The 4th July, with all its hurtful connotations to the British, has come around again. We opened ourselves up to the usual taunts by coming down to Monterey to spend it with the Muckers. Claire was less than impressed by my new haircut, until I pretended I was small enough to hide behind a watering can and she shouted "Deeee!" in belated recognition of my stupidity.
As befitting the day and the weather, we had a barbecue by grillmaster Vince while his Dad mixed some ridiculously strong cocktails. After a mid-afternoon powernap we popped to Carmel to stretch the legs. It's the most pet-friendly town in California! And one of the most expensive. Disappointingly we didn't bump into its ex-mayor.
Claire, not yet socially warmed up.
Blog exclusive: the secret of Vince's skill!
But when it's this tasty...
The signature Mucker cocktail - The Manhattan. Whisky with a mixer of Vermouth. And a cherry to dilute things.
The effect it has on Hannah.
A bubble gun, the closest Major Vince Mucker has come to artillery in a long time.
Reese, patriotically attired.
The beach at Carmel: busy.
Sell-out.
