be! After forcing Andreas to head bang to Nirvana with his luscious locks we ask for the bill and keep quiet when we realise they've undercharged us. All except James of course, the bigmouth. Anais is on the case with a "shuuutttt upppp!!" and most probably a kick under the table and we get away with a nice cheap tab.

The next day we finally manage to get up and go round to Mark and Anais' to be spoilt again, eggy bread this time, mmmmmm! We have an afternoon/evening of playing board games (how could you forget Fox Mulder, Mark?) before saying our thanks and goodbyes and leaving them in peace.

Our last day in Brussels is a lonely one as Mark and Anais have to go to work. We have time to kill before our flight and even though we've been many times before we will never get tired of Brussels so we go for a stroll around the Grand Place, take in the amazing street art and find the smallest house in Brussels. Next up it's a trip to see Christine's favourite little man, Manneken Pis! We've never seen him dressed up before so Christine gets excited to see him in a top hat and tails, he looks so dapper. A nice lady offers to take our picture for us but she seems to have missed the point about why we, and all the other tourists, are in this spot. We now have a very nice picture of us in front of a fence. James asks her to take another photo and although she doesn't know why we want another one, this time she manages to fit Mr Pis in the photo, just about anyway! We manage to fit in one more Belgian beer and a portion of frites before heading to the airport.

Thanks for a great weekend Mark and Anais, we had so much fun we forgot to take any pictures of the days spent with you, doh! :-)

Grand Place

Tin tin!

The smallest house 

Yey Manneken Pis!

"Yes love it is a nice fence but..."

"Errrr that's...better...thanks!