Calling the AAA

Got up bright and reasonably early to pick up Alex who was in a hotel in San Jose - and were all set for a day of walking. Visited Fry's (an electronics shop) on the way where money was spent - but not by me.

We went to Coyote Lake and after asking the ranger how to operate the car park ticket machine, had a walk of approximately 4 miles through woodland by a lake with (apparently) mountain lions, rattle snakes, and ticks. Unfortunately or luckily, I'm not sure which, we didn't see any. We did however see the big item of the day - huge pine cones about a foot long. We also saw some eucalyptus trees, the leaves of which had got a very strong smell indeed, and some wild pigs. The scenery was very Lake Districty.

We had sandwiches on a bench (which made a nice change from going out to a restaurant) overlooking the lake. We left Coyote Lake, and visited an area a little further down the road - the entrance of the Henry Coe State Park (like a National Park) - it was closed to traffic, so we left Alex's rental car and did a half hour walk, before returning to the car - which wouldn't start.

Unfortunately the mobiles wouldn't work as we were out in the sticks, so after a bit of a walk, a phone call and a lift from a Park Ranger, Hertz sent out the AAA to come and rescue us. The battery was flat (no idea why), but he gave it a jump start, and followed us back for a few miles, then checked we could start again - which we could! So we hope Alex, who is returning to the UK on Monday, is able to start the car to get to the airport!

We got back late-ish and had food at Alex's hotel, before Graham and I drove back (in our own, working car). I will add the photos after work tomorrow. Only 3 more work days to go....