On Sunday we took a wander round SoMa (South of Market St) and ate some scrummy Moroccan food in Yerba Buena gardens before taking the Streetcar up the “Embarkadero” to Fisherman’s Wharf where we caught the ferry to Alcatraz. We did the audio tour, where you walk around with a headset on and listen to ex-prisoners and guards talking about life on The Rock. We learnt all about the escape attempts and had a demonstration of the “Sounds of the Slammer” – the cell doors opening and shutting, which is really loud and a bit scary (prisoners trying to leave a cell as the doors were closing were likely to get their ribs broken)! I’d give Alcatraz 8 out of 10 – it would have scored higher, but there were too many people on the tour to get a real feel of the eeriness of the place…

Yesterday we did more sightseeing – took a cable car to see the crookedest street and then a few buses to see Golden Gate bridge (it’s enormous!), then down to Golden Gate Park and Haight Ashbury where all the hippies hang out. Kit’s credit card took a bit of a bashing, but he bought some super-funky shoes (blue insides and a radio on the sole) from here. I could have spent all day browsing the shops – underwear boutiques, crazy joke/novelty shops, cool T-shirt and clothing places, quirky jewellery, police hats…

Today we headed out of San Fran, up the coast to the giant redwoods, with a stop off at Dad’s friend Laurie and his wife Diane’s amazing house. Diane spoilt us with scrummy sarnies, crisps, strawberries and ice-cream. The boys couldn’t resist the pool and jumped in with boxers/shorts on! Their garden is gorgeous and they have resident lizards, hummingbirds, squirrels, woodpeckers and even giant turkey buzzards circling overhead looking for nearby roadkill. We all decided that we could live there – 10 out of 10!

Today we’re loving:
The weather
Diane’s food and company
Cool critters
Amazing scenery
Fabulous pool

Today we’re missing:
A decent car (Kit)
Sugar-free peanut butter (Gude)
Fresh vegetables (Isaac)

More soon, love Gude x