Its hard to know where I last left off. Only two days ago I was stranded with my bike in a Shell petrol station and that evening I took the cab over to Margaret and Paul’s place in Menlo Park, close to Stanford University. A bus ride away was where Mr. Hewlett and Mr. Packard fiddled around with valves in a garage in Palo Alto in 1938 to make devices that would ultimately change the sleepy little rural farmland into Silicon Valley. Margaret and Paul, both retired doctors: friends and distant relatives have been my hosts for the last two days have been extremely enjoyable and memorable, just to say that it was a wonderful and I shall never forget my visit.
On the first evening we visited friends nearby, Douglas and Joyce. Douglas, an avid car collector showed me around his collection which included a BMW R65, a Norton Commando Mk IV, a last production T140 Triumph Bonneville, 4 Morgan cars, an XK140 Jaguar, and even older Jaguar, a 1967 Porsche, a Bentley rusting under a tarpaulin, a Porsche 914, a 5 speed 7 series BMW, his sons 5 series (derelict) … at this point I lost count and we all sat down for a delicious dinner, Douglas’ tow sons were there, one with his wife and the other with a friend. Douglas’ wife is a world-class composer and orchestra conductor specialising in medieval and later wind instruments. She also plays the violin and is known to work into the night. Her son Colin ended the evening playing a jazzy piece on the piano with his friend on clarinet.
Yesterday I ran into town on the double-decker train to get the bike checked into the workshop and they promised to get it done before the 4th July holiday.
On the way back I did not use the train but stayed on the bus ride back – it was hilarious as people came and went chatting and joking – so much friendlier than Laaandon.
Another day beckoned and we went off for coffee and I had disgusting carrot and choc chip cake and I ready the San Francisco Chronicle which was a bit like the cake I was eating. we then took the car to San Gregorio beach and watched the pelicans strolling about then leaping upwards.
Also spotted were seals on the rocks. We snapped quite a few pictures of ourselves and the birds and peculiar sculptures on La Honda road where a man creates bizarre skeletons out of junk iron and parts….
Then on to a delicious lunch of artichoke soup sour dough and berry pie in Pescadero.
The bike was ready and I whizzed it back to Menlo Park. Goodbyes to Douglas and Joyce – after a bizarre incident when two tanned girls clutching large milkshake size beakers containing wine came up to us asking about oak trees and where the nearest park was. Douglas coolly informed them that it would be a long walk and carried on chatting with them. The alcoholic vapours drifted across towards us. I was totally impressed with Douglas’ chat up technique which I really lack, shuffling my feet awkwardly. Not bad for an old guy over 70.
Paul and Margaret have been truly magnificent hosts to me and I was fully briefed on bears and the best route through California, so I hope to see just some of the places they told me about on the way.
The route however will depend on how misty the coast road will be. Thanks P&M if you are reading this!!