• Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack.........

    19. juni 2022, England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Well theym up bright and early for them (8.30). and an hour later we're on the road to Pickering where the North Yorkshire Railway starts. To get the most of the journey he's devised a plan, gawd help her! I am parked up at the site weme stopping at for the night alongside the railway and they am biking down to the station and tekking the bikes on the train. The Moorside special goes to Grosmont and they plan to cycle one station back to Goathland, thus seeing the two villages and the iconic stations. So off they go and on the way he checks out the OS map cycle route thinking the paths and roads follow the train track ie level. But what's this he's found, the road gus up un down like a whores draws (as the saying gus). Even wiv them posh electric bikes hers avin none of it, so time for plan B. The nice woman in the booking office says they can stop at Goathland for an hour and then hop on the Whitby special to Grosmont then 90mins later back to Pickering. So the bikes get a ride on 3 trains and not used.... brilliant. Goathland station and village are used in Harry Potter films and Heartbeat the sixties programme. Very nice apparently and Grosmont has engine sheds and a pub so he was appy sides! Back at Pickering and the sun is out and so are the knats and mozzies by the streams, so inside the van a bit early with me flyscreens down.Les mer

  • South Bay Scarborough

    18. juni 2022, England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Well theym off to Scarborough again to do the South Side. Bus today there and back (single decker there, double back for you bus afficienados!). Walk down from the station to the prom then a right turn to stroll to the Spa end. They reckon everyone in Yorkshire must own at least one dog, there is so many in the beach at this end, banned though in the popular part of the sand. About turn and...... 'they ended up at the Grand Hotel, it was empty, cold and bare' for all you Deep Purple fans, yes you MrMc! They didn't see any smoke on the water though. South Bay was rammed apparently with day trippers, either in the many, many arcades or scoffing ice cream and fish n chips. After taking in the harbour a terrible thirst overtook them and Ghost Shop ale was supped to save them from dehydration. Fish n Chips next at Winking Willie's Fish Restaurant and pretty good was the verdict. Yorkshire Air had turned a bit chilly so a wander back up to the town centre in time for the bus home. Last time they were here with them kids Sarah and Jennie along with their Granny Mary, they got froze and rained on the beach for a week, with that Tom just a bulge, so thanks Scarborough you've been great and a bit warmer this time.Les mer

  • North Bay Scarborough

    17. juni 2022, England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Well it ay the heatwave day forecasted up ere in the North, warm and cloudy it is. Its OK cos I doh like it too hot as it frizzles me solar panels. So theym walking to Scarborough today across the field to the coastal path and down to Scalby and along the prom with all the other old gits to the North Bay. She doh seem too thrilled but he's happy as a dog with two dicks (as the saying goes), he does love a (r) amble. As it happens it a fairly easy walk and the North Bay is nice and unspoilt with what used to be grand hotels and guest houses overlooking the beach. Hilly climb up the cliffs and a pint in a pub to recuperate, any excuse for them pair! A wander round the shops in the town centre, (bet we was appy bout that), and a quick cheap beer/gin in Spoons before a bus ride back, double decker front seat of course! Later on he drags the BBQ out again and burns a burger or two and because there's sod all on me telly they can agree on to watch they play his new birthday dice game which he loses at several times, so he ain't happy, but at least we all enjoy a nice sunset.Les mer

  • Scarborough

    17. juni 2022, England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Ow do muckers? It's bin a while since I was on the road wot with them bogging off to the States with them two delinquents from Netherton. Well before we set off he game me waste tank a right good clear out, thank gawd for that I was feeling well bunged up. Nothing beats a good clear out of yer system does it? So not much to tell ya we had a good steady journey up to Scarborough , without too much driving instruction from herself which med a change. Nice site, bit of a bbq and a drink or two in the sunshine, though not as warm as yow lot are gonna be getting in the 'south'. He's got an itinerary bless him, an we are movin about quite a lot which suits me so I am quite looking forward to rambling through the Dale's an all. Speak soon.Les mer

  • That's All Folks

    21. mai 2022, England ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Well it's all hands on deck today as we have to pack, strip the beds, clean and re-make the beds before heading up to the Golf Club for lunch . Salad I think as I have now reached capacity on the food levels.

    We check over the villa one last time and start the drive to the airport, on the way we noticed the temperature on the Sat Nav, it has reached the magic 100 degrees.

    We arrived in plenty of time for our 7.40 pm departure that is until we have an almighty storm with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. We board the plane 40 minutes after we should have taken off and then sit there for over one and a half hours before we finally take off.

    We have a good flight considering it's still lightning when we take off but not too restful. It was interesting being able to watch our progress on the in-flight information on our personal Tv's and the camera on outside of the plane gave wonderful pictures. Thank goodness we have a taxi waiting for us and we don't have to drive home.

    The end to a wonderful holiday, thanks Fiona and Mark for the great company and loads of laughs xx
    Les mer

  • The Last Supper

    20. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Tonight we are going back to Manny's for our dinner, we all get changed ready to go, the minute we are ready the heavens open and we get soaked just getting in the car.

    At Manny's we have to wait for our table and while we do we noticed an electronic display stating that in 2019 they had over 1,055,620 guests visit. We had a bottomless Salad and Steak & Chips and Fi had Shrimp.

    Back at the villa we watch the lightening.

    It's a shame but we're going home tomorrow.
    Les mer

  • Breakfast at Egg City

    20. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Today we have woken up to quite thick cloud again so our plans of chilling by the pool and soaking up the rays don't look like happening.

    We went to a real American Diner called Egg City for breakfast. It's a very popular place Fi ordered an omelette with potatoes, Mark had similar to English Breakfast. Martin and me decided to share an omelette with potatoes and a stack of Blueberry Pancakes. There was way too much.

    After breakfast Martin went for a walk, Mark stayed at home to start the cleaning and Fiona and I went to get some souvenirs.

    On the way back the skies turned black and the lightening started, next we had monsoon conditions which made driving difficult but Fiona coped well even with a very nervous passenger.
    Les mer

  • International Drive

    19. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    After the Outdoor World shop we drove down International Drive, a long road and one either sides were shop, bars, restaurants, hotels and rides such as a big wheel, an reverse bungie jump.

    We also drove past what is reputedly the largest McDonald's in the world, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, The Upside Down House, we could also see Volcano Bay, the water park for Universal Studios.

    Back home and Martin is waiting for us after a good game of golf, a dip in the pool and pizza and salad for tea.
    Les mer

  • Outdoor World

    19. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Today Martin is playing golf at White Heron so Fi, Mark and myself are going to the outlets stores at International Drive.

    We started at the outlets but apart from shoes for me and new Trainers for Mark we didn't have much success.

    We then drove to Outdoor World, possibly the largest shop I have ever been in, they give you a map so you can find your way around.

    Clothing, Shoes, Fishing equipment, Guns and Ammunition, Camping equipment and Boats plus lots of other stuff.
    Les mer

  • Celebrations In Celebration

    18. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Today is my Birthday and I've had lots of messages, cards and gifts.

    Fiona and Mark are meeting up with Francis and Mark at Disney for the day so Martin and me are going to Celebration a Disney town.

    When we get there we walk down to and around the lake where we saw a Heron, Turtles and a Racoon but still no Aligators.

    We went for a drink in The Celebration Town Tavern and I had a birthday video call from Jackson and Tom.

    On the way back to the villa we shop at Aldi for some nice bits of steak for tea then spend the rest of the day by the pool. It's 98 degrees and we finish the day with thunder and a rain storm.

    As it's my birthday Martin has offered to cook the tea and a very good job he did of it too.
    Les mer

  • Cherry Pocket

    17. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After a quick freshen up we head out to one of Fi and Mark's favourite eateries, Cherry Pocket at Lake Pierce.

    We sat outside overlooking the lake on Aligator watch. We had a lovely meal and we even tried grilled 'gator., it tastes very much like chicken.

    There was live music while we ate and we saw 3 small alligators swimming around. I can see why Fi and Mark like it so much.

    After our meal we walked down to sit by the lake to see if we could see any more Aligator, no sightings but we did hear one.
    Les mer

  • The Grand Floridian

    17. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Originally Fi wanted to take us to afternoon tea at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney's flagship hotel but since Covid they have not resumed and the only way you can now get into the hotels is with a reservation, as she wanted us to see it she blagged her way in. Fi made a reservation in an attempt to get on the car park and with help from the nice security guard between them both booked and then cancelled an order for a pickup food order so we were allowed to park for a look around.

    The hotel is huge but very beautiful both inside and out. We sat for a while listening to the piano player.

    We walked down to the lake where I managed to get a picture of the turrets on the Magic Kingdom Castle.

    Now as it's over 94 degrees we are heading home before going out tonight.
    Les mer

  • Birthday Breakfast

    17. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today we are celebrating my birthday tomorrow , and Fi's belated one from last week, with Fi and Mark as tomorrow they will be meeting up with friends who live in the States.

    Fiona and Mark have arranged for us to have breakfast at The Cape May Café at The Beach Club Resort in Disney. It was an all you can eat buffet in lovely surroundings. Fiona and I were wearing badges stating is was our birthdays so everyone was wishing us Happy Birthday, we were also given a cupcake with a candle in it and I had a birthday card. Pre Covid the Disney characters would have been touring the restaurant for photos.

    After breakfast we walked around The Boardwalk looking at the other hotels in the 4 resorts around the lake.

    After this we drove down to Disney Springs where I bought a Christmas decoration celebrating Disney's 50th year.
    Les mer

  • Sometimes It Hertz

    16. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Today is going to be a lazy day to get over the travelling of last week.

    Martin goes to check out some golf courses, Fi and Mark have a man come to talk about roof tiles and I chill out with a book by the pool.

    After lunch Mark goes out to check the car will start ready for tonight.

    Oh no flat as a preferable fart again, and so the saga starts. Fi gets on the phone to Hertz car rental, explains what has happened and how we'd had the same problem yesterday. They would send out the AAA to check the battery Fi said that's not good enough. After over an hour and us saying we were not prepared to drive to the airport to pick up a new car, which could have taken us anything up to 3 hours, they finally agreed to deliver a new vehicle to us at no charge, should be there in 2-3 hours.

    Eventually after about 4 hours and 2, more phone calls plus the AAA man telling us the battery was knackered the new vehicle arrived.

    How Fi managed to keep her temper, especially after being hung up on, I will never know if a true star..

    Unfortunately due to the late delivery of said vehicle our dinner plans had to change so we went to Rock Brews a restaurant playing'rock band' videos and sports channels, very different but good.

    Let's hope the new car starts in the morning.

    0
    Les mer

  • Best Laid Plans, and all that jazz

    15. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We're up fairly early as we have to leave by 11 am and we want to stop off at Duke's Brewery for the car and truck fest at Lakeland on the way home.

    Computer says No!

    We load up our car ready to leave but Mark's car won't start. Luckily he took out roadside assistance when we picked up the cars. After about an hours wait Andy the AAA man arrives. After plan's A B and C fail we try plan D. Hooray apparently it was dirt on the battery connections.

    We decide to head straight home and after a couple of diversions and stocking up supplies at Walmart we make it home.

    A nice leisurely afternoon spent by and in the pool, me included.

    This is the life.
    Les mer

  • On The Homeward Stretch

    14. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Fully replenished we stop for an Ice Cream before heading to the next brewery, this may be a big mistake.

    Next one up is The Caledonian Brewing, this was my least favourite (Deb)

    Then last but not least we make it to the Soggy Bottom Brewery. This is the nearest to the place where we are staying.

    Martin and Mark change from beer to Cider, Pineapple and Peach flavours, this could be a mistake, but we seem fine at the moment.

    Now comes the hard bit, crossing 4 lanes of traffic, thank god for traffic lights.

    Safely back at the ranch and not too worse for wear we have another drink, well why not, and a couple of games of 'Sorry' before turning in for the night.
    Les mer

  • The Beer's Beginning To Kick In

    14. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Onwards and upwards, next up is The Woodwright Brewing Company, again you can see the mash tuns in this brewery. The beer is going down very well but we now decide we need to eat.

    Next up is Dunedin Brewery, the original Craft Brewery of Florida.

    Again we sit surrounded by mash tuns.. This is where we try a taster board, 4 small glasses of beer, not such good choices here but the foods good, a selection of burgers, wraps and chicken.
    Les mer

  • The Dunedin Pub Crawl

    14. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Right here is where the fun starts and this could get messy.

    Dunedin has 6 Breweries and 1 Distillery, not to mention all the other bar's and eateries.

    We start at The Hob Brewery Company, very nice beer, we sit outside in an upstairs location away from all the children.

    Next, just down the road is Cueni Brewing Company, this is just like sitting in a brewery as you are surrounded by Mash Tuns, great beers and lovely glasses but at 7 dollars each was too much to buy and my handbags not big enough. The boy's had a game, kept them quiet for a bit.
    Les mer

  • Dunedin

    14. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Dunedin is the most like any town back home that we have been to or driven through, in the sense you can see people walking about and it has some sort of a centre.

    After a leisurely breakfast we head down to the marina via the Farmer's Market held in a park in the centre of the town.

    This market was full of food stalls and even had a stage for entertainment.

    We went down the boardwalk to watch the boats and the pelicans and egrets pestering the fishermen.
    Les mer

  • Fish Supper

    13. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We have our meal at The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant and sit at a table right on the beach.

    We all have fish of some sort, Fi and Mark have Salmon, Martin has Stuffed Hake and I have Fried Shrimp with a portion of Fried Green Tomatoes for us all to try.

    After the meal and a quick paddle we wait for the Trolleybus to take us back to the car and continue our journey to tonight's stay at Dunedin.

    Our route off the island back to the mainland is via The Sunshine Sky Bridge, 4.4 miles long and 430 ft high, we make it to our destination as the sun sets.
    Les mer

  • The Florida Four Are Back Together

    13. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We head to the furthest point of the island to meet Fi and Mark by The City Pier. It's a pier so we have a walk to the end for a spot of of light refreshment and a catch up.

    Next up is a ride on the free Trolley bus into the centre of the town for a stroll and a bit of shopping.

    We have a sit on the swinging chairs at the end of the jettiy before getting something to eat.
    Les mer

  • Coquina Beach

    13. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Back in the car and as we reach the Island we see a sign for Coquina Beach and stop to have a look.

    There is a huge car park with picnic benches, toilets, showers and changing rooms and it's all free.

    The beach is amazing, huge with soft white sand, so off we head for a paddle.

    On the way back to the car we see signs for a Farmer's Market so have a look at that, not sure where the farmer's come into it as there is only 1 food stall, all the others are craft stalls.
    Les mer

  • Another Day, Another Drive

    13. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today we are meeting up with Fi and Mark on Anna Maria Island. We head down Interstate 41 along the coast road again, more beautiful houses and stunning views, the sea is either turquoise or green. After a while Martin spots a little inlet with parking so we pull over for a look.

    The sand is white, the sea is clear and the view is beautiful.
    Les mer

  • Sunset At Venice Pier

    12. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After resting up a bit and trying to decide what to have for tea we drive to the Pier to watch the Sunset. Another popular place with a couple of restaurants which are packed.

    After that we head back to the room picking up a Chinese takeaway on the way.Les mer

  • Senibel Island

    12. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Our plan this morning is to leave Naples and to drive North along the coast to Saribel Island taking in the view's of the coast and maybe have a walk on the beach. 'Ah Ah Computer Say No'

    The beach although beautiful is not possible to get to as there are beautiful huge houses built along the shoreline each having it's own private beach. At Bonita Springs we did manage to park up and walk to a public beach but it was less than a quarter of a mile before the private beach signs appeared.

    We continued on to Senibel Island over bridge's similar to the Keys. Again due to the large number of trees and big houses no sign of the beach We stop for lunch and decided to give up on beach watch and continue on our way.

    We drive down Interstate 41 which seems to be 1 continuous line if shopping malls on both sides of the road and arrive at tonight's destination, The Island Breeze Inn in Venice.
    Les mer

  • Naples by night

    11. mai 2022, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Early evening we walk into town along 5th Avenue, a road packed full of expensive shops and restaurants, most of which seem to be Italian.

    We continue walking until we reach the beach, beautiful white sand but as there is quite a breeze the sea looks a bit choppy. We walk along the shoreline until we reach the Pier and then head back into the town in search of a drink and a meal. The price's in these restaurants is quite a bit more than we expected but then again when we looked in a realtors window you don't get much around here for under a couple of million dollars.

    We have a drink in a bar and then it's The Old Pub for a burger. We then retrace our way back down 5th Avenue which is now lit up with fairy lights around the Palm trees, halfway back we sit and listen to a busker playing the violin, he was very good.
    Les mer

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