Garages and Gophers, Socialising and Shopping

by Jane

[Monday, 10th September] Yesterday, first.  We had a quiet day 'at home' with Pete.  In the morning he pointed out evidence of gophers in the back yard - a mound of dirt which might not be the most exciting photo I'll post but it's probably the closest I'll get to a gopher so here it is.

Gopher Was Here

For most of the afternoon Gary and Pete worked on the garage door which had started making noises just before our arrival.  Since Gary had done some work on the other garage door last time we visited (2004), it did seem like the job had Gary's name on it.  Even I was needed before the end and Pete did end up fielding an angle bracket on the head while we were manhandling the door.

Pete Helps with Garage Door Repairs

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[Tuesday, 11th September] Today the weather was a surprise.  After days of bright sunshine and very high temperatures Dad's first morning in the US dawned foggy and cool.  Instead of disappearing mid-morning (as predicted) the fog stayed around and kept us cool as we met up with Glenn and Jan at Fashion Island for a meal and a wander around the shopping centre.  While the local contingent were cold to the point of sprouting goose bumps, us foreigners were much happier.

Out for Lunch at Fashion Island

Most the shops were mind-boggling upmarket but there was a 'Justice' shop which is a brand I buy - it's full of sparkly clothes I like to get for my nieces Jessie and Emma.

The rest of the group wandered on while I shopped.  (Sometime soon I'll pack up the 'loot' and send it back to New Zealand, so expect some parcels, girls.)

We also stopped at the Apple Store where I was rather taken with the game SpellTower.  Dad will have to download it onto his iPad to keep me entertained on the trip.

Don, Glenn, and Pete in the Apple Shop

This evening we're home for dinner with Pete and Marilynne, and their daughter Amanda.

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I've had a request for a reading report so I can let you know I have just finished Carola Dunn's Murder on the Flying Scotsman from her Daisy Dalrymple light mystery series.  Excellent story in a great series.

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Tomorrow we hit the road, with a Ragdoll research detour to Riverside for photos before going on to Palm Springs and Lake Havasu.




 
Jane
last day in Laguna Niguel