Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Last Days at San Diego


I thought I better let you know we’re still ok. Hoppy is forcing a second gin on me so the lucid window is rapidly closing. The free day at San Diego was well planned and anticipated a month before we got there. We were going to Salton Sea. Google it and you will see it’s a bit spooky and totally out of the norm verging on the super norm. We had a card confirming a car would be delivered at 8am on Thursday morning so we were all waiting in anxious anticipation at 7.45 that day, BUT no car turned up. We rang the office which didn’t open til 9 am so we canned the trip. It would take a good 8 or 9 hours so time would be against us. GRUMP GRUMP GRUMP. I’m not good at a change of arrangements. We did manage an enjoyable alternative on the “hop on- hop off” bus. The drivers/actors/DJs were excellent.  We  had a nice breakfast at Seaport on the water front and then visited Little Italy where we found a cute little restaurant and the most beautiful bread on earth. That took up the rest of the day.

The last playing day dawned,  cool to warming. It turned out pretty good. We won all but one of our games I reckon and I don’t think I embarrassed myself too much. I was nearly knocked out by one of our own players and my jaw is still a bit dubious. I avoided that end of the court from then on but unfortunately did OK down the goal end so suspect I will again be feeding the goal. Lunchtime brought the traditional “strutting your stuff” which is an informal talent show we haven’t taken part in of late. Lunch was supplied by two food trucks - not bad - not too costly.

Saturday ended in the Grand Banquet so that day was disposed of with last minute shopping which included the purchase of an extra bag so I could give Lynda an extra bag – she was delighted to have won an auction which gave her an upgrade for the trip home as she would be going home alone.

The Grande Banquet was at the Miramar Marine Base in a hanger. We entered through an array of war planes and helicopters which were available to sit in or “display” on. The band was very loud, the food about the best of the tournament (at least it was familiar) and the night 6/10. We got presented with the prize for the friendliest team so that was very satisfying especially for Jenis and Valerie who work so hard with our uniforms and attend all the management meetings on our behalf. It’s thanks to Jenis that we just have to turn up and everything is organised for us.

Sunday was a trip to the Midway – an aircraft carrier retired in 1992 and now a museum. Very interesting the way 4800 troops live on a ship. Finally got to Macey's to shop but it was too overwhelming - we were "out of there" .
The team was shrinking as various members took off for Hawai’i, San Diego, home and us for various destinations around Florida, from Saturday night to Monday morning.

San Diego has a population of 1.3.mil. and it took a while to get the lie of the land but we had it sussed by the time we left and realised nothing was as far away as we thought. The temps were variable, cool at night and quite warm (25C) if the sun made it through the clouds and you were out of the wind. Would have liked to go to Mexico - only a few miles away. Not to worry - another time. Not on the recommended list with the number of guns around !!!!

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