BY THE time you read this the turkey will have been cleared away, the guests will have gone and the hangover (hopefully) will be receding.
Chez nous there is a pile of turkey sandwiches waiting to be, erm, gobbled up, the turkey soup has been frozen in the largest Tupperware containers I can find and the turkey curry is steaming on the hob. It’s truly amazing how much meat can be gleaned from this humble bird, and my Labrador for one is in hog heaven what with all the table scraps.
We at Brits In LA are (almost) always thankful to live in Los Angeles, California, USA, in that order, and we do hope you feel the same, although it’s been a very trying few months for those of us on the left side of the political spectrum. So what better way to celebrate our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness than getting out this weekend, away from the computer, the social media and the TV and into the glorious wilderness that surrounds us? This time of year I always take the opportunity to hike the arduous Mishe Mokwa trail to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica mountains. The air is always clear and the views simply sublime all the way to Catalina and the Channel Islands. The trailhead is just across the Ventura County Line so it’s an easy 30-minute drive from Santa Monica.
For those not so close to the beach there’s plenty of great trails near Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon and the Hollywood Reservoir, and those in the Valley can take advantage of Trippet Ranch in Topanga or Westridge Canyonback Park near Tarzana, just for starters. And with the cooler temperatures, you don’t have to be up at first light or wait till sunset to enjoy it. Just remember to always take plenty of water with you!
For those of you who like to get out ON the water, it’s still warm enough to try Stand Up Paddleboarding – not only is this an awesome workout but you get to enjoy the Pacific and see some wildlife too – on calm days there’s plenty of sea lions to commune with, even if you stay within the calm confines of Marina del Rey and Mother’s Beach, which is about as easy a place to learn as you will ever find. Try the Pro SUP shop at www.prosupshop.com.
Another great way to enjoy the water is by sailing. If you don’t have a friend with a boat you can always try a rental with an instructor, and we’ve heard really good things about Marina Sailing (www.marinasailing.com) as a great place to start at a reasonable price. Get a couple of friends together and the price can be super affordable.
If you are looking to make new friends and have a couple of interests we’ve found hands-down the best way (apart from Brits in LA, of course) is MeetUp.com. Visit their website, enter whatever you are interested in into the search bar (happy hours, cycling, book clubs, yoga, running, hiking, movie appreciation, Asian food, etc) and you will be astonished at how many choices of meetups you have with like-minded folks. I often feel that MeetUp is the perfect antidote for those feeling a little blue or in need of new company and new energy in their lives. Or if you are new to town, or just feel you need to broaden your horizons, MeetUp is the perfect place to start.
Christmas and New Year are closing in fast and we are celebrating (of course). The Brits In LA Christmas Party is set for Wed. Dec 7th from 7.30pm at Birch, 1636 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood. Regular readers will know this fab eaterie is owned by British chef and all-around good bloke Brendan Collins, a James Beard nominee and former head chef at Melisse, the double Michelin-starred French restaurant in Santa Monica. Brendan has developed Birch into one of the most talked-about restaurants in town, and it’s certainly a favorite with local Brits – not least for their superb take on a traditional roast. Tickets are priced at $60 and we’d LOVE to have you join the party, so please visit us at britsin.la for details.
That’s all for now. Thanks for indulging me, an anonymous BiLA member. Craig (or Eileen) will be back next week.
Brit On!
