The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco. Mark Twain.

Early in the morning we rode the Powell & Mason trolley bus to Nob Hill. Visited Grace Cathedral built after the fires of 1906. A gentle old man gave us a very interesting tour. Beautiful frescoes and stain glass windows with not all religious themes, such as the history of SF and man’s endeavours. It has a beautiful silver and gold thread tapestry (and other art works) and magnificent lofted arches. A choral singer was rehearsing. Our tour guide was so kind, that when he urged us to pick up our prayer books I resisted the temptation to declare my philosophy. It is the only Cathedral in the world that has a chapel honouring those who have died of AIDS. A memorial quilt is changed every quarter.

Took the ferry to Sausalito. More expensive area, with individual large houses rather than flats as in SF. Restaurants, art galleries, expensive shops, yacht club big boats. No homeless here. Opera in the park, champagne drinking locals.

Sailed by Alcatraz Island.

Caught a street car up to Castro (the real gay area - rainbow Gay flags flying in street). Next stop Twin Peaks (highest point in SF). Quite a lot of fog came over before we were nearly blown away or became frozen solid. Left very quickly.

Back in Castro had dinner in Bagdad Café (that was a good movie) where the bill included a surcharge to the health fund of their employees….. large serves of salad and fries (too much). Trev didn’t quite get the tipping right and the guy rolled his eyes disapprovingly at him.

Next was a trip on the trolley bus on Powell & Hyde up to the Curviest Street in the world. Great rock/soul busker singing while we waited in the queue. Great voice - probably one of the many homeless in SF. Wouldn’t like to live along the street thick with tourists driving and walking down it (we were amongst them). Beautiful hydrangeas and gardens all along it.

60% of San Francisco’s income is generated from tourism and it was hard in the 4 days we had in SF to get off the beaten track when everything is geared towards tourists.

Our airport shuttle bus driver said he loved living in SF as it was like a big zoo. Lots of different animals, vibrant, always something happening. Buskers on every street corner in the city. 4.000 restaurants of every nationality.

We loved it all too.