7th Jan.

Legs seemed to have turned to lead first thing after a rest day.  Passed a few zebras amongst the cattle grazing - the ranch estate of a late eccentric.  Had to stop and stare at the honking, barking, roaring elephant seals slumbering on the shore.  Flicking sand over themselves, lolloping about, waving their floppy noses around, lunging at each other with teeth on display, but mainly sleeping.  Huge colony, incredible.

Met Tsyens, a French Canadian guy walking from Slotown up to Carmel - a long way!  A nature teacher of kids in Montreal, on his winter explorations between seasonal work.   Just a 5 minute chat with someone whom I had something in common with was enough to set off pedalling again with renewed enthusiasm. 

Winding climbs of around 1500ft today, cliff on one side, the sea way down on the other.  Legs and mind in the zone!  The downhills incredible, could smell the pine in the air.   Passed a sign 'San Francisco 174 miles', and another on the other side at some point, 'Los Angeles 281 miles'.
 
Heading towards the Big Sur coastline...
Spotted another cycle tourer drinking coffee at Ragged Point, with a bamboo bike!  Designed and made himself, with hemp fibre and soy resin joins, and a new business in Vancouver, 'Grass Frames'.  Josh - Canadian carpenter/film set builder/bamboo bike frame builder/cycle adventurer.  Great chat, best of luck with the mobile trailer workshop, and all things bamboo!

Met Lindsey, from Pennsylvania, out jogging along the road, 'Just so you know, you're my hero!'  No-one has ever said that to me before!

Met wee Martin (who informed me he was from Peru), with Dad and family living in Portland - saw them twice along the way.  He was fascinated by the whole cycling/camping malarky!

Seen CNN news in a couple of places.  The Democrats are trying to keep the unemployment support; the Republicans want to stop it.  Seems like Obama has his work cut out persuading people.