A little jet lagged and shell shocked following an 11 hour flight, collect a hire car and experience the madness of the LA Freeways.

We found our hotel and went walkabout, Muscle Beach, the Boardwalk and downtown Santa Monica. Our first taste of the USA, seems slightly unreal, rather like living on a giant movie set, but only to be expected.

The 24th dawns…”Another day of sun”, tourist sights beckon, Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Hills and the ladies request a trip to Rodeo Drive. Following a possibly imagined "Pretty Woman" moment with the shopkeepers we moved on but did buy a giant clothes peg in “Pottery Barn”...great for keeping papers in their place.

With an early start to beat the freeway chaos, we set off to drive to Anaheim. We had resisted the call of Disneyland when the children were small (too small to enjoy it?), but we surprised them today.

2007 saw the 50th anniversary of the opening of the California Disneyland. The operators certainly know how to create the most amazing experience for everybody. The sunshine, cleanliness, attitude of the staff and sheer joy of being there, immersed in the fantasy, provides for the most wonderful experience.

We are never too old to have fun, for tomorrow the adventure begins.