Last but by no means least...

... and finally the reason we went to such a fabulous place. 

Thank you to everyone who made us feel so welcome from complete strangers to new members of our extended family.  Every single one of you has given us a very good reason to go back. 

with love, peace and did someone say bananas?  xxx



Circle of Light - California...

Cliches are cliches for a reason - a beautiful sunset at the end of a beautiful day.

Blessing of the Waves, Huntington Beach

9.30, Sunday morning Huntington Beach and what did we find?  a celebration; singing, music, and prayers for mother earth, the ocean and the waves.  The back-drop to the service was was full of people enjoying being outside in the Californian sunshine; surfers, volley ball players, cyclists, joggers, walkers; some doing yoga, hoola hooping (is that a word?) and the man with his parrot.  Behind us an art and craft market was in full swing and behind that the Pacific Coast Highway taking people further afield.  Magic!

Blessing of the Waves, HB

Blessing of the Waves, HB

 

Blessing of the Waves, HB

Maze Man - Ephemeral Artist, Huntington Beach

Maze Man, Huntington Beach

Maze Man, Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach was fascinating.  Over the few days we were nearby, allsorts of weird and wonderful things took place including a skate-boarding budgie and a chap who took his parrot for a daily bike ride along the boardwalk.  The Maze Man seemed quite normal in comparison.  

Wilson Creek, Temecular: Peach Bellini - perfect!

Crystal Cathedral, religous tableaux & stunning toilets

I've seen some fantastic images of the Crystal Cathedral, Annaheim so I was very pleased when I had the opportunity to see it for myself.  In the extensive grounds were tableaux of recognisable bible stories including Moses with the Ten Commandments; Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus travelling with a donkey and the Return of the Prodigal Son.  All were very detailed and reminded me of the perfect illustrations in some religious newsletters.  The walkways were paved with hundreds of plaques showing quotes from the bible and the names of the people who had perhaps sponsored them.  Elements of the architecture were stunning but other aspects were reminiscent of office blocks - perhaps that was what they were.  Unfortunately we couldn't go inside, every door was locked and security guards patrolled the area just incase someone did ... what?  However, we did peer inside the windows to see a modern auditorium which resembled the setting for a party political conference.  The only places that seemed to be open were the restrooms.  The Ladies was expensively decorated with fittings and finishes worthy of the most select homes and hotels.  Obviously the Crystal Cathedral Ministries isn't short of money. 

"To be inspired and motivated through possibility thinking to grow in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ to be the persons God dreams, desires, and designed us to be."

                                                                        - The Crystal Cathedral Vision Statement

 

http://www.crystalcathedral.org/about/ 

Crystal Cathedral, Annaheim Ca



Crystal Cathedral, Annaheim Ca



Return of the Prodigal Son (modelled on Charlton Heston?)

Ladies' Restroom

Light Fittings in Ladies Restroom



more cute birds and an ugly one...

Pelican over  Seal Beach