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Post by born in the fifties on Feb 25, 2015 19:30:18 GMT
San Simeon means Hearst Castle, once described to me as "one man's monument to bad taste". Sounds like you're in for a great trip though, need to get your playlist for it sorted...'Do you know the way to San Jose', etc.
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Post by Raffles on Feb 25, 2015 20:13:15 GMT
San Simeon means Hearst Castle, once described to me as "one man's monument to bad taste". Sounds like you're in for a great trip though, need to get your playlist for it sorted...'Do you know the way to San Jose', etc. Think we'll give Hearst Castle a miss this time. Mrs R and I went there on a similar trip about 20 years ago, and the trouble is you have to pre book onto a set tour which is incredibly structured. They will not let you just find your own way round, and I am not someone who likes being controlled. The John Paul Getty Villa, just north of Santa Monica, is a much nicer day out IMO.
The main reason for stopping at SS is for the Pacific Ocean, which for some reason is especially romantic on that particular stretch of coast. When we stayed before, we had a dirt cheap motel, but the rooms looked straight out onto the ocean, with the whole end wall being one massive window; going to sleep with the sound of the waves was just magical. We've booked into the same motel this time, and have ocean view rooms reserved once again. About the cheapest place we've booked for the whole trip but perhaps the room I'm looking forwards to sleeping in the most.
Hear it is:
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Post by riverlodge on Feb 25, 2015 21:51:04 GMT
if you get quite south, can highly recommend La Jolla. can't recall the restaurant with the ocean view but doubt we could afford it now let alone then. what we could do though as Brits was order a whole bottle of wine at lunch time and balls out the amazed stares from the stretch faced locals.
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Post by Moz on Feb 26, 2015 7:27:09 GMT
Very excited: Finally confirmed all the bookings for our two week California/ Arizona road trip. With overnight stops in: San Francisco Monterey San Simeon Santa Barbara LA- Marina del Rey (3 days) Anahiem (Disneyland- for the girls- obvs!) Joshua Tree National Park Sedona National Park Grand Canyon (hotel right on the south rim!) Phoenix Have really pulled the stops out using airmails, Hilton Honours points, Best Western Frequent Traveller card etc etc I have managed to bring the whole thing (hotels, car and flights) in for less than one weeks holiday in Italy cost last year! Can't wait Can i come? I can hide in a suitcase.....
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Post by jamesf on Feb 26, 2015 8:37:51 GMT
Sounds like an amazing trip Raffles.
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Post by Raffles on Feb 26, 2015 12:43:56 GMT
It's payback for the family for all the time I am away from home. And the fact that a high proportion is funded by airmails and points acquired on company business/ expense is particularly satisfying. Seems a fair trade to me!
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Post by Moz on Feb 26, 2015 12:51:55 GMT
you mean....airmiles, right? And........would i fit in your suitcase?
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Post by Raffles on Feb 26, 2015 13:22:02 GMT
if you get quite south, can highly recommend La Jolla. can't recall the restaurant with the ocean view but doubt we could afford it now let alone then. what we could do though as Brits was order a whole bottle of wine at lunch time and balls out the amazed stares from the stretch faced locals. Sadly, we cannot make it as far south as San Diego. But as well as visiting a few vineyards in Santa Maria (where I will be driving and so will have to spit), we have a night in Santa Barbara where we will definitely take on "the Urban Wine Trail". Basically, a number of vineyards in the region set up small "casas de vinos" all within walking distance of the pier (and, more importantly, my hotel!) where they let you taste a selection of local wines for a nominal fee. Most people who go are tourists just trying it out, but last time I visited, I discovered that if you show a little bit of genuine knowledge and interest, the owners are very happy to expand the experience beyond their standard list at no extra cost. Last time I found a place run by some expat Brits who were trying to develop Rhone style wines in SoCal and had a very, very good time!
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Post by Raffles on Feb 26, 2015 13:23:23 GMT
you mean....airmiles, right? And........would i fit in your suitcase? Maybe, but you'd have to lie down in the boot of the car, and I'm not even going to start on who's bed you might have to share!
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Post by Moz on Feb 26, 2015 13:32:53 GMT
i will practise my bendiness. I can sleep anywhere, as long as there is a pillow.
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Post by kerry1 on Feb 26, 2015 20:34:53 GMT
A little stopover at the Madonna Inn (no capes! as Edna Mode said), hopefully? Not too far from San Simeon and a great place for the memory bank. Actually we quite liked the whole Hearst Castle thing, despite its limitations is so eye-bogglingly entertaining I'd do the other two (?) tours. Rosebud & European Tours, eh. Love a bit of Monterey too. Just don't eat like they do...Gawd, the portions and refills!
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Post by Raffles on Feb 28, 2015 13:59:18 GMT
A little stopover at the Madonna Inn (no capes! as Edna Mode said), hopefully? Not too far from San Simeon and a great place for the memory bank. Actually we quite liked the whole Hearst Castle thing, despite its limitations is so eye-bogglingly entertaining I'd do the other two (?) tours. Rosebud & European Tours, eh. Love a bit of Monterey too. Just don't eat like they do...Gawd, the portions and refills! We looked at staying at the Madonna Inn but it was v hard to get affordable accommodation for all five of us. But have thought about stopping their for lunch. Would you recommend that, Kerry? And if so, which restaurant should we book (I am inclined to book the café as the steakhouse looks super expensive).
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Post by kerry1 on Mar 1, 2015 9:39:15 GMT
The restaurant is the full experience - you'll never eat anywhere like it...you only do this once. We were on a free set of flights & were (even) poor(er) then, but well worth the proper American kitsch experience, don't hold back on this one! Stay if there's any way you can.
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Post by riverlodge on Mar 3, 2015 12:50:32 GMT
on the basis that this is a good day to bury other news, just to let you know I have been offered a new job (subject to Ts & Cs and wotnot)
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Post by Moz on Mar 3, 2015 13:15:59 GMT
nice one.
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Post by mrsimonw on Mar 3, 2015 13:24:49 GMT
Well done RL!
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Post by born in the fifties on Mar 3, 2015 15:53:35 GMT
on the basis that this is a good day to bury other news, just to let you know I have been offered a new job (subject to Ts & Cs and wotnot) Hopefully not lifeguarding 'Swimming in the Lake'!
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Post by Moz on Mar 10, 2015 10:20:38 GMT
I hate Phlegm. Phlegm can fuck RIGHT off.
That is all.
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Post by Raffles on Mar 10, 2015 13:35:28 GMT
I hate Phlegm. Phlegm can fuck RIGHT off. That is all. That's now way to speak about a fellow former! What did Phlegm ever say to hurt you? Said he didn't like Amplifier, perhaps?
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Post by Moz on Mar 10, 2015 13:43:27 GMT
was there a forumer called Phlegm? What a rubbish name.
No offence to said member. Obviously. I am, of COURSE, talking about the shitty green mucus that is pointless. And the more you cough, the more your throat creates. Fact (according to wikipedia).
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Post by Raffles on Mar 10, 2015 15:34:53 GMT
I think your cold must have gone to your head, Moz!
Maybe I should have put one of those winky things in my previous post.
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Post by maddix85 on Mar 12, 2015 18:24:36 GMT
in the last couple of weeks i've had an unexpected hospital stay (my first ever and the nhs is awesome - i wont hear a bad word against it) and then had a promotion at work. its been a busy time.
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Post by kerry1 on Mar 13, 2015 20:35:52 GMT
Good to hear you had a positive experience (don't forget to fill in the Disney form - would you recommend us to friends and family!) & great news about the promotion - they obviously missed you while you were away. Been busy in the ! household, with mother-of-love falling directly onto her face, now smiling through looking like she should be a victim on Crimewatch. Then a visit to 1The Younger's university halls. Let's leave it that she's moved flat & we are all sleeping better.
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Post by riverlodge on Mar 24, 2015 12:39:09 GMT
hope that everyone with a malady, whether or not self inflicted, is doing better. just had the most brilliant long weekend in embra, so back to work today is a real challenge.
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Post by eiepete on Apr 16, 2015 21:11:18 GMT
Moved house last week and now have no mortgage yahoo!only took 14 months from the sale of my house to moving into my new place dam stressful
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