So it rained all night and it’s raining this morning.  Not light rain but good old stair rods soak you through rain.  We decided to change our plans and go somewhere we couldn’t get too wet.

SHOPPING!!    Walmart called so we checked out, collected the car and made for Arroyo Grande, on our way to Santa Barbara.   Walmart is an American multinational  retail organisation operating a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores and grocery stores.  Basically if you want it, they’ve got it.

Amongst our favourites was the Baby Mop Romper – never too early to put them to work.

Or how about, for those with a curious palate – Bacon Mints or Pizza flavoured ice cream.

This next one is a favourite to confuse your children.

The rare and unusual Shark Horse.

Don’t worry, anyone hoping for a souvenir of the road trip need not expect any of those.  Someone may get these 1lb 7oz tubs though….

We came out of Walmart, thoroughly amused, but the rain was still steady.  Back on the road and we headed for Solvang.

Solvang is a Danish city, literally – sounds odd  but it has Danish origins being founded by Danish immigrants in 1911.  It has Danish architecture, Danish Cuisine and a range of Danish icons. A little mermaid fountain, Hans Christian Anderson statues and museum and several windmills. 

So I’m sure you’ve worked out that we didn’t take these pictures as we were mostly running down very puddled pavements or as one lady put it, gully fillers.  Not sure we’ve ever been that wet but without a brolly or a hood  between us we sacrificed the coiffured hair to make it to Mortensen’s Danish  Bakery.

Two raspberry and one cream cheese danish pastry later and, barely dried off, we took to the nearly flooded streets again to stop off at Jule Hus, (Christmas House).   We couldn’t not.

Back in the car and on to Santa Barbara. No scenery shots as we couldn’t see beyond the roadside and then….. it began to snow.  We appear to have been a bit unlucky weather wise, (understatement!!).  Hey ho, we can’t have it all and maybe the sun will put in an appearance tomorrow.     It’s forecast 30° on Tuesday, shame we’re flying home on Monday. 

At least we all had beds befitting us tonight.  Sweet dreams all.