8th Jan.

Tent covered in dew.  Set off pedalling uphill again in the sunshine.  Watched a hummingbird visiting fuschia flowers, passed a couple tiny lizards, and heard what sounded like more elephant seals whooping and roaring somewhere way down to the left.  Met Seth and his dog Butters, a carpenter and glass-blower, on a walking trip, with a backpack, heading for work rebuilding houses lost in a recent fire.  The scruffy-looking people are quite often the friendliest.  My northen English accent seems to baffle people!  Passed 3 other female cycle tourers, all heading south - exchanged a friendly wave of comradery! Would recommend cycling the Big Sur coastline - 2 days of spectacular views, fun hills (when you have an inner chain set ring of 22...thanks Ben!), and swooping descents.  First close up view of the famous redwoods, Sequoia, at the campground, incredibly tall.