Deciding to stay in Carmel for 2 nights was inspired. Today was perfect. Clear skies, no wind, warm. Started the day with a walk along the beach. It was covered in masses of kelp washed up from the last couple of days strong winds and large waves. Kelp is covered in small floatations sacks that are as compelling as bubble wrap, they must be stepped on. We stopped for a Coffee, as recommended, at The Carmel Coffee House, beans roasted on the premises and good espresso technique. The only thing letting their product down is the quality of the water, which is as poor as any drinkable tap water we've ever tasted. But now we're being picky.
There is a very groovy independent jazz radio station here called KRML by the sea. We dropped a CD off to the station manager and since we were in the car drove out to the Carmel Valley. A lovely drive and very scenic.
This area of the California coast would be very exotic if it weren't for all the eucalypts, acacias, melaleucas and grevilleas. In fact, they mostly look much happier here than they do at home.
We bought lunch to have back on the balcony at a well stocked cheese shop in the Carmel Plaza. We bought cheeses made with raw milk that aren't available back at home, and sat on the balcony in the sun, with the view of the bay and the mountains behind. We even listened to a little Red Symons over the internet.
After lunch we went to the motel pool, I read my book and Tim had swim, very relaxing. Spent the rest of the day lazing on our balcony soaking up the sun and soaking in the view.