Bugg@r me! Nick was up at the crack of dawn again! He was awake at 5 but managed not to wake me up til 5.40. He decided he'd treat me by rushing off down the road to get a Starbucks. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love coffee but I could barely get my eyes open. It was still pitch black. It was a lovely gesture but if he really wants to treat me, he could just let me sleep in. Never, on holiday, have I looked or felt worse. The photos are a right treat!

Saw dolphins again this morning at first light, and by the time we were having breakfast the sea otters were out too. Funny little things they are. Swimming on their backs with their heads stuck in the air. Went to the restaurant for brekko. Nick had plans of going to 'In and Out' but they don't open til 10.30. Its 9.30 now and we're meant to be on the road. Instead Nick is outside talking animatedly to his mate, James. The more excited he's getting the louder he's getting and the swear words are coming thick and fast. Deeeelightful! We'll be leaving soon and heading down the coast to Morro Bay. Nicks truly beside himself. I'm just looking forward to getting in the hot tub tonight.

7.15pm Morro Bay coffee shop.

I don't know where to start. There are so many words just dying to spew out onto the pages. Every day since we arrived I think I have seen the most amazing things, and then the next day comes along and shows me something new and equally amazing as the say before. It's been like an emotional roller-coaster!

We finally got into the car and on the road a 10.20, somewhat later than we intended as Nick had whipped himself into a frenzy and didn't seem able to focus on packing or getting organised. He was too busy pacing about, yelling down the phone at anyone that would listen, or squeezing me and rattling me about. He finally calmed down enough to get us on the road and we hit the coast, Highway 1, with about 3 hours driving ahead of us. There was so much to that it actually took us nearer 6 hours. We had to keep stopping to look at the views. They are like nothing I have ever seen . A vast expense of ragged coast. Miles and miles of beaches being battered by the crashing waves. We got to Bixby Bridge quicker than expected and it caught us by surprise. We'd barely parked the car and Nick was off and running, arm outstretched, clutching the Gopro. I didn't bother to follow. Just gave him a minute to be consumed by the amazement that had obviously gripped him. I took loads of pictures of the bridge, pictures of Nick, he took pictures of me and a stranger took pictures of us both! Back in the car to fix the Gopro to the dash so we could film us driving over the bridge. It made Nicks day.

I've taken absolutely loads of pictures but don't actually feature in many. Partly because I look like s*** on a stick and partly because Nick is completely incapable of taking a picture. I tried to show him how to use my camera but I was wasting my time. He can't stand still long enough to take a decent picture. I asked him to take one of me earlier and he wasn't even pointing the lens at me! Needless to say, the picture was crap and I won't be asking him again. My astonishment at Nicks photo taking skills, or lack thereof, were soon forgotten. We climbed and climbed the coast road until we were above the clouds. The coast road is really twisty and turny. I always feel like I ought to keep my eyes on the road as I cant be sure Nicks always are. He's too busy titting about with the Gopro, his phone, the radio…..

The route took us through a national park that seems to have been on fire. There were fire warning signs and park closure signs all over the place. It makes me feel really sad. I thought I saw smoke at one point and nearly went into one. Luckily Nick was quick to point out that we'd smell it if it was smoke. Turns out it was just the sea mist blowing over. Phew!

I was just recovering from that little episode when I stumbled upon another. We stopped for a drink in a tiny little place called Gorda. It had a petrol station, general store and a café. You just know they were all inbreds. Out of desperation I used the toilet but only after I made Nick come with me. It was like something from a horror film. Filth and flies were clearly visible. Axe wielding murders might not have been visible but certainly wouldn't have been out of place. As if my poor legs haven't endured enough these past few days, I had to hover to have a wee. If my thighs weren't burning before, they were after. Gave me the right heebee-geebees. I couldn't get out of there quick enough. Luckily, I slathered myself in hand sanitiser and felt a little better.

Making me feel better still was the enourmous bald eagle that glided along by the side of our car! It had the widest wingspan and a massive pink bald head. My eyeballs nearly popped out. We pulled over to try and get a picture but he was gone as quickly as a he appeared.

The scenery was completely different to what we had both expected. A bit of it was costal but most of it was lush green national park. It was thick fog for most of the day so the view was very similar to the Yorkshire moors. The fog cleared long enough for us to see the Elephant Seals on the beach though. Huge, lazy, fat seals all just sunning themselves. They were so beautiful. I nearly cried looking at their little sleepy faces. I took about 50 pictures and could hardly tear myself away. I could have watched them all day. Nick, on the other hand, took about 5 photos and spent as many minutes looking. That was him done. All that excitement gave us an appetite so we went to taco temple for an early dinner. We both had a burrito which was, quite honestly, the biggest thing I ever saw. I think I'd have fainted if I'd eaten the whole thing. As it was I could hardly move.

Arrived at the hotel shrouded in more thick fog, full up, freezing cold and dead on our feet. We'd booked a hot tub at Sycamore springs for 7.30 but decided to cancel. We'd have frozen to death. Opted instead for a stroll along the main street, a coffee and a cake and a soak in the bath. We didn't even drive to the rock. Settled for a picture from a distance. You couldn't see it anyway, because of the fog, but you could hear the seals yapping their heads off.

We leave here after breakfast. Got a big drive ahead of us again. Going to Santa Monica but we want to go to Oxnard first where BTTF was filmed. Sad but true. Jo from Airbnb sent us a text earlier to see what time we plan to arrive. We're aiming for 4pm so a full day on the road. Must remember the suntan lotion!