This is a note for my colleagues at work, from a recent trip visiting VSO Million Hours Fund work in Mozambique Monday 11th October began my Africa week with a visit to a hedge fund which specialises in Africa. I’ve never spoken to a hedge fund before... but I had met the founder at a parliamentary event on women in leadership in Africa and followed up to see if there was any interest in supporting our work. Then later that same day it was a flight to Mozambiq...

Day 1 Arrived in Reykjavik on Saturday and had a little explore. The city is not like many places I've visited. Not that it's particularly remarkable, just different, and that's refreshing. No chains in the main street, and a gentle slope to where a square opens out with the harbour on one side, and the main, unusually shaped church, up on the left. The alphabet is different and I can't begin to understand the language, though everyone speaks English. Coffee see...

Last few hours in San Francisco. Walked across the Golden Gate Bridge this morning, in a cool and foggy city. Bit of shopping and of course a coffee and a bike shop visit. Time for home.

I've looked at that view over the years in photos and paintings, and it doesn't disappoint, it's even better in real life. The light, the clean air, such clarity in the view. So a couple of days in the National Park, looking at sights; walking up Mount Hoffman in the High Sierras; and cycling along the Valley floor. Lots of looking up at granite walls, and trying to spot the ant-like climbers; watching majestic waterfalls and looking across lakes. And camping too...

A good day in San Francisco, exploring Lower Haight, Nob Hill, and SoMA. Had coffee recommendations to track down. Couldn't resist a little Cable Car trip, and a visit to the restored Ferry Building. Even passed the apple conference, but they wouldn't let me in. Now time to head north to Yosemite and camping for a couple of nights.