Los Angeles - Manhattan Beach

Today has been absolutely fabulous.  We slept for over 12 hours, so seem to have adjusted to Pacific Time straight away (this is a very good thing, as having Grant fall asleep in the armchair at 7pm every night would not be a good look).  We woke up this morning to clear blue skies and sunshine; the only clue that it is supposedly winter here was the nip in the air overnight and early this morning.  By the time we had finished a (late) breakfast long jeans were no longer necessary.  The girls headed off and got US sim cards for our phones while the boys went to the Home Depot.  Think Mitre 10 Mega and Bunnings all shoved into one store and then still double the combined product ranges.  We got what we needed to make various repairs on the spa pool and boat.  A very successful day it seems - both missions seem to have been accomplished.

Working on the pulleys for the dinghy

The afternoon was great fun; the girls watched with eagle eyes while the boys fixed the awning on the boat.  We then sat beneath this sharing drinks and nibbles and discussing ideas for what to do in LA. At 4pm we went to join friends of Jo and Ian's on their much bigger boat for more drinks and nibbles!  It was great to meet some more Californians and trade stories.  Finally Grant and Ian rescued the dinghy so they have something to tinker with tomorrow.  It would be such a hardship getting used to this lifestyle...