San Diego and Bridge

Having missed the final of the Life Master Pairs we had a series of choices of events to play in on Saturday and rejected them all for a short drive to an outlet centre at the Mexican Border - 15kms South of San Diego. We knew when we were there where on turn clearly stated - NO RETURN TO USA if you turned left. Anyway the weather was pretty lousy but I managed to get some shirts while Nye bought pants, shirts and shoes while Ally and Tonje, who had joined us, found some clothes for herself. I don't remember my kids being as well behaved as Auryn while we were shopping but maybe I am just getting old and forgetful.

Back to the hotel to chill for a while before a dinner at a poorish "Beachhouse" restaurant behind the hotel. So forgetful I don't even recall the name to warn you off it. I dealt with some emails to try and clear some work backlog and didn't get to bed till 01:00.

We learned that Robert Krochmalik and Paul Lavings had been knocked out of the Seniors Knockout Teams so we were a team of six for the first Board a Match Teams. We went to breakfast with the Krochmaliks at the Pancake Restaurant we had gone to the day before which I may now give a miss for a few days followed by a lovely walk through the Gaslamp district and a coffee by the water.

I called in to the operations office to get an exemption to play in the Blue Ribbon Pairs which I was given because when I joined the ACBL I applied for status for Nye and myself and we were allocated 5,000 and 10,000 masterpoint status. But the exemption is only for this one time and we have to finish first or second in a regional to get permanent exemption - whatever the f^&k that all means.

Nye scheduled us to sit out the first session which was fine so I went for a walk to the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre. Somebody should tell "Frank" that this 1970 centre is in URGENT need of a face lift. I bought some room snacks on the way back to be pleasantly surprised that the mini-bar was simply an empty fridge. For those who know me WELL it will come as no shock to learn my incredible elation to find Chilean Cherries (very tasty) in the supermarket. On the other side the Crab and Jalapeno dip is still burning in my mouth.

I arranged for a massage at the hotel which was simply awesome and as I write this now am feeling on a physical high.

Anyway down to the battlefield to see how the team went, an Italian dinner and then to play some bridge.

Catchya soon
XX David