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SUNDAY 1 JUNE 2008 – Steve is still up for petanque but my shoulder is aching so I kop out.  At lunchtime I cook up a roast beef dinner and invite Cindi and Mike to join us.  In the afternoon I join them for a ride to the shopping centre.  Cindi lends us an aerial connector for the free on site cable TV so Steve spends the evening watching the box.  It’s a warm evening and we have the air conditioning on but both still end up with headaches.

CYPRESS COVE 6

MONDAY 2 JUNE – Steve follows petanque with a game of miniten.  You are almost spoilt for choice here and we still haven’t taken a boat out on the lake.  I join Cindi for a ride out and she then joins us for lunch.  Half way through the meal I find my headache gets the better of me and spend the afternoon in the air-cooled motorhome.  Steve & I head off for a late swim but the pool is almost too warm for proper swimming.  I return home just at the start of a huge storm.  Thunder, lightening and torrential rain hit with great speed and it was lucky I was home to close everything up.  Steve finally makes a run for it about 1-hour later.

CYPRESS COVE 7

TUESDAY 3 JUNE – I’m feeling much better and whilst Steve is out playing I begin preparing the motorhome for our visitors.  It’s really hot work but maybe I can sweat a bit of fat off!  I finally figure that the swimming pool feels cooler if you wallow in the hot tub first so today manage 40 lengths swimming plus another 10 walking.  Usual Tuesday evening Euchre and we get home just in time to shut up before another storm hits.  Looks like this could be a new pattern but at least it doesn’t spoil the days.  Tonight we are in the over cab bed in readiness for our visitors.

CYPRESS COVE 8

WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE – Neither of us slept well, surprisingly it was reasonably cool but the futon mattress on the bed sure feels different on the thin foam over cab bed.  Both play petanque then spend the rest of the morning relaxing. On the Internet I book us onto an afternoon timeshare presentation to get $120 off the Seaworld + Aquatica tickets that we want for when Daniel and Natasha are here.  I join Cindi for an afternoon drive to Camping World where we finally get the replacement fly screen panel for the bathroom roof. Last August I locked us out of the motorhome and we broke the screen to get to the spare keys in the bathroom.  We continue along highway 192 and end up at a place selling cheap Disney tickets.  This time I agree for us to do a vacation club presentation tomorrow morning to save over $200 (£100) on our Disney tickets.  The biggest downside of having two in one day is that there is a limit to how much free food we can pack away!

CYPRESS COVE 9

THURSDAY 5 JUNE – At 8.30am we are on our way to the Westin timeshare presentation.  As a single lady and a Florida resident Cindi get $75 (£37.50) for joining us.  There’s a buffet style cooked breakfast after which David begins the presentation.  He asks where we are staying and not only do we say Cypress Cove Resort but now mention that it is for naturists.  Of course there are no naturist time-share resorts although one or two have nude beaches.  He trolls on with the show and even has a top man in at the end but we all stick to our guns although it does run in to over 2-hours.  The next one is at 1pm at Liki Tiki Village and we arrive early.  Ron escorts us into the room where there are just a few snacks but on the plus side he realises within minutes that the vacation, points system, package is not for us.  Having done this he whizzes us through the obligatory programme in 35 minutes and sends us on our way as very happy bunnies.  Conclude that we must have been his last appointment for the day and he was free to go home whereas the morning one is probably hanging around for a second victim and figures he has nothing to lose by keeping on at us!  We get a late afternoon storm but without lightening so I make the most of it wander around The Cove in the nude enjoying splashing in the puddle and having the warm rain give me a shower and of course no clothes to dry off!  Our friend Ricky, from Pembroke Pines, arrives just after 6pm and after a quick meal we show him the resort.  It’s almost dusk as we walk the residential area so this time we see it in another light – that of all the residents’ fairy lights.  It’s a gorgeous evening and we spend lots of time bouncing between the hot tub, the cooler swimming pool and lying on the loungers star gazing.

CYPRESS COVE 10

FRIDAY 6 JUNE – Another early start as our Aussie friends Ken & Kay are due to land in Orlando around 8.30am.  The airport is large but well organised with a free cell phone waiting area where people can call you once they have arrived.  We’ve arranged for me to meet Ken & Kay in person but although their flight has landed there is no sign of them.  I’m a bit surprised that the baggage reclaim area is open to the public and the baggage for their flight has all been collected without Ken & Kay showing.  I manage to find they did not make their connection in LA. Heading back to The Cove we get a call from Ken to say the Qantas strike delayed them but they arrive here at 4.30pm.  It’s easier picking them up on our second trip, as we know the routine.  They are both very tired but extremely happy to be here.  After a quick tour of the Cove they can see they will really enjoy it.  Cindi invites us all round for supper before we head to the bar to listen to some of the karaoke.  It’s Pirate theme weekend and many people are already dressing up in costumes. We round of the day with a session in the hot tub and swimming pool.

CYPRESS COVE 11

SATURDAY 7 JUNE – Ricky takes us over to Wal Mart so that Ken & Kay can do a basic shop.  The rest of the morning we sit by the pool before returning for a steak dinner.  Early afternoon we leave Ken & Kay having a snooze whilst we head to the lake to take out one of the free pedal boats.  Steve & Ricky take the front seats whilst I sit in the back on alligator look out.  They do a great job of taking us half way around the lake but no wildlife to be seen.  On the way back we spot the owner Ted with his speedboat.  He has a rubber ring towed behind and is giving the kids a ride.  They often fall off so we can only assume that the huge alligator we saw the other night is friendly.  Afternoon entertainment is the cardboard boat race at the lake.  Boats made from cardboard and tape are expected to paddle around a marked course but the strong wind keeps blowing them back to the beach and the soaked cardboard soon has them sinking.  The evening disco in the Terrace restaurant is great as they play mostly the kind of music we enjoy but at a noise level that also allows you to chat!

CYPRESS COVE 12

SUNDAY 8 JUNE – Ricky heads off early to do more photos around the lake.  Ken joins us for boules then it’s time to relax before a curry lunch.  It’s a record breaking hot day so might as well compound it with a hot curry! 

CYPRESS COVE 13

MONDAY 9 JUNE – Morning petanque joined by Ken.  Steve finished the roof repair and shows Ken a few things about Harry.  In the afternoon Cindi suggests a Wal Mart trip and as it is just the girls we meander around the store.  I spot some upholstery fabric that would look good in the motorhome and take a sample.  It matches perfectly so Cindi takes me back to buy the 10 years at $3 (£1.50) yard and Kay & I spend the rest of the evening working out how we are going to do it.  Kay is a great seamstress and Cindi is also a sewer and offers use of her machine so it will be actions stations tomorrow cutting it out.  Using the Internet I manage to check in for both our flights tomorrow and print out the boarding cards.

CYPRESS COVE 14

TUESDAY 10 JUNE – D-day for us (departure day) so straight after petanque I get together with Kay to cut out the materiel ready for her to sew.  We are travelling extremely light as we have clothes in England so packing takes just a few minutes.  I manage my last 40 laps of the pool before enjoying spaghetti bolognaise that Kay has cooked.  At 2.30pm Cindi arrives to drive us to the airport and then take Ken & Kay shopping.  With only 2 small carry on bags we go straight to security that leads us to the gate and actually end up there 1 hour too soon – and don’t I know about it as Steve whinges that he is being deprived of an extra hour in the sun!  Our US Airways flight to Philadelphia is due to leave at 5.05pm and we board early and then learn why.  There is a really bad storm heading for Orlando and unless we can get everyone boarded, seated and ready for take off quickly there is a chance that the airport will be closed until the storm passes.  We only ever had 1 hour 10 minutes to make the connection from our domestic flight to the International one in Philadelphia so the delay is not good news for us.  It’s frustrating to find that those on board are seated but other passengers arrive late.  Captain announces that the storm is all up the coast and planes are being re route to avoid it so the sky is very busy.  He intends to taxi to the runway and wait it out there.  Luckily we get away before the storm but are already late.  The stewardesses tell us they know that 12 people on board have tight connections and they will do everything to help.  It’s an uneventful flight, no food but soft drinks and just centre screen TV’s.  Arrive 20 minutes before our next flight is due to board.  We have been moved to a seat near the exit so are the first off.  Good job too as Philadelphia airport is huge.  With only hand luggage we can make a run for terminal A but it’s a very long way and we end up fast walking.  Arrive just as they start to board.  The good news is that we don’t have to do any further security or customs formalities.  Actually very slack considering we checked in on line and have only had our bags scanned once at Orlando and no one has really checked our passports.  This plane is quite basic, 2 – 4 – 2 seating and we have the two at the side.  There is very little legroom and the seats hardly recline.  Headphones are £3 and we get a basic meal before bedtime. 

US AIRWAYS FLIGHT FROM PHILADELPHIA TO MANCHESTER

WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE – Land in Manchester ENGLAND on time and the first thing we notice is that the airport toilets don’t flush themselves and the sinks haven’t got magic taps!  Although rain was forecast today it is cool but dry so I don’t look too bad in my summer dress and flip-flops.  We have 1-½ hours to wait for the National Express bus to Hanley, £5.40. Steve manages a nap en route and then we have a chilly 50 minutes wait at Hanley for the connection to Market Drayton, £2.50.  It’s market day today so the bus is packed; no chance of taking up 2 seats to stretch out.  Walk through the market then down to Mum’s and arrive at 1.30pm.  She looks well after her recent hip replacement operation and now manages to get around indoors without any crutches.  Pick up a few warm clothes; grab a shower and a quick lunch before loading us all up into Mum’s car.  During the journey to Wakefield we notice many more foreign vehicles on the road, British vehicles being driven American style and overtaking on the inside and generally much more traffic around.  Petrol prices have now reached around £1.15 litre so not as bad as the 50% increase in America during the last year.  Auntie Pamela is ready for us with lots of food to “put us on” until tonight’s meal.  She has had a knee replacement operation since we saw her last year and already walks much better than before.  A short drive across Wakefield takes us to my cousin Karens, thankfully our last stop of the day having been in constant travel mode since 2.30pm yesterday.  Karen & Chris are both home from work, daughter Sarah is there with her boyfriend Mike and James (Karen’s son) calls in shortly afterwards.  A quick catch up chat then Chris and Karen suggest we join them for a ride down to check on 2 of their rental properties.  Just after we left England last June there were lots of floods and these two adjoining houses had water up to the letterboxes.  It has taken until now to get the renovation work done but on the plus side they are now completely redecorated on the ground floor and have new kitchens.  Return for a Chinese take-away and just before midnights a very welcome lie down in bed to sleep.

WAKEFIELD

THURSDAY 12 JUNE – Everyone is up and about early and I’m awake but Steve is determined to catch up on his sleep.  Everyone leaves for work and I get Steve up around 8.30am.  Today we are off to Keighley and call in at Claire’s works to pick up house keys.  She has been doing the wi-ii fit programme, has lost lots of weight and looks really fit and well.  Although we were planning to pick Daniel and Natasha up from after school club at 3.30pm they are so excited they have asked us to get them straight from school at 3.15am.  Apparently Natasha woke everyone up this morning by singing a song with the words Grandma, Grandad to the tune of ding-dong ding-dong – what a sweetie.  Sandra is not home so we make our way to Steves Mum and Dads new home.  They have moved to a flat on Harewood Rise and are away until tomorrow but have given Claire a key so we can let ourselves in and sleep there overnight.  It’s in a nice spot at the back of the group of flats and looking straight out to fields.  Sandra rings to say she is home so we hop back in the car to drive round.  Keith is with her and we catch up on all their news before a nice chilli con carne lunch.  Sandra has been unwell and not worked for 10 months and now realises how nice it is and hopes for medical retirement.  Keith has been retired for many years so this would also suit him very well.  She has 2 new grandchildren since our last visit so lots to catch up on.  Arrive well early for picking the kids up but we are both very excited.  Parking in Howarth is a nightmare and we end up in a residents permit section so Steve stays with the car.  Natasha comes out of school first, hurtling up to me screaming out Grandma.  Daniel is also excited but as a 10-year old a little more restrained.  They have both grown much taller but having seen them on web cam recently they look much the same.  With our Florida trip just 5 weeks away there is lots to chat about.  At home Claire has left me a pile of her “cast off” clothing so I have a ball selecting items to borrow whilst we are in England.  Claire & Daz return from work and we look through some of their photos of outings during the last year. A quick bite of tea then back up to Mom & Dad’s for our next visitor.  Neil Wilson used to be our GP but has now become a personal friend.  He has recently spent 6 months doing locum work in New Zealand and brings over the photos to show us.  A downside of arriving in England at this time of year is that everyone is taking holidays so we have to make a tight schedule to fit in seeing people before they go away.  This means we only have just over 1-hour spare to chat with Neil but we certainly make the most of it.  Amazing how tempting a return trip to New Zealand is when we see the picture but can’t feel the cold and rain!  Leave to drive down to ten-pin bowling.  Steve gets a game in the league and I get a fun game with a team whose opposition are away on holiday.  As always it’s great to be back with our bowling buddies and I have some great games, 140, 140 and 145 whilst Steve bowls a bit under average but still enjoys himself.  Again it is almost midnight once we get back to Mom’s to crash out on the sofa bed.  Hope the merry go round is going to stop before we both fall off, as I could not keep going at this pace!

KEIGHLEY, MOM & DADS. 

FRIDAY 13 JUNE – After sorting out my prescription at the Doctors we return to Mom & Dad’s.  They are due back from their coach trip to Bournemouth this afternoon but we get a call to say they are delayed due to very heavy traffic.  Drive round to Sandra’s where we have an excellent evening meal and enjoy a good chat with her and Keith.  She has a spare bedroom where we can stay overnight enabling Steve to have a few drinks to relax.

KEIGHLEY, SANDRA’S

SATURDAY 14 JUNE – Back to Mom & Dad’s to catch up with their news.  They are both struggling as bit with mobility but otherwise much the same as when we left last year.  They’ve really settled into their new flat and feel very happy there.  Claire picks us up to go to Haworth school fete.  Daniel has volunteered to be in the stocks and have people throw wet sponges at him so of course we all have to have our 50 penneth having a go.   It goes on from 12 until 3 but even though we have coats on we are chilly so Claire takes us back to Mom & Dads.  Lisa, Mick and Sian call round in the evening. Lisa has stopped smoking and lost weight and looks really well.  Sian is turning into a very attractive young lady and Mick looks much the same.  Pick up a Chinese take-away for supper.

KEIGHLEY, MOM & DADS

SUNDAY 15 JUNE – Natasha is now a member of City of Bradford swimming club, which Claire used to be in.  Sunday morning training is up at Rhodesway baths and the coach used to be a swimming parent when Claire swam so we know him.  Steve volunteers to take Natasha, the 9am start being preferable to the early morning sessions Claire used to do.  I encourage Mom & Dad to do a walk around the block for a bit of exercise before we drive round to Claire’s.  It’s Fathers Day so we are all going to “The Beeches” for their carvery lunch.  Their Yorkshire puddings are excellent and I can’t resist a second helping.  Back to Claire’s for dessert and a quick wi ii fit exhibition.  Mid afternoon we pick Mum up in Wakefield.  She’s had a lovely time in Wakefield and given her hip a good test with all the walking around the shops.  David has invited us for tea so we stop off in Prestwich.  Never know what we are going to find with David on the hair front – this time he has short hair and the makings of a beard.  Donna prepares us a lovely salad and again we catch up on news.  Back at Mum’s we finally unpack properly and go through our mail.  Try for an early night but Mum’s alarm is faulty and I have to get up to try and re set it for her.  In the end after 11pm we have an engineer call us to key in the cancellation calls so it’s late to bed.

MARKET DRAYTON

THURSDAY 15 MAY – Today’s exploration begins north at Boca Raton where the Historical Society museum is tame, the Mizner Park Italian style shopping centre empty and the main highlight of the Boca Raton Resort only open to members and guests.  At least it is a pleasant journey back down the coast along the A1A.  Mathijs is happy when we travel the airport perimeter road to enable us to stand underneath the aircraft as they land.  Hard Rock casino is a massive complex with mini shopping mall, hotel, Hard Rock café plus main casino.  After eating in the food court Mathijs is keen to test his skills.  The poker room is a separate area and has dozens of tables.  It is so popular you have to go on a waiting list to play.  Once he gets a game we explore the shopping area where there is a huge stadium with people limbering up for a pool tournament.  Joining the casino players club gets you $20 worth of slot play and once we have fed this through the machine and taken the winnings we are ready to leave.  Ricky goes back after 10pm to pick up Mathijs who has managed to win $75.

PEMBROKE PINES 9

FRIDAY 16 MAY – The planned trip to the Keys is on hold as Ricky’s air conditioner has broken down again and he needs to wait for the engineer to arrive.  It’s all fixed just after 11am and although we are looking at about 150-mile drive Ricky suggests we set off.  We visited the Keys in 1990 and other than a newer wider road little seems to have changed.  It’s absolutely beautiful and the journey is as much a part as our destination of Key West.  Arrive after about 4-hours and begin at the small picture perfect beach area then the obligatory photo stop at the Southern most point in the USA, only 90 miles from Cuba.  B.O’s Fish Wagon on Caroline Street is a kind of backyard shed surrounded by junk that is used as tables etc.  The food is reasonably priced and the conch fritters are delicious.  A short walk takes us to the busy waterfront area but it’s still not 5pm and way too early for the sunset festivities.  Move the car up the cemetery as the Lonely Plant tells of quirky inscriptions on graves such as “at least I know where he’s sleeping tonight” and “I told you I was sick”.  We wander around but see nothing out of the ordinary other than a large number of old tombs that have been disturbed and look like something out of a horror movie.  It’s a pleasant walk on shady streets past interesting houses to get to Duval Street.  This is the main tourist drag and abounds with bars and art type shops and has a great atmosphere.  At the marina the sunset cruises are all ready to depart and along the boardwalk the street performers are beginning their performances.  We’ve pretty much seen everything we want to so decide to hop in the car and catch the sunset from one of the keys further east.  Unfortunately the clouds prevent us doing so but it does give us chance to arrive home before midnight.

PEMBROKE PINES 10

SATURDAY 17 MAY – Bad news, the air conditioning is not working again.  It’s pretty much an essential in Florida and the main reason people would not live here before it was available.   Late morning we leave Steve watching sport on TV whilst the rest of us go shopping.  In the evening we drive to Dave & Busters where there is supposed to be a Couchsuring meeting.  Only problem is that I have got the wrong day and it was held on Thursday!  Actually they did us a favour, as in the same area there is a “Sweet Tomato” buffet style restaurant.  $9.75 (£5) for the all you can eat salad bar (yes I know I don’t like salad) plus 8 home made soups, baked potatoes, bakery, freshly baked desserts and other delights.

PEMBROKE PINES 11

SUNDAY 18 MAY – Mathijs has booked a hire car but hasn’t received Internet confirmation so we spend ages working out how to trace the transaction.  Ricky takes him to pick it up but they return together later.  At the agency the quoted price is increased because he is only 24 years old and they also add a one-way drop off penalty taking it to $600 (£300) for 4 days.  They have cancelled it and now want to book with another company but the cheap deals must be booked at least 24-hours in advance so he settles for picking one up tomorrow afternoon.  Spend the afternoon by the pool then play poker in the evening.

PEMBROKE PINES 12

MONDAY 19 MAY – Luckily Mathijs manages to get his car but not without paying a small surcharge for extra insurance.  It would appear that all quotes on the Internet are incomplete. Bit of a steep learning curve on his first trip alone.  We spend a leisurely day at home waiting for the air-con men to arrive.  This time they send their 2 top men who seem to make a better job of it.

PEMBROKE PINES 13

TUESDAY 20 MAY – Ricky goes to work in the morning so more for exercise than anything I take a walk up to the shopping mall and end up buying a nice dress.  With the temperature so high it must be the coolest thing to wear.  Ricky is very pleased when the insurance assessor comes to check out his car.  He says that the damage amounts to $1200 so Ricky opts take a cheque for that amount rather than getting it repaired. 

PEMBROKE PINES 14  

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY – Spend most of the morning down at the clothing optional Haulover Beach, which is surprisingly, busy. 

PEMBROKE PINES 15

THURSDAY 22 MAY – When Ricky returns from work we take him out to lunch at the New China Buffet.  There is an excellent range of food including some more unusual dishes such as chickens feet and trips.  We are all so full that we are happy to return and watch movies for the rest of the day.

PEMBROKE PINES 16

FRIDAY 23 MAY – A lazy day at home.  We get a bit of a storm in the afternoon but it is short lived.

PEMBROKE PINES 17

SATURDAY 24 MAY – On the way to the beach Ricky stops at the “Drive thru pharmacy”.  I can’t help but laugh when I see these big tubes running from the building to the terminals at the drive through, do you have to lie underneath with your mouth open and wait for the pills to drop into it or what?  Morning down at Haulover beach.  The clothing optional area is packed but either side the beach is deserted!  Ricky takes us out for an early supper at a different Sweet Tomatoes and it is equally good.  Return just a huge storm begins.  There seems to be a number of storms converging and we get different types of lightening and torrential rain.

PEMBROKE PINES 18

SUNDAY 25 MAY – Steve gets up early to watch the Grand Prix and is rewarding with a win for Britain.  This means we don’t set off until around 10.30am but the roads are still very quiet once we get beyond the suburbs and onto the 27.  The swampy area gives way to Lake Okeechobee but due to the drought it is completely dry. Further north there are other lakes and no doubt the water is used for irrigation as we see fields of cattle and orange plantations.  At Sebring the locals are out enjoying the holiday weekend and have driven into the low level lake to sit in the water and have a picnic.  Our Globalfreeloaders hosts are Jerri and Bob who live in a retirement village mobile home.  It’s hard to tell it’s a mobile home as it is double width and huge with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, bigger than many a house in England.  There is a parking area for motorhomes and they lead us there in their golf cart.  After a tour through the estate they show us our room and we settle in and get to know them.  In the evening Jerri takes me for a golf cart tour of the neighbourhood which is fun.

SEBRING

MONDAY 26 MAY – It’s Memorial Day holiday here, rather like our Remembrance Day.  Make a leisurely start with a late bacon sandwich breakfast.  Jerri & Bob have invited us to join them at the clubhouse for an afternoon BBQ.  Darlene takes control and does a speech and arranges the 1-minute silence at 3pm.  Spend the rest of the day relaxing at home and chatting with our hosts.  Jerri is a very artistic person and has used some original ideas to decorate their home with a beach theme so I pick up lots of ideas.

SEBRING 2

TUESDAY 27 MAY – Our next stop is the shopping centre at Poinciana just south of Orlando.  This is obviously a rapidly developing area and the shopping centre already has a Wal*Mart, 2 other grocery stores, many other small stores and a few restaurants.  Just about 1-mile further on is Cypress Cove naturist resort.  We are booked to stay there for 2 months and have friends flying in from Australia a week on Friday to stay in Harry for the 5 weeks whilst we visit England.  They have a special offer on with 3 months trial membership at $159 (£80) per couple and as a member you get a monthly camping rate of just $338 (£170) plus electric.  We are allocated a site at 65 Otter Lane and it’s really nice.  A short walk to a toilet block and whilst near all the sporting facilities it is a quiet and shady spot.  Set out to explore the resort only to be amazed by just how many permanent residents there are.  We walk over 1 mile around a loop bounded by fixed homes.  Excellent leisure facilities include a rectangular swimming pool, a fancy shaped pool with a waterfall, 2 hot tubs, gym, beauty salon and a lake for fishing, boating or swimming – if you are faster than the alligators.  Tennis courts, basketball net, petanque courts and golf also offer sports opportunities and everything has been so well thought out that there are water fountains and showers wherever you may need them. There is a weekly programme of events so we join the evening Euchre card game at The Terrace and get to know a few people.

CYPRESS COVE

WEDNESDAY 28 MAY – 9am finds us at the petanque court where we have an enjoyable couple of games and get to know more people.  Steve follows it with a round of golf whilst I go home to make use of the free wi-fi.  Just time for a pre lunch dip in the pool where we return for most of the afternoon.  I make an effort and put in 30 length of the shaped pool which is over 20m long.  Although the days are hot there is usually a breeze and at night the temperature drops to a very comfortable level.  So much so that we haven’t even felt a need to run the air conditioner and only occasionally use the fan.

CYPRESS COVE 2

THURSDAY 29 MAY – After our morning petanque session we set out to walk to the shopping centre.  Notice that there is a bus stop directly outside the resort so that will be handy.  It’s an easy flat walk to the shops and we explore everywhere and find everything we may need however the walk back is considerably more tiring in the heat.  Spend the afternoon by the pool and then an evening card session of Euchre.

CYPRESS COVE 3

FRIDAY 30 MAY – Morning petanque then a bit of planning.  Early afternoon petanque players Judy & Bob pick us up for a ride out.  They come from New York but are in the process of moving down here permanently.  Begin at the Osceola shopping mall where we are hoping to be picked on by time share touts offering cheap Disney tickets.  It’s a very poor mall for shops and they don’t have one time-share stand.  Judy drives us to a nearby tourist office that does but to save a total of $80 you have to endure up to 3-hours of hard sell and make your own way to the hotel which is miles away.  Judy gives us a nice tour around Kissimmee including the famous “monument to the states” where someone from each state donated a piece of rock from that area.  It has now been extended to include rocks from other countries including England.  Over at St Cloud we go for an early supper at Crabby Bill’s restaurant on the lake.  The fish is excellent and Steve is delighted with the happy hour beer at $1 (50p) pint.  Back at “The Cove” there is a dive in movie – no not a spelling mistake as the movie is held at the swimming pool.  We opt for one of the sun loungers but many youngsters spend the whole time in the water.  Free popcorn is served as we enjoy “National Treasure 2”.

CYPRESS COVE 4

SATURDAY 31 MAY – Cindi from petanque calls round, introduces her partner Mike and asks if we would like to join them for a ride over to Cape Canaveral to watch the shuttle launch.  We are delighted as we were keen to see it but not to drive Harry over there.  As soon as we have finished petanque we head off and arrive in the area just after 12.00.  Already Jetty Park is full but we get an excellent beach spot at the west end of Cape Canaveral, directly opposite the shuttle launch pad.  It was 100F when we set out and a really hot afternoon so sitting in the shallow water on the sun loungers is the perfect way to cool off, even though the water is like a warm bath.  As the afternoon progresses more and more people arrive and boats line up between the NASA centre and us.  Nearing 5pm we have the radio on for the countdown and it’s quite strange to hear them talking about the rockets firing up and being able to see the flames with our bare eyes.  The lift of seems slow and graceful and Steve with the binoculars gives us a running commentary.  As the shuttle rises we hear a bit of a boom but not as loud as we anticipated and certainly no feeling of the earth trembling as we had been led to expect.  It’s still a very moving experience watching Discovery head off at over 1000mph.  Unsurprisingly there are traffic jams heading back to Orlando but it’s not a bad run back and well worth the trip out. CYPRESS COVE 5