As we stayed overnight with Kari we had taken my bike into the garage so work could be started on it early in the day. We now needed the professional mechanics to see what the problem was. When I heard what the problem was, it really made me laugh out loud- the guys in the workshop thought I was quite mad!!

It was a problem with the coil. My bike had come out in sympathy with me!!! I have been having problems with my coil for a while now! Hahahaha.Ahhh, isn’t that sweet.

So solution for the bike was easy and it will have to stay in for a few days – however my solution – not so easy. I had a coil (mirena) fitted in South Africa just before we had left as I had been having ‘problems’….it worked great for around a year and then “wham” – all my old problems quite literally ‘flooded’ back! OK – so I know the guys reading this will probably not wish to know – but hey ladies – its hard enough as you all know – without having to get on a motorbike, and (usually) living in a tent with ‘restrictive sanitation’! After discussing the situation with my sister Caroline, who is a GP in the UK, we came to the conclusion that the coil was no longer working and must have shifted its position due to the fibroids that I have. Oh yes, they found a few of those when I was in SA.
So, like my bike, I need a replacement coil! However, I think this time mine is going to cost more than the bikes………

Over the last few weeks I had been trying to get an appointment to have a USS. Ultra Scan Sound – so we can ‘see’ what is going on. When we were in Canada I had seen a Doctor who had provided me with a referral letter stating that the next course of action was for a USS. It had taken me a whole week on the phone to get someone to see me. What a palaver!! I would call up a clinic, explain my situation, and say that I did not have insurnance for this (we have insurance but it is for medical emergencies – like for Simon’s neck and the malaria etc) and that I would be paying. Oh my God! Just because I am not a square peg going into a square hole it was soooo confusing for those on the end of the line. Could I get them to understand NO! round and round in circles. Eventually I did manage to organize an appointment – it was going to cost big time.

Despite explaining the whole situation on the phone I had to do it all over again about 3 more times. They then wanted to speak to ‘my’ Doctor, the Canadian one. I said he’s not my Doctor – just one that was in the book in the area that I was in for a few days. Question came back “ so where is you Doctor?”. I reply “in the UK”. Their question” we need to call them now then” I reply” why? And do you know that its 3 in the morning there?” round and round. Then my trump card…..” you do know that my insurance will not cover this and that I am paying?” I should have kept my mouth shut. The confusion, the panic, the “oh, you should have told us (I DID a gazillion times on the phone!!!) - and the final – “well, we cant see you then”. Errrrr – why? Blahblahblah….
Eventually got seen but apparently the USS was difficult to do as the fibroids were getting in the way. Now doesn’t that sound nice.

So – Caroline arrives today. Really excited! We have a week to spend with her before the boys arrive in LA. We collect her from the airport – she is looking good and zips her leather chaps on in the airport much to the delight of all the guys around. We had left the bikes in one of the car parks – now we just had to make sure that we could get Caroline on and her bags. This is only a short ride to the HD shop where Caroline has hired a HD for a couple of weeks. Nice and easy pick-up –she had organized most things prior – just a few alterations were needed re screen and foot pedals as, like me, she is only 5’2” and has small feet which make it difficult to reach the gear and rear brake pedals.

We had a short ride through San Fran where we were making our way to Nob Hill and the hotel we were staying in. Caroline – not wanting to do things by half had booked rooms for us at the Carlton on Nob Hill – WOW – what a treat!!

With the bikes all parked up nice and safely we relax and make the most of the nice rooms prior to going out for a meal at Farallon. Simon and I had been to this restaurant onour honeymoon 12 years ago and knew that Caroline would appreciate the atmosphere and quality of food – fingers crossed that its reputation is still as good!! Well – we needn’t have worried – what a great time. Fantastic food – and thank God Caroline paid the bill!!

This whole break is being paid for by Caroline – she said that there is no way we would stay in the places she wants to due to cost (how right she is!) yet she wants to stay in them and have us with her….therefore…she pays! No argument from us – we have worked out that she is, in fact, our biggest personal sponsor – no scrap that – she is our biggest sponsor! Over the years since we left the UK Caroline has provided us with many items or the cash to obtain items – such as new laptops, the additional $$ when emergencies take place and so on – and when she comes out for a holiday –she always treats us to one too. What a great sister. We always have a good time and lots of fun when she visits and it gives us the chance to also take a holiday!

Yes, despite how our lives may seem – we are not on a constant holiday. The trip/journey call it what you will – is now – for us a way of life…and like anyway of life – you need a break at times!

Warm day with lots of sun. Great! Our route took us over the hills and down into Santa Barbara – a very short day. But it gave us chance for a late start, lunch and then an early stop! The hotel in SB was good and we had time for a walk along the promenade and towards the pier.

OK – tonight’s meal was at another of our honeymoon haunts. We drank the obligatory 5 rum mix in the huge glass that you get to keep – and now we have to figure out a way to carry it!! That’s if we can get it back to the hotel without breaking it as we feel strangely wobbly……….

Another short ride down into Santa Monica. The weather was good for us again. We stopped at Neptune for lunch –the bikes got a lot of attention. Now, I knew that we were going to be staying somewhere special for the next couple of nights…..but I had no idea how special!! We found the correct road and pulled into the rather large gates just of Ocean Blvd in Santa Monica…….and WOW…into the Fairmont.

The valet parking guys were surprised to see us and initially didn’t know what to do with us. Our bikes were very different from the few that they get arriving – as they told us later – they are real bikes – that look like they have been ridden!
We placed them undercover in a nice secure area close to the front entrance and went to find our rooms. As we made our way into the hotel we had many strange looks – yes – the Martians were in town again…..

This time Caroline had gone overbroad – we had a suite. Well, we needed the room as the boys were arriving tomorrow.
After enjoying a Jacuzzi with drinks in hand we made our way into the steam room and staggered back up to the room. How will we ever cope with the tent again??

4 years 5 months on the road.
Off to collect Max and Miles for LAX. We waited, and waited…and waited some more. The flight was delayed and then when it arrived it was almost an hour and 30 mins before they came through!! Baggage reclaim took ages and then so did good old homeland security checks.
The boys were knackered – but pleased to be here at last! They had our old helmets with them to use, some of our spare gloves, Max was wearing Simons old Revitt jacket and Miles one of Caroline’s spares…..we were all fixed to ride!

Now neither of them had been on the back of motorbikes that often and they were faced with the prospect of a week on the road. It will be fun….and maybe interesting. I was a little apprehensive at taking a pillion – not due to my abilities – but due to being responsible for someone else – and my nephew at that!!

With bags and pillions loaded and a few instructions, it was time to hit the LA traffic – now- due to the delay it was rush hour. Oh what fun……

The Jacuzzi and steam room seemed the place to be for the guys and Max and Simon found the girls in the Jacuzzi ‘interesting to talk to’ …mmmm me thinks it had something to do with the bikinis…..….

As we were getting ready to leave the hotel we decided to just check on traffic only to find that the PCH was closed just up the road!! Arrgghh – our plans were changing. There were fires everywhere. Malibu was apparently ‘on fire’. Sure enough as we got on the bikes and got onto Ocean Blvd – there was the smoke and lots of it. We would have to go the other way and miss out PCH!

So, on and up into Hollywood to see ‘The Sign’….Miles missed it! We hit the 101 – not the way we wanted to take for the first day with the boys on the back.

As we approached Malibu the smoke was heavy in the air – blocking out the sun – traffic was heavy due to road closures. But it wasn’t until we reached Oxnard that it became really really bad. It looked like the apocalypse was upon us! The sky was a heavy orange – the sun a bright red – the buildings mirrored windows gleaming a red/orange. Our jackets were getting covered in ash – our eyes were stinging – this was NOT good. Visibility was low and as usual drivers were not taking into account the restrictions in visibiblity and hammering along at their usual speed. It was a tiring day- even though it was a short ride.

Eventually we arrived in Ojai to stay at the Blue Igunana. Luckily here there was only a small trace of smoke in the air and the skies were almost clear.

We were to spend another 3 nights in Ojai. Making the most of the great roads to ride around this area. The route 33 was the ride on the first day. As it was quite a twisty road I was initially a little concerend how Max and Miles would be on the back of the bikes – but I needn’t have worried. Biking seems to be in the family blood and they were great. I couldn’t even feel Miles on the back of the bike – and I think (hope!) he enjoyed the corners. I did try to take it easy and not scrape the panniers on the ground!

We stopped for lunch at the ‘Half-way point’ café. Initially we thought it closed and derilect – but no. burger and chips and a game of pool later – we began to make our way back.
The following day was a day of rest and relaxation at the pool as the weather was good. However, the morning was taken with a quick tripinto Ojai to fin a barber. Max was going to get his headshaved like ‘aunty’!! Well, not quite a short as mine but his locks are thick and long! Going to a grade 4 form that will be a huge change! And great fun to watch Carolines face as he was having it done.
All went out for sushi with Danny, Bonnie, Luanna and Mark.

So Wednesday and time for our presentation at BMW Ventura with Pete.
Caroline, Max and Miles went to visit Luanna for the afternoon and take a walk on the beach whilst Simon and I made our way to Ventura BMW. Jim from RawHyde has brought a huge screen and the sound system looks great. Its going to be a good evening.

We had, once again. Over 100 people and Caroline, Max and Miles too see it aswell.