More Solvang

Yesterday when we got back to LA, I fully intended to update the blog, but unfortunately Luke and Khristina's internet service was down. I restarted the router (more difficult than it seems as it was buried in a cupboard, behind a panel which was obstructed by a set of shelves loaded down with stuff), but this did not solve the problem. Only when Khristina contacted AT&T and they got her to restart the "white cable box" did the problem resolve.

Anyway, what have we been up to? Last Friday, Khristina generously took time off work to take Ros to get their nails done and basically get pampered. I was offered the same but wisely declined, not sure what happens with secret women's business.

We drove over to Luke's work in the late afternoon and Joshua drove us back to Solvang for the weekend. Saturday we basically took it easy and did nothing. Sunday Luke and Khristina joined us for lunch as they had driven up earlier on Friday and were staying in another house they had rented.  This was the first time they had seen Josh & Sam's new house. They stayed until mid afternoon then left to drive back to LA as they both had to work in the morning.

Typical US home

All of us went for a walk in the afternoon around the neighbourhood. Here's a typical US home, complete with flagpole adorned with the Stars and Stripes (Americans are fiercely patriotic) and several trucks in the driveway.

Mailbox flag

The US Mail works differently than here in Australia. Mail gets delivered normally but you may have noticed in American movies that US mailboxes have a red flag on them. Instead of traipsing off to find a public mailbox to post letters, they are just put into their mailbox and the flag is raised to indicate to the postman that there are letters to collect. To the left you can see a mailbox with the flag raised. The postman collects the letters and lowers the flag. Brilliant I reckon, would never happen in Oz.

Rose garden

Nearly everybody keeps their gardens looking lovely, this one with beautiful roses caught my eye.

RV

Just about everyone has an RV (Recreational Vehicle) in their yard, the one at left is typical of most models. Caravans are rare and one house even had a huge two story RV garage!

Josh & Sam's letterbox

Josh & Sam's letterbox is of a more modern and secure design, the flag is the little red square poking out of the bottom right of the letter box. Letters to be collected are reached by opening the top section and they are in a little pocket at the front, whereas delivered letters are pushed past that so they drop into the bottom of the secured section. Quite ingenious.