San Francisco Day 11 - Corte Madera and Mill Valley

Coyote Ridge 6.56 am

Coyete Ridge 7.41 am

 Another brilliant day, reminds me of late Autumn in Rotorua.  Two more deer on the front lawn this morning.  I guess they are a pest to the locals, eating their gardens and shrubs.
Need to get some gifts for the children today, still haven't found any Ice Breaker candy for Gina, and we have looked in every supermarket.
Corte Madera is another town in the Bay, and we visiting shops there.  Instead of taking the freeway, we just took a small road around the hills into Mill Valley, and happened upon a Vulture on the road!

Mill Valley is great, friendly people.   History of milling the Redwoods.

Had Turkey Chilli for lunch - Turkey mince, with beans, and a little chilli heat, plus sour cream.   Erik had Pumpkin Pancakes which I want to make with leftover pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Turkey Chili

Also had to try some of the local ice cream - made with local organic ingredients - NOCI - delicious spearmint chocolate chip, and Erik had Hazelnut, as well as Salt and Chocolate combination.

Late enough in the afternoon for Erik to go for another hour bike ride, while I went for a walk near the beach and up the cliffs.  Great day spent with Erik.
Deer on the front lawn again

Pasta and salmon for dinner.

San Francisco Day 6 - Friday

Woke up feeling better, but expect a migraine is on it's way.  Wet and foggy, Erik is off on a ride with Greg.  It was another long ride in Marin County, headed south this time. Four major hill climbs, a total of 1,000 metres of climbing. The final big hill almost killed him, and he ended up having to walk parts of it. That makes four big rides in five days.  Erik is a little weary, and needs a rest.

I walked around in the mist and rain, discovering more of Muir Beach.  Reminds me of parts of Raglan and Ruapuke.  The pine trees make it feel like NZ, and there is manuka in flower in neighbours' gardens.  Apparently several NZers live here.

Mailboxes at the bottom of the hill

View of SFO from the deck

Erik was catching up with Greg, Devon and Dom, so I spent the afternoon with Denise, just doing errands.  Found some more napkin rings, discounted Christmas decorations, and some wooden spice boxes.  I enjoy Mill Valley, it has a lovely village feel to it.  In the late afternoon it is dark enough to enjoy the outdoor budlight decorations.  A winter christmas.

Red Velvet Cupcake

Had a hot chocolate late in the afternoon with a red velvet cupcake.  It was deep red all the way through, had lemon frosting, and was very very sweet.

A quick dinner of left overs, then a Nashi pear and Graham cracker to finish.  Taste similar to a Digestive biscuit.

Early night for Erik.