Dawn this morning (September 23rd, 2011) from room 2606 located on the 26th Floor of the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco (AT&T Park can be seen in the distance)

9/11/2011 Argo to Lawson's Landing

Argo's engine required a service and new impeller and throttle cable installed so I "motored" it up to Lawson's Landing, on September 11th, from Inverness for maintenance work. Lawson's landing is at the "mouth"of Tomales Bay at Dillon Beach. The trip was just about 10 miles in light drizzle and about 60 degrees F - very pleasant actually. We arrived at Lawson's Landing on the high tide. Had a few issues with the engine on the way up but they were easily handled.

Now the owner of a new boat: a 23' Venture Newport Cutter Rig named "Argo"

In the last few weeks we have been engaged in refurbishing this vessel. Current project is cleaning and repainting the inside, recovering all the seating/bedding and completely rewiring the entire vessel. Upgrading of various elements is also underway. New items installed, to date, are a Marine VHF radio (the VHF antenna system is located 30' feet up on top on the mast), a new electrical distribution panel, shore power electrical hook-up for battery charging and 110Volt distribution system for at dock/shore requirements. A new fuel hose for the 7.4hp Honda outboard has been installed. A depth/fish finder system is about to be installed. More later regarding progress. At present too busy flushing money directly into Tomales Bay!

Time until my flight from New York Newark Airport touches down at London's Heathrow Airport on Nov 28th, 2011

Our departure from Venice was via Water Taxi directly to the Marco Polo Airport in Venice....about a 20 minute high speed fun boat ride! Expensive though (100 Euros each way) but well worth it....the service takes you from your hotel non-stop to the airport on a private basis. Save up and use this service each way...it'll make your life so much easier, believe me. It's the best 200 Euros you'll spend in Venice....and that's the best value when it comes to Venice....everything is so expensive what with the dollar exchange rate etc and the high european costs in general.....
Back in London now and back to the USA tomorrow..... A few pics of the last day....

 Addio Venezia è stato uno spasso!

 Tha canals of Venice - reflections.

 Sally enjoying the last views of Venice before blasting out of the canal and on our way across the bay to the airport!

 Poser!

 Just a little speedy for the hairdo!

 Our Chariot to take us back to London. Boeing 737-436 (G-DOCT)

Ultimo sguardo Italia per un po '!

Wednesday (5/25/2011) in Venice

Last full day in Venice....So here are the latest pictures taken on Wednesday.....walked all over the Dorsoduro Sestiere today which included the spectacular Rialto Market and lunch at Da Fiore (An experience in itself)....

 Off to the Rialto Market.....pictures are worth a thousand words!

 Lunch at Da Fiore...that's an experience!

 Entrance to Da Fiore.....

 Checked out Il Refolo but went back to Da Fiore!

 Da Fiore....

 Rooftops of Venice...

Off to Venice's Marco Polo Airport by Water Taxi this morning (Thursday) and our return flight to London.

Venice

OK so more shots of Venice....

 Rialto Bridge

 Raffaelo for dinner on the first night....

 Night shot of the restaurant...

 Sally at Harry's Bar...

Had the obligatory lunch at Harry's Bar complete with Bellini's (4 of them!)...must now return to USA and sell the house...Harry Cipriani owner of Harry's Bar... introduced himself, tableside, to us..... and at these prices so he should! What a fantastic experience even though you have to have brain damage to go eat at Harry's. It's one of those places that you just have to do while in Venice....