16th September

Up early again today. Can’t get the hang of the time difference, and it’s a hot one yet again.

We set off on the bus to the gaslamp quarter in downtown San Diego, expecting it to be full of bijou shops and interesting places to see, but it’s like every other shopping area. Big coffee chains, huge store, and not much charm. The Convention Centre here is enormous,and there were hundreds of delegates heading there this morning. We managed well in the bus and train system, which was quick, efficient and clean.

Having mooched around the gaslamp quarter we headed back to little Italy for a morning omelette, before deciding it was far too hot to do anything. The humidity was so high. We dropped in for a cooling beer having said hello to Gracie, the rescued harbour seal who lives at the hotel.

. She was sunbathing with her body and flippers out of huge pool, and head submerged!

And now we have had the most stupendous thunderstorm, with lightning and heavy rain. The water is pouring into the sea, having flooded the road.

So tonight is our last night in San Diego. Tomorrow we will check out and we will head to hotel del Coronado where the movie Some Like It Hot was filmed, before heading back to drop the car at the airport and heading off home. Not sure if I will be able to post anything once we check out of the hotel, but it has been the most amazing trip. Full of laughs and adventures, and beers, and Bloody Marys that remove enamel from your teeth, and friendly natives, and black bears and deserts and mountains. Thank you Liz, it’s been incredible.

See you all very soon, folks. Hope you have enjoyed being with us on some of the highlights, but you will never know the entire stories. What goes on tour, stays on tour!