We're leaving LA today, assuming Macy passes her smog test and we don't spend too long in the queue at the DMV getting her registered. The plan is to head south to San Deigo for a few days, maybe pop over the border to Mexico and then return up this way and go to Six Flags.

We spent most of yesterday chilling. We took a trip into Santa Monica, swam in the sea at Venice beach and walked along the board walk. The size of things over here is still surprising us – last night we ordered a small bag of popcorn (aka kettle corn) and got what could have been a pillow case full of it, then I ordered a small pizza and managed to eat half of it. So we've got pizza and popcorn for breakfast…

We've not yet found anywhere that will allow us to upload photos (i.e. the hostel internet machines haven't), but rest assured that we've taken some cool ones & will post them soon: we need to find a net cafe with a printer so that we can get our cheap Six Flags tickets, so maybe that'll be our chance to upload them.

The trip has started: We've now arrived in Los Angeles. 😀

The flight wasn't too bad, but it was quite long and we didn't sleep too well. We got to our hostel (Venice Beach Cotel) yesterday afternoon, and slep through to this morning. We're now about to go explore.

More updates later.

The last few weeks have been a really good chance to catch up with friends and family. Often being away at weekends, working hard to save up for our travels and general busyness means that I don't get to spend as much time with my family as I would like. Given that we'll be away for a long time, we decided it was important to spend time with both friends and family before we left. First we hired an Edwardian farmhouse in the beautiful Wye Valley with my Mum and her side of the family. We got to feed lambs that were a few days old, see the ruined Tintern Abbey, explore King Arthur's Caves and make the most of the sunny weather by taking my family out in canoes and kayaks.

The weekend before last, we arranged a get together with my Dad's side of the family. Sharon came up with the idea of meeting in St. Albans, spending some time there, having a nice lunch and wandering around the city.

Following that, this weekend we got to see lots of our friends in Reading, with a leaving meal on Friday and a combined house party with a friend who, rather conveniently, was having a birthday. In between that, we've been able to stay at Sharon's sister's house, spending some time with her family, including a pretty good barbecue. Eating and cooking food outside is something I love doing, and it's how finished off our last UK paddle before we leave. After work on Tuesday we headed to the Barble Bar in Theale, met some friends there, and just as the sun was setting, we tucked into sausages and kebabs.

I've been fairly busy finishing things off with work this week and it's only really been when people have asked about the trip and sharing their excitement, experience and jealousy that it's started to sink in that we're actually leaving really soon. We've had so many helpful hints from people who have been places we're going that it's been difficult to remember them all. One thing I won't be forgetting is that it's good to spend time with friends and family. As the date approaches and goodbyes are said, I'm glad that I'm not heading off on my own, I'll miss everyone, but am glad that I'll be travelling with my best friend.