As we said in an early post, this blog is a bit different from our last one because catching up with people is an important part of this trip. Today was one of those days, as we – that is, Carolyn, Hana (one of her daughters) and us – were going to meet her son, Ben, and daughter-in-law, Annie, for Easter Sunday brunch/lunch.
That was to be noon, so, as it was a typical, lovely sunny Southern California day, we four decided to do a walk around the artificial lake in Eastlake Village. We crossed paths with many locals having the same idea. It was a lovely walk, made more fun by the wildlife we saw – hummingbirds, ducks and ducklings, wood ducks and ducklings, two larger ducks, and Red-eared Slider turtles. We also had fun checking out the names of the small watercraft on the lake, such as Circuit du Soleil, Idyll-Daze, Happy Hours and, a very smartly kitted out one, Fashion Patrol. We quickly decided that one was not us! You can make any walk enjoyable, we reckon, if you just keep your eyes out for things to see.
Then it was into the car, and for the third or fourth time this trip Len ran the gauntlet of the Ca-91. In other words, we seem to have been focusing our trips on the Orange area, and in order to go there, you must, in quick smart time, zip across about 5 lanes of traffic to get onto the I-55. He’s passed his other-side-of-the-road driving test with flying, or is that racing, colours. Lunch was at a place, Chef’s Catering Company, sussed out by Annie (whom we were excited to be meeting for the first time after, for Sue, many Facebook “meetings” over the years). Chef’s does a different theme each Sunday, with our Sunday being, of course, a special Easter menu.
It was a great lunch, done buffet-style. They were serving the brunch options outside from counters on the the pavement, with Chef’s chefs (couldn’t resist that!) making omelettes, pancakes and waffles to order. Lunch options were served inside. Sue found plenty of food to suit her needs. There were lamb, chicken and fish dishes; a whole salmon creatively decorated; smoked salmon; roasted vegetables; mango salad; and rice; among other dishes. Desserts were less suitable for Sue though there was some lovely fresh fruit which more than suited her. Desserts are not high priority for her. The others enjoyed various selections of cake and mousse or cream concoctions. There were of course eggs of various persuasions scattered around, mostly boiled or chocolate.
We spent a very enjoyable three or more hours talking, with conversation ranging widely over such topics as Princess Di and the royal family, the Queen Mary ship at Long Beach, gambling and poker, adventure holidays, medical malpractice and the law, and of course family news. You had to be there to understand the connections between these topics – but you all know how it goes, we’re sure, when a bunch of people get together.
Upon arriving home we all retired to various spots in the house for a much-needed rest, before rising again for a walk to the local Starbucks cafe for a cuppa. Having found it difficult to get just the sort of coffee she likes, Sue opted for an Iced Tea. It was a good choice, and one she’ll try again.
After a light dinner, we watched the evening’s episode of a BBC TV drama series, Mr Selfridge, written by costume-drama maestro Andrew Davies. Carolyn planned to record it, as it is well into its second season here, but we were keen to see the show whose original broadcast schedule was delayed by ITV’s having got in first with its somewhat similarly themed The Paradise. Hmmm … We wonder why we in Australia are not receiving Mr Selfridge. It is based on the true story of the early 20th century establishment of Selfridges department store in London. The episode we saw was right up our viewing alley (as has been The Paradise which has been shown in Australia). It stars, among others, Frances O’Connor.
By then it was getting late, and we were to get up at 5.30am the next morning … So it was up to our room to pack and go to bed.
We’ve had a wonderful time with Carolyn, Hana, and their almost invisible, very shy cats, Skipper and Buster – and look forward to a couple more days with them on our way back to Australia in early May.
Here are the days pictures …
And a montage video of our walk around Eastlake …
Argh made-to-order waffles?! Leslie Knope would’ve been so happy! (As would I.) Yay ducklings!
The ducklings were very pretty, Hannah.
Another really nice video. I loved it all from the hummingbird beginning to the water fountain ending. What a pretty place! Were there any canoes?
Thanks again for sharing another of your lovely days in southern California.
Trudy
Knew you’d love that video Trudy … Right up your alley. We hoped we’d see the hummingbird find a flower but by the time it did it was over the fence and away! We saw one canoe.