A bit of a mishap...

We were all up early this morning and ready to go by about 8.30am. Getting everything into the boot of the car was a squeeze and some of the stuff had to be put on the back seat, but after a quick sweep around the villa we were all set. However, there was just one problem...the front door key that had been sitting on the breakfast bar all night and during the morning had disappeared. And I mean vanished into thin air.

Well, we checked everything...we emptied the boot of the car, emptied the bags we'd packed at the last minute, moved the sofa and rugs in case the key had fallen down behind them or underneath them, searched the villa high and low and we couldn't find it. Keith was panicking and the sweat was pouring off all of us as we kept going back out to the car to check the driveway, the path and the lawn. Sophie even checked the oven! I moved the car off the driveway to see if it had fallen underneath and we tried to think back to remember if one of us had taken it and left it somewhere, but it had well and truly gone.

We had to be out of the villa by 10am and as the time approached we decided to go to the management offices and tell them what had happened. We knew we'd be charged for a new lock and key but we were fine with that. We just wanted to resolve the situation. Sophie and Mike stayed at the villa while Keith and I made the trek up the 27 to the offices. The woman there said she would email us either way...to let us know the charges or if the maid had found the key.

Back at the villa I was hoping upon hope that the children had located it, but no. The maid had come and gone, but within minutes one of the managers had arrived and was absolutely fine about what had happened.

We left and went to IHOP for breakfast, albeit about 90 minutes later than we'd intended! Of course, the place was heaving with people and we had a short wait before we were seated. This morning I chose the breakfast sampler, Keith had eggs and bacon with toast again, Mike went for his favourite of chocolate pancakes and Sophie opted for the fried chicken and waffles. The lashings of coffee were very welcome indeed!

By 11am we were on the road and heading for Tampa on the I4. The traffic wasn't that busy and within the hour we had turned onto the I75 towards Venice and Naples. I drove at a steady 70-80mph and it was a very pleasant, if slightly boring, journey.

Once at junction 101 of the I75 we turned off and followed the directions to the offices where we had to collect the directions to our villa. It was closed but we had the code to access the lockbox where an envelope awaited us. Thankfully, there was a bar nearby as we all had to use the facilities and we had a drink to cool off.

Getting to our villa at Briarwood took us about 15 minutes and as it's a gated community we had to show ID and our booking reservation. They gave us a sticker for the window and we were let in. The community is absolutely beautiful with gorgeous houses set amongst palm trees and beautifully manicured gardens.

Our villa is a four bedroom, three bathroom house with a pool overlooking the lake, a large kitchen/living room and a separate living room and dining area. We were very impressed!

Our bedroom

Very comfy recliners!

No alligators in the lake, apparently!

We unpacked our cases, put all the food away and explored the villa. It's very large so there's plenty of room for everyone and the kids have their own bathrooms, which is great. I called my Mum to let her know we'd arrived in Naples and she was delighted to hear from us, saying the weather back in Britain had been terrible.

We decided to find the nearest supermarket, a Publix, but we also learned there's an Aldi nearby as well. Once there we stocked up with essentials and at the liquor store next to Publix Keith treated me to a bottle of Russian Standard Vodka. We were able to buy Fever Tree tonic in the supermarket so I was all set for my favourite drink!

Rather than go out in the evening we decided to have a Chinese takeaway from a place we'd seen on the drive in. We waited 15 minutes for our meals to be cooked and then it was back to the villa, dinner and drinks by the pool. Sophie and Mike had a dip and we spent a lovely evening chatting and watching the sun go down over the lake. The sky was gorgeous! I think we're going to be very happy here!