Our first full day in Chicago and it really started off well . Decided to get a cab to Lou Mitchell’s for breakfast. Interesting ride. He hadn’t got a clue where it was and we had to give him the exact address. Then he wanted to turn right but there was a gut who was directing the traffic (like one of our traffic wardens) in the way. They traded rather graphic insults with the traffic guy saying he was going to report the taxi driver and the taxi driver calling him a f****** black *****. Hen the taxi driver went straight across a zebra crossing and nearly drove over a Priam! Good start to the day. Great breakfast though – free cake sample on way in and free ice cream at the end!

Then went up the Willis Tower – took more than 3 hours but definitely something which needs to be done. Also something which has to be done is the hop on hop off tour. This time much better than Seattle and more factual than San Francisco. Very hot up on top – definitely no sign of the thunder storms which we’d been promised by the Weather Channel.

Lured to the Navy Pier by the promise of a beer  – very welcome and so good,that we decided to eat there too. Served by an Irish girl – apparently there are 50 Irish students working there. She was a student nurse and there for a few weeks and then going to San Francisco. Great way to spend her last summer before starting work.

Was going to walk back to the hotel but still too,hot so got a taxi. The traffic here is dreadful.