Boat trip

We booked to go on a 2hr boat trip on the Wednesday from Padstow. The weather was ok in the morning, though get very nice in the afternoon.

The boat set off from Padstow and spent the next 2 hrs going along the coast looking for puffins, seals, and dolphins amongst others.

I tried to get them to be serious

Looking over to Rock. 

Padstow.

At sea. 

We did see some puffins and seals. I tried to take photos but the puffins were way too fast and the ones of the seals just didn't come out. They would pop up and watch us but by the time I got the camera focused on them, they disappeared. 

Puffin Island (hint: that's where we saw the Puffins)

Gamblers folly.

Tin mines.

Port Issac.

After the boat trip we had lunch in Padstow and headed to Trevose Head. We thought about going for a walk but really couldn't work up the energy. So dad and I put a blanket out and had a nap/read a book. (Mom stayed in the car but did the same.)

Someone had written a message in rocks on the lower level. 

Seal Sanctuary

Saturday we headed to the Seal Sanctuary. They didn't have many seals at this time of year, only their premenant residence who they can't release. Most of the babies they have during the spring have been rereleased. 

But some are too sick. Most seem to have thyroid problems and need medication or are blind thanks to nasty seagulls. 

Jazz

Blinded by evil sea gulls.

Last 2 babies waiting to get to target weight and go free.

They also have a cute little family of Humboldt penguins.

Hello! 

But the best to photograph were the otters. (And I get to annoy my brother-in-law with the photos as he loves otters so win-win.)

Annoyed with the Paparazzi 

Monterey + Big Sur return trip

On the way back to LA on Sunday morning, we stopped in Monterey to have brunch with Rachel's cousin and her husband. The sea front at Monterey is quite touristy but lots of fun. We walked down to the front, sampling the clam chowder from every restaurant along the way to decide which was the best.

To the sea front

Parrot display

Monterey Bay

 The marina was very pretty (and finally the weather started to clear a bit).

Sea Lion pile

Poser!

Shark imitation competition

 Lunch was very nice on the harbor front.
After lunch we started the drive back. It is ~400 miles from San Francisco to LA and Sunday we did the whole drive. It took about 10 hrs in total. But it was along the Big Sur again and the weather was a lot better this time. So we stopped at some of the vista points on the way for photos.

Little flowers

The Big Sur 

In the sun

One of the many beaches

 At the base of the Big Sur we stopped at Morro Bay before getting on the Highway.

Morro Bay

 There wasn't a lot there. They had a nice little restaurant on the bay front with a live band and we stopped to try some BBQ oysters which were a lot tastier than I expected.

Live music at the restaurant. 

BBQ oysters

 We had a little walk around to stretch our legs and get an ice-cream.

Confused pigeons.

 The way back took a bit longer than expected mainly due to a fire. I think everyone was stopping in case it was a wild fire. It turned out to just but a gas company burning off some excess we think. Still everyone had to stop and look and delayed us ages!

Fire!

The trip was a very long weekend but worth it! I want to go back to the Big Sur and spend more time there. It's so pretty and wild. I loved it!

The last few days on LA were working and getting everything sorted. I am going to miss the suns and warm. It's raining already back home! :-( But now to start planning the next trip!