California Dreamin’
All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day
I’d be safe and warm if I was in LA
California dreamin’, on such a winter’s day.
Four years ago, in October 2017, my sons and I waved a tearful farewell to my daughter Lindsay as she disappeared through the barrier at Heathrow and set off to begin a new life in Los Angeles. At that point, as she gave one last look over her shoulder and headed off to a brave new world, I never thought for one moment that it would be more than four years till I saw her again.
Yet life, our travels, and above all the pandemic, have intervened, and suddenly those four years have passed us by. That long period is now about to end early in 2022. As we mentioned in our last post, we are heading out to Costa Rica in December: but now we have extended that trip and will be making a detour to California before we head back to the UK.
Lindsay’s move has been a success, and advances in her career mean that she and her partner are right now in the process of buying their own property, outside of LA and in the small town of Acton, CA. We will be joining them there for a few days in early February.
After so long, it will be wonderful to see her, and brilliant to see her in her different – and not so new now – life, not to mention seeing California for the first time for both of us.
As for right now though, we find ourselves once again in Padstow, a quick visit which was intended to be the sign off for the refitted bathroom, but issues with suppliers (of the main three, two missed items off the delivery and the third took 3 days for “next day” supply) have caused something of a delay.
Out on the coast path, the weather is strangely benign, with not a breath of wind and an almost humid feel in the air, most unseasonable for November. With temperatures hovering at an uncharacteristically mild 13/14, and drizzle falling in regular squalls, it’s a constant on-off battle with the waterproof jackets. Wildlife is in limbo: with no thermals to ride and no winds to enjoy, the kittiwakes and gulls sit glumly on ledges, looking out through the drizzle across the grey Atlantic.
Yet the Atlantic bucks the day’s trend: somehow on this wind free, calm day, the Atlantic waves heave in on the incoming tide, pounding the cliffs with alternating booms and fizzes. The whole scene appears in monochrome, grey seas and white surf against the darkening skies and brooding cliffs, yet the surfing community clearly knows something that we don’t: crowds of them form patterns of black specks amongst the breaking waves, anticipating the Big One, despite this windless day.
Signs of erosion are everywhere – it seems that the coast path has another new diversion each time we visit, as yet more of the cliff slides downhill towards the sea. Recent wet weather has also brought out some spectacular fungal growth – toadstools (or maybe mushrooms, who knows) are both abundant and colourful along many grassy stretches of the path, bright reds and bright yellows as well as the more standard greys and one which looks like a kidney.
Turning away from the open sea to enter the estuary, white surf is crashing over the Doom Bar, and there is the rare sight of surfers at least a mile inside the estuary, riding the waves into Harbour Cove. It’s not very often you see surfers here, away from the more open beaches, it’s unusual for rollers to reach the sand this far in. By the time we’re back in town after 13 miles of walking, we’re overdue a pint of decent Cornish beer and make no attempt to resist the call.
This will be our last visit to Padstow for several months, as our thoughts turn to our next travel adventures further afield.
Next we have Lithuania, and then we have Costa Rica…and now, we’re California dreamin’, too. On such a winter’s day.
19 Comments
Heyjude
What is it about tradies in Cornwall? I have been trying to get someone to supply and install a new shower enclosure for months but no-one seems to want the smaller jobs. I’m wondering if going to a bathroom showroom might help solve the problem and just get a complete refit. More expensive, but it might actually get done! Enjoy your future trip to California. It’s usually good in February, make sure you have plenty of time to explore.
Phil & Michaela
Well, the actual contractors in this area are brilliant – they are used to urgent jobs and tight timeframes because most of their work is in the holiday let market – our problems were all with the bigger suppliers, the national companies from whom we ordered the materials. This California trip will be brief, but we’re planning a proper CA exploration for later in the year, probably May/June.
Heyjude
I think that is part of the problem – working on holiday lets. You are fortunate to get good contractors.
Phil & Michaela
You’re probably right, because it tends to be easier here than at home!
wetanddustyroads
Wow, I’m so much looking forward to read about all the amazing destinations you are planning to visit! And what a wonderful opportunity to visit your daughter after four years – that calls for a celebration!
Can’t wait to see all your beautiful pictures and hear your great stories!
Monkey's Tale
It may be raining but the coast is still gorgeous! Maggie
grandmisadventures
lovely pictures! So glad you get to visit your daughter in California- what a treasure that time will be. That is a really nice area of LA, I’ve stayed nearby there a few times.
Annie Berger
Thrilled that you’ve added a brief stop in southern California to your Costa Rican trip so you can spend time again with your daughter in early February. Not sure of your interests but a place to think about going to in Vilnius is the gripping Museum of Occupation.
Phil & Michaela
There may he two such museums then – we visited an absolutely absorbing Museum Of Occupations in Tallinn (I think it was Tallinn anyway!)
Lookoom
It’s exciting, the travel preparation is already a great part of the journey, all these possibles, all these dreams …
I’ve been to both places, it’s probably best to see the more developed country after the less developed one, so that you can enjoy the charms of authenticity without suffering the relative discomfort.
Phil & Michaela
Yes, exactly – we love the planning part!
Toonsarah
How wonderful that you’ll be able to see your daughter again after four years! You have such exciting plans now – isn’t it fantastic to be able to look ahead to travels again now, even if I feel we still have to add ‘hopefully’ to everything 🙂
Phil & Michaela
It certainly is, Sarah….looking forward to everything! Not 100% certain about crossing borders yet but that will “hopefully” be on the cards after these trips…
Born To Travel
Enjoy your trip to Costa Rica and California. Catching up with your daughter after four years too. Wow!
Our youngest son is finally returning home in early December after nearly 5 and a half years living, studying, working and travelling in Japan. At least he came home for Christmas once in all that time, so we know the feeling of catching up with our kids is something to look forward to, especially after the last two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Cheers, Mark
WanderingCanadians
Love all the different sizes and colours of the mushrooms. That’s awesome that you were able to extend your trip and visit your daughter in California. I’ve been meaning to visit California for quite some time as the scenery looks incredible and I’ve heard there’s some great hiking trails there.
leightontravels
Sladja and I are unspeakably jealousy about your trip to L.A. We are strongly considering an extended visit to that part of The U.S. and Mexico next summer when we’re done with our UK adventures. It will be incredible for you to see your daughter after such a long trip. The food there will be magnificent, as I remember from my Hollywood interviewing days. It’s crazy that I never got the chance to actually see that city. Awaiting your reports keenly…
Tricia
Lovely post. I also enjoyed your About This Blog post. My husband and I took a trip to France in March 2020, found a great little cottage to rent in Normandy and had planned to move there in July 2020. COVID put a stop to that plan. We’re still hopeful though.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you so much for commenting, and for following our blog. Hopefully you’ll be travelling again soon.
rkrontheroad
Although we don’t like to see family move so far away, it gives us a great place to visit now and then. May you get together again soon. Loved the mushrooms.