A Long Way To Mandalay --Especially when via Redondo

So most would think us two to being absolutely daft as brushes but it had to be done , even at the expense  of a headache--well I defy anyone not used to driving in LA, to get around unscathed and that goes for navigation too.

I did work out again yesterday that the road and block grid system here in the states can dramatically help with your orientation, when you think your getting lost-- if you see a road that has the name you know you have to use but you also know that your miles from that point , then the likelihood is that while it might be slower, that the road you see right now will in fact get you to where you eventually want to be.  See, easy isn't it.

So what had to be done you might ask--well going to Tony's of course. BTW--according to Rodney when you say the word "Tony's" you have to do so with a new York accent--emphasised to sound like one of those guys from a Frank Sinatra movie.

Some traditions are worth going that extra mile for and when and this one is ours when we are in LA but of course it would have been better with Rod and Ann therewith us.

So here is the place all the fuss was about---



A complex that includes this------

 

And most especially this----

 

Best Clam Chowder south of Mo's Restaurant in Cannon Beach , Oregon

 

You also see plenty of these--

quite a few of these-----

Occasionally one of these--- Well once every 6 years or so----

I was actually very happy to be here despite what the picture might show--blimey a bit stern or what--

And lots of these + plus the noise of course which they say is very therapeutic--

 

And some of these

More of these---

And occasionally one of these---

 

We did manage to get one together that we can keep to show " We wuz ere"at Tony's and Rodondo--

I like this picture

The main entrance into the restaurant----

And Lynda says this is for Ann--cant think why , although we have always had a spoon when making the coffee and such , despite the hotels giving you these little plastic sticks---strange that !!!!

 

So after a late lunch we took the good old I-1 pacific coast Highway north to our hotel at Mandalay Beach north of Malibu---

 We saw this---Hope Jason is reading--forget San Francisco man-- Malibu is the place to be

 

 Got here around 4.30pm

 

 

And this is our room and views -------

 

  This is the bedroom and we have a separate lounge---

Our patio---

 

Our View----

On our way to the managers reception or Happy Hour (or two) to you and me---

 

The water at 5.30pm is warm---

This is for later today

 

After happy hour at around 7.30pm on the Grill restaurant patio----

Sun setting in the west---

Thanks to a really nice couple taking a shot of Lynda and me--nice picture of the Pacific behind-- and I think tat is the Island of Anacopa behind--- too close for it to be Santa Cruz--

And this was our first walk on the beach with sand in our toe'----

So we went to bed with the window open and the sound of waves crashing in the back ground--such a great sound , especially if your a wannabee surfing dude like Jason to advise that Surf's Up---give it up Jason -- Newquay don't cut it---mind you there is a naval air force base nearby so maybe you could get on an exchange program and get out here--- This is this morning outside our window---

 

  So that's it from a very nice hotel on a beautiful beach and we are looking forward to meeting Elaine for lunch today at the hotel and a day by the pool with book

 

I do reckon that I have finally worked out the way that the Americans spread their day and make the budget go better---

• So they are up at 6am for a breakfast, and come back just before it shuts at 9am for seconds.
• They go to Subway and have a $5 dollar roll of their choice and one of their 12 " will keep anyone going.
• They come to the Hotel managers early evening bash where they can get finger food and drinks for free and then retire to their room to crash out from 8pm,  till they get up again at 5.30am and start over---cheap but suffices and then claim the expenses for full meals--sounds like a plan.

Ok , so I shall take my cynicism and disappear and promise not to return till tomorrow-- Ok Dude where's my board--hey Lynda, you finished waxing it for me yet------ :-)