Thurs 27th Oct A visit to Alcatraz

Early start for us today, despite the late night at Yoshis. We got the ferry at 9am across the bay to the infamous prison, Alcatraz. As we docked we got a warm welcome from the park rangers. I don’t think the previous occupants were so keen to look round.

The inmates had a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and I bet they spend many an hour gazing at the horizon.

Charlie, it looks as though they have got the tank ready for  your inspection!

I’m not sure I want to go in here.

And I definitely wouldn’t want to share this shower

Someone was having a laugh when they named the rows of cells, Broadway, Times Square and Michigan Ave.

After being cooped up for 20-22 hours you got the enjoyment of the exercise yard

We thought we’d try out the cells for size I felt a bit nervous, remember the fim The Rock!!

Who’d have thought that these  big, bad men would crochet (pink blanket)

Or paint/sketch

On the way back from Alcatraz we walked along Fishermans Wharf and saw these pieces of topiary decorating the flower beds

We popped in our local bakery for a coffee and…… a piece of cake, sorry ate it before I could snap it!

Once refreshed we headed downtown to finish off our Bus tour. First stop was the Martin Luther King Memorial. They have built a beautiful waterfall, which you can walk behind and inscribed on the wall is his famous "I have a dream" speech. it was very moving.

It's situated in a very pretty park surrounded by some amazing buildings.

Early night tonight because tomorrow we're off on an awfully big adventure.....we're cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge!