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Jayne Eckersall
Jayne Eckersall

Jayne Eckersall

traveled in 14 countries Read more
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  • Going to America

    Out, out....

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Well what do you do when your wives are at a show and they will need a lift home?
    ......Welcome to the Palace Saloon Bar established in 1903 and the destination bar in Florida .......... Between 1880-1910 Fernandina's docks were among the busiest in the south. Basking in her heyday, she welcomed ships from the far corners of the globe. Of the many saloons that lined the lively streets of the harbour district, only one bore the distinction of being the "Shipcaptain's Bar." and that was the Palace.

    It was an amazing night ...drinking and playing 🎱 with "real" pirates.... unfortunately everyone started walking over me when I showed them my plank!!    Read more

  • Going to America
    Despair at being so close

    Time for golf

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    After the procession Jayne and Patti went to the local theatre to watch an amateur dramatics performance of Matilda. Greg and I had time on our hands so decided to play quick 18 holes of golf ⛳️

  • Going to America

    The Procession

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The Shrimp 🍤 Festival begins with a procession through the mains streets of Downtown Amelia City.
    I went and did the tourist thing whilst Jayne, Greg and Patti stayed at the restaurant protecting the wine 🍷 we bought.Read more

  • Going to America

    Lunch closely followed by dinner

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    14:36 After a quick lunch at Marche Burette it was time to drive home for a quick shower 🚿, change of clothes and get back to downtown Amelia Island for our 17:00 dinner reservation at a French restaurant called Le Clos. Funnily enough there seemed to be a lot of shrimp 🍤 on the menu. So that was our starter followed by beef and duck meat roll for me and salmon for Jayne. The it was time for the Shrimp Festival to begin with a an hour long procession.Read more

  • Going to America

    Boneyard Beach

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Same day another beach but one with a difference. Bones beach just full of bleached driftwood trees that appear to have just been dropped there.

    Boneyard Beach is a favorite Jacksonville retreat and close-kept secret. Three miles of shoreline along the Nassau Sound at the very northeast corner of the city limits form a spectacular visual and ecological wonderland.

    No skyscrapers are in sight, because the beach tucked into Big Talbot Island State Park is within the bounds of the federally protected area of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. Sculpted by nature, this shoreline boasts 30-foot bluffs and a striking beach peppered with massive driftwood trees that recall images of an elephant graveyard.    Read more

  • Going to America

    Kingslay Plantation

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many people came to Florida. Some, like Zephaniah Kingsley, sought to make their fortunes by obtaining land and establishing plantations. Others were forced to come to Florida to work on those plantations, their labor providing wealth to the people who owned them. Some of the enslaved would later become free landowners, struggling to keep their footing in a dangerous time of shifting alliances and politics. All of these people played a part in the history of Kingsley Plantation.Read more

  • Going to America

    Fun on the Beach

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Quick visit to the American Beach ⛱️

    Founded in 1935 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida's first black millionaire & president of Afro-American Insurance Company, American Beach was created as a vacation haven for African-Americans, for whom access to other resorts was denied in the days before desegregation. Currently located between two upscale resorts - the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and Omni Amelia Island Resort.Read more

  • Going to America
    1

    Lazy Thursday morning

    April 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Up for the sun rise and it looks like, in the words of the Bill Withers song "its going to be a lovely day (lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day).
    It was lovely and very peaceful just watching the locals (Great Blue Heron) walking around the lake looking for the best fishing 🎣 spot.
    After breakfast Greg and Patti took us out for a drive around the island and for some reason I was the only one who got out of the car to get up close to an alligator, just to put these photos 📸 on Find Penguin!!    Read more

  • Going to America

    And finally the sunset

    April 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Really fabulous cruise not only did we see the amazing wildlife but also an amazing sunset, which to be honest seemed in doubt when we left the house.
    The captain of the boat 🚢 kept us all amused with his repertoire of jokes and tales from the river along with interesting bits of history. He then maneuvered the boat around to ensure we all had the perfect photo opportunity for some really good and interesting sunset 🌇 photographs 📸.
    This is a trip we would really recommend but don't complain if it isn't as perfect ad ours 📸📸😁🤞👍    Read more

  • Going to America

    Sunset River Cruise

    April 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Greg and Patti took us on a 1 hour sunset 🌇 River Cruise. Before we had even left the jetty Greg had got the wine 🍷 out and we weren't the only ones either.
    There was so much to see as we journeyed along the St. Mary river; we saw the State of Geogia and its wild horses that live on an island bequeathed to the State by the Rockefeller family, shrimp boats; one loaded with seagulls on its rigging, an historic fort called; Fort Clinch; dating back to the American Civil War, pelicans flying overhead then diving into the river for fish and finally dolphins 🐬.Read more

  • Going to America

    On Amelia City Waterfront

    April 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Jayne; the Honky Tonk Woman, quietly relaxing before we hit downtown Amelia City.
    The view of the "back garden" just gets better and better.
    Finally, introducing the "Americans" Greg and Patti.
    Honouring David L Yulee, who; in 1855 and before the American Civil War, was responsible for the 6 year construction of first railroad across Florida from Fernandina; Amelia Island, on the Atlantic Ocean across to Cedar Key on the Gulf of Mexico side. He was later imprisoned for 9 months for assisting in the Escape of Jefferson Davis; the President of the Confederate States.
    Selfie with a Pirate outside of the oldest bar on Amelia Island. In the 27th and 18th century Amelia Island was a safe haven for pirates including the infamous Blackbeard an English pirate.    Read more

  • Going to America

    Light lunch at the golf club

    April 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    If in doubt just follow the signs.
    I'm just wondering 🤔 how many golf ⛳️ balls I will lose on this hole 😂
    A very impressive 1st impression.
    Checking out the specials board ...... and yes I went for the meat balls whilst Jayne went for the healthy Tuna sandwich.
    And finally the locals are still wondering 🤔 who let us in......    Read more

  • Going to America
    1

    An after breakfast stroll

    April 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    So just exactly are we........
    Well during breakfast on the veranda we saw the resident alligator and the we watched an Osprey swoop down and take a fish 🐟 out of the lake.
    Front of Greg and Patti's house
    How nice their neighbours have even put the flags 🇺🇲🇺🇲 out to welcome us here 😀
    Walking down the street we saw a squirrel and a Mocking bird both wondering who had let us in!!
    We then came across the golf ⛳️ course and clubhouse.
    Before going back to the house for a ☕️ and write up this morning's Find Penguin.    Read more

  • Going to America

    At home at Greg & Patti's

    April 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Morning has broken sang Cat Stevens and the WOW factor kicks in with where Greg and Patti live. It's like Mi££ionaires Row on a gated and exclusive luxury complex. I keep expecting to be thrown out!!! 😅
    So we have:
    The main guest bedroom with its ensuite.
    The guest lounge.
    The dining area.
    The kitchen area.
    The games room.
    The rear view and back of the house.    Read more

  • Going to America

    Are we nearly there yet

    April 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Nearly there Just one connection to make.
    Welcome to New York says the sign as we queue for nearly an hour to be let into the USA 🇺🇸.
    Finally through after a 20 question interrogation by the Border Force Control. Now to find our bags.
    Through customs and the connection bag drop is just around the corner. We are off to our connection but 1st we join a 30 minute security queue 😷
    Take the 8 minute shuttle bus to Gate C70 and wait for the aircrew who have just flown in from Washington to fly us out to Jacksonville in Florida. Unfortunately our flight was delayed nearly an hour and at 11:00 pm local time (04:00 am UK 🇬🇧 time) we arrive at our destination 24 hours after we got up 😵‍💫🥱🥱    Read more

  • Going to America

    Lets get ready to roll

    April 26, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Up, up and away in our silver and red flying machine called Uptown Girl.
    We even joined the Mile High Club ....... Afternoon Tea version 😇😇

  • Going to America

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

    April 26, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Passports - check
    Plane Tickets - check
    Flight Connection Document - check
    Train Tickets - check
    Covid Vaccination Form - check
    Proof of Negative Covid Lateral Flow Test - check
    Proof of purchase of Security Fasttrack - check
    Escape Lounge Booking Confirmation - check
    US Dollars - check

    04:00 Jayne's up before the birds 🐦 and in the shower.
    04:20 Phone call from Florida wishing us a safe and to say they were just going to bed 🛌.
    05:15 Suitcases are closed, locked and by the door 🚪
    05:30 Taxi arrives to take us to Poulton Train Station for the 06:02 train to Manchester Airport.
    07:30 Arrive Manchester Airport and take the long walk to Terminal 2 Departures and join the queue to check-in at the Virgin Atlantic Desk, before taking the slow fast track way through Security and having both our bags pulled for additional scrutiny.
    09:15 Finally get to the Escape Lounge, only to be told we are too early to check-in as our reservation only starts at 12:00 the time we are probably due to board our flight - thanks Holiday Extras. Anyway the receptionist took pity on us and said come back in 1/2 hour and we can sit on high bar stools as all the tables are pre-booked.
    11:40 Hurray the Departure Board tells us to go to Gate A12 and be ready for boarding.
    We're off 😁🥳🥳    Read more

  • Madeira 2022

    Homeward Bound

    March 12, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Overcast and sunny 🌞 spells, but hey ho when it's your last day who wants to leave in brilliant sunshine!!
    Last bit of packing then check out at 12:00 catching whatever last rays of sunshine we can until the bus 🚌 to the airport 🛫 arrives at 16:30. Driving towards the airport we can see the shear drop off the edge of the runway at one side while the other side juts out into the sea. Makes flying to Madeira more interesting!!!
    At the airport everything was checked, tickets, passports, Covid Vaccination Forms and finally our UK Passenger Locator Forms.
    Through into departures and a few more shops for Jayne to explore.
    After a quick bite to eat it was onto the aircraft and taxiing down the runway just before 19:30 arriving back in Manchester after a slightly rocky landing due to strong side winds just over 3 hours later.
    Collect the car 🚗 and home 🏡 shortly after midnight.    Read more

  • Madeira 2022

    Last Day Syndrome

    March 12, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Check out by 12:00, and airport pick up at 16:30 so the laziest of lazy breakfasts for our two intrepid tourists this morning. The sun has made a fleeting appearance to say goodbye 👋 which was nice for a couple of hours, but now it appears the cloud has won the day.
    Just a few indoor pool photos to go with today's blog.

    So long Madeira and goodbye to the hotel Porto Mare. We have really enjoyed our stay and will definitely return for longer 🤞👍

    As the final photo shows we couldn't even win the lottery here in either!! 😭    Read more

  • Madeira 2022

    The Last Full Day

    March 11, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Still finding new and interesting sights in Funchal, first one being a courtyard in a government building.
    We than came across giant Clementines and Strawberries 🍓 ( how much cream would you need for these beauties 😋).
    Then back to the hotel for a last sunbathe as the sun came out before my first and last dip in the (indoor) pool, before packing and calling room service....🍷🍷🍷🍷    Read more

  • Madeira 2022

    Catch of the Day 🐟

    March 11, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Cloudy day today so another of what we thought was a lazy breakfast before a stroll into Funchal.
    Jayne still managed to stop for a brief gossip catch up with a few of the locals on the way into town.
    ....And we still got to the market before the tuna....    Read more

  • Madeira 2022

    The Cocktail Bar

    March 10, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    A most agreeable afternoon and a 5 star luxury experience with no limits to the amount of sandwiches or tea to be consumed.......

  • Madeira 2022

    The Food

    March 10, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Afternoon Tea

    The full works for Jayne including champagne 🍾

    For me a diabetic sugar free version.

    Both equally as tasty 😋

  • Madeira 2022

    Afternoon Tea

    March 10, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    All scrubbed up with somewhere to go.
    Reids Hotel another 5* favourite of Winston Churchill.

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