The County Fair

I was delighted when I read of the dates for the LA County Fair and looked forward to seeing it for myself, especially when I read of the craft and cooking competitions.  It promised so much and even though friends here raised an eyebrow when they heard of my plan to visit, I remained optimistic.

 

As suggested, we arrived early and made our way through the rides and hot dog stands, to the Grandstand, where the craft show was.

Once inside, I was interested to see the exhibits displayed in purpose-built, closed glass showcases.  We seemed to be the only ones looking around this part of the show and it did feel rather empty.  The small booths were set up for demonstrators - presumably later in the day there would be things to see and stuff to watch.

The table setting competition was quite fun, especially since the judge's comments were there to read.  This one had further comments written in response - I'm quite pleased that isn't a feature in the shows I am involved in!

Sadly, the craft exhibits were not really as great as I'd have expected and I didn't see much to inspire me.

Then, in the next showcase, lurked every craft judge's least favourite character

How interesting to see he has made it half way round the world!

But there was worse.

There was the food, including this case of decorated cakes.  Bearing in mind that the temperature today was nearing 100F and that there was no refrigeration, it was hardly surprising that some of these cakes were looking a little sad.  When we learned that they had been there since the start of the show nearly four weeks ago we gave a little gasp.  How did we know they had been there that long?  The woman spraying each one with an anti-roach spray told us!  I can't say how unspeakably disgusting the loaf with a rotten centre looked...

We moved on swiftly, out into the open air and past some other curiosities

At least it's only dipped, not covered!

Deep fried Avocados anyone?

"Everything smothered in chocolate" really does include pickles...

I admitted defeat.  Yes, Mary, Elizabeth, Diana, Joanna.  You were all correct.  It wasn't really our kind of event.  But at least we can say that with experience!

We headed away for lunch at an old favourite: Twoheys.  After a visit to San Gabriel Beads to spend some of Fanny's money for her, we enjoyed dessert at Fosselmanns, cited in the Observer recently as the source of the best milk shake in the world.

We're not disagreeing with that statement  - but will have to keep sampling!

Dinner

We did a little light shopping before returning to the hotel for a quick change and dinner.  As we drove back along Montana Avenue to avoid the freeway jams, we could see the fog coming in from the coast.  So strange to watch having spent the day in high temperatures and clear blue skies.  By the time we reached Santa Monica it was a bit of a pea souper - but still so warm.  Odd.

Sister Joanna joined us for dinner at La Cachette and the strange weather continued.  Unsure of whether we wanted to sit under the patio heater in sauna-like conditions or brave the humid evening air, we settled for the latter and enjoyed a great meal in the best of company.

We walked back along Ocean, the mist having cleared and reflected on how lucky we are to be here.  But it was nine o'clock and we knew that, as soon as our heads touch those pillows....

The Gamble House

Having discussed at length various routes to avoid the dreadful traffic problems arising from the soapbox derby, we said bye to Elizabeth and armed with Diana's notebook list of streets, we fought our way to the freeway and headed for Pasadena and The Gamble House.  Our chauffeur (Mark!) did a wonderful job of negotiating the traffic with the ?help? of three women navigators!

Built for the Gamble family (of Ivory Soap fame) this Arts and Crafts house is a beautiful and well maintained example of the work of the Greene brothers and we loved it.

It did, however, provoke questions about owning such an iconic structure, for when architects design every last detail, where do the "real life" things go?

Never mind - with such a beautiful front door, would you mind?

and then...

...there were other things to talk about.  Elizabeth's bag for one.

 

and those chandeliers.  Having seen them from below, perhaps our opinions had changed?

with the temperature soaring, it was time for a spot of lunch.  We resisted the temptation to go and watch the soapbox derby going on in the next street (though I think one of us would have really enjoyed that - sorry Mark!) and went over to a restaurant in another iconic building instead, where the world was put to rights, our plans for the weekend discussed!  Surprisingly (or perhaps not) no-one is eager to join us for that...

Saturday morning

A great dinner at El Cholos last night  (mmmmm...green corn tamales....yum!) meant that we didn't wake with those awful feelings of early morning starvation, being some 8 hours behind UK time.  It was no problem being up and ready to roll bright and early though - we'd agreed to drive over to Mary's for 9am and since it can take us an hour or so, depending on the traffic, we started our day bright eyed and bushy tailed and left our hotel at 7.

We stopped for breakfast at Canters, an LA institution - in the company of several members of the LAPD who clearly enjoy the same kind of breakfast as Mark.  corned beef hash with eggs sunny side up.

Looking at their waistlines, it could be that they enjoy it rather more frequently than he does, however!

 A hearty breakfast was quite in order for Mark, who was going to enjoy a day in the company of women.  No ordinary women either, but four lively and ebullient friends all of whom work in community education.  Elizabeth  had offered to take us on a tour of the LA Public Library where she works as a volunteer docent and Diana (last seen at St Pancras Station, enjoying champagne and afternoon tea last Christmas) decided to join us.  Of course, Mark copes well in such great company and the five of us had a great time looking around this fantastic building.

There was plenty to see - both old

and new.

You don't imagine we were short on opinions about the art in the building do you?

But we were all in agreement about one less spectacular art installation.  When the card index was replaced with a digital database, there was the question of what to do with all those small index cards.

The answer was the line the lift - and the liftshaft - with them. 

 Not only that, but every card begins with "Complete" or "Comprehensive", summing up the library so elegantly.  Clever, eh?