Sunday starts with a brief visit to Myles and Laurel. Myles makes games and has just created a new one called 'son' which he's been working on for about 8 months and has him up till all hours working out the rules. Then a long drive up the coast to Comedysportz Sacramento for their Sunday show. Again, Bron is playing and makes a racist slur against the Portuguese and chickens. Fortunately the audience love that and lap it up. Chris the manager of Sacramento CSZ is our host tonight and introduces us to his lovely dog. He's a Labrador and pit bull cross, so he's very (very) excitable and will play with you whether you want to or not. In fact he got so excited that he threw up on the floor.

Staying with guys from the Comedysportz teams in the US is not only helping us in pocket with their hospitality, but also a great way to see the country properly, and like in Australia, get an idea of just how big the place is. I used to think that everyone in the states must have to drive for hours to get anywhere, but really most places are easy to get to and everywhere has similar facilities.

Monday is out to the West coast and San Francisco. By the power of facebook we meet up with Laura who points us to Height and Ashbury, the birthplace of the underground culture. We drive the roller coaster streets up and down hill with some spectacular views including the twisty Lombard Street and seeing Alcatraz out on the bay. On the way out we pass over the Golden Gate bridge at dusk which looks beautiful then head as North as is comfortable to the interstate 5 before resting up at a budget motel off the highway in Fairfield.

I've stayed in a so many hotels over the years I now find myself doing an unconscious checklist of the features of a room, and Americas Best Inn comes up trumps. The universal basics are there, bed, toilet shower and tv, anything else tends to be a bonus regardless of cost or consession. Here we have a bath, fridge, microwave, desk, table, two chairs and a bottle opener built into the wall. The Rodeo drive Luxe had a better bed, but this wins on points.

Tuesday is all drive and rest breaks. North out of California's desert terrain, into the vast valleys of wine making and citrus fruits. Past 'Cowschwitz' where thousands of cows graze and then gradually into the forests and greener pastures of the state of Oregon. A whole day on the road. Bron does a rest stop at the Eagle Casino, spends 20, makes 50, blows 30 and leaves it there. I spend 5 on the lowest betting machines available, I'm not a fan of gambling. At 10.30pm we finally cross the border through Portland into Washington state and 'Z' street, where Bron's good friend Jill is waiting for us. Tomorrow is July 4th.

If you care to know, Quantas have great in flight entertainment. So far I've watched nine movies, six on the way out and three on this stretch. Who needs sleep. After a thirteen hours, we the hit the ground in Los Angeles and the temperature soars. Bron has arranged for us to meet James Bailey, who runs the Comedysportz improv venue and shows in Los Angeles. Los Angeles. It all feels very showbiz as we drive on a mini tour of the major movie and tv studios on the way to lunch, with the white letters of the Hollywood sign visible in the distance. It quickly becomes apparent how awkward we are as lunch guests as we rock up at very pleasant contemporary vegetarian restaurant. Bron narrows her veggie options by listing the vegetables she doesn't like, and I fail to mention my nut allergy at all until the orders are taken and then am politely advised that it's better that I don't eat there at all. This is then repeated the next night in a contemporary street food restaurant with my malt allergy, but I do eat some clams. Watch the simple Northern man make an impression in Hollywood.

James is an amazing host showing us the sights, as well as blagging us a swanky hotel in Beverley Hills on Rodeo drive. As we arrive knackered and see the glamour is hanging out all over, valet parking attendants and smart bellhops can smell our worth quicker than a pawnbroker with a cheap watch. Its posh, the bed is great but I remember that America doesn't really do kettle's, so I can't have the batman flavoured pot noodle for supper that I stashed in my suitcase.

Saturday we head out to Venice Beach. I look for the pier where the movie Falling Down was shot. It's hot and bustling, a bit like Blackpool with hippies and hip hop, worth seeing. The wife is also here to play Comedysportz with the LA team and lucky happenstance, James offers me the chance to play too. This team are slick and professional, all jobbing actors and improvisers and even though I feel 'game on' I'm concerned that I'm a bit rusty and have a might not gel with the beautiful people, a bit like Doctor Who on the bridge of the starship enterprise. I worry about nowt. It's a great show and Rick, Holly and Scott are giving, fun and funny. I even get to do a scene with Derek Mears who was Jason Vorhees in the Friday 13th (2009) and the lead Predator in Predators (2010). This presses my awesome buttons, it's a great night.