Thursday 24th April 2014

Here we are again - guess what - the sun is shining again!  We had a leisurely breakfast and after sorting domestics went to suss out the train station.   Parking is free and it costs $12 for the return journey to San Diego Downtown Station - the ticket is valid for 24 hours and also covers the buses and trams in San Diego!

We were booked to play golf just after 1.00 pm so decided to bimble up the coast road through Oceanside.  This was a little more built up when compared with south of Carlsbad - we took a wrong turn and ended up on a main road where U-turns were not permitted.  This was broadly on the way to our golf venue so we perservered.  We then spotted a sign for a historic building so took the turn - it turned out to be the the "Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia".  This historic mission was founded in 1798 and is still used today fot training priests and as the home of franciscan monks.  There was an aura of peace within the mission which was a major contrast to the general hustle and bustle of Southern California!  The picture is through an arch into the cloisters garden which features the oldest pepper tree in California (big green tree on right).

The cloisters garden

We visited the Church just before mass was due to be held and could hear the franciscan monks practicing their singing - it was a pity we did not have time to stay as I am sure it would have bee a very uplifting experience.  The adjacent cemetery was beautifully laid out with commemorative walls in use to this day.

Time beat us so we hot footed to our golf venue.  This was called "Marine Memorial Golf Course" and was located within the US Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton.  We had to show our passports to get into the base which must have encompassed thousands of acres.  The golf course was pristine and the greens extremely fast and diffuclt to read. 

Marine Memorial

We tied our scores using our UK handicaps (31 points apiece) but when I calculate the US equivalent Liz won by one point - using the USA system it is very close and I am one match up and 2 points ahead overall!

Tomorrow we are going to get the train to San Diego and will let you know how we get on!