As Mum and Dad are away this week I volunteered to go down to Kent to see Nan and take her some clean clothes. I spent the morning doing vital jobs at work and left at 12.30pm to make the journey. It was a glorious day, so part of me was a bit miffed I'd be spending it in the car or at the hospital!
I had an excellent journey down with only one halt because of debris on the road and was at the hospital by 2.30pm. Nan wasn't very happy about being on the ward still, as she was due to go home before now. We sat and chatted and then a porter came to take her for an x-ray and she perked up a little bit as the Nurses in the radiology department all admired her hair which is a lovely shade of violet!
Back on the ward she had me running up and down the stairs to the shop to get her some supplies and then it was time for me to say goodbye and head home again. I was dreading the trip back as I imagined it was going to be really busy but there were no queues at the tunnel at all and I sped through, with a great journey on both motorways to follow. If only every trip was like this!
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Monday, 29 April 2013
Accident prone!
I'm not sure what's up with me, but it's certainly been one of those days!
First thing this morning I heated some milk up for my coffee in a mug and burned my finger quite badly when I took it out of the microwave. I had two blisters appear and it hurt like crazy! Just what I need!
From then on, I've dropped things, spilt things and just generally been clumsy so it's a good job I haven't been handling any priceless objects!
I had a busy day as Mum and Dad aren't at work this week so I've been rushing around like a mad thing trying to get everything done and the cleaning definitely took a back seat! Maybe that was a good thing as I'd probably have spilt some chemical on the floor and caused untold amounts of damage!
Sophie didn't want to go to the gym this evening (maybe the life guard was on early shift?) so we went home and she pretended to revise...hmmm!
First thing this morning I heated some milk up for my coffee in a mug and burned my finger quite badly when I took it out of the microwave. I had two blisters appear and it hurt like crazy! Just what I need!
From then on, I've dropped things, spilt things and just generally been clumsy so it's a good job I haven't been handling any priceless objects!
I had a busy day as Mum and Dad aren't at work this week so I've been rushing around like a mad thing trying to get everything done and the cleaning definitely took a back seat! Maybe that was a good thing as I'd probably have spilt some chemical on the floor and caused untold amounts of damage!
Sophie didn't want to go to the gym this evening (maybe the life guard was on early shift?) so we went home and she pretended to revise...hmmm!
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Lazy day
Even though I didn't feel like I'd had a lot to drink last night, I awoke feeling slightly fragile this morning! Keith and I went to get the newspapers and then called in to see Mum and Dad and had a good chat over a cup of coffee. I'd had plans to go to the gym this morning but with our late start we abandoned that idea!
Sophie and I went to have a treatment on our hair in the afternoon and what a relaxing time we had! I nearly fell asleep in the chair so that was lovely and just what I needed!
I'm afraid the afternoon was spent curled up on the sofa watching a rom-com and eating chocolate...it's definitely back to the gym tomorrow!
Sophie and I went to have a treatment on our hair in the afternoon and what a relaxing time we had! I nearly fell asleep in the chair so that was lovely and just what I needed!
I'm afraid the afternoon was spent curled up on the sofa watching a rom-com and eating chocolate...it's definitely back to the gym tomorrow!
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Being social
It was back to a normal Saturday today as Sophie went to work and Keith and I popped to Jones's to get some bits for the house (including a new quilt cover to replace the one Keith spilled red wine over!). Today has been much chillier than of late and going out into the garden certainly didn't appeal!
In the evening we went over to Liam and Sarah's house for a very sociable get-together with our neighbours, the first time we had all been together since last September...where have all the months gone? Max greeted us at the door and he's really looking like an old dog now, bless him. He hobbled over to say hello and we had a lovely cuddle.
We had a great evening with some excellent wines, even though it wasn't a Wine Tasting! It was great to catch up with what everyone had been doing and there was much talk of holidays - past and present - and teenage children!
We arrived home to find James, the lifeguard, entwined with my daughter on the sofa, both of them asleep...fully clothed I'm pleased to report!
In the evening we went over to Liam and Sarah's house for a very sociable get-together with our neighbours, the first time we had all been together since last September...where have all the months gone? Max greeted us at the door and he's really looking like an old dog now, bless him. He hobbled over to say hello and we had a lovely cuddle.
We had a great evening with some excellent wines, even though it wasn't a Wine Tasting! It was great to catch up with what everyone had been doing and there was much talk of holidays - past and present - and teenage children!
We arrived home to find James, the lifeguard, entwined with my daughter on the sofa, both of them asleep...fully clothed I'm pleased to report!
Friday, 26 April 2013
Changes...
This evening, at the gym, Sophie was reluctant to work out, wanting to go down to the pool instead...I wonder why! She's beginning to want her freedom now and I can see her spending far less time with me than she used to. It's inevitable, I suppose, but it's still a shock when I realise that Keith and I aren't the most important people in her life.
I insisted on doing my usual workout and then spent a very pleasant half hour in the spa. She joined me for all of five minutes and then went to get dressed. Tomorrow we're out for dinner and the lifeguard is coming to our house to spend the evening with Sophie...can I go to sleep now, and have someone wake me up when she's about 25??!
I insisted on doing my usual workout and then spent a very pleasant half hour in the spa. She joined me for all of five minutes and then went to get dressed. Tomorrow we're out for dinner and the lifeguard is coming to our house to spend the evening with Sophie...can I go to sleep now, and have someone wake me up when she's about 25??!
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Down to Kent...again!
Mum and I made the trip down to Kent again today, this time in my car, which I enjoyed very much. It was good for the engine to have a nice long trip and we had a very smooth journey with no hold-ups at all.
Nan was looking miles better but was very moany! She hates being in hospital and kept saying that she'd be better off dead...hmmm! We fussed around her and I went back to her flat to get her some more slippers.We have finally discovered what was wrong with her - fluid on her lungs due to a very slow heartbeat - and when she got up to go to the loo she was much better on her feet without all the heavy breathing she'd been doing.
All too soon it was time to head for home and we went through the Blackwall Tunnel as the queues around the Dartford Tunnel were horrendous. There looked a lot of work going on at the Olympic Park and we wondered when it would be open again. I'd love to have a tour!
Sophie called me from a friend's house and asked to stay until 9.30pm so it was just the three of us for dinner. I have a feeling this will be more and more common from now on!
Nan was looking miles better but was very moany! She hates being in hospital and kept saying that she'd be better off dead...hmmm! We fussed around her and I went back to her flat to get her some more slippers.We have finally discovered what was wrong with her - fluid on her lungs due to a very slow heartbeat - and when she got up to go to the loo she was much better on her feet without all the heavy breathing she'd been doing.
All too soon it was time to head for home and we went through the Blackwall Tunnel as the queues around the Dartford Tunnel were horrendous. There looked a lot of work going on at the Olympic Park and we wondered when it would be open again. I'd love to have a tour!
Sophie called me from a friend's house and asked to stay until 9.30pm so it was just the three of us for dinner. I have a feeling this will be more and more common from now on!
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
An evening treat!
Tonight the four of us went to the pub for a meal which made a welcome change from cooking and trying to please everyone!
The pub was quiet but we saw a couple of old friends who we've known for almost 20 years so it was lovely to catch up with them and hear their news. Sophie and I had been to the gym beforehand so we were very hungry, and all four of us started with cheesy garlic bread. For our mains Mikey chose lasagne, Keith went for his usual - fish and chips - while Sophie and I opted for the pork escalope with a cheese and ham sauce which was delicious. It was lovely to sit and relax and not argue over who was doing the washing up for once! The main topic of conversation was deciding what to do for the next holiday ( we can dream) and Mikey's antics at Army Cadets, of which the less said the better!
Mikey and I found room for dessert while Sophie sipped on a creamy hot chocolate and we all agreed that it was a great meal. I do love this old pub - for me it's always like being at home with added extras!
The pub was quiet but we saw a couple of old friends who we've known for almost 20 years so it was lovely to catch up with them and hear their news. Sophie and I had been to the gym beforehand so we were very hungry, and all four of us started with cheesy garlic bread. For our mains Mikey chose lasagne, Keith went for his usual - fish and chips - while Sophie and I opted for the pork escalope with a cheese and ham sauce which was delicious. It was lovely to sit and relax and not argue over who was doing the washing up for once! The main topic of conversation was deciding what to do for the next holiday ( we can dream) and Mikey's antics at Army Cadets, of which the less said the better!
Mikey and I found room for dessert while Sophie sipped on a creamy hot chocolate and we all agreed that it was a great meal. I do love this old pub - for me it's always like being at home with added extras!
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
A taste of Sweden
As it was such a beautiful day and therefore we were very quiet at work, Mum and I escaped for a jolly to Ikea in Milton Keynes.
It's been a long while since we'd last visited and we needed to get quite a few things, such as highchairs, plates and cups, and we wanted to have a look at some toys. Ikea was quiet too and after a mooch about filling the trolley with brightly coloured plates, cups and a giant inflatable ladybird, we had lunch. I fancied the Swedish meatballs (I hope there was no horse in them!) which made a change from the usual sandwich I have at lunchtime!
I managed to resist the furniture and bought some wildly exciting items such as loo brushes, a new shower tidy, some coat hangers and a pack of batteries. How I didn't buy any candles, I do not know!
Our purchases for work came to well over £100 but we thought it was money well spent as we desperately needed new highchairs and we also bought a cute little rocking reindeer which looked sturdy enough to cope with our young customers!
After work Sophie and I went off to the gym, not for a workout but for me to have my unruly eyebrows shaped. It didn't take long and we were soon heading home to enjoy the last of the sunshine!
It's been a long while since we'd last visited and we needed to get quite a few things, such as highchairs, plates and cups, and we wanted to have a look at some toys. Ikea was quiet too and after a mooch about filling the trolley with brightly coloured plates, cups and a giant inflatable ladybird, we had lunch. I fancied the Swedish meatballs (I hope there was no horse in them!) which made a change from the usual sandwich I have at lunchtime!
I managed to resist the furniture and bought some wildly exciting items such as loo brushes, a new shower tidy, some coat hangers and a pack of batteries. How I didn't buy any candles, I do not know!
Our purchases for work came to well over £100 but we thought it was money well spent as we desperately needed new highchairs and we also bought a cute little rocking reindeer which looked sturdy enough to cope with our young customers!
After work Sophie and I went off to the gym, not for a workout but for me to have my unruly eyebrows shaped. It didn't take long and we were soon heading home to enjoy the last of the sunshine!
Monday, 22 April 2013
Hard work!
Today has been hard work! Whether I'm a wee bit tired from the weekend's activities, I don't know, but I was glad when we'd finished the cleaning today! We'd had Playfix in to do some repairs and they did an excellent job as always. I have no idea why we've never used their services before!
Sophie and I went to the gym after work and did a half-hearted workout, although I did do 15 minutes on the crossstrainer and I felt like I hadn't done anything, so it's back to the full 20 minutes next time! We went for a quick swim and a dip in the jacuzzi and then it was home to cook dinner and pick Keith up from the pub. I went a bit early and had a drink with him and his cronies which was pleasant!
Sophie and I went to the gym after work and did a half-hearted workout, although I did do 15 minutes on the crossstrainer and I felt like I hadn't done anything, so it's back to the full 20 minutes next time! We went for a quick swim and a dip in the jacuzzi and then it was home to cook dinner and pick Keith up from the pub. I went a bit early and had a drink with him and his cronies which was pleasant!
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Sobering up...
After all the excitement of the last couple of evenings, it was back down to earth with a bump today when Mum and I drove down to Kent to see Nan in hospital. We had an excellent journey down and went to her flat first to tidy up and have lunch.
Again, it was a beautiful day and it was horrible having to go into the confines of the hospital which still had the heating on! Fresh air is what people need! Nan wasn't as bad as we feared but she still had difficulty hearing us and her speech was a bit thicker than normal as she has a lung infection. She was pleased to see us and when we left at 4pm I felt terribly guilty but at least she's better off there than on her own in her flat.
We sped back and I was sitting with a glass of wine at just after 6pm, listening to the tales of woe from my son who had NOT enjoyed his Army Cadet Training weekend. He said he hated it from the moment he arrived on Friday night until the moment he boarded the bus to come home, so he might appreciate us all a bit more from now on! As Keith had picked him up I didn't get the chance to see how dirty he was or how famished he was (he demolished a whole pizza when he got home) but he was extremely affectionate for the rest of the evening and I think he realises how good he has it at home with us!
All of us were in bed by 9.30pm as we were totally shattered! What a weekend!
Again, it was a beautiful day and it was horrible having to go into the confines of the hospital which still had the heating on! Fresh air is what people need! Nan wasn't as bad as we feared but she still had difficulty hearing us and her speech was a bit thicker than normal as she has a lung infection. She was pleased to see us and when we left at 4pm I felt terribly guilty but at least she's better off there than on her own in her flat.
We sped back and I was sitting with a glass of wine at just after 6pm, listening to the tales of woe from my son who had NOT enjoyed his Army Cadet Training weekend. He said he hated it from the moment he arrived on Friday night until the moment he boarded the bus to come home, so he might appreciate us all a bit more from now on! As Keith had picked him up I didn't get the chance to see how dirty he was or how famished he was (he demolished a whole pizza when he got home) but he was extremely affectionate for the rest of the evening and I think he realises how good he has it at home with us!
All of us were in bed by 9.30pm as we were totally shattered! What a weekend!
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Super Saturday!
After a somewhat disturbed night I was awake at 7.30am to find nearly all of the revellers still about! They all looked a bit worse for wear so we made them heaps of toast and bacon and then most of them departed for their own homes, and no doubt their own beds!
Sophie was due to go into work, but she received a call saying that as the weather was so beautiful, she wasn't needed. This then gave her the excuse to invite one of her friends back (two were already with her, including the lifeguard from the gym!) and to have another day of fun...something I hadn't really bargained for!
Keith and I escaped out into the garden and I cut the lawn while he pulled up a load of plants from one of our beds, that was very overgrown and messy. It was a gorgeous day and it was wonderful to be out in the sunshine. There must be something in the air as Sarah and Liam were completely renovating their garden as well, with a bonfire going and a big skip outside their house.
At 1pm I drove over to Market Harborough (note the fact that, although it's Sophie favourite shopping place, she preferred to stop with her mates) and spent a very pleasant hour wandering around the shops and then going in to see Duncan and Nick who sold me some beautiful wines. I wanted a good Italian wine for Dad as we were off to their house for a meal tonight and also a different wine for Liam as we're off to their house as well, soon. It was bliss to taste a couple of wines and then pick out a beer for Keith and a bottle of white for me.
Back home three of Sophie's friends were still at our house and I began to feel a bit annoyed that they were there! I'd imagined them all gone by 10am and the house back to normal! I had a quiet word with Sophie and within an hour they were all gone. Peace at last!
In the evening Keith and I walked up to Mum and Dad's for a meal with them and two of their friends. They were a lovely couple and Tony used to design Formula 1 racing cars so he had some very interesting stories to tell us over the evening. It was a great night and lovely to have some adult conversation for once!
Sophie was due to go into work, but she received a call saying that as the weather was so beautiful, she wasn't needed. This then gave her the excuse to invite one of her friends back (two were already with her, including the lifeguard from the gym!) and to have another day of fun...something I hadn't really bargained for!
Keith and I escaped out into the garden and I cut the lawn while he pulled up a load of plants from one of our beds, that was very overgrown and messy. It was a gorgeous day and it was wonderful to be out in the sunshine. There must be something in the air as Sarah and Liam were completely renovating their garden as well, with a bonfire going and a big skip outside their house.
At 1pm I drove over to Market Harborough (note the fact that, although it's Sophie favourite shopping place, she preferred to stop with her mates) and spent a very pleasant hour wandering around the shops and then going in to see Duncan and Nick who sold me some beautiful wines. I wanted a good Italian wine for Dad as we were off to their house for a meal tonight and also a different wine for Liam as we're off to their house as well, soon. It was bliss to taste a couple of wines and then pick out a beer for Keith and a bottle of white for me.
Back home three of Sophie's friends were still at our house and I began to feel a bit annoyed that they were there! I'd imagined them all gone by 10am and the house back to normal! I had a quiet word with Sophie and within an hour they were all gone. Peace at last!
In the evening Keith and I walked up to Mum and Dad's for a meal with them and two of their friends. They were a lovely couple and Tony used to design Formula 1 racing cars so he had some very interesting stories to tell us over the evening. It was a great night and lovely to have some adult conversation for once!
Friday, 19 April 2013
I must be bonkers!
Some time ago Keith and I had foolishly agreed to Sophie having a "gathering" for her 17th Birthday. It was set for tonight and I wasn't dreading it as much as her New Year's Eve gathering...how silly of me!
After a busy day at work (Mum and Dad are taking time off and had to go back down to Kent today to see Nan in hospital) I picked up Sophie and two of her friends from school and took them home. Mikey was all set to go away for the weekend to Thetford for Army Cadet Training so we got him all sorted, I took Keith to the pub and then drove Mikey into Northampton where he was meeting all his other comrades for the journey to Norfolk. He looked very smart in his army uniform with his rucksack on his shoulder!
I went back to the pub to pick up Keith and had a quick drink with him. While we were there Ian took a call from Sophie asking me not to get home too soon as one of the gym lifeguards she has her eye on was on his way to the house, the music was turned up loud and we would just spoil her fun (she didn't say this, but she implied it)...
Keith and I debated having a meal at the pub, but we decided to get fish and chips instead and headed home to a house that seemed to be full of teenagers, some of which, the male variety anyway, were huge! There was an enormous motorbike on our drive with a little gaggle of girls surrounding it so I knew the lifeguard had arrived (his name is James and he's a very polite and pleasant young man!).
James roared off on his monster (to get some alcohol, apparently) and Keith and I holed ourselves up in the living room with our supper, trying not to listen to the sounds of revelry all around us. Luckily, when we'd finished eating, Sophie suddenly burst in and said that James's motorbike had broken down in nearby Mawsley and could we go and help him?
I had decided not to have a drink at home so we jumped in the car and went to the rescue, but he couldn't get the bike started so we left it there and took him home with us. Sophie was, no doubt, in heaven!
Back home, Keith went off to bed leaving me to stay in the living room and keep an eye on noise levels and the general rowdiness. I stuck it out until midnight, and had just the occasional word with Sophie asking her to keep the noise down (we hadn't told the neighbours as they were pretty quiet last time!) but I found it difficult to get to sleep with all the banging of doors and shouting...the males were all so loud!
Never again!
After a busy day at work (Mum and Dad are taking time off and had to go back down to Kent today to see Nan in hospital) I picked up Sophie and two of her friends from school and took them home. Mikey was all set to go away for the weekend to Thetford for Army Cadet Training so we got him all sorted, I took Keith to the pub and then drove Mikey into Northampton where he was meeting all his other comrades for the journey to Norfolk. He looked very smart in his army uniform with his rucksack on his shoulder!
I went back to the pub to pick up Keith and had a quick drink with him. While we were there Ian took a call from Sophie asking me not to get home too soon as one of the gym lifeguards she has her eye on was on his way to the house, the music was turned up loud and we would just spoil her fun (she didn't say this, but she implied it)...
Keith and I debated having a meal at the pub, but we decided to get fish and chips instead and headed home to a house that seemed to be full of teenagers, some of which, the male variety anyway, were huge! There was an enormous motorbike on our drive with a little gaggle of girls surrounding it so I knew the lifeguard had arrived (his name is James and he's a very polite and pleasant young man!).
James roared off on his monster (to get some alcohol, apparently) and Keith and I holed ourselves up in the living room with our supper, trying not to listen to the sounds of revelry all around us. Luckily, when we'd finished eating, Sophie suddenly burst in and said that James's motorbike had broken down in nearby Mawsley and could we go and help him?
I had decided not to have a drink at home so we jumped in the car and went to the rescue, but he couldn't get the bike started so we left it there and took him home with us. Sophie was, no doubt, in heaven!
Back home, Keith went off to bed leaving me to stay in the living room and keep an eye on noise levels and the general rowdiness. I stuck it out until midnight, and had just the occasional word with Sophie asking her to keep the noise down (we hadn't told the neighbours as they were pretty quiet last time!) but I found it difficult to get to sleep with all the banging of doors and shouting...the males were all so loud!
Never again!
 |
| Just some of the alcohol consumed tonight! |
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Teenagers!
When you first have a baby you get, as a new parent, heaps of information and help so you can cope with their early years. Health visitors come and see you and there's endless talk about weaning, bottle v breast, education, etc, etc.
However, when your little bundle of joy turns into a stroppy teenager, where's the help then? Maybe a couple of books, some forums where the tales of what other teenagers get up to is truly alarming, and that's it!
It's a truly challenging age and we now have two of them in the house! The hormones are certainly kicking in at the moment! We had a conversation with Sophie tonight about a possible week's holiday in July when Mikey goes to Army camp. We have tentatively come up with an idea of the three of us going to a villa in Lanzarote for a week and just doing nothing but relaxing by the pool. It's not Mikey's idea of fun and he'll be off pretending to be a soldier anyway, but anyone would have thought we'd suggested a week in hell...
"Weird!" was the reaction to our suggestion as Sophie could not entertain the idea of going away with her parents without her brother or a friend...well, that just gives us an excuse to go away on our own, doesn't it?!
However, when your little bundle of joy turns into a stroppy teenager, where's the help then? Maybe a couple of books, some forums where the tales of what other teenagers get up to is truly alarming, and that's it!
It's a truly challenging age and we now have two of them in the house! The hormones are certainly kicking in at the moment! We had a conversation with Sophie tonight about a possible week's holiday in July when Mikey goes to Army camp. We have tentatively come up with an idea of the three of us going to a villa in Lanzarote for a week and just doing nothing but relaxing by the pool. It's not Mikey's idea of fun and he'll be off pretending to be a soldier anyway, but anyone would have thought we'd suggested a week in hell...
"Weird!" was the reaction to our suggestion as Sophie could not entertain the idea of going away with her parents without her brother or a friend...well, that just gives us an excuse to go away on our own, doesn't it?!
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Facing facts.
My Nan is not very well at all and we honestly think that she is not long for this life. At 93 we knew she wouldn't go on forever, but it's still a shock when we have to face up to life's inevitabilities. I can only hope that I get to a ripe old age as well, but I think she's ready to go now as she doesn't have a great quality of life.
Mum and Dad drove down to see her today and Mum told me that she wasn't well and was looking very ill indeed. My Grandad died in 1987 which seems a long, long time ago, so she's been without him for almost 30 years. I think it's time they were reunited.
Sophie and I went to the gym in the evening and slowly got back into our routine. I managed 10 minutes on the crosstrainer and a paltry 5 minutes on the treadmill before Sophie appeared and wanted to go downstairs for a swim and a session in the spa. After a busy (and stressful day) it was lovely to be able to relax for a while!
Mum and Dad drove down to see her today and Mum told me that she wasn't well and was looking very ill indeed. My Grandad died in 1987 which seems a long, long time ago, so she's been without him for almost 30 years. I think it's time they were reunited.
Sophie and I went to the gym in the evening and slowly got back into our routine. I managed 10 minutes on the crosstrainer and a paltry 5 minutes on the treadmill before Sophie appeared and wanted to go downstairs for a swim and a session in the spa. After a busy (and stressful day) it was lovely to be able to relax for a while!
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Catching up!
Today was my first day catching up with all the paperwork that I have to do and the one thing I was dreading - the new Real Time Information for our payroll. As we pay our staff weekly, it means that every time I pay them I have to send off how much tax and National Insurance they pay, rather than at the end of the year as we've always done previously.
I started with a feeling of trepidation, but it all worked out very well indeed! I don't often praise Sage (a huge software company) but they have made the process very simple which was a huge relief!
It was the Audi's first service today so Keith and I went to pick up my car at 5pm and I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't get any hard sell from the Service Manager...I was expecting to be told it needed four new tyres but everything was fine and it was all clean and shiny, inside and out! That's what I call service!
I started with a feeling of trepidation, but it all worked out very well indeed! I don't often praise Sage (a huge software company) but they have made the process very simple which was a huge relief!
It was the Audi's first service today so Keith and I went to pick up my car at 5pm and I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't get any hard sell from the Service Manager...I was expecting to be told it needed four new tyres but everything was fine and it was all clean and shiny, inside and out! That's what I call service!
Monday, 15 April 2013
Back to work!
The post-holiday blues haven't hit me yet, but I've no doubt they will over the next few days! We all had a bit of a rude awakening this morning as we got ready for work and school - the lazy mornings are definitely over now!
I had a much better day than I expected, despite picking up all the litter in the car park and clearing out one of the units that had been used for storing some rubbish bags. The birds had been having a go at the bags and there was a lot of split cups and mouldy food...yuk!
It has been a beautiful day today, though, which always helps! It's good to know that the summer months are just around the corner and we've already had two weeks of lovely weather on holiday! After a visit to the dentist for all of us, Sophie and I went to the gym and didn't do a great deal! We got there much later than normal and found it difficult to get parked, which was a bit of a shock! Anyway, we relaxed in the spa and then had a very quick swim.
It's best to ease ourselves back in slowly!
I had a much better day than I expected, despite picking up all the litter in the car park and clearing out one of the units that had been used for storing some rubbish bags. The birds had been having a go at the bags and there was a lot of split cups and mouldy food...yuk!
It has been a beautiful day today, though, which always helps! It's good to know that the summer months are just around the corner and we've already had two weeks of lovely weather on holiday! After a visit to the dentist for all of us, Sophie and I went to the gym and didn't do a great deal! We got there much later than normal and found it difficult to get parked, which was a bit of a shock! Anyway, we relaxed in the spa and then had a very quick swim.
It's best to ease ourselves back in slowly!
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Sleepy Sunday!
Today it was my turn to be a sleepyhead, despite waking up at 6am! Both children slept in until lunchtime and I fell asleep on the sofa at 11am! Oh dear!
I had no energy to do anything today, but in the afternoon Keith and I managed to cut down all the straggly bushes at the front of the house so at least we did something! The weather was very pleasant indeed, with lots of sun and temperatures approaching 20 degrees! Spring has arrived!
Mum and Dad came around for a meal in the evening and we had a great chat about the holiday and what's been happening at work (we were very busy!). They were delighted with their presents and we had a delicious beef casserole with some vintage Rioja!
I had no energy to do anything today, but in the afternoon Keith and I managed to cut down all the straggly bushes at the front of the house so at least we did something! The weather was very pleasant indeed, with lots of sun and temperatures approaching 20 degrees! Spring has arrived!
Mum and Dad came around for a meal in the evening and we had a great chat about the holiday and what's been happening at work (we were very busy!). They were delighted with their presents and we had a delicious beef casserole with some vintage Rioja!
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Back in the groove!
Last night I slept for ten hours and woke feeling great. However the rest of my family seem to be struggling with jetlag as Sophie wouldn't wake up, Mikey went back to sleep after being up half the night and I came downstairs to find Keith asleep on the sofa at 10am!
We popped in to see Mum and Dad to pick up my house keys and they said that work had been very busy indeed while we were away. I think they're both in need of a break! I'm just trying not to think about my return to work on Monday!
Talking of which, we took a grumbling Sophie in at 12pm and then drove to Thrapston to kit Mikey out with essentials for his forthcoming camp weekend. He needed a sleeping bag, rucksack, torch and other bits and bobs and Home Guard was perfect for getting all the stuff he needed, especially as the man who runs it knew exactly what he wanted and why!
I dropped Keith off at the pub, went home and noticed that I had seven missed calls on my phone, all from Sophie who wanted to be picked up as she wasn't expected in and we were quiet! I drove over to pick her up, had lunch and then went out to collect Keith...I'm back to taxi driving duties!
At 4pm Sophie and I went to the gym for a swim but we ended up just languishing in the jacuzzi as the slow lane was busy. It was lovely to relax, though, especially as Sophie was still feeling tired! I treated her to a Creamy Cooler at Costa Coffee afterwards as a treat for having to look at the grey skies and rain!
We popped in to see Mum and Dad to pick up my house keys and they said that work had been very busy indeed while we were away. I think they're both in need of a break! I'm just trying not to think about my return to work on Monday!
Talking of which, we took a grumbling Sophie in at 12pm and then drove to Thrapston to kit Mikey out with essentials for his forthcoming camp weekend. He needed a sleeping bag, rucksack, torch and other bits and bobs and Home Guard was perfect for getting all the stuff he needed, especially as the man who runs it knew exactly what he wanted and why!
I dropped Keith off at the pub, went home and noticed that I had seven missed calls on my phone, all from Sophie who wanted to be picked up as she wasn't expected in and we were quiet! I drove over to pick her up, had lunch and then went out to collect Keith...I'm back to taxi driving duties!
At 4pm Sophie and I went to the gym for a swim but we ended up just languishing in the jacuzzi as the slow lane was busy. It was lovely to relax, though, especially as Sophie was still feeling tired! I treated her to a Creamy Cooler at Costa Coffee afterwards as a treat for having to look at the grey skies and rain!
Friday, 12 April 2013
From summer to winter...
We couldn't have arrived back home in worse weather (or maybe it could have been snowing but surely that's rare at this time of year?) as it was pouring with rain, cold and misty. What a welcome!
Luckily Keith said he would drive home and by 10am we were pulling into our drive and trying to extract the cases from the car in the torrential rain. We all set to and unpacked everything and even though I didn't have a lot to wash, we did have a mound of ironing!
We spent the rest of the morning sorting out the post and tidying everything away and then I succumbed to a catnap along with the rest of my family. I actually think Mikey slept for most of the day, which wasn't really a good thing!
I was only asleep for an hour before tackling the ironing for a couple of hours and then Keith and I went to The Queen's Arms in Orlingbury. We had a very pleasant drink and a good chat about the holiday and we both agreed that if we were lucky enough to go back to Florida, we would be very tempted to rent a Gulf Coast villa and have a more laid back holiday. Much as I love the parks, a week on a beach afterwards would have been very welcome!
We enjoyed delicious fish and chips from Pytchley for dinner and by 9pm I was shattered. I left Sophie and Mikey downstairs and went to join Keith upstairs who was sitting up in bed, but sound asleep!
Luckily Keith said he would drive home and by 10am we were pulling into our drive and trying to extract the cases from the car in the torrential rain. We all set to and unpacked everything and even though I didn't have a lot to wash, we did have a mound of ironing!
We spent the rest of the morning sorting out the post and tidying everything away and then I succumbed to a catnap along with the rest of my family. I actually think Mikey slept for most of the day, which wasn't really a good thing!
I was only asleep for an hour before tackling the ironing for a couple of hours and then Keith and I went to The Queen's Arms in Orlingbury. We had a very pleasant drink and a good chat about the holiday and we both agreed that if we were lucky enough to go back to Florida, we would be very tempted to rent a Gulf Coast villa and have a more laid back holiday. Much as I love the parks, a week on a beach afterwards would have been very welcome!
We enjoyed delicious fish and chips from Pytchley for dinner and by 9pm I was shattered. I left Sophie and Mikey downstairs and went to join Keith upstairs who was sitting up in bed, but sound asleep!
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Homeward bound...
We were up a little too early this morning and were all ready to go by 9.30am. On the way to the airport we went to IHOP for breakfast and then found the Florida Greenway very easily, for the journey to Sanford.
We'd weighed our suitcases in the villa and they were quite a bit heavier than when we arrived! Sophie's case was over 20kg so we did a bit of jigging about and managed to get the sweets she'd bought into Mikey's lighter bag. I just wished we could wriggle our noses and be home!
At the airport we returned our lovely big car (I will miss it so much!) and made our way to the terminal. We were a bit early for checking in, but we didn't have to wait long. All the cases were under 20kg, thank goodness, but one of the hand luggage bags was over 5kg, so Sophie had to find room for her jacket. As soon as we were through Security we put it back! How silly was that!
Luckily none of us were frisked and after buying some perfume for Mum in Duty Free we decided to splash out and go into the Royal Palm Lounge for a treat. It meant we had free wifi and two alcoholic drinks for Keith and I. We also had unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee, snacks, a cinema room, playstations and sports TV so Keith could indulge in some football!
We're now waiting for our flight and feeling sad that our holiday is over. Normally I crave my bed when I'm away but I can honestly say the bed in the villa was one of the most comfortable I've ever slept in! I'm hoping for some warmer weather when we get home.
It has been a wonderful holiday and we've enjoyed ourselves tremendously. We will have some great memories to keep us going and I hope everyone who has read this has enjoyed hearing about our adventures!
We'd weighed our suitcases in the villa and they were quite a bit heavier than when we arrived! Sophie's case was over 20kg so we did a bit of jigging about and managed to get the sweets she'd bought into Mikey's lighter bag. I just wished we could wriggle our noses and be home!
At the airport we returned our lovely big car (I will miss it so much!) and made our way to the terminal. We were a bit early for checking in, but we didn't have to wait long. All the cases were under 20kg, thank goodness, but one of the hand luggage bags was over 5kg, so Sophie had to find room for her jacket. As soon as we were through Security we put it back! How silly was that!
Luckily none of us were frisked and after buying some perfume for Mum in Duty Free we decided to splash out and go into the Royal Palm Lounge for a treat. It meant we had free wifi and two alcoholic drinks for Keith and I. We also had unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee, snacks, a cinema room, playstations and sports TV so Keith could indulge in some football!
We're now waiting for our flight and feeling sad that our holiday is over. Normally I crave my bed when I'm away but I can honestly say the bed in the villa was one of the most comfortable I've ever slept in! I'm hoping for some warmer weather when we get home.
It has been a wonderful holiday and we've enjoyed ourselves tremendously. We will have some great memories to keep us going and I hope everyone who has read this has enjoyed hearing about our adventures!
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Goodbye to Universal...
So, our last day and we were off to Target first thing to do some essential shopping! I treated Sophie and myself to two new beach towels which we will use at the gym as the ones we use at the moment are tatty in the extreme! We also bought several bottles of wine - a range of the Rex Goliath wines and the Hess Chardonnay from Monterey in California that I enjoyed so much at BJ's Brewhouse the other night.
Sophie and Mikey bought some sweets for their friends back home and we had a good mooch about, looking at all the different things to buy.
Back at the villa we had coffee and muffins for breakfast and then it was time to relax in the sun for a while. I kept popping back into the villa and doing the odd bit of packing when it became too hot! I was dreading the packing, to be honest, as we'd all bought a fair amount of clothes while we were out here and we had to try and find a way of getting the wine - plus a bottle of whiskey for my Dad and an opened litre bottle of vodka into the cases!
We'd decided to go to Universal in the evening for one last visit to Islands of Adventure, but before we set out we finished all the packing and managed to squeeze everything in! I just hope it makes it to Gatwick safely!
We had a fabulous time at Universal and we were amazed at what a difference a week makes! MIkey wanted an airbrush tattoo so he sat and had it done while I went into the Christmas shop and bought a tree decoration. Hopefully, every time I look at it in the middle of winter I'll be reminded of our lovely holiday.
There were hardly any queues and the wait times were minimal. Sophie and Mikey rode Dr Death's Fearfall first and said it was great, but they wished it had lasted longer! We then went on Spiderman again and we all enjoyed it much more than last week for some reason! It was brilliant and very entertaining!
As it was still quite hot (it briefly showed 90 degrees on the way to the park) we made our way to Harry Potter land and had a drink in the Three Broomsticks. It's supposed to be like an olde English pub, but they didn't get it quite right as we had to order our drinks from one server and then make our way to another servery to get them! Very odd! However, it was great to go in there and also to explore Hogsmeade village properly as we hadn't had a chance up until now. Mikey bought some jelly beans in Honeydukes, some of which had revolting flavours! I contented myself with a bar of chocolate!
Keith stayed in The Three Broomsticks while the three of us rode The Forbidden Journey again. Again, we were amazed at the difference in the wait times (15 minutes) and we almost walked straight on! It was a brilliant ride, and very scary!
After The Wizarding World of Harry Potter we sauntered through the rest of the park and Sophie stopped to buy some presents for her friends at the Lucky Eye stand. I'd bought a necklace last week and it had already brought us good luck as Mikey wanted a sign for his room and the man who was selling them gave us a discount as I was wearing the lucky ornament!
The park closed at 8pm so after Keith and Mikey rode The Cat in the Hat (OK...I made them!) we drove to the Longhorn Steak House on the 192 for dinner. Last time we were there we had crowds of people waiting in the entrance and at the bar for a table but tonight the place was very quiet indeed! We waited for, perhaps, five minutes and then were shown to our table.
Our waiter, Damon, was a real character and we had a great meal. Keith and I started with spicy shrimps while the children feasted on chilli cheese fries. I'd decided to go for the half rack of baby ribs, Keith chose a Ribeye steak, Sophie had the loaded Sirloin and Mikey had the Parmesan crusted chicken. Again, the meal was delicious and we ended with the Chocolate Stampede which even defeated the children! It was HUGE!
We had one last drink on the terrace before bed (Keith had bought a small bottle of Seagrams 7 in the liquor store this morning) and watched frogs hopping about outside the netting. We'd never seen them before and assumed they were coming from the lake behind the house. There was a large one on the drive when we put the bin out and one even let Sophie stroke him...shame she didn't kiss him, he might have turned into a handsome prince!
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| Our stash - I just hope they make it home in one piece! |
Back at the villa we had coffee and muffins for breakfast and then it was time to relax in the sun for a while. I kept popping back into the villa and doing the odd bit of packing when it became too hot! I was dreading the packing, to be honest, as we'd all bought a fair amount of clothes while we were out here and we had to try and find a way of getting the wine - plus a bottle of whiskey for my Dad and an opened litre bottle of vodka into the cases!
We'd decided to go to Universal in the evening for one last visit to Islands of Adventure, but before we set out we finished all the packing and managed to squeeze everything in! I just hope it makes it to Gatwick safely!
We had a fabulous time at Universal and we were amazed at what a difference a week makes! MIkey wanted an airbrush tattoo so he sat and had it done while I went into the Christmas shop and bought a tree decoration. Hopefully, every time I look at it in the middle of winter I'll be reminded of our lovely holiday.
As it was still quite hot (it briefly showed 90 degrees on the way to the park) we made our way to Harry Potter land and had a drink in the Three Broomsticks. It's supposed to be like an olde English pub, but they didn't get it quite right as we had to order our drinks from one server and then make our way to another servery to get them! Very odd! However, it was great to go in there and also to explore Hogsmeade village properly as we hadn't had a chance up until now. Mikey bought some jelly beans in Honeydukes, some of which had revolting flavours! I contented myself with a bar of chocolate!
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| Keith and the kids outside The Three Broomsticks |
After The Wizarding World of Harry Potter we sauntered through the rest of the park and Sophie stopped to buy some presents for her friends at the Lucky Eye stand. I'd bought a necklace last week and it had already brought us good luck as Mikey wanted a sign for his room and the man who was selling them gave us a discount as I was wearing the lucky ornament!
The park closed at 8pm so after Keith and Mikey rode The Cat in the Hat (OK...I made them!) we drove to the Longhorn Steak House on the 192 for dinner. Last time we were there we had crowds of people waiting in the entrance and at the bar for a table but tonight the place was very quiet indeed! We waited for, perhaps, five minutes and then were shown to our table.
Our waiter, Damon, was a real character and we had a great meal. Keith and I started with spicy shrimps while the children feasted on chilli cheese fries. I'd decided to go for the half rack of baby ribs, Keith chose a Ribeye steak, Sophie had the loaded Sirloin and Mikey had the Parmesan crusted chicken. Again, the meal was delicious and we ended with the Chocolate Stampede which even defeated the children! It was HUGE!
We had one last drink on the terrace before bed (Keith had bought a small bottle of Seagrams 7 in the liquor store this morning) and watched frogs hopping about outside the netting. We'd never seen them before and assumed they were coming from the lake behind the house. There was a large one on the drive when we put the bin out and one even let Sophie stroke him...shame she didn't kiss him, he might have turned into a handsome prince!
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
I chicken out!
We awoke to another beautiful day and spent the morning and early afternoon lazing about by the pool and making the most of the lovely sunshine, as mum had warned me that the weather forecast for when we get back to the UK was not good. No! We've got so used to summer living now, it will be a real shock if we go back and have to wear winter clothes again!
As the end of the holiday is approaching, we're now having to try and use up all the food we have in the fridge because we don't really want to have to throw it all out! Keith and Mikey feasted on the chicken that Keith had ordered at the Amish restaurant yesterday while Sophie and I shared a pizza. I think, after this holiday, I will never want to eat again!!
4pm found us heading to Universal and what a change there was! For a start the closing time was 8.30pm, so much earlier, and all the crowds had well and truly departed. We arrived at the park just as the parade was finishing (again!) and decided to ride the new attraction, Despicable Me, just as all the people who had been watching the parade made the same decision! The wait time was 20 minutes but with the influx of people this must have lengthened to at least 40 minutes, but it was still better than the wait times of last week!
We hadn't seen the film, so we weren't really sure what was going on, but there was a lot of lead-up to the ride with Gru doing a fair amount of shouting at us...I think we were all destined to become his Minions? Anyway, Sophie and I enjoyed the ride which was almost the same as the Jimmy Neutron ride we went on back in 2009. Everyone sits in four seat cars arranged in a semi-circle in front of a screen. The ride is then very similar to The Simpsons with 3D images coming out of the screen and the cars tilting and moving in time to what happens on the screen. Mikey and Keith weren't impressed at all and I am very glad we didn't have that long to wait to ride it!
We then decided to do Revenge of the Mummy, but I chickened out! Yes...I am officially a wimp! I urged the rest of the family to go and do it, but they didn't want to either so we made for The Simpsons ride instead, with me annoyed with myself for not being brave (or stupid!) enough to go on. Maybe next time I come to Florida!
We rode the Simpsons in the back row of the car and what a difference that makes! It's nowhere near as exciting because you don't get to see a great view of what's going on on the screen. I'm so glad we were able to experience the ride in the front on two occasions! Mikey then wanted to do Men in Black again so off we went to that and just walked on, the crowds were so thin.
Last up today was E.T. again and then it was time for dinner at The Hard Rock Cafe. We were told there was a 10-15 minute wait but we were called in barely 5 minutes after arriving. Just before we were seated one of the staff handed the children a guitar and asked if they could take a photo of us all. Keith and I shied away so they took a snap of the kids. It was very busy and noisy as usual but we were seated upstairs where it wasn't quite as manic. We ordered a Jumbo Combo to start (spring rolls, chicken wings, jacket potato skins etc) and then I had a steak, Keith ordered fish and chips and the children had their famous burgers. As we were eating a staff member came around with the photo and said it would cost $20! Um, I don't think so!
The food was plentiful and although I enjoyed my steak the rest of my meal did not have a lot of flavour. Being very naughty, three of us had desserts (at least Sophie's and my pud were in shot glasses) and then we paid the bill, the highest of the holiday so far at a shade under $160! The thing that miffed me a bit was that the drinks menu did not have any prices on it, which I thought was a bit unfair as I'd ordered a glass of wine that turned out to be almost $9!
Anyway...it was almost the end of our holiday and we had to eat in the biggest Hard Rock Cafe in the world, didn't we? We had a great journey back to the villa along the I-4 (it's trying to redeem itself) and before bed we sat and relaxed by the pool with a nightcap. We have one more day and then it's the flight home!
As the end of the holiday is approaching, we're now having to try and use up all the food we have in the fridge because we don't really want to have to throw it all out! Keith and Mikey feasted on the chicken that Keith had ordered at the Amish restaurant yesterday while Sophie and I shared a pizza. I think, after this holiday, I will never want to eat again!!
4pm found us heading to Universal and what a change there was! For a start the closing time was 8.30pm, so much earlier, and all the crowds had well and truly departed. We arrived at the park just as the parade was finishing (again!) and decided to ride the new attraction, Despicable Me, just as all the people who had been watching the parade made the same decision! The wait time was 20 minutes but with the influx of people this must have lengthened to at least 40 minutes, but it was still better than the wait times of last week!
We hadn't seen the film, so we weren't really sure what was going on, but there was a lot of lead-up to the ride with Gru doing a fair amount of shouting at us...I think we were all destined to become his Minions? Anyway, Sophie and I enjoyed the ride which was almost the same as the Jimmy Neutron ride we went on back in 2009. Everyone sits in four seat cars arranged in a semi-circle in front of a screen. The ride is then very similar to The Simpsons with 3D images coming out of the screen and the cars tilting and moving in time to what happens on the screen. Mikey and Keith weren't impressed at all and I am very glad we didn't have that long to wait to ride it!
We then decided to do Revenge of the Mummy, but I chickened out! Yes...I am officially a wimp! I urged the rest of the family to go and do it, but they didn't want to either so we made for The Simpsons ride instead, with me annoyed with myself for not being brave (or stupid!) enough to go on. Maybe next time I come to Florida!
We rode the Simpsons in the back row of the car and what a difference that makes! It's nowhere near as exciting because you don't get to see a great view of what's going on on the screen. I'm so glad we were able to experience the ride in the front on two occasions! Mikey then wanted to do Men in Black again so off we went to that and just walked on, the crowds were so thin.
Last up today was E.T. again and then it was time for dinner at The Hard Rock Cafe. We were told there was a 10-15 minute wait but we were called in barely 5 minutes after arriving. Just before we were seated one of the staff handed the children a guitar and asked if they could take a photo of us all. Keith and I shied away so they took a snap of the kids. It was very busy and noisy as usual but we were seated upstairs where it wasn't quite as manic. We ordered a Jumbo Combo to start (spring rolls, chicken wings, jacket potato skins etc) and then I had a steak, Keith ordered fish and chips and the children had their famous burgers. As we were eating a staff member came around with the photo and said it would cost $20! Um, I don't think so!
The food was plentiful and although I enjoyed my steak the rest of my meal did not have a lot of flavour. Being very naughty, three of us had desserts (at least Sophie's and my pud were in shot glasses) and then we paid the bill, the highest of the holiday so far at a shade under $160! The thing that miffed me a bit was that the drinks menu did not have any prices on it, which I thought was a bit unfair as I'd ordered a glass of wine that turned out to be almost $9!
Anyway...it was almost the end of our holiday and we had to eat in the biggest Hard Rock Cafe in the world, didn't we? We had a great journey back to the villa along the I-4 (it's trying to redeem itself) and before bed we sat and relaxed by the pool with a nightcap. We have one more day and then it's the flight home!
Monday, 8 April 2013
Anna Maria Island and Sarasota
We were up and out early this morning, heading along the I-4 for Tampa. Luckily, the traffic was fairly light and with Keith doing some excellent navigation, we were at Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast by 11am.
It really is a beautiful island, but we found it difficult to park and go onto the beach as there were lots of private houses right on the water. We eventually came to a pier with parking and we walked out to a small bar and restaurant where we had a drink and watched people fishing.
One man was skinning and gutting some fish and he threw all the scraps to a group of huge pelicans...
I could easily have sat there all day, gazing at the azure water, the white powder-soft sands and watched the people fish. It was heaven! If I ever come back to Florida (and I hope I do) I'd like to rent a villa on the Gulf Coast as it's so beautiful.
We asked the man in the bar where Bean Point was, which was the tip of the island, and he told us to drive back the way we'd come. However, we couldn't find anywhere to park the car and a lot of the houses were private so we decided to head for Sarasota where we wanted to visit Yoder's Amish restaurant that had featured in Man v Food.
The drive to Sarasota was beautiful. My photos just don't do justice to the colour of the houses, the sky and the extraordinary light here. Some of the houses were painted in gorgeous pastel colours and I would have killed for any of them! I'm definitely coming back here again!
Once off the island we crossed over numerous bridges and Sophie saw a dolphin in the water. All the way to Sarasota we saw beach resorts and beautiful hotels and some truly fabulous houses. Such a different way of life here!
I'm still astounded that we found Yoder's as we just had the Google directions I'd printed off before we came here. We made a couple of wrong turns, but we persevered and by 2.30pm we were seated in the busy restaurant. The booth we were in was very small with hardly any room for the four of us but we were looking forward to trying the typical Amish fare on offer, especially their famous pies!
There was no alcohol on the menu so Keith settled for a Diet Coke, much to our amusement! We were given bread and butter and then Keith and Mikey ordered the house speciality, fried chicken. The waitress asked Mikey if he wanted two pieces, and he hesitantly said yes. Keith ordered a half chicken and said that if Mikey wanted some of his he could have it if he was still hungry. Sophie ordered chicken tenders while I went for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green beans.
Well...when the food arrived we all looked at each other in astonishment! Keith's chicken must have resembled an ostrich and as for Mikey's two pieces, they were HUGE! My turkey would have fed two adults easily and I bravely dug in!
We all struggled through with our meals and Keith, Sophie and Mikey said they really enjoyed the chicken. I was a mite disappointed with mine, though, as the mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing had no taste whatsoever. Keith's roast dinner is much better!
The waitress arrived with boxes as Keith still had another huge portion to eat and then we ordered dessert - Yoder's famous pies! Mikey went for double crust apple crumble, Sophie had chocolate peanut butter, while I went for chocolate pecan. Again, they were large slices and I could really have done with some cream or ice-cream to balance the sweetness. Needless to say we took some back to the villa in boxes!
After eating I bought myself a mug in the shop and then we made our way back to the villa on a beautiful, very quiet country road (route 64), rather than go on the I-4. It was just a normal two lane road that ran through some pretty countryside and we saw trees covered in Spanish moss, palms, lots of fields of grazing cattle and Keith spotted an alligator. It made such a change from the busy three lane motorways and made me feel as if I'd seen some of the real Florida. There were hardly any towns along the way just houses dotted here and there and I'm so glad we decided on this route.
We picked up Highway 27 at Avon Park and followed this right to our doorstep. After a brilliant journey we came across two accidents within yards of each other, about ten minutes before the turn for Highlands Reserve which held us up for half an hour.
The evening was spent by the pool having a few drinks and watching the sun sink slowly behind the trees. It made for a perfect evening to a fantastic day!
It really is a beautiful island, but we found it difficult to park and go onto the beach as there were lots of private houses right on the water. We eventually came to a pier with parking and we walked out to a small bar and restaurant where we had a drink and watched people fishing.
One man was skinning and gutting some fish and he threw all the scraps to a group of huge pelicans...
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| This little fellow was hoping for some scraps of fish as well. |
We asked the man in the bar where Bean Point was, which was the tip of the island, and he told us to drive back the way we'd come. However, we couldn't find anywhere to park the car and a lot of the houses were private so we decided to head for Sarasota where we wanted to visit Yoder's Amish restaurant that had featured in Man v Food.
The drive to Sarasota was beautiful. My photos just don't do justice to the colour of the houses, the sky and the extraordinary light here. Some of the houses were painted in gorgeous pastel colours and I would have killed for any of them! I'm definitely coming back here again!
Once off the island we crossed over numerous bridges and Sophie saw a dolphin in the water. All the way to Sarasota we saw beach resorts and beautiful hotels and some truly fabulous houses. Such a different way of life here!
I'm still astounded that we found Yoder's as we just had the Google directions I'd printed off before we came here. We made a couple of wrong turns, but we persevered and by 2.30pm we were seated in the busy restaurant. The booth we were in was very small with hardly any room for the four of us but we were looking forward to trying the typical Amish fare on offer, especially their famous pies!
There was no alcohol on the menu so Keith settled for a Diet Coke, much to our amusement! We were given bread and butter and then Keith and Mikey ordered the house speciality, fried chicken. The waitress asked Mikey if he wanted two pieces, and he hesitantly said yes. Keith ordered a half chicken and said that if Mikey wanted some of his he could have it if he was still hungry. Sophie ordered chicken tenders while I went for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green beans.
Well...when the food arrived we all looked at each other in astonishment! Keith's chicken must have resembled an ostrich and as for Mikey's two pieces, they were HUGE! My turkey would have fed two adults easily and I bravely dug in!
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| This doesn't really show how huge Keith's meal was! |
The waitress arrived with boxes as Keith still had another huge portion to eat and then we ordered dessert - Yoder's famous pies! Mikey went for double crust apple crumble, Sophie had chocolate peanut butter, while I went for chocolate pecan. Again, they were large slices and I could really have done with some cream or ice-cream to balance the sweetness. Needless to say we took some back to the villa in boxes!
After eating I bought myself a mug in the shop and then we made our way back to the villa on a beautiful, very quiet country road (route 64), rather than go on the I-4. It was just a normal two lane road that ran through some pretty countryside and we saw trees covered in Spanish moss, palms, lots of fields of grazing cattle and Keith spotted an alligator. It made such a change from the busy three lane motorways and made me feel as if I'd seen some of the real Florida. There were hardly any towns along the way just houses dotted here and there and I'm so glad we decided on this route.
We picked up Highway 27 at Avon Park and followed this right to our doorstep. After a brilliant journey we came across two accidents within yards of each other, about ten minutes before the turn for Highlands Reserve which held us up for half an hour.
The evening was spent by the pool having a few drinks and watching the sun sink slowly behind the trees. It made for a perfect evening to a fantastic day!
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| Just a few drinks tonight! |
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| Mikey has a late swim! |
Sunday, 7 April 2013
A spot of shopping...
We had another relaxed morning by the pool, soaking up the sun and enjoying the heat. It's certainly warmed up a bit now!
We'd decided to visit a shopping centre on the West Osceola Parkway, a toll road that we've started to use to get away from the dreaded I-4. Keith had been researching restaurants on the internet before we came on holiday and he'd found a place called BJ's Brewhouse which, as the name suggests, specialises in beers! Luckily we'd spotted it from the road a few days previously so we parked the car nearby and went in to have a snack and a drink before we hit the shops.
We only meant to have a snack but we ended up with a couple of plates of boneless chicken wings that filled us up! The restaurant was lovely - big and airy with very friendly staff and a huge range of beers to keep Keith happy. We decided to definitely come back in the evening after we'd done some shopping and visited Seaworld.
After our lunch we walked over to a branch of JC Penney and Keith and the children did some shopping (I just looked!). Keith bought himself a pair of Levi's jeans, Sophie chose a lovely Levi's tee shirt while Mikey pushed the boat out and spent some of his holiday money on two pairs of trainers.
By now it was pretty warm but we decided to go to Seaworld despite the heat. We found our way there easily on the new roads we were using and took the Preferred Parking again so we were right outside the entrance. A lot of people were leaving even though the park was open until 10pm and it wasn't crowded at all. We went to see the new Shamu show first, One Ocean, which was as cheesy as ever. The huge killer whales made a good job of splashing the front rows but I'm still not convinced about such beautiful wild creatures being made to do circus tricks for fish.
As soon as One Ocean was over, we made our way to Wild Arctic which is right next door to the Shamu Stadium. This was a ride we'd never done before and I was looking forward to something new. It's a simulator ride in which you're on a helicopter travelling through the Arctic to a Base Station. We all had to sit in rows before a screen (Mikey and I got separated from Keith and Soph and managed a seat on the front row) but I hated it! The floor tilts and moves and we were thrown about all over the place and I felt very sick indeed, something that has never happened on any of the other simulator rides!
We stumbled off and into another part of the ride where you walk through a mock-up of the Arctic and you can see Beluga whales, a sorry looking Polar Bear and a couple of walruses.
We'd decided to visit a shopping centre on the West Osceola Parkway, a toll road that we've started to use to get away from the dreaded I-4. Keith had been researching restaurants on the internet before we came on holiday and he'd found a place called BJ's Brewhouse which, as the name suggests, specialises in beers! Luckily we'd spotted it from the road a few days previously so we parked the car nearby and went in to have a snack and a drink before we hit the shops.
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| My immature pair under the BJ's sign... |
After our lunch we walked over to a branch of JC Penney and Keith and the children did some shopping (I just looked!). Keith bought himself a pair of Levi's jeans, Sophie chose a lovely Levi's tee shirt while Mikey pushed the boat out and spent some of his holiday money on two pairs of trainers.
By now it was pretty warm but we decided to go to Seaworld despite the heat. We found our way there easily on the new roads we were using and took the Preferred Parking again so we were right outside the entrance. A lot of people were leaving even though the park was open until 10pm and it wasn't crowded at all. We went to see the new Shamu show first, One Ocean, which was as cheesy as ever. The huge killer whales made a good job of splashing the front rows but I'm still not convinced about such beautiful wild creatures being made to do circus tricks for fish.
As soon as One Ocean was over, we made our way to Wild Arctic which is right next door to the Shamu Stadium. This was a ride we'd never done before and I was looking forward to something new. It's a simulator ride in which you're on a helicopter travelling through the Arctic to a Base Station. We all had to sit in rows before a screen (Mikey and I got separated from Keith and Soph and managed a seat on the front row) but I hated it! The floor tilts and moves and we were thrown about all over the place and I felt very sick indeed, something that has never happened on any of the other simulator rides!
We stumbled off and into another part of the ride where you walk through a mock-up of the Arctic and you can see Beluga whales, a sorry looking Polar Bear and a couple of walruses.
I'm glad we'd seen Wild Arctic but it's not a ride I'd ever do again!
The crowds had certainly thinned out by now and the fierce heat had softened into early evening warmth so it was lovely to wander about and admire the beautiful flowers and trees. Seaworld is a very pretty, clean park and we saw several squirrels scampering about, picking up crumbs of food.
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| Manta in action! |
It was getting a bit late so we decided to head back to the restaurant for dinner. We weren't sure how to re-trace our steps, but miraculously, after we thought we'd taken a wrong turning, we found ourselves on the West Osceola Parkway and just minutes from BJ's. We were seated immediately and Keith ordered himself an eight beer sampler!
We had a fab evening at BJ's - the food was delicious and plentiful and Keith had a great time tasting all his beers. I had a glass of Hess Chardonnay which was beautiful and our waitress was very chatty and friendly. The children both ordered starters (Keith and I abstained) and then had pizzas, while I chose Shrimp pasta which could easily have fed two people! Keith had the Balsamic glazed chicken and said the mashed potato was sublime!
We waddled off into the night after we finished eating and drinking and it was straight to bed!
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Watching squirrels
This morning I took my coffee and toast out onto the terrace and watched the squirrels scamper all over the netting. They really are quite comical as they hang upside down and chase each other! We also get lots of lizards darting about as well, so it's a very pleasant way of passing an hour, soaking up the morning sunshine and watching the golfers lose their balls in the trees!
We had a rest today as I really needed a break from driving. As much as I love this type of holiday, the daily battle on the I-4 can be a bit hair-raising, so it was lovely today to just lie in the sun, read my book and sip a glass of white wine. I know for a fact that if we went somewhere and we didn't have a car I'd feel as if I'd lost a limb, but having a break from driving was bliss today.
The holiday is speeding by very quickly and we're starting to plan out the rest of our week. We were planning to go to Anna Maria Island today, but after all the excitement of yesterday, and the late night, we've decided to postpone the trip until Monday. Sophie wants to go to an Amish restaurant in Sarasota that was featured on one of her favourite restaurants - Man v Food - and I just hope we'll be able to find it!
The weather today has been perfect for sunbathing - not too hot, with the odd fluffy white cloud to temper the heat of the sun. We stayed out by the pool until quite late then showered, dressed and drove to the Irish Bar again for a drink before our meal at Applebees.
As usual we were told it was a 40 minute wait but we were actually seated within 20 minutes so not bad at all. There was a fair bit of bickering between my two this evening as they both wanted different starters, but in the end Mikey conceded and they ordered boneless chicken wings. Our waitress either couldn't understand me or couldn't hear me as the wings arrived covered in one of the hottest sauces we've ever tried, which meant that Sophie refused to eat them. Keith and I ordered onion rings and they were huge!
I fancied a burger tonight so I ordered one with a twist as it was sandwiched into a quesadilla, which on reflection, was a mistake! The french fries were good though! Sophie had a Philly Steak sandwich which she enjoyed (although it wasn't as good as the Miller's Ale House version), Mikey had a burger and Keith enjoyed fish and chips. I think by the time we get home we will be yearning for a good old British roast!
Keith and I had no room for dessert but the children managed to squeeze in chocolatey concoctions! It was lovely to make the very short trip back to the villa and relax with a glass of Rex Goliath Shiraz!
We had a rest today as I really needed a break from driving. As much as I love this type of holiday, the daily battle on the I-4 can be a bit hair-raising, so it was lovely today to just lie in the sun, read my book and sip a glass of white wine. I know for a fact that if we went somewhere and we didn't have a car I'd feel as if I'd lost a limb, but having a break from driving was bliss today.
The holiday is speeding by very quickly and we're starting to plan out the rest of our week. We were planning to go to Anna Maria Island today, but after all the excitement of yesterday, and the late night, we've decided to postpone the trip until Monday. Sophie wants to go to an Amish restaurant in Sarasota that was featured on one of her favourite restaurants - Man v Food - and I just hope we'll be able to find it!
The weather today has been perfect for sunbathing - not too hot, with the odd fluffy white cloud to temper the heat of the sun. We stayed out by the pool until quite late then showered, dressed and drove to the Irish Bar again for a drink before our meal at Applebees.
As usual we were told it was a 40 minute wait but we were actually seated within 20 minutes so not bad at all. There was a fair bit of bickering between my two this evening as they both wanted different starters, but in the end Mikey conceded and they ordered boneless chicken wings. Our waitress either couldn't understand me or couldn't hear me as the wings arrived covered in one of the hottest sauces we've ever tried, which meant that Sophie refused to eat them. Keith and I ordered onion rings and they were huge!
I fancied a burger tonight so I ordered one with a twist as it was sandwiched into a quesadilla, which on reflection, was a mistake! The french fries were good though! Sophie had a Philly Steak sandwich which she enjoyed (although it wasn't as good as the Miller's Ale House version), Mikey had a burger and Keith enjoyed fish and chips. I think by the time we get home we will be yearning for a good old British roast!
Keith and I had no room for dessert but the children managed to squeeze in chocolatey concoctions! It was lovely to make the very short trip back to the villa and relax with a glass of Rex Goliath Shiraz!
Friday, 5 April 2013
Birthday celebratrions!
I can't believe that my daughter turns 17 today! Where have all the years gone?
We started the celebrations with breakfast at the nearest iHop on the 192. Luckily the traffic was very good so we were seated at just after 10am. I managed to call Mum so she could wish Sophie a Happy Birthday and it was great to speak to her.
We had a lovely breakfast - Sophie and I went for the Smokehouse Combo which was smoked sausage, two eggs and hash browns served with pancakes. Mikey opted just for chocolate pancakes (what else?) while Keith had the Split Decision which was eggs, bacon, little thin sausages and pancakes. There was an unlimited coffee pot and the food set us up for the day!
After our meal we drove back to the villa, stopping to get some petrol on the way. The last time we filled up we put $30 in and you have to pre-pay if you are using cash. We weren't sure how much the tank would take, but $30 came nowhere near to filling it! Today we went for $50 and we did struggle to get it all in! It would have been a bit embarrassing going back into the shop to ask for some of our money back!
We had decided to go and see Jurassic Park in 3D which opened today so we left for Universal at just after 12pm, giving ourselves 2 hours to get to the park. As usual we became embroiled in a traffic jam on the I-4 almost as soon as we got onto it, so we decided to use the toll roads again which were great and much quieter.
At the park we went for the Preferred Parking again but stupid me missed the turn (road signs here are not the clearest I've ever encountered) so we ended up in the normal parking lane which was a bit annoying. However, the very nice man who was directing the traffic saw our sticker and told us to park right at the top of the line next to the escalators leading to the park so that was great. I have a feeling we were probably closer than the Preferred Parking anyway!
We arrived at the cinema with plenty of time and to our amazement they had lots of seats left for the showing of Jurassic Park. I thought that with it opening today we would struggle to get in. As an added bonus we saw the film in the IMAX theatre which was brilliant. American cinemas are certainly better than home ones with huge comfy seats that recline back and plenty of room to stretch out.
The film was fantastic in 3D and so clear, with the characters almost within touching distance. It had been a while since we'd watched Jurassic Park so it was great to see it again and I think that this year is the 20th anniversary of its release.
After the film we went into the Universal Studios park and rode Twister, much to the children's annoyance! I wanted Keith to experience it as it's quite silly and we all got wet again! In the ride you get to experience what a huge tornado feels like but it's good fun!
When we came out of the ride we saw the Parade going past, which we'd forgotten about. Like Disney, Universal have a daily parade of some of their characters and we managed to see Dora the Explorer, but we missed the minions from Despicable Me...talking of which, the wait times for this new ride never got under an hour! We'll try this next week if it gets quieter!
We treated the children to a Dippin Dots ice-cream and wandered past building work for the new ride which will take the place of Jaws. I really love Universal as I think it's a much nicer park and it certainly isn't as crowded as Islands of Adventure. There's also a lot of detail in the New York set with all the shops and restaurants there and it has a much more relaxed feel than the frenetic park next door!
We noticed a sign for the Fear Factor Live show which we hadn't seen before so we decided to see it at 6.30pm and we all thought it was very entertaining! How we missed this before we don't know! The show takes participants from the public and gets them to do various stunts and it's very entertaining. One poor lady had scorpions placed on her head while others had to drink a vile concoction of putrid fish, other nasties and sour cream!
After this great show we rode Men In Black and The Simpsons and then Mikey finally, after two years of waiting, got his turkey leg! It was huge but he said it was delicious and well worth the wait!
The park closed at 9pm and at closing time Universal put on their Cinematic show, a montage of all their films on a big screen with a light show and fireworks. By now it was quite chilly so we stuck it out for a while (it's spectacular) and then left for the Bahama Breeze restaurant on International Drive.
Even at almost 10pm, we were told there would be a wait so we went to the bar for a drink - Sophie had a non-alcoholic cocktail - but we were only there for a few minutes before we were called in to our table. It was a hard decision choosing our meal as there was so many delicious dishes, but in the end I went for chicken breasts with an exotic sauce and mashed potatoes, Sophie and Mikey chose burgers while Keith enjoyed a steak. Three of us were very hungry indeed so we had various starters - beef empanadas, hummus and pulled pork with a barbecue sauce - which were delicious.
No desserts for us tonight - it was back to the villa (I missed the turn for the I-4 and ended up in a very posh neighbourhood indeed) and straight to bed after our very enjoyable, but very tiring day!
We started the celebrations with breakfast at the nearest iHop on the 192. Luckily the traffic was very good so we were seated at just after 10am. I managed to call Mum so she could wish Sophie a Happy Birthday and it was great to speak to her.
We had a lovely breakfast - Sophie and I went for the Smokehouse Combo which was smoked sausage, two eggs and hash browns served with pancakes. Mikey opted just for chocolate pancakes (what else?) while Keith had the Split Decision which was eggs, bacon, little thin sausages and pancakes. There was an unlimited coffee pot and the food set us up for the day!
After our meal we drove back to the villa, stopping to get some petrol on the way. The last time we filled up we put $30 in and you have to pre-pay if you are using cash. We weren't sure how much the tank would take, but $30 came nowhere near to filling it! Today we went for $50 and we did struggle to get it all in! It would have been a bit embarrassing going back into the shop to ask for some of our money back!
We had decided to go and see Jurassic Park in 3D which opened today so we left for Universal at just after 12pm, giving ourselves 2 hours to get to the park. As usual we became embroiled in a traffic jam on the I-4 almost as soon as we got onto it, so we decided to use the toll roads again which were great and much quieter.
At the park we went for the Preferred Parking again but stupid me missed the turn (road signs here are not the clearest I've ever encountered) so we ended up in the normal parking lane which was a bit annoying. However, the very nice man who was directing the traffic saw our sticker and told us to park right at the top of the line next to the escalators leading to the park so that was great. I have a feeling we were probably closer than the Preferred Parking anyway!
We arrived at the cinema with plenty of time and to our amazement they had lots of seats left for the showing of Jurassic Park. I thought that with it opening today we would struggle to get in. As an added bonus we saw the film in the IMAX theatre which was brilliant. American cinemas are certainly better than home ones with huge comfy seats that recline back and plenty of room to stretch out.
The film was fantastic in 3D and so clear, with the characters almost within touching distance. It had been a while since we'd watched Jurassic Park so it was great to see it again and I think that this year is the 20th anniversary of its release.
After the film we went into the Universal Studios park and rode Twister, much to the children's annoyance! I wanted Keith to experience it as it's quite silly and we all got wet again! In the ride you get to experience what a huge tornado feels like but it's good fun!
When we came out of the ride we saw the Parade going past, which we'd forgotten about. Like Disney, Universal have a daily parade of some of their characters and we managed to see Dora the Explorer, but we missed the minions from Despicable Me...talking of which, the wait times for this new ride never got under an hour! We'll try this next week if it gets quieter!
We treated the children to a Dippin Dots ice-cream and wandered past building work for the new ride which will take the place of Jaws. I really love Universal as I think it's a much nicer park and it certainly isn't as crowded as Islands of Adventure. There's also a lot of detail in the New York set with all the shops and restaurants there and it has a much more relaxed feel than the frenetic park next door!
We noticed a sign for the Fear Factor Live show which we hadn't seen before so we decided to see it at 6.30pm and we all thought it was very entertaining! How we missed this before we don't know! The show takes participants from the public and gets them to do various stunts and it's very entertaining. One poor lady had scorpions placed on her head while others had to drink a vile concoction of putrid fish, other nasties and sour cream!
 | |
| Contestants line up in Fear Factor Live! |
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| This poor lady was imprisoned with scorpions |
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| Mixing up a nasty concoction! |
After this great show we rode Men In Black and The Simpsons and then Mikey finally, after two years of waiting, got his turkey leg! It was huge but he said it was delicious and well worth the wait!
The park closed at 9pm and at closing time Universal put on their Cinematic show, a montage of all their films on a big screen with a light show and fireworks. By now it was quite chilly so we stuck it out for a while (it's spectacular) and then left for the Bahama Breeze restaurant on International Drive.
Even at almost 10pm, we were told there would be a wait so we went to the bar for a drink - Sophie had a non-alcoholic cocktail - but we were only there for a few minutes before we were called in to our table. It was a hard decision choosing our meal as there was so many delicious dishes, but in the end I went for chicken breasts with an exotic sauce and mashed potatoes, Sophie and Mikey chose burgers while Keith enjoyed a steak. Three of us were very hungry indeed so we had various starters - beef empanadas, hummus and pulled pork with a barbecue sauce - which were delicious.
No desserts for us tonight - it was back to the villa (I missed the turn for the I-4 and ended up in a very posh neighbourhood indeed) and straight to bed after our very enjoyable, but very tiring day!
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