1st August 2016 - Grass Valley CA - Kms to date: 8779

Kms today: 136

We couldn’t fit our luggage plus the motorcycle luggage in the ’stang so we had to make a separate journey to deliver the motorcycle luggage to Jon Daggett’s office. Mabel found it with ease and we were back at Joe and Thelma’s place in no time at all to pickup our luggage. We had been checking out Mustangs for luggage space ever since we started our trip and were convinced there was plenty.... but we were wrong. I had to put my cases in the dickie seats behind the driver and passenger seats. Colin managed to get his cases plus both helmets in the boot (trunk).

The 'stang outside Thelma and Joe's house.

We were due at Dan and Kellea’s place in Grass Valley at lunchtime and were only just going to make it. Again Mabel starred and took us to their front door, which was up a narrow lane.

Rancho Walmsley-Miller.

Our hosts Daniel and Kellea.

Grass Valley is a little country town about 80kms from Sacramento. Lola was at childcare so Dan, Colin and I headed into town for lunch. Kellea stayed at home as she had work to do and wasn’t feeling too flash. We actually went to Nevada City not Grass Valley for lunch. They are within a stone’s throw of each other.

Nevada City CA.

The main street consisted of well preserved old buildings, a bit like Ballarat, attractive and touristy. After lunch we picked up Lola from childcare. She has grown quite a bit since the last time I saw her in March 2014, when she was three months old. She has gorgeous blonde hair and is very chatty. We took her to a swimming lesson and then on to Kellea’s sister, Deena’s farm about half an hour away. Deena and her husband Robbie grow mainly flowers now as they are the most profitable. They also grow vegetables. Rafe was there and he showed us around the new house and outbuilding he has built for them. It has taken about a year and at last they are finished and passed by council. They are quite stunning made entirely of wood in a traditional american way.

Rafe's handiwork.

There is also a Yurt in the garden with a babbling brook outside!! After Rafe’s tour Dan, Colin, Lola and I headed back to Grass Valley to get ready for a BBQ Dan and Kellea were putting on in our honour.

Daniel, Kellea, Lola and Deena.

Rafe and Deena came along and Deena brought corn, aubergine, shotgun chilies and fennel from her farm. All very tasty.

Lola wearing her new apron and doll.

Later on Dan took Colin and I out to paint the town ... In a pub that was closed (Monday). We managed to find another one so were able to imbibe and tell tall tales and true?? Dan and Kellea have a separate apartment over their garage where Colin and I stayed. Very comfortable.