Last day in Mainland USA...

My editor at work on my messy desk at the hotel.

Construction started for the Panama San Diego Exposition in the year my father and mother were born, 1911.

The pond by the Botanical Gardens.

Sn Diego Museum of Art building.

Wednesday, February 10. Clear but chilly, warming in the afternoon.

Off to Balboa Park today, for the whole day. Balboa Park is NOT named after Sylvester Stallone as many people think, [?]. It is named after a Spanish explorer who 'discovered' the Pacific Ocean.

The park was basically created to hold an Exposition in 1914 to commemorate and coincide with the opening of the Panama Canal. Over the last 90 odd years it has become bigger, better and a great place to get a glimpse into the recent past and history of San Diego.

Needless to say the photo opportunities are endless, and so are the places to see. From a model railway exhibit to die for, to an exhibition of the early works of Rembrandt, it is all there.

And now for a quick change in subject:

The Fort Langley Stimulus Programme, otherwise known as our new home building project is moving along nicely. The building is now what they call 'locked up'. You need a key or a crowbar to get in!

The heating contractor is now ensconced in the house doing his deeds, and the carpenters are almost finished the preliminary work on the shed-garage-accessory building or whatever, but it now looks like we should call it a Carriage House.

The weather does not really matter any more as far as building is concerned, but there is some prime coat painting that is nice to get behind us as weather permits.

I will be happier when the concrete is poured in the Carriage House and conservatory, but that is just my anxiety and is not holding up anything. We also had the two gas fireplaces installed this week.

Next week the electricians get down to it and then there are some bits and pieces to do on alarm wiring etc.

Tomorrow morning we catch an early morning flight to Honolulu where we spend four days before finally arriving in Maui the coming Monday. [I think that all four of us are ready for some tee shirt, sandals and shorts time.]

I spoke to my brother and got him at the beach at sunset time in Maui where he is staying. He emailed a photo from his phone.

My gosh it looked good!