Then it was south to Mountain View where Green Day were playing the Shoreline Amphitheater. It was large. The band is from Oakland and got their start right by Uni Village in 924 Gilman Street, and so this was something of a homecoming and the last date of an 18-month tour. They appeared on stage at 8.15pm and didn't leave until 11pm! It's not often that the audience gets tired before the band. The show included non-stop punk rock, requests from the crowd, members of the audience invited on-stage, the band in fancy dress, a rendition of the Benny Hill theme tune (not an everyday occurrence), three Santa Clauses throwing t-shirts out...wow, a show.
Yesterday was quieter by comparison, involving only 250 miles of driving. We started with a couple of vineyards in Sonoma, and the discovery of a new one - Homewood Winery (where Alana may have over-spent on her luggage allowance) before a picnic lunch in Sonoma itself. Being in the area we popped up to Russian River and, of course, a cheeky slurp of bubbly at Korbel, including their new Riesling Champagne. There was then a rally-like dash down the coast to get to The Marshall Store for oysters before it closed. We made it with five minutes to spare. And on the trip home, well, might as well throw in the Golden Gate Bridge as we're here.
Thankfully tomorrow is Labor Day, so I'll enjoy a lie-in...
Mat and Alana warm up before the gig.
And here's the real band.
Quite a few friends to welcome them home.
Happy fans of rock.
Sunday morning, at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. Had they been drinking?
Out by the grapes, a typical scene from any British summer.
Dr Guest is disappointed by attendance at his North America lecture tour.
Looking out over wine country.
Happy with their purchase.
Down the coast and enjoying the finer things in life.
The debris.
We made it to the bridge, but not before sunset. It was quite chilly.
