Thank you for those kind words guys. now I've got all embarrassed!

We had a bit of a scare yesterday. Kendall phoned to tell me that he was having some trouble breathing and that I might need to come home. I suggested that he contact his local ENT to check that all was well. I got his doctor involved, rang his daughters, who went with him to the ENT appointment yesterday afternoon and just waited. Deb reported back that things seemed to be OK and, by this morning, he was breathing better, has an appointment with his primary care doctor tomorrow and has let DR Z know what is going on. Right now I'm holding off making plans to head home until next week.

We finally reached LA and booked into an Econolodge, which is relatively cheap but has large rooms and comfortable beds. We're not too far from LAX so have planes going over regularly, but that didn't stop any of us sleeping last night.

Yesterday, on Mary Katherine's advice, we stopped in Santa Barbara at the oldest mission in California. Lunch in a beautiful open space in front of the mission and then a tour of the premises, which held the interest of the whole party. Thanks for that MK - I can't think of a nicer place that we could have broken the journey.

We've now experienced the LA freeways - Steve is doing an amazing job with the driving, considering that he's wrong side of the car and the road and driving an automatic. He handled the traffic like a pro.

Last night we stood on the balcony of the hotel looking up at a clear sky and seeing a sliver of moon with Venus shining brightly to its right. Above the buildings the tops of palm trees could be seen and the lights of LA shone brightly. With the cool breeze it was wonderful to stand there.

we are having lunch today with Mary Katherine and taking Lewis to the beach at Santa Monica. There's also a pier with amusements - little boy heaven, which he deserves after being so good on the trip down from San Francisco. He's also been promised a big ice cream, when we can find a good place.

More later............