On Saturday the 24th August, we drove up the coast to see Hearst Castle. On the way we visited a site Rob had been waiting to see for a while - the Chumash Painted Caves. We drove up this narrow windy road, which was only just wide enough for one car in places. The caves were intruiging - to see paintings dating back to the 1600's.

We stopped for lunch at Morro Bay, known for Morro Rock, which is just that - a rock. It is big, though, really big, and is one of 9 such volcanic rocks along the coast. We at lunch in a park that reminded Rob of the Coningham, Tasmania, due to the tall gums by a quiet bay.

Hearst Castle is a huge mansion built by William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), a media tycoon, said to be one of the most powerful men in the world in his time.

The castle consists of 3 guest houses (bedrooms and bathrooms only - maybe 4-6 in each) surrounding the main building with over 40 bedrooms and bathrooms. There were two huge and magnificent pools - one outdoor surrounded by Greek statues (some thousands of years old), one indoor with thousands of gold leaf, and blue tiles over the walls, floors and roof.

The whole place has been a museum since soon after he died (he donated it to the state of California) and so contains early 20th century furnishings, as well as art works from the last thousands of years - whole fireplaces and ceilings and wall hangings imported from castles, churches, galleries in Europe.

Saturday evening we drove a little way back down the coast taking photos of the scenery. We had dinner in a restaurant (Linn's) in Cambria - recommended by the Lonely Planet travel book, which was excellent. Jo had Chicken Marsala and Rob had a Seafood Pot Pie - the first pie he had eaten not made by Jo since arriving in the USA (but not the same pastry as an Aussie Pie). They served at the beginning of the meal a basket of bread and "preserves" - yes, Jam to start the meal! We discovered that this was because they sold the jams in the adjoining shop - we had Olallieberry jam, which is the cross between a Blackberry and Raspberry but is genetically similar to the Loganberry and Youngberry (for the benefit of the berry experts among you).

Saturday night we stayed in our first "Motel 6" - the budget motel chain - it was very budget, no shampoo, or fridge, or breakfast. It was OK - we would stay there again, except for the freeway noise.