In my final week at High Horse Clive and I continued with fixing “stuff”.
The views never ceased to amaze me and this was taken one evening with the moon rising over a distant mountain range.
On a 60 acre site the only way to get around is on a modern day mule. These 4 wheel drive buggies are great fun to drive but you need to keep your mouth closed or risk a bug getting caught in your teeth.
At the end of the day there is a tendency to be covered in dust from the various tracks and trails.
The wild turkeys are probably not good to eat but the males are certainly colourful when they are displaying to a female.
This one was only a couple of metres from the terrace.
While Clive and I were working on something near to the barn he came across this rattle snake. I asked about moving it elsewhere however it seems it was too risky. With the help of two spades the snake was quickly dispatched. Apparently they can still bite when dead so I kept well away from the sharp end.
Back in San Francisco on my final night we went out for dinner and as we got back to the house I took this shot of the corner shop opposite.
I think it epitomises the area where the live.
Sadly I didn’t get time to see any of San Francisco’s cultural centres.
I do like to visit food outlets in other countries. I walked with Tricia to this local community market store. The range of foods was delightful. Their meat and fish counters were abundant with a whole range of foods. They also had hot soup and other hot foods available.
I bought a chicken roll and wasn’t sure whether to eat it or climb it.
On the way back from Gus’s we called in on a bakery that specialised in Baklava. The baker was of Turkish origin and was very happy to give a free taster before demonstrating what goes into making his Baklava.
I was so impressed I bought a tray and managed to get them home in my suitcase.
The flight back from San Francisco was trouble free although sitting on an aircraft for 9.5 hours is very tedious. I did manage to get about 3 hours sleep. It still seems insane taking off at 5.30pm on Thursday and arriving at 11 am the following day. On arrival at Heathrow, after getting through border control and collecting my suitcase, I had to wait 55 minutes for the transfer bus to the hotel where I had left the Porsche. Thankfully it started first time despite being left for 2 weeks. I drove for 2 hours to collect Helene and she drove the rest of the way home to Lincolnshire.
Thanks for all the lovely photos, Steve, and your wonderful company as fellow amateur naturalist and general curiosity about all things interesting!
Hi Tricia, many thanks for your kind comment. I hope to be able to host you here in the UK with trips out and explore the local countryside. No rattle snakes but I did watch a hedgehog whilst I was eating dinner out on the patio.
Start planning your trip for next year.