of Helicopters and Hummingbirds...

So my first few days in LA have been really relaxing - much needed after the freneticism of NY!

I am staying with my friend Nick, who lives in a stunning apartment in Korea Town. It is a massive flat, probably bigger than my parent's house and has been decorated very much in keeping with the time it was built, which was 1921. Photos to follow soon!

It is however in a slightly less salubrious neighbourhood, (although a Mad Men producer lives just down the road) so the roar of helicopters is even more common than in E17 would you believe? A couple of night's ago, we could see the search light from the 'copter right on our street - a little disconcerting as you eat your dinner! 

But with that negative noise, there is also the beautiful noise of the hummingbirds who drink from the red flowers opposite Nick's balcony. They flit around all day, but the best time to see them is in the morning or early evening. Harry who is green and slightly copper is the regular performer, and puts on a lovely little turn every day. If I am able to get any photos I will put them up, but these guys can shift! I will need patience, a tripod, and probably a better lens!

Nick also has a new lodger of the feline variety:

Twiggy is fluffy, and squeaky and really rather cute!

I got to see my bezzie Nadine on Monday as she drove up from The OC.  We had a super day's shopping at The Grove - a celeb-tastic shopping hang out, where we saw Mario Lopez filming Extra. He was dancing round with a cast of members of the public, which was fun and rather LA!

We also went to the Beverly Centre, another rather chi chi shopping centre, where I found myself drawn into the Apple store, and before I knew it was walking out with a shiny new iPad...

How did that happen?! I love it!!! The only problem is I can't change my iTunes account to the US as I don't have a billing address here - harumph! I wanted to watch all the latest shows, as Nick no longer has any TV channels. What about Boardwalk Empire, Glee, Revenge, Smash, Homeland and all the other US shows I watch?!!! 

I need to make friend's with people who have cable immediately...

So far so good. I am looking into car hire, and gym membership and booking hotels for when friends come to stay, but for the moment I am just enjoying the blue sky, the sun and the prospect of enjoying LA for the next 6 months...