Headed to Yosemite

Leaving San Diego on a Friday night to points northward is always a challenge as one either has to punch thru LA or Temecula. My buddy who used to live in Temecula said he sure didn't miss this drive. Ha ha yeah thanks.

This weekends challenge is a storm blowing thru Yosemite. Does not seem like a big one in terms of snow depth but could make driving a challenge.

And then to make things really interesting, Mom hit something on the road tonight which caused the check engine light to come on. The engine is running rough and the mpg is down to 15 on the highway when it is normally 19-20. Funny thing is, it stopped after we got gas.

After some research, our guess is that it's either the O2 sensor or a leaking hose, both of which are on the bottom of the car. The Bakersfield dealership is open at 8am so we'll get a diagnosis then. With any luck we'll be on our way in an hour.

Dinner tonight was at Pollo Loco by DD's request. I'm kinda sick of their burritos but she loves their double chicken bowl.

Restaurant Jose Maria (Segovia, Spain)

Our friends took us to one of the more infamous restaurants in Segovia, the Jose Maria. Heavily advertised, nonetheless this is a warm, classic Spanish restaurant doing everything right. The staff clearly takes pride in running a tight ship. The waiter snapped a fresh tablecloth onto the table and brought a basket of fresh bread. We sipped our beer and wine and perused the menu under the carved oak beams in the bar. Not even Disney could have gotten all the details so right.

We ordered a full portion of Jamón serrano for Samantha and another half portion for us. The Jamón came with tender pieces of pan con tomato (toasted bread rubbed with raw garlic, olive oil, and tomato).

 We tried to order the goat cheese with spicy paprika but what we got wasn't spicy and tasted more like Muenster than goat cheese. Still good with the fig jam and Walnut.

Next to us, the businessmen stood there the bar and had their drinks and tapas. Two dozen Iberico (black hoof) pig legs hung behind the bar.

Before we left, the waiter directed us ladies to the more deluxe restaurant bathroom instead of the one in the bar.

We felt very taken care of.

Restaurante José María
Calle Cronista Lecea, 11, 40001 Segovia, Spain
https://goo.gl/maps/JTEkV9XUr6m

Segovia (near Madrid, Spain)

The city of Segovia is UNESCO World Heritage Site. An unbelievably picturesque old medieval walled city with narrow, winding streets, 

a magnificent central church, 

and the Alcazar castle which might be one of the inspirations for Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. The following is from the video in the ticket room.

And if that wasn't enough, it has a 5 story high Roman Aqueduct still running thru the city, still in perfect shape. 

A great day trip from Madrid. You can easily spend an entire day here, don't be afraid to take the early train in and the late train back. Tons of cafes and restaurants.  Trip Advisor reviews recommend staying in the evening to see the monuments lit by flood lights. Overall, highly recommended.

Pro tip: walk back via Calle Obispo  Gandásegui, in order to arrive at the top of the aqueduct for pictures, then descend the stairs to the Plaza.

Consult the train schedule in order to take the 30 minute train to Segovia. Take the 11 bus to the aqueduct stop. 

Chocolateria San Gines (Madrid, Spain)

One of the most popular chocolate churro places in Madrid, Chocolateria San Gines has been serving since 1894. Really completely different from the churros we find in Southern California, these are crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside, with no cinnamon or sugar coating. The chocolate is very rich and thick and suitable for eating with a spoon after you finish dipping your churros. Neither are overly sweet - and a very refreshing change from typical American pastries.

The waiter, who had the most amazing biceps I've ever seen, balanced a tub filled with at least 50 cups and saucers on the fingertips of ONE hand. He returned carrying a tray of a dozen full chocolate cups and dozens of churros.

The rain came down, the line got longer, the tourists came and went. Another beautiful place to spend a few hours in Madrid.

To get there, turn off Calle del Arenal at the bookseller:

Chocolatería San Gines
https://goo.gl/maps/w7yws7pQNVU2

Mercado Del San Miguel (Madrid, Spain)

One of Madrid's famous markets, MSM has a huge variety of cheeses, olives, meats, wines, and sweets. Think of it as an enormous tapas bar.

The fam spent a few hours today here grazing the stalls. DD finally had her Cone of Ham. No bread, just 13EU worth of ham bits.

We tried shrimp and chicken croquettes, several cheese toasts (each with fruit or veggie or herb garnishes),

A smoked salmon toast, 

Crema Catalan (with cinnamon!), olives stuffed with cheese or ham or both,

 and some wonderful red Rioja wine. And most 1 or 2 Euro. I had no idea how delightful the Mediterranean diet could be.

And then, a Chocolate cake and a huge chocolate donut stuffed with? I don't know what. I could move to Spain. Right now.

Mercado de San Miguel
https://goo.gl/maps/hcD1qKsQmjR2

Top 250 Global Attractions - How many have you seen?

http://www.listchallenges.com/top-250-famous-attractions-in-the-world/checklist/

We got 70. Let's go see the next 70 together!

Thames River Cruise (London, England)

A river cruise is a great way to see the city and calm fractured teenage nerves. 12 pounds for an hour circle trip from Westminster, going under London Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, and the Tower Bridge, taking in the Old Globe, Big Ben, the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, the Cheese Grater, and the Gherkin.

 If you so choose, end at The Tower if you haven't yet seen one the best sights in the city. The Tower is engrossing and could easily soak up 3-4 hours especially if you take the White Tower and Crown Jewels tours.

Pro tip: if pressed for time, take the one way trip from Westminster to St Katherine's and alight at The Tower - there's no sightseeing benefit in the reverse trip and there's an underground station right behind the Tower. Also, do not underestimate how cold it can get on the water. The sort of "underground" souvenir shop just uphill from the Tower ticket office has ultracheap souvenirs, mittens, scarves.

Portobello Road (London, England)

Don't visit Portobello road unless you want to develop a yearning for high quality antiques such as silver plate, old tools, jewelry, timepieces, chinoiserie, magnifying glasses, box cameras, tin soldiers, and the list goes on. I came away with a beautiful silver serving fork that I can't wait to use.

Pro tips:
Arrive before the crush begins at 10am.
Eat breakfast there.
Bring lots of cash to avoid 6pct credit card fees.
Shop around - whatever you are looking for is available at all price points. 

Siam Secret (Earls Court, London)

I'd heard about the amazing ethnic food in London and we got to enjoy two such places on this trip.

Noor Jahan serves delicious Indian in a tiny but formal restaurant in Kensington. DH had the Achari Chicken - very flavorful, with a vinegar tang. My house special Chicken Tikka Masala was great. At least one of the pickles served with the pappadum were unusual to us - a red spicy ground coconut one. DD enjoyed her plain Chicken Tikka.

Siam Secret is just opposite Earls Court station in a tiny alley. The Penang curry was some of the best I'd ever had. The Larb Kai was right on (but the rice powder was not ground fine enough). The Basil Chicken was very good but why did it taste like the Mint Leaf chicken from back home? Mysteries of the universe.

Both restaurants highly recommended.

Noor Jahan
2 Bina Gardens, Kensington

Siam Secret
http://maps.google.com/?cid=18067852833604391768&hl=en&gl=us

Cafe du Coin (Earls Court station, London)

Our favorite breakfast spot from 2014, this Cafe is a reliable little place. DH loves their English breakfast (mushrooms beans and tomatoes) and Samantha loves their croissants with jam service (meaning they will bring jam to your table). Their chicken sandwich and salad was quite nice on Thursday as well. And they are fast, much faster than a pub.

Cafe Du Coin
https://goo.gl/maps/KR8WytWV6dR2

Cutty Sark and the Prime Meridian (London, England)

3 metro trips away, the Cutty Sark is at Canary Wharf, about an hour from mid-London (or 2 hours by boat). This was actually more interesting than we thought. The boat is well preserved with good exhibits. The views back towards London are great. One of the Captains from 1890 gave a short lecture and sang a sea shanty with us. The kitchen, bunks, and Captains quarters are beautifully made and well marked (I finally know what a gimble is now). The tea shop under the boat sells yummy treats (the iced walnut cake looked amazing).

 We purchased a joint ticket with the Greenwich observatory where the Prime Meridian, the 0deg longitude line, is. The ability to accurately keep time allowed the determination of the ships longitude, key to accurate ocean sailing.

Metro: Cutty Sark or Greenwich
Dining: lots of pubs and restaurants especially between Greenwich station and the National Maritime museum. The Gypsy Moth pub by the Cutty Sark looks quite picturesque but it seems pubs are better for beer than for food.
Shopping: both gifts shops had a nice selection of unusual items, and lots of shopping near the restaurants.
Picturesque quality: very high. Canary Wharf is all new but the Royal Observatory area is all old London.
Accessibility : the Observatory is on a high and steep hill so that ships in the harbor could see the ball drop at 1pm.

Pro Tip: take time to enjoy the view and people watching at the Statue next to the Royal Obs. Bring your own toilet paper. 

Abbey Road (London, England)

Being Beatles fanatics, we had to visit Abbey Road and try to recreate the iconic road crossing photo for ourselves. I was worried that we'd be the only ones trying, but silly me, there were dozens of tourists trying it, and dozens of cars honking at said tourists.

Metro: St John's Wood
Dining: Beatles Cafe, part of St John station. Tiny shop selling coffee and Beatles souvenirs. This metro stop is not where you want to eat.
Shopping: Abbey Road Studios store, just a few steps from the crossing (thru the white pillars). The Beatles Store (Baker Street, next to Sherlock Holmes museum/store, now known as a mu-store)

Pro-tip: Avoid rush hour; if rainy, the weather often clears after 3. Trade cameras with other groups so all can be in the picture. And bring your colored Sharpies to write on the wall. 

Highly unsatisfying lunch

At the Bradley International Terminal. Very greasy pizza from 800degrees, and similarly greasy tacos from Border Grill. That pizza place has to stop using fresh mozzarella, it throws off way too much water. Really wanted some tea to cut the grease. Then Samantha went to buy some Miso soup from the Sushi bar, but the $5 I gave her was NOT enough. Wait, what??  Miso Soup costs more than $5?The lady hassled her and one of the waiters came to her rescue with 50c. We paid him back later and he was pleasantly surprised.

NYTimes.com: It’s Dinner in a Box. But Are Meal Delivery Kits Cooking?

"It's Dinner in a Box. But Are Meal Delivery Kits Cooking?

Meal kit delivery is growing. Many chefs and cookbook authors who have tried it are pleasantly surprised."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/dining/meal-delivery-service-subscription-boxes.html

"Meal kits have also become serious currency in the cross-branding world, with chefs and companies lending their names and recipes. The leader is Chef'd in El Segundo, Calif. Unlike most meal kit companies, it does not require a subscription. Chef'd has partnerships with 84 chefs and companies. Among them are The New York Times and the Crown Publishing imprints Clarkson Potter and Ten Speed Press, which provide recipes that the Chef'd culinary team packages into meal kits.

For $59, you can cook spiced honey glazed duck for four by the San Francisco chef Dominque Crenn. For $29, two people can have miso-glazed cod vetted by Weight Watchers and guaranteed to cost you only seven points on the company's weight-loss plan."