Chelsi is one of my oldest friends, so it’s quite a challenge to narrow it down to a single memory! So let’s talk about that time Chelsi travelled to San Francisco to see me.

San Francisco is a lovely place to visit, and we took advantage of it. We took a trip to both Napa and Sonoma Valley for wine tasting, and to enjoy some of the art that the valleys had to offer.

Chelsi standing by a fountain in Sonoma County

The next day we did what any rugby fan would do - head to the pub (at 7 am), grab a few pints, and watch Ireland vs. Scotland in Six Nations. Ireland won, so as a lad now living in Ireland I had to cheer quietly. From there we met up with a few of my Kiwi mates and went on a cycle tour of San Francisco. We cycled up towards the Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and into Sausalito for a late lunch.

Chelsi on Golden Gate Bridge

Later that evening we played chess at the mall which ultimately ended in a stalemate.

Chelsi Chess master

We also went to the Twitter offices in San Francisco as well, where we enjoyed a fantastic lunch of tacos and ice cream:

Chelsi eating tacos at Twitter

But of course, no visit to San Francisco is complete without trying some of the local drinks, so of course I had Chelsi try her first - and likely last - shot of Fernet.

Before

Chelsi's face BEFORE Fernet

After

Chelsi's face AFTER Fernet