2020 Feb - Florida holiday......

This is a bit of a brief "jot it down quick" diary of our wonderful holiday, not so many photographs but hopefully enough, and I've added links when I can, so if you need to know more then you'll have to do it yourself 😉

Tuesday 4th
Alarm at 4:30am and driving away at 5am. Gatwick to Orlando was uneventful (inflight movie Aladdin helped pass some time) and car pickup was easy too. Arrived at friendsL&K about 5.30pm to a very warm welcome and a lovely dinner. The evening was non stop catchup chat 😆

Wednesday 5th
Lazy leisurely start for us although friendK had to do a little driving for a friend to see their doctor urgently. Then it was a wander round Brownwood Paddock town square and in and out of a few shops then to Scooples Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant for lunch. The evening was in Spanish Springs town square to see the band Hooligans and meet up with lots of friends and have a dance. Then eight of us to Thai Ruby Restaurant for dinner.

Thursday 6th
Today was a late breakfast and friendA joined us. He left to join his Pilates class.
The four of us then drove out to Winter Park.

Cafe first for drinks and a very light lunch. Really nice looking restaurant and quite expensive menu. First disappointment was the dirty toilet. Second was the very very slow service and even slower delivery of the food even though none of us had dishes that needed cooking! FriendK had a little confusion with getting change from his bill, after we'd left he noticed he'd been given too much and even though she chased after us down the street to correct her mistake and K willingly gave her back what she asked for, she still left him with more than it should have been......so he considered it compensation. We are all still laughing about it.

Down to the lake and took the Scenic Boat Tour of three of the lakes. We were totally windswept but loved it.

Too much me and not enough him, 

I'll never get the hang of selfies 😂

Evening meal was in McAlisters Deli, travelling there and back with all the sides zipped down on the golf buggy as it was so windy. Later back home around 11pm onwards was a massive storm. Hubby slept through it hahaha.

Friday 7th
Lazy day with the men going to the hardware store then coming back and getting all their little repair jobs done. The evening was in Brownwood Square to hear a band as their friend Cathy was singing with them and she was just returning to the stage having been ill for quite a while. Such a shame it was a really cold evening so we gave up sitting outside shivering after their first set. Dinner for five of us at TooJays

Saturday 8th
Supermarket shopping this morning and a late lunch at Evans Prairie Country Club. A more substantial lunch as tonight will be mostly nibbles.
This evening was at home with friends and Mexican Train a domino type game. We played with nine of us, food, drink and a lot of laughter!

They may look like they are concentrating, don't be fooled, the blurred photos are because I was laughing and I was being shouted at to take my turn!

Sunday 9th
This afternoon was a good mooch around the Arts and Crafts market at Spanish Springs

Meeting friends in World of Beer

Listening to American Martian at Spanish Springs

Dinner tonight was for seven of us at Outback Steakhouse. An Australian themed steak house. Yummy!

Monday 10th
L&K wanted to check out the newly built Village of Fenney and the even newer building work in progress, which is the furthest point of the villages away from them, so much easier done in our hire car than their golf cart. Testament to the successful way of life here that the whole city keeps growing so rapidly.

On our way back they wanted to show us Baker House but it wasn't open so we are planning to do that Wednesday.

On to Lake Sumter as friendL needed to have her necklace repaired in the jeweler she bought it from, however the cost quoted seemed very high, so we left and joined our men in Panera for coffee and cake. Hubby had already bought me a Bear claw and it would have been ungrateful not to eat and enjoy every last mouthful mmmmm.

We managed to walk off a few of the zillion calories along the boardwalk around the lake. It's so beautiful there.

From there we came back to Brownwood for L to check out what the jewelers there would charge, but unfortunately they couldn't do the repair at all.

Next onto The Sunny Pint a new tap room business. So many beers to choose from (I had water).

Back again to Brownwood to dance to Second Slice and we met a few more of L&K's friends

Then to Square 1 Burgers. I didn't think I was hungry but it was so good I ate it all.
And finally home. A very busy day and as we were all yawning we all retired quite early.

Tuesday 11th
First stop I-Hop for breakfast.
Then about an hour drive to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. All the wildlife are here for their good not just our interest. They are rescued or recovering from injuries or just couldn't have survived in the wild. And all the rangers appear to be volunteers.

There were turtles

Birds of all sizes and colours

Underwater for us to watch fish 

 and fish to watch us

There were manatees but I didn't get a photo. 

And lots of alligators 

From there we headed to Monkey Island but we didn't actually find the island itself and were happy to stop at  The Shed Tiki Bar for some food and drink. Seems to be a popular place for Harley bikers.
Another busy day so all content to have a relaxing evening at home.

Wednesday 12th
Up and out early for Pilates, them not us! We lazed around, well we are on holiday 😂
We all headed out in plenty of time for a Wednesday only Baker House  guided tour.

We waited on the porch as instructed and was soon greeted by a couple of women who were very chatty and welcoming.
Next we were passed to our tour guides, an elderly married couple who were volunteers, not only volunteering as guides but undertook so much of the restoration and repairs the house has constant need for.
We started with the wife and when the husband was free he took over, insisting she go rest and have refreshments. They were both so knowledgeable and so so proud of the house they felt custodians of.

Apart from what you can read on their website they told us of all the furniture and accessories that has kindly been donated. In the dining room they had set the table with what they thought was English china of a suitable era. We told them that Minton is high quality and Hubby looked up the design and told them the age and current value which pleased them.
We were there for about two very enjoyable hours.

We needed refreshments ourselves so into the nearest Panera, but AARRGGHH no bear claws!!! L went for soup but three of us went for vanilla cinnamon roll, oh it was sooooo sweet, men were ok but I'll not have it again.

Home for a very quick change and onto friendsM&G. We had been invited along with friendA for a scrabble evening. But first they had made us a lovely dinner of pizzas and salads with all the trimmings followed by apple pie and ice cream. Then this.....

Thursday 13th
Another leisurely day doing not a lot. While relaxing in their lanai this pretty cardinal bird came to visit. Not the clearest photo as the lanai is mesh covered.

We headed out late afternoon. For Hubby and K it was shopping for K to buy a new iPad. L and I had a wander round different shops and they found us afterwards. Next stop was Cracker Barrel for their gift shop and dinner in their restaurant. There I tried what they call biscuits which look just like our scones but are much fluffier and are somewhere between a sweet/salty bread and a cake. I also had what they call gravy for the first time, because it was already on top of my fried chicken. Definitely not gravy as we know it, L was right with a nearest description as similar to English bread sauce.

Friday 14th
Today is Valentine's ❤ and Hubby's birthday 🎂
L&K went off for their early morning pilates, we were still in bed but I don't feel guilty at all hahaha.

I'd been warned in advance that this 

was tonight's entertainment. 

So we came prepared, and this 

is how the four of us left the house. 

The square was highly decorated and 

many people there were dressed up too. 

 The band were throwing out 

glow sticks and flashing rings etc. 

Everyone was in a great party mood and I had so many compliments on my wig it was well worth the itchy head hahaha.

L had managed to book our table for nine people at Cody's  for dinner, not easy on valentine's night to get a table anywhere, well done L. Dinner was great and the laughter never stopped.

Lots of hugging and kissing goodbyes then the four of us managed to catch the end of the party on the square and headed home still giggling about a great night.
A birthday Hubby won't forget.

Saturday 15th
All up, breakfasted and out by about 10:30ish and about 90 minute drive to the pretty city of Mount Dora for mooching round shops, light lunch and walks by the lake where we met this fella

Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille for dinner. Beautiful sunset.

Sunday 16th
All up but relaxing in pajamas then L and I had to rush and get clothes on when friendA called to say he was popping in to see us before we left. He stayed for a very long chat which was lovely. K and Hubby excused themselves to watch English match of the day on tv. Later when we were getting ready to go out neighbours and friendsJ&F came to wish us a safe journey home. L&K's friends are so warm and caring.

Then heading out for our last evening here, and last ride in the back of the golf cart hahaha.  To Sumter square and we had only just started to watch the band when it started raining again, so headed to the restaurant a little earlier than our booking so had drinks at the bar first. Dinner tonight was at Chop House Dining and it was yummy. Table cloths and sparkling chandeliers and our treat to say thank you to our perfect hosts.

Monday 17th
Out for breakfast to Darrell's Diner and there we bumped into friendsM&G so we got to say our goodbyes in person to them too. Filled the car with fuel (so cheap here) then a last relax in the lanai before loading the car and big hugs and away around 1pm to Orlando airport.

The usual long hanging around but no problems giving the hire car back, or check in or security etc and the flight took off on time. My choices of films were The Greatest Showman and the new Lion King.

Tuesday 18th
It was an overnight flight and we landed a little early at 6:45am GMT. Outside was cold but dry which was a pleasant surprise after hearing about all the dreadful UK weather they've had while we were away.
Home about 10:30am with lots of lovely memories and photos of a great holiday with our special friends......and two suitcases of dirty washing of course!
.

Packing........

Oh my it certainly has felt like a full on fortnight! We've been catching up with friends that we didn't fit in around the festive season, so a couple of lunches out and an evening out as well as our usual evenings out.

I've had a theatre night and we've had the cinema which I've already told you about.

For SERVSC Bloodrunners there was an evening at The Rosie Neonatal Hospital in Cambridge where they showed us around and fed us well with pizzas and cakes to say thank you for the milk runs that supply their premature babies when mum can't.

And a quiz night held in Ipswich which was good fun and also raised over £400 for the SERVSC charity

I'm out again tomorrow, lunching with friends but today we were home, catching up with ourselves, doing some much needed housework and thinking about packing for two weeks in Florida starting 4th February but first I've another short stay in hospital starting this Wednesday to pack for, plus we did have a visit from Daughter, R, O and the dog, a very welcome distraction! 

.

2017 Feb - Florida holiday - week 2.......

Tuesday 14
Hubby's birthday!

We started the day with Hubby opening his cards (mine L&K's and those early arrivals I'd brought with). The weather was cooler and windier so we decided not to bother with the trolly tour again and had breakfast (I tested out the hotel waffle iron gadget which was more fun than delicious) then checked out of the hotel. Hubby set the sat nav then between him and K navigated totally against most of her directions, some of the time she sounded quite cross. We took the coastal road which was quite scenic and headed to Daytona and just like our trip there in 2012 we couldn't get onto the beach, so as compensation we made an early lunch stop at the nearest ihop. While Hubby did all the driving we kept him going with regular bursts of singing Happy Birthday, he was thrilled of course hahaha. In the evening friendsL&K had planned which restaurant we should have his birthday meal, but they couldn't book and of course valentine's day is very popular for eating out so we couldn't get in.....back in the car heading for one of the country clubs but when there we found it to be a special 3 course menu which none of us wanted........back in the car and to an Italian restaurant called Meza Luna. Yummy and such a shame I couldn't eat more than about half of my chicken carbonara as it was huge. Of course being the US the waiter immediately asked if I'd like it boxed but I declined. Back home early so Hubby could have a beer or two as he'd been driving. Think it was a successful birthday/valentine day.

Wednesday 15
Well it was our usual lazy relaxed start to the day for Hubby and I, friendsL&K had been to their early pilates class and back mid-morning. Hubby and K had a little job to do putting some lights back up around the lanai then we had a sandwich lunch while going through the villages daily papers to decide what we should do with our day. Then it started raining. And then an alarm sounded on L's mobile phone with a weather warning, so the tv went on

Of course that looks a lot worse than it actually was. We had very loud thunder, some lighting and very heavy rain for about an hour or so then stopped completely. So the plan changed to late afternoon cinema then straight to a restaurant and maybe dancing in the square afterwards. The men were happy as we saw Star Wars Rouge 1 (don't think L or I would give it a glowing review so I'll say no more lol). The streets,  restaurants and square were really quiet, guess the thought of more rain had kept people home. We ate in the Bavarian Brewhaus, and it was lovely. We've not been having desserts at all as meals have been so filling but on our way out I noticed some cheesecake in their cabinet and said yum, so L then promptly ushered us down the street to Too Jays and we bought a whole New York cheesecake to take home. Cuppa's all round and half the cheesecake eaten and it ended up a quiet evening of laptops/sudoku/crosswords etc stuffed and content.

Thursday 16
General sort of lazy day apart from three of us going out grocery shopping while L did a bit of housework (she kicked us out lol). I don't actually do supermarkets at home Hubby does it all, so here it's not only a novelty but fun to look at all the products we don't have. All dressed up for an evening out, to The Eisenhower recreation centre for The Collierite's Valentine's Party. (L&K live in the Village of Collier). Great bbq buffet, lovely people, Blake Guyre was the lead of our three piece entertainment and they were really good, so dancing all night too. Wonderful evening

Friday 17
It was a Shuffleboard morning and friendsL&K beat me and Hubby 2 sets to 1

Lunch at home was added to by last night's leftovers, so much food at the Valentine's party that couldn't go to waste, so we enjoyed cold beef and baby potatoes along with salad etc and then we finished off the New York cheesecake yummy. Late afternoon we headed out in the golf cart into Brownwood for a little bit of shopping then a brief stop at the square to watch Scooter entertain the crowd then to Too Jays deli restaurant and meeting up with more friends of theirs, a couple that live opposite them. Six of us eventually had a lovely dinner, took nearly an hour for our meals to arrive, but gave us all something to laugh about. After dinner we all came back and had a really fun evening playing Mexican Train

I actually won three rounds and came second overall, must have been that half glass of prosecco I had hahaha

Saturday 18
FriendsL&K had been invited to a surprise 80th birthday party and when they said they had friends staying the birthday boy's children who were hosting the party insisted that we came too. So a lazy morning, a quick lunch and we arrived for 2pm as instructed. Hubby and I were made so welcome and we'd met some of these friends previously at the British-American night so we had some lovely conversations. A big shout of "surprise" when our octogenarian arrived and he was definitely surprised, after our introductions I then got to meet his wife who happens to have the same Christian name and surname I had before I got married and friendL had already told each of us all about the other. There was a lot of really yummy food. So when we left there was no need for dinner so we decided to have a night in with Netflix.

Sunday 19
The men had a golf game booked starting around lunchtime so instead of having breakfast then an early lunch we decided to go out for brunch but couldn't go out until K got a help-desk call back on a techy problem even Hubby couldn't solve. 10am and the call came as booked, lasted about 20 mins and K was told he'd get an email with instructions within 24 hours and it would then be valid for only three hours! So a yummy brunch then home in the cart, check emails, then because we can't have four people and two lots of golf clubs in the cart at once we all went in the hire car for the men to drop us girls in Sumter then back to check emails and swap car for cart and out again for golf. We shopped and there was a great craft market that seemed never ending. We both bought stuff and briefly stopped for a cuppa then shopped a bit more

We'd arranged to meet the men at 4pm under the clock and they both popped back to the cart to stow our shopping, then we watched a bit of a jazz band on stage and met up with friends making us a group seven. It's always good fun on the squares people watching, happily dancing or getting very possessive with the chairs. They all had a drink as it was happy hour then we went to eat at Thai Ruby. We got back a bit early for bed so put a film on, "Woman in Gold" starring Helen Mirren. Brilliantly done and made me cry. All to bed but still no email!

Monday 20
Today we made plans to have the day out but first we'd been invited over the road by their lovely neighbour friends for breakfast, so K having checked his email and still nothing we went over. They had gone to so much trouble, first offered coffee but as Hubby and I prefer tea K had brought over the tea bags and had to make it as they don't know how. We had home made pancakes some stuffed with cheese and others with fruit preserve (even our hostess isn't keen on US jelly) they'd made a huge bowl of fresh fruit salad and toasted muffins and it was all delicious and we stayed quite some time chatting. Back home and finally the email had arrived so K could sort his problem before we left again. About 30 mins by car and we were in Silver Springs State Park where three of us took the glass bottom boat tour with Captain Oscar

If you can zoom in on this last picture you may be able to spot three turtles a cormorant and a baby gaitor. Meanwhile L was on shore eating a huge icecream so when we came ashore we had to queue for icecreams too. Just the four of us out to dinner tonight and back for another film, this time L chose it as she'd read the book Before I Go To Sleep which was a psychological thriller with Nicole Kidman playing the lead. I would highly recommend it.

Tuesday 21
All too soon our two weeks have ended so up, packing, stripping the bed and ready to leave after lunch. Big goodbyes, we love L&K and they are brilliant hosts. Journey home was all pretty much as it should be apart from a fair bit of turbulence during the flight. Actually worth noting I used the toilet on the plane and that is a first for me hahaha. Hubby had a short nap but I didn't. And somewhere over the Atlantic the day changed.

Wednesday 22
Landed on time and nicely through the automated passport control but our cases were the very last to hit the carousel. We now have "hive" on our heating so it was great for Hubby to switch on the heating at home before we'd left Gatwick. Walked through our front door just after 10:30am. Made tea before anything else (Daughter had previously bought fresh milk and bread) then I unpacked so I could sort out the gifts as Daughter was coming 1pm-ish and we saw O and a bit later R as well. Thankfully neither of us seem to suffer jetlag so we kept to our usual Wednesday night activities although when friendH offered to drive I gratefully accepted, wouldn't want to fall asleep driving home at midnight.

Thank you friendsL&K xx

2017 Feb - Florida holiday - week 1........

All packed and ready (even bought a new suitcase) for another trip to friendsL&K's Florida home. Really looking forward to seeing them especially as they've both been unwell recently I'm sure they could do with a hug brought from home. Have to say with all the President Trump news of late I'm a bit concerned what we will find there, protestors and holdups at the airport are my first concern really.

Tuesday 7
5am start from my lovely warm and snuggly bed and out of the house about 6:20am, so a little later than Hubby had wanted but not a problem as he'd allowed plenty of time. But that little bit later meant a lot more traffic so it seemed to take forever to get from home to Gatwick. We were all on board and had about 20mins to wait before take off as something in the hold had to come out of the hold and go back in. All minor hiccups including the quarter of an hour or so of minor turbulence that coincided with us all trying to eat and drink from the meal trays we'd been given. I wasn't giving up as it was delicious and thankfully I didn't get any down my front. On arrival we were pleasantly surprised to find the whole passport control system had been greatly improved since our last visit. Our case came off the carousel as one of the first but unfortunately our other case was one of the last or we would have whizzed out of there. But the delay for luggage did mean when we went to the car rental desk there was no queue and that took minimal time. It was really lovely arriving at L&K's with an evening of dinner and lots of chat. There was a huge storm just as we went to bed, lots of loud thunder and bright lighting with some much needed heavy rain. I don't think it actually lasted too long or maybe we were so tired we fell asleep despite the noise.

Wednesday 8
L&K went off to their very early pilates class and Hubby and I had a much less active start, just breakfast, unpacking and showers, then L&K were home again. After they'd showered and fed and watered we all ventured out in the golf cart, stopping first in Brownwood town square

And the men mostly found a bench outside each shop we popped into.

Then onto Lake Sumter Standing, another town square, for a lunch stop and walk

Looking really cloudy but actually 27°C so definitely shorts and tshirts weather.
Home and out again about 6:30pm into Brownwood for dinner at Cody's restaurant, where Dangerous Dave was the live music entertainment and you eat peanuts from little buckets on the tables and the shells just get thrown on the floor. Our table was of the high bar stool variety but I managed to get up and down without making a fool of myself hahaha. Dancing in Cody's then just enough time to catch the end of the town square entertainment and a bit of line dancing. Pleased I'd remembered how to Electric Slide from our last visit.

Thursday 9
Really cloudy blowy start but still 23°C, so at 7am I'm sitting in my PJs in the lanai (outside room) while the others are still sleeping

Another lazy morning, total holiday relax. Our men do like to get a few jobs done though, some of it was techy Hubby sorting out their tablet with a promise to do the laptop later and some was actually measuring up the lanai and friendK doing lots of online research for retractable screens with the big debate between them of professional or DIY. When we headed out mid-afternoon the first stop was Home Depot (Hubby can't stay away from B&Q at home and this looked just the same) to price up stuff they unfortunately don't sell, hahaha men were searching up and down all the isles for ages so I went and asked then we left! 

Dinner was at Ruby Tuesday and it was yummy. I had southern fried chicken with a plate full of help yourself salad bar. As they were leaving a man from the next table gave us some vouchers they had extra so we got a bit of a discount too!

Mark Seymour was the singer in the square and he's got a great voice, so we stayed for a dance or two or three. 

From there we went to one of the many recreation centres as tonight was the British-American Club meeting that L&K usually go to. Hubby and I were introduced to a lovely bunch of people, very welcoming. One of the members had arranged the film show in the style of early cinema with lots of short clips and old news reports, very nostalgic and very entertaining. Good use of our hire car today as these venues were all a bit further away from home and from each other so would have taken ages in the golf cart. Back at home we ended the night with some heavy discussions on the political situations both sides of the pond, really hard to avoid talking about it the way things are. 

Friday 10
I was up at 6:30am and now at 7:30am it's bright and sunny with a clear sky but only 8°C so far. Everybody else up by 8am. FriendsL&K went to their pilates class and again we both declined. After some lunch we headed out as there was some shopping needed, friendL did better than the rest of us in the clothes shop . In the evening we went out in the golf cart to Brownwood Square and met up with another English couple L&K are good friends with and all went to World of Beer to eat. Food was great, men tried lots of the beers, lots of laughter by all, fun evening.

Saturday 11
Football was on tv all morning as we are five hours behind so live in the afternoon in England. Then we went out to the Polo Club for a really good craft market.

We had an early dinner at home as we were meeting last night's friends again for dancing, but unfortunately the husband's back was painful so no dancing for him tonight but we went anyway. Scooter was performing in Sumter Square and he is hilarious and gets everyone dancing silly dance routines. He works the cruises too. It's also fun to people watch and L nearly got in trouble when she tried to use a chair someone else had obviously laid claim to but wasn't actually sitting on lol. There always seems to be a happy hour in the drink huts around the square and when K bought L a glass of wine he was given a pint!

Sunday 12
This is day one of our holiday-holiday! The four of us have arrived in St Augustine, about 2hrs 15mins drive to the east coast. Hotel seems to have all we need, nice big rooms and very welcoming and friendly staff. So bags into rooms then out to explore. FriendL had booked a great location as a very short walk and we were through the gateway (no actual gates) into George Street

Which is full of food and drink places and lots of shops of the gifty variety (most a bit expensive though). We seemed to be shopping for hours but there was an early lunch stop and a later relax with drinks in a garden bar then back to the hotel for a quick freshen up and out again for dinner.  Harry's Restaurant was lovely and our waiter was brilliant at explaining flavours and making recommendations. We all came out feeling really full and had to walk it off before heading back to the hotel. Hopefully we can sleep ok with this noisy air con unit that we've set to auto so it only comes on every now and then when it needs to.

Monday 13
We are booked as breakfast included and thankfully L had warned me US hotels are not great at providing breakfast, especially a selection that we are used to. I was not disappointed as I'd been warmed. Very basic, the eggs looked like processed food, had to have coffee as no breakfast tea but none of us went hungry. We crossed the road and bought tickets for the Tour Trolly Bus, expensive but the full circuit takes about 90 minutes with constant commentary, we can also use it as hop on hop off, and we can use it tomorrow too. Had a late lunch in a Greek restaurant then back on the trolly to the museum.

St Augustine is so full of character and historic stories laying claim to being the oldest settlement in America, you may want a quick history link here.
Unfortunately half way round the museum friendK didn't feel too well so with L they went back to the hotel, Hubby and I followed taking in a few extra shops on the way. A brief hotel rest and K felt so much better. So out we all went to eat at O.C.White which we'd seen advertised and had a voucher for. The waitress was lovely chatting all about England as she'd spent some time there. Meal was lovely. Then over the road to a pub which had about 20+ beers on offer!

So a week has whizzed by but only half way though our holiday.
                    To be continued.............