Spent a lovely day and a bit with @ladyvean.bsky.social. There was Trek talk, board games, great food, excellent wine, and some fancy cocktails. Thank you, Vean, for being such great a host. And extra belly scratches to SIA. #AndysUSAdventure

I’m not wearing a red shirt so I’m not worried. #TheArena #StarTrek #AndysUSAdventure

*1960s sci-fi combat music plays* #AndysUSAdventure

In all my travels in the US, there are only two real disappointments. (1) The Statue of Liberty is not as big as she seems. There is no way she crosses the river in Ghostbusters 2. (2) Goobers are just chocolate covered peanuts. With a name like ‘Goobers’ I was expecting more. #AndysUSAdventure

Okay, America, I will concede. Your town squares are lovely. Points to you. #AndysUSAdventure

Spent the morning in Monterey whale watching. It did not disappoint. Such beautiful, intelligent, creatures. And then came the back of Sea Lions. A truly wonderful start to the day. Would recommend. Beats coffee! #AndysUSAdventure

The One With The Whales. #AndysUSAdventure

@montereybayaquarium.org was a truly epic experience. Educational, beautiful, calming. A living kelp forest, schools of fish that are meditative to watch, and the cutest sea otters you ever did see.

@fabulucy.bsky.social fancy a light show? First round on me. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Dr Gillian Taylor: My whales. Where would you take them where they’d be safe? Kirk: Well, it’s not so much a matter of place as of a time.

Saw some real nice ladies today. My last full day in San Francisco. #PaintedLadies #CoitTower #Downtown #AndysUSAdventure

Hello, Coit #CoitTower #AndysUSAdventure

Hello, Ladies. #PaintedLadies #AndysUSAdventure

Let’s…PLAY BALL! #AndysUSAdventure #Giants vs #Cardinals

If only my PE teachers could see me now. The most sporty I’ve looked in 40 years. #AndysUSAdventure #Baseball #Giants

Experienced a 4.6 magnitude earthquake (very early) this morning. So that was nice. Immediately went straight back to sleep.

Spent the morning walking around Mission, taking in the wonderful, colourful, and powerful murals that celebrate Latino, black, and indigenous culture/history. #AndysUSAdventure

A beautiful meal at #Boulevard to wrap up my birthday. A chill, reflective, day. If this is 40, I’m down with it.

Forty today. Reflective. Age & all that. I’ve done the exact same things today, in the same places, as I did for my 30th. That was, in the end, a painful day. But this feels like a re-do, allowing me to overwrite some of these decade old memories for fresher, happier, ones.

Views from walk from Lands End to the Golden Gate Bridge #AndysUSAdventure #SanFrancisco

Everyone, meet ‘Josephine’. 10 years ago, on my 30th birthday, I had my first tattoo at #HaighStreetTattoo. Only fitting that on my 40th I should get another (my fourth tattoo). Butterflies are my grandmothers favourite. So this means she’ll be with me, looking over my shoulder, always.

Coming back from the Wine Tour I opted for the ferry back to San Francisco from Sausalito. And I’m so glad I did. Those views. #SanFrancisco #AndysUSAdventure

Today has mostly been a wine tasting day. #AndysUSAdventure #Sonoma

Getting ready for the wine tour. #AndysUSAdventure

Yesterday was amazing. The first full day in San Francisco. There were sea-lions at Fisherman’s Wharf… #AndysUSAdventure

Powell & California, San Francisco. #AndysUSAdventure

Spent some time in #MuséeMécanique playing some old school retro games and receiving a little ego boost in the romance department. #AndysUSAdventure

Prosperous you shall be, Live Long you will. #YodaStatue #AndysUSAdventure

Irish Coffee Break #AndysUSAdventure #BuenaVista

Love seeing and hearing the Sealions. #AndysUSAdventure

When the government can silence one artist, it threatens freedom for all. Credit: The Roddenberry Foundation.

Exploring Chinatown, San Francisco. The alleys are where it’s happening; from fortunes to artworks. #AndysUSAdventure

Waiting for a head shave and I’m offered a whiskey. Would be rude to refuse. #AndysUSAdventure

@fabulucy.bsky.social saw the post about Babs. Hope the surgery went well and that she’s doing okay.

#California, more wine? *Pours* #FlirtingWithAState

Thank you, Yosemite, for a truly epic day. #AndysUSAdventure

No lies are in this picture.

This view, man. Sheer, blissful, peace. #YosemiteNationalPark #AndysUSAdventure

Look who I met today. #YosemiteNationalPark #AndysUSAdventure

Go Climb a Rock #AndysUSAdventure

Hello, Yosemite #AndysUSAdventure

Good Morning from Mono Lake, California. #AndysUSAdventure

#California, you’ve got some lovely Sierra Nevadas. #FlirtingWithAState

#Nevada, I feel like I’ve hit Jackpot! #FlirtingWithAState

Just some of my views driving from Idaho to California, via Nevada, today. #AndysUSAdventure

Hello, Nevada #AndysUSAdventure

#Idaho, you’re a gem #FlirtingWithAState

What a day. #Yellowstone, you did not disappoint. Just before entering I saw my first Elk, and took that to be a symbol of fortune. #MammothHotSprings were amazing, what with their morning haze. #AndysUSAdventure

#Wyoming, you know I’m a Teton guy, and yours are Grand. #FlirtingWithAState

Hello, Idaho #AndysUSAdventure