A good nights sleep was had by all, despite the noisy air com and possible gunshots coming from outside (according to vicky). I was sent to the lobby to check out while the other two sheltered in the beast, and manage to pick up some raisin snails and apples. Breakfast sorted. Our planned first stop was the Sutter Fort. A reconstruction of a fort founded by Captain Sutter, a pioneer, a Swiss person, and an all round unpleasant person it seems. He fled from switzerland due to debt, leaving his wife and five kids behind. Then fled again from Oregon due to debt, and ended up founding Sacramento and starting the gold rush. We arrived at 9.30 to find it didn't open till 10, but managed to find a Starbucks to kill the time.
Next we were off to the Napa Valley. Vicky and I were very excited. Ian was ambivalent. We drove through the vineyards on either side of the road, stopping for lunch at a little deli. We sat outside in the shade but it was roasting, 42 said the car.
We were passed by the Napa Valley wine train.
We had chosen the Castillo di Amoroso winery, set in a mock castle. We had a look round then went for our tasting with Juan, a very nice young man from Chile. I had some reds, vicky some whites and a rose, and Ian some grape juice. ( although Juan did give him a taste of a special reserve $98 a bottle wine). He also let vicky and I try six wines when we should only have had five, and gave ian a chocolate. Vicky and I very much enjoyed it. Ian was ambivalent. There was some very loud singing on the way back to San Francisco.
We arrived back at the Golden Gate Bridge from the north side to see the bay shrouded in fog, it's a scientific phenomenon that only vicky can explain, and were dismayed to see coats. The car said 63. It was 104 in Napa Valley. We were not amused.
Our last hotel was the Sheraton by fishermans wharf so we got booked in, carrying our own bags (no bell boy, a disgrace) had some coffee, then put on our cardis (it's California) then walked over to pier 39 for some tea at Bubba Gumps shrimp factory. It was freezing. Cardis are no good for San Francisco. Even Ian's fleece couldn't keep the cold out. The whole bay was still shrouded in fog too, it was eerie. We did enjoy the meal, and vicky enjoyed her two cocktails.
We ran back (I always go fast when I'm cold) and put the air con on warm to thaw out. The holiday, and probably our summer, is over.
Hotel watch
Very expensive (but it is San Fran), no robes or breakfast. No bellboy or valet parking. Small beds (normal sized). It was quiet though with a proper coffee machine. 6/10
Song for the day
Seasons in the sun - Terry Jacks
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