Em's New Home

We took a trip to look at Emily and Greg's new abode, which they have just signed up for in Santa Clara, near San Jose in the southern end of the San Francisco Bay area. In case you hadn't heard, she and Greg moved here 3 weeks ago as Greg's new job is with Google in the Googleplex at Mountain View. I'm here for a conference in Monterey about 75km away and conveniently I'm staying for a few days with them before and after the meeting. However, I'm staying their temporary home in Mountain View. They'll move here in 2-3 weeks after the ship docks with their container-load of furniture!

I attach a couple of pictures of their home, which is in a nice area close to school and shops. Don't ask about the rent, which is a sore point. Alas, Silicon Valley has escaped most of the US recession for the obvious reason that it is still the world's high-tech engine-room. We've sailed past endless office blocks owned by the leading names in technology.

My trip is probably the first of many, with three planned for 2011: now, July and Christmas. I must head off now to pick up (not metaphorically) their new Toyota Camry and visit some of San Francisco's art galleries. It's only 10.15 on Saturday morning, but confusingly 5.15 am on Sunday morning back in Oz.

By the way, the new home has lots of space and, if you'd like a quick visit to SF and ask nicely, they may be able to help reduce the cost of your trip by asking you to stay a few days. Better be quick though. I imagine that list of visitors is likely to lengthen quickly! Don't bother trying right now, however, unless you're a masochist! The forecast today is for temperatures in the 3-9C range!

AS