San Francisco

After a good nights sleep we woke just before 7 and put the kettle on. The only problem is the time it takes to boil. The kettle is dual voltage but at 110v (US) rather than the 240v we have at home it takes about 15 mins to boil! It was worth it though when we were sitting in bed with a steaming mug of tea, a choccy biccy and the Times on the iPad. Perfect.

We soon decided to start the day proper and showered and dressed and grabbed our complimentary breakfast, which consisted of fruit juices, coffee and Danish pastries. We were outside our hotel at 9am and as this is the turnaround for the cable car. We stood in line briefly and then realised the queue on the other side of the road was the beginning of our line!!  We decided it was best to walk and so set off up the steep hill towards Fishermans Wharf where we collected our bikes. We were on the road by 10 and were surprised at how quiet everywhere was inspite of the Americas Cup taking place. The ride along the bay to the bridge was lovely but we didn't appreciate the hill up to the bridge. We obviously aren't as fit as we used to be. The best bit was the downhill from the bridge to Sausilito. We prayed we could get a ferry back so as not to have to do a Natalie and Laura and cycle back.   

Sausilito was a lovely place and we had a toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese. Lovely. We did think of ice cream but decided to save that for later in the day. The plan was to carry on our ride to Mill Valley to see the giant redwoods but try as we might we couldn't find the cycle path. Up to this point it was very clearly marked and suddenly it disappeared. After an hour of riding this way and that and interpreting the instructions in as many different ways as we could we gave up and rode back for the ferry. We were first in the queue and were surprised at how quickly it built up. The sail back was lovely and we had a good view of America and New Zealand battling out a race when it suddenly seemed to stop and we heard somebody say it had suddenly been cancelled because it was too windy. We think it was because the Americans were behind at that point but who cares, it was very exciting especially the speed they were going. 

Our first glimpse of the bridge shrouded in mist. 

Over the bridge to Sausilito and the skies have cleared and the sun has come out. 

The bridge from the ferry back

San Francisco from the ferry with a view of Alcatraz on the left.

All too soon we were back and Fishermans Wharf had come alive. It was totally different to being there at 10 am. We wandered around and had ice creams and made our way to the cable car only to find the queue as long going back as it was first thing this morning.  Reluctantly we decided it was back on shanks pony! You'd certainly be fit if you lived here with all these hills.

We are now refreshed with a cuppa and its off out to see whether we can find somewhere half decent to eat.