In case you’re wondering why I’m up at 2.30am writing results straws, it’s because we’re visiting our son and family in Kirkland, WA.

The greater Seattle region is the origin of Microsoft (Redmond, where my son visits occasionally but essentially works from home), Amazon (started from Bezo’s garage in Belmont), Cosco (First warehouse, hence the Kirkland brand), Boeing (where you can see the Dreamliners being built inside a massive shed at the Everett factory) and Starbucks (where you can queue up to an hour at the original Pike’s Place store for a crap cup of coffee) :). Here, about one in 20 cars seems to be a Tesla which can be charged at any car park or supermarket. A huge increase since our last visit.

It’s a beautiful time of year to visit Seattle with clear blue skies and the majestic Mt Rainier surreally dominating the South Eastern skyline.

Puget Sound at Poulsbo is alive with sea life and is a magical place for an early morning kayak with the family!

Puget Sound, Poulsbo WA

‘Paradise’ at the foot of Mt Rainier WA, living up to its name! It’s a shame the peak of Mt Rainier was immersed in a cloud during our visit.