No sooner had we dropped Becs at the airport than we headed north. Fini had organised a goodbye-for-the-village-2nd-years weekend on the gorgeous Pacific Coast near Mendocino. Here, at a place called Sea Ranch, holiday cottages boasting hot tubs, ocean views, tennis courts, and saunas nestled atop high cliffs while deer frolicked in the surrounding countryside. It's true!
Several of our number had been up here a couple of days when we arrived, but we wasted no time catching up by jumping into the hot tub with a glass of white wine. The rest of the weekend is something of a blur of walks, eating, more hot tubbing, barbecues...like The Famous Five if they'd been of drinking age (and left Timmy at home).
To honour those who do most for our community, Pete had suggested an awards ceremony on Saturday night. I dusted off my PowerPoint skills and tuxedo, and together with star host Fini (who admitted to being very at home announcing "and the Oscar goes to...") we re-lived the ups and downs - except there are no downs! - of village life.
All too soon it was back south, although we had time for a little detour into Korbel to pick up some cheap Champagne ready for graduation. Huge thanks to Pete and Fini for organising it all, and to Daphny for some of the photos below...
On the way up the coast.
One of the two party houses.
A neighbour frolics in the garden.
Mass catering, Fini-style.
I feel like I'm in a rap video...
Later on it was time to celebrate achievement. Something like that.
Your hosts. Fini is in later-period Alexander McQueen, my suit was $8 from Goodwill.
Everyone's a winner tonight!
A very hotly contested category.
Oscar scandal.
Amir, the view, and breakfast next morning.
A bracing walk to the beach.
Up on the cliff-top, huddling for shelter.
Elise and I demonstrate the photographic dangers of long hair in high wind.
Elliot runs for the waves...
...and runs back even quicker.
A gentle seaside stroll.
Aforementioned cliffs.
Best seat in the house (confirmed).
Researching local property prices.
Jack takes grilling duties seriously for our final lunch.
Starving students scramble for sustenance.
