Day 5. San Simeon to Pismo Beach. 55.1 miles. Highs and Lows.

Set off about 8.45 am on a cloudy and cool day, we were looking forward to having an easier cycle, less hills, maybe a tail wind. Not so, full on head wind, nothing for it but get it done. My legs felt quite tight to begin with but then loosened up. Murray's derriere is giving him a lot of discomfort so we bought some butt cream in a cycle shop. I had told him to put cream on at the start of our cycle but he said he was OK. Hope he will be !!To begin with the countryside was quite dry and barren but then changed to fertile agricultural land. We have left Central California and are now in South California. We could actually smell the strawberries growing in the fields. The sun came out, the wind dropped and we cheered up. Saw Morro Rock at Morro Bay, a huge volcanic rock, one in a chain of nine called the Nine Sisters. Had lunch at San Luis Aluspo, free unshelled peanuts on the table with bucket for shells. Quite salty but delicious, we ate the lot.  We arrived in Pismo Beach by mid afternoon so time to change into shorts and have a wander.  Beautiful beachside town, surfers, walkers, many cyclists but not too busy, apparently it is mobbed in the summer. We watched the stunning sunset then had a lovely dinner in seafood restaurant - cod, calamari, shrimp and clam strips.  The day started disappointingly but finished on a high. It was good to have an easier day.