Traditional Family Photo of the Graham Clan

Whenever we come to USA to visit Fraser and his family we always take a family photo on the day we depart home. The kids are growing up so fast and we were very sad at leaving them. This has been our quietest ever trip with no trips to Utah or weekends away. We are getting older so a quiet time suited us and weekends are taken up with sporting events with the kids. I walked my trusty Golden Retriever friend Sammy at least twice a day. He is such a loveable rogue, but very good natured. Fraser is enjoying his new job with GM and will be heading off to Detroit for 4 days early tomorrow morning, but with the luxury of flying in GMs Corporate Jet.

My Constant Companion

It’s been a quiet day today catching up on my book in the garden and this boy has never left my side. I took him a 2 mile walk this morning and will do that again this evening. He has a young dog walker come after school to take him a walk. Maxine the daughter of Fraser’s best friend Aurelian has started this regular service to raise some pocket money to help her get regular riding lessons.

Morning Walk with Sammy

This is Wildcat Creek and it’s been dry since March and will remain dry now until November unless there are some severe summer storms.

Another photo of Wildcat Creek.

Sammy in Gardener Park at our halfway point. We often sit here and talk to other dog walkers. This morning I met a charming lady and her lovely dog. She works for Pay Pal and her husband works for Facebook.

Californian Poppies are everywhere.

Just a few of the many beautiful flowers we pass on our morning walk but this last picture was the most spectacular. It’s going to be a fairly quiet remainder of the day as Fraser and Leslie are at work and the kids are at school so it’s just the auld yins, Sammy, and the 4 Hens left. 

A Day in Carmel by the Sea

I love to visit the Pacific Ocean and have a paddle. As per usual it was cooler on the coast as the fog comes in every morning at this time of the year. It usually burns off by late morning but not today. The temperature was about 60F whilst inland it was up to the 80s back in Saratoga. Eleanor loves to paddle with me. 

Tommy built a Spiders web and then got caught in it.

These beautiful flowers were growing outside a shop on Main Street. No idea what they are called but maybe Mike Tinker will know.

Sammy had a ball on the beach. Carmel is one of the few beaches allowing dogs to run freely thanks to the late Doris Day who lived here. It is a very doggy loving town and when we were on the main Street and the rest were in shops I stayed outside with Sammy. If I had a $1for everybody who stopped and asked if they could pat him I would have made a lot of money. he was very well behaved and happy to be patted by loads of people especially some very attractive women.

Gaye well wrapped up, but it was not cold.

We stopped on our way to Carmel at a place called Ross Landing which is popular with Sailors and Kayakers. Fraser and the family have kayaked here several times. 

Carmel beach.

Tommy just loves his food, but as he is playing Soccer so many times in a week he needs the energy.

Sammy ready to chase a ball

Some of the many boats at Ross Landing

A party of Kayakers

The most handsome Dog in Carmel by the Sea

And his best friend the most attractive lady.

Time for a Coffee and a snack on Main Street

 

Sammy Graham

Sammy the Golden Retriever has completely taken over our lives on this visit. I thought he would follow me everywhere but its Gaye that is his favourite, maybe because she is always giving him treats.

He is such a loving dog but a pest as well

Out on my morning walk to Gardiner Park

There are strict rules about dogs being on leads and you never see one not on the lead unless its in a special dedicated area, and there are few of them in this area.

He is always looking to play with a Tennis Ball

No shoes are safe as he will steal them and especially when visitors come and they take their shoes off at the door. Before you know it their shoes are in the yard.

The yard is totally enclosed so he can roam as he likes, but with us here he is now the centre of attention. Normally he is on his own for a while during the day except on the days Fraser is working from home.

Walking along Wildcat Creek, with no water in it.

When he misbehaves Elliot can soon sort him out.

Waiting to get his tummy rub.

Gaye gets no peace from him but secretly she is very fond of him

 

A Visit to Picchetti Winery

Fraser and Leslie decided we should visit the Picchetti winery in Cupertino this afternoon so we headed out there via Fraser's new office near Apple Park. This is our first taste of wine with another 4 tastes to go. Gaye is drinking tea as wine is not her thing.

The main building is one of the oldest brick buildings in California and inside you can still see the effect of the big earthquake 116 years ago. Since then no one is allowed to build brick buildings in California.

There were loads of families enjoying the picnic area in the winery

We took a short walk into the hills and noticed these Deer under a tree.

Everything is so dry and it is a long time since the grass was green.

Family photo with Tommy missing as he was at a friends Birthday Party

We did not reach the Vines as they were higher up a steep hill.

You can see some of the Vines on the opposite side of the valley

My doggy pal Sammy on our morning walk. We always stop for a rest in Gardiner Park which is the halfway point of our walk.

Out and About in Saratoga

We took a trip into Downtown Saratoga today as Leslie had a hairdressers appointment. We had coffee and Muffins in a nice pavement cafe.

Gaye with Leslie after her haircut 

Frasers House from Riverdale Court

This house on my morning walk has a Termite problem so the treatment is rather drastic and expensive. I walk past the house daily on my morning walk with Sammy.

To treat the problem it is covered with a marquee and then fumigated for a couple of days and this kills everything.

Sammy was pleased to see us on our return

Coffe and Muffins. I shouldn't be eating them but was unable to resist. Wont have another one as they were very expensive.

Saratoga main street