Philynda's Travels: california dreaming ----

There is most definitely something about LA , that isn't just about the big Hollywood sign----

Yeah, ok so it is pretty impressive on the top of the hill overlooking the place--- just in case they should forget where they are.

But there is always a nice eclectic mixture of old and new, of indigenous folk , immigrant folk, visiting folk & tourists -- not old as in Hampton court old , but old as in keeping the discreet dining venues going , especially those that would have had any remote link to the likes of the Rat Pack or anything to do with the Film Studios-- it's an image of lounge dining --m like the place that we went to eat last night a few blocks up from the hotel--- a bit too far for Lynda as it turned out who has suffered agonies with her knee ever since.

Anyway here is where we ate-----

Although not so cheep, it continued the tradition of supplying us with 4 meals that would do a good job in feeding an Army platoon.

The service and the quality of the food however was faultless and with a decent chilled white to wash it down it was a good choice.

So today Terry & Charlotte are out and about in Universal studios and Hollywood as a whole while we are at the hotel by the pool or in Lynda's case pool and washing machines- ok so maybe its not fare but it would take me all day to do what she does in an hour or two and with no guarantees that any of the clothes would ever fit anyone again.

The hotel is a nice place that apparently has been here since 1904, but it looks like it may have had a coat or two since then----

A very Hispanic entrance as are many things in California

With a really nice internal courtyard with sofa's -- now just hoping that the bar will be open tonight.

There is a lot to do here in LA and we hope that the youngsters get stuck in but for us today is a chillin , washing and general relaxing day - while tomorrow we will be taking things easy until we meet up again with Lyndas family here in LA-- cant wait for that.

One thing we have managed to do is to get a cable that allows me to download from lynda's camera to this tablet and there are as always a multitude of piccies some of which are really excellent , so prepare to be amazed although they may be a bit random.

Brothers in arms having a glass or two in a sports bar the first night we all met up at the Ramada Hotel.

Me and my 3 kids -- I think the shock was that the bill wasn't as bad as I expected---

The first bit of pool time for these 2 though theyve seen a bit since then.

First day or so of the visit to Tanque Verde Ranch

Moody

Here we boys are with those Shadenburgs -- just make out your enjoying yourself :-)

Most definitely one of my most favourite pictures at the ranch-- looking gorgeous Ladies

Mean & Moody -- which is which -- actually J is mean until he has had his Caffeine fix and she is Moody ---well , just because she can be when you are 16 years old -- but we love her to bits!

Good shop of mum and dad for the boys to see later--

Lynsey looking real cool on her first ride---

This is Goliath -- well that's what the ranch folk call him -- been around the place a while apparently

Aunt and cousin taking care of the boys until momma and papa return--

And the Boys first exposure to being up close and personal with 2 wonderful horses--

So after a hard days riding on the prairie , we took in the sites at the OK Corral in Tombstone that I might have mentioned before but here is the evidence that we were there with these fine chaps upholding the law around there -- I gotta say that they were some very big guys---really big--- and Juliet found her spot straight away with 2 of them===

I will post many more fishing photos but I did like this shot that Jonathan suggested a lot----

Oh and finally-- this is Brandon and this is on here just so that Mollie can save the picture-- that is if she doesn't already have some of him -- sorry Craig, of course he's too old for her--