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!
.