Entry 1, day 2 of the tour. Day 1 was mainly travelling and sleeping, but lasted 32 hours because of the time difference. Once I got on the flight, it was great - I had 4 seats to myself and watched 3 films. Has anyone seen 'Gran Torino' by Clint Eastwood? Bloody hell, it's traumatic... as was the journey to the airport, cutting it a bit fine but never mind, got there in the end! The time difference is weird - it was great having a longer day but when I was out eating my fourth or fifth meal of the day at about 8pm (west coast time), I realised it was 4am tomorrow at home - which may explain why I nearly fell asleep in my halibut.

Anyway, Day 2 has been a lot of walking. I tried to 'do' San Francisco in a day, so I've seen: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz (both from a distance), the Ferry Building, Pier 39 and the sealions, Coit Tower and the Telegraph Hill parrots, and Chinatown. The latter wasn't hugely impressive - I hope the real China is better. I've certainly been led to believe that it's bigger...

One interesting moment was realising that one of the pockets in my many-pocketed trousers wasn't as empty as I'd previously believed. Closer inspection revealed the contents to be a plectrum (bonus), and a 4.5mm drill bit. Not quite sure how that got through security at Heathrow - it could have led to some awkward questions...

Talking of awkward questions, everyone in authority was picking on me yesterday. I had to empty and re-pack my hand luggage for inspection twice at Heathrow, and the customs guy at SF, having waved everyone else through, decided that I looked like someone to interrogate. I wasn't quite with it anyway, and a bit distracted by the realisation that I didn't have any dollars on me, so my answers must have seemed a bit random.

"Who are you travelling with, sir?" "Virgin Atlantic"

"No sir, who else is in your party?" "Er - no-one, just me"

"How much currency do you have on you?" "About 6 quid"

"No sir, how much US currency?" "Er - none"

After about 2 minutes of this, where he must have suspected I had been exiled for stupidity, I was finally allowed to enter the States. Hurrah.

I've nearly used up my internet time and everything here is SO EXPENSIVE. I'm glad I'm only in the States a few days - I would blow the budget very quickly otherwise. A spare camera battery cost me $39 - ouch.

Right, I'm off for the evening - still need to hire a car for tomorrow, the Alamo near the hotel doesn't have any cars - how does that happen?! I've got a horrible feeling car hire will be horribly expensive as well, looking forward to the PCH though.

Back online soon-ish - good luck to Whitley Bay at Wembley!