We arrived back in Napa on Sunday afternoon after an uneventful drive up from Mariposa.  It’s warmer than when I arrived now – in the low 30s, so wintry Wellington is going to come as a rude shock!

Monday morning  Caroline took me over to the Sonoma Valley – near a place called Sebastapol, to see a small art quilt exhibition themed around the local riverine environment.  While nothing really grabbed me, it was interesting to see the techniques used in the quilts and as Caroline has tried some of them, she could explain the ins and outs to me.

After that, we grabbed lunch at a taco truck in town.  Taco trucks are common here, and this one had set up in the carpark of what looked like a business park.  There was a queue – apparently always a good sign.  The tacos were good and it is a cheap option much used by mexican service and construction workers.

Then we headed to a couple of quilting shops in Petaluma and Sonoma.  They are much larger, with more choices of fabric and sewing notions at a cheaper price than in Australia or NZ.  Unsurprising, given the size of the market here.  I’ve mostly resisted fabric but have bought some other stuff that I tried out at Mariposa or that Caroline has recommended.

Last day in the Napa today; I’ll be heading to San Francisco late the afternoon taking the ferry across the Bay from Vallejo.

Had another go at sunsets from the Hill; pics to follow,.