CDP Theme Day - Looking Down

Postcard from

The Pier, Huntington Beach, California

Hello all!

This photograph was taken on

a very nice warm sunny day earlier this month.

We had a super vacation.  I'm now busy working on a number

of projects and hope to get back blogging soon.

To my friends at CDP, I have missed you!

When I had a look to see what the theme was for this month,

I decided to join in with the image above of me and my husband.  

I'm amazed that I didn't drop my iPhone :).

For more Theme Day photographs, please follow the link - HERE.

Postcard from California

Kelso, California

Holiday Photographs

Kelso Depot is located in the Mojave Desert.  We like

visiting old restored railway stations and this one fits the bill.

Amazingly, it is located in the middle of the desert.

We stopped by here on a drive between Las Vegas and Palm Springs.

The trains pass by frequently.  The only downfall

is getting there...the roads are a bit rough 

so allow plenty of time :).

Back to Coventry photos tomorrow!

O Is For Osprey

(Oh please be an Osprey.)

These are holiday photos taken at 

Pismo Beach Pier, California, in August.

On the next lamp post along the pier 

was a Pelican.  

Think I might be all set for

next week's ABC Wednesday - 'P' :).

Particiapting in ABC Wednesday - 'O'

M Is For Money...

...and plenty of it.  No, this isn't Coventry, England.  This photo was taken during our recent trip to California, USA.  

Roman Indoor swimming pool at Hearst Castle.

Totally magnificent and a must to visit 

if you do the Pacific Coast drive between 

San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.

It had to take a few dollars to build something as grand as this.

American newspaper publisher and owner, William Randolph Hearst, wasn't short of a bob or two.

Participating in ABC Wednesday.

Port San Luis, California

A few more holiday snaps from our USA trip

last month.  Port San Luis, California, is

just off Pacific Coast Highway north of Pismo Beach.  

A gem of a spot to stop for a cup of coffee and a walk along 

Harford Pier (where these photos were taken).  

We got a show too!

The cloud trail (below) is a satellite launch from

Vandenburg Air Force Base nearby.

The noise - unbelievable!

In the papers it was described as 

'a Delta 4 heavy rocket launch.'

Mr LOL and I had a bit of bad luck yesterday.
We are both okay but quite shaken after a big truck
hit our car sending us into a motorway armco barrier at speed.
After a day in hospital, I can hardly believe that we
were able to walk out with no broken bones but feeling quite sore.
No car now so there is a little sorting out to do.  
For a little while I will post when I can and keep on looking
out for your blogs in the meantime.
Cheers!  Take care and be safe!

The Winning Post...

...at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California.

See it?  On the other side of the race track

in black and white.

What makes this scene for me is that mountain range.

Here is a better shot of Mount Wilson with Mr LOL too.  

No mountains in Coventry, England.  Something I really do miss seeing.

It was a treat to visit Santa Anita Park (not far from Pasadena).

There was no racing, no public.  (Next racing - 27th September 2013.)

It felt like we had the place to ourselves.

Participating in Skywatch Friday and Ein Stück Himmel.

Have a good weekend everyone!
Will show a few more holiday pics next week then back to the Coventry scene.

Have You Read - Camelot & Vine?

I have and I loved it!

I bought the book in Pasadena on our recent trip.  

Then Mr LOL and I had the good fortune to meet

Petrea Burchard, author of Camelot & Vine.

Here's the proof.  

I first bought Camelot & Vine as a Kindle edition but I really wanted to have 'the book'. So off to Pasadena's famous Vroman's to make the purchase.  A few e-mails later...here we are at Marston's restaurant for the book signing :).

I met Petrea through her wonderful Pasadena Daily Photo blog (now known as Living Vicuriously) a couple of year's ago. Petrea's photos of Pasadena, in part, inspired me to join in the fun and start up my own photo blog.  Through her blog, Petrea, has shared plenty about her acting career, writing and photography. 

The blogging experience has opened a whole new world of friendships and fun.  It was fantastic for us to spend a little time with Petrea.  She is gracious, talented and we did have a laugh or two for sure!  

I'm not going to say how many photos we took

but I like the photo above a lot.  Makes me smile.

Please follow the link - Camelot & Vine. Explore the tabs.

Many thanks, Petrea.  We so enjoyed meeting you.

Participating in Our World Tuesday on a Wednesday :).

I'm taking the day off tomorrow.  Back on Friday with my favorite mountains.

Pasadena, California, USA....

...my hometown.

Pasadena City Hall

Yesterday, it was Las Vegas and today it is

Pasadena.  This shot was taken at dawn not long ago.  

Oh, I can just feel the warmth in the air

as I look at this photograph...it is freezing

here in Coventry :).

Come back tomorrow to see who I bumped into in Pasadena.

You will know her!

Hello Out There!

I am back.  Wish I could say I was rested but

the dreaded jet-lag has got the better of me.

Any idea where this was taken?

I'll give you a clue -

It is 5156 miles west of Coventry, England :).

Back tomorrow with something a tad less commercial.