Catalina Island and LA

Aidan and I (or just I) made the decision to join Michael on his trip less than 48 beforehand. Lily stayed behind in Sydney for the week and had an extended sleepover at my mum's and spent a few days with her cousins at my brother's place. Aidan was an angel and slept the whole way to LA, although Michael and I didn't get much sleep since we weren't used to being at the back of the plane.

It was great to see Mickey again who had her whole house decorated with pumpkins and witches in preparation for Halloween.

Mickey with Michael and Aidan (who obviously does not like his photo taken as much as his sister!)

The remainder of Team Renford arrived on the Saturday morning and then we all caught the ferry to Catalina Island. We spent two nights in Avalon on Catalina Island - it's touristy and it appears to be stuck in the 80's but still nice to have a walk around. Luckily we were able to buy Lily a black toy puppy dog - that was all she wanted and we had to get it to relieve some of our guilt of leaving her behind in Sydney. We needn't have worried since it wasn't until day six that she told my mum that she missed us and that she wanted to go home!

Catalina Island

The Johnston family on the local transport

Cambell and Will

Training swim in Catalina HarbourErrol and Aidan - tweedledee and tweedledum

Cambell and Aidan

On the Monday, we all caught the ferry to Two Harbours where the boys departed as the swim would be starting at Doctor's Cove. The rest of us stayed on the ferry to San Pedro on the mainland.

I was surpised at how barron Two Harbours was, there was nothing there and we were one day late for Buckaneer's Day. There was only one accommodation lodge, Banning House, where the boys stayed and only one restaurant which unfortunately served a very ordinary wild mushroom risotto to both Michael and Tony....

The boys - Jesse, Errol, Michael and Tony

Following the swim we stayed at Hermosa Beach for a few days and went to Universal Studios with the Johnston family before heading home.

Hermosa BeachTony and Michael checking out the surf

Jesse on Manhattan Beach pier

Aidan having a nap at Auckland airport (we were on standby from LA and by some miracle we were able to get on a flight via Auckland...took an extra six hours but got home in time to pick Lily up from school)