It is a return trip then to take back the car and stay once more with Tom and Ann in Modesto. They educate us a bit more about Mexican food, thumbs up to tacos, corn tortillas and chilli, thumbs down to wet burritos.
Our return trip across the plain west is through groves of almonds and walnuts, then ripe tomatoes, lorries filled to the brim and overspilling onto the roadside. Tractors kick up dust as they drive between the trees , shaking the crop to the ground.
We pause for coffee at "Jimmys one stop". It had been busy last time we called in here with farm labourers playing dice on a Saturday. This mid week visit the owners have time to chat to us and turn out to be a lovely family from Yemen who have visited their homeland recently. The Yemen seems to have managed its Arab Spring with more dignity and mutual co- operation than it's neighbours. Their description of the capital, Aden, has encouraged us to add it to our to visit list.
The forecast is the temperature is to climb into 3 digits, and it certainly feels like it as we head up into the hills to a gruelling 1600ft. 2/3rds up we all feel faint so rest in a tiny bit of shade and pour water over our heads.
It is no wonder the next car stops to ask if we are alright - and took some persuading we always look this bad!
After nearly 1& 1/2 hours up hill it seemed like only minutes to whizz down to Livermore . A real ranching town (including shops that sell stetsons), and then back to Pleasanton. We picked up some essential supplies before returning to our Warmshowers hosts Bryan and Audrey
Tour miles to date: 1,836
Location:Yosemite to Pleasonton
