Save the best for last!

An early morning visit to the Fitness Room, grey skies, and the aftermath of overnight rain. Surely bad omens?! But apparently not, for during a forty-five minute uphill hike on the treadmill, I was repeatedly assured (courtesy of NBC) that come midday, San Francisco would be basking in sunshine. And in that prediction, I placed my faith! So, after breakfast, we took the hotel shuttle down to Larkspur Ferry and boarded the 10:10 commuter boat to the City. Actually, this wasn't straightforward ...... having previously mastered the ticketing machine, I procured two return tickets to San Fran, 'tagging them' at the ferry entry point. Now, whilst this was happening, the dude who was supposed to be 'minding the store' was exchanging pleasantries with a regular commuter, as we slipped beneath his radar. He called out to us,asking if we'd 'tagged' our tickets. I replied "yes" ..... whereupon he asked "where". I pointed to the machine and was then instructed to 'tag' them again (thus nullifying them for the return trip!) He next asked how much we'd paid and then, satisfied that we were not serial fare dodgers, gave us complimentary tickets for the return voyage! Bizarre!! But, the morning sail to the City was cool and embarking at the Ferry Terminal we enjoyed spending some time looking around its attractive outlets before setting forth on Market Street, for Union Square.

We made the obligatory coffee stop at Starbucks from where we Skyped Jennny ..... odd that we felt obliged to show here the street scene outside and its throng of passers-by ...... and to watch some of them glance at her (a stranger) sat at home, several thousand miles away! Anyway, we'd determined to make use of the City's surface transport network and acquiring a one-day pass from Walgreens, we set off for the Union Square Trolley Bus terminus ..... and a long wait, in-line! Fortunately, the sun had got its hat on by now and whilst waiting in-line we found ourselves sandwiched between a nice family from the UK and 'Lisa and Bryan', a great couple from the Boulder area of Colorado. (A big thank you to all of you for making the time pass so quickly and especially to you, Lisa and Bryon, for giving us the  low-down on 'AIRBB' ...... but where were you when we needed you most, whilst queueing for the return journey!!)

We rode the trolley, as all visitors must, and after a short scenic stop-off at Fisherman's Wharf, taking-in the National Park exhibits, we headed back.

The trolley queue was taxing, but it was a nice day and the street artists were interesting, especially the escapologist!

Once back in Union Square, we took it on our toes down Market Street, reaching the Ferry Terminal just in time to catch the 5:00 pm Larkspur Ferry. A memorable final day in San Fran! Resisting the urge to post 'I left my heart etc.' as today's musical reminder, instead, I've plumped for the grateful Dead's 'Friend of the Devil' (shades of Haights Ashbury!!):