Hi Folks! Well done for finding this website! Ben and I have been having a great time, we hit California in the middle of a heatwave which was lush, but now its a bit cold.

LA: On our first night there walking along the beach in the sunset- a pod of dophins followed us back! We did a cheesy bus tour of Hollywood to see the sights and celebrity homes, then checked out the famous hand-prints etc. Stayed in Venice beach and dinner in Santa Monica a couple of nights.

Malibu: Ben's been doing a grand job of driving us around (don't worry about the near misses Ben!!!) and Em's the bossy navigator. The surf in Malibu was pretty good, but busy - Ben was looking cool, and Em soaked up the rays. Had a nice Motel there, and thoroughly enjoyed a "take-out" pizza with our bottle of Moet from Ben's parents on the plane - thank you!!!

San Luis Obispo: what a great place! Proper American town with those swings outside and long streets! Stayed in a hostel and over breakfast watched the swearing in of Obama with a load of Americans over sour dough pancakes.

Big Sur: Driving up the Pacific Highway was awesome - what fantastic views. But the best bit was stumbling upon a beach absolutely covered in Elephant seals - all blubbering away. There must have been at least 500.

Santa Cruz: We didnt really like it here (not a pretty place and lots of homeless) but the surrounding towns we explored were really nice. Some more surf spots for Ben and went on a whale watching boat trip at Monteray Bay - saw 6-10 Grey Whales migrating to Alaska, got pretty close too. Also went to the 'Mystery Spot' which weirdly seems to defy the laws of gravity and magnitism, plus the scenic 17-mile drive and golfers famous Pebble Beach. Stayed in a lush B&B with a hot tub! Em has become a fan of Clam Chowder - yum!

San Francisco: Where we currently are. We've seen the Golden Gate and Alcatraz and hoping to go to a blues bar tonight!

Phew! Sorry couldn't get many photos on as taking too long.

Hope everyone is good back home - send us some update emails please!!

Speak to you soon, Em and Ben xx