200809

MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2009 –Royal Caribbean are supposed to be posting a bulletin at 10am about any revised itinerary.  Its after 11am when we find out that instead of being on Coco Cay island tomorrow we will be in Nassau and the full day in Nassau on Wednesday is now a day in Key West.  Not overly happy having been to Key West 3 months ago but better that than getting caught up in Hanna.  Jamie drops us at the port just after 12am and check in begins speedily. All going well until they check our passports.  Our 10-year visa expires on 8^th September and although this cruise arrives back on 5^th September they are concerned we won’t be allowed back in.  Explain that the 8^th is arrival not departure date and show them that we are stamped to stay until January.  They are not convinced and send for an immigration officer.  After conferring they say everything is OK but don’t explain what OK means. Steve chases after the official for a full explanation then turns around to come back to me but walks straight into a glass wall.   He bounces off it with a resounding thud and collapses on the floor.  Along with others I race over.  He gets up and staggers against a wall whilst someone gets a chair.  His nose seems red and has a bump on it but it is not bleeding.  A crowd of officials gather and I ask for an ice pack.  Royal Caribbean staff virtually insists he gets medical attention even though Steve thinks he will be OK.  I get him some ice from the drinks machine and before long the Sheriff joins us followed by two fire service paramedics.  When Steve says he doesn’t want to go to hospital they cancel the ambulance that is en route. Talk about making a drama out of a crisis!  Whilst Steve is giving them personal details I finish checking in.  We have an outside cabin on deck 8 and it is adequate but on the small side.  Head up to Windjammer for a buffet lunch.  I buy the soft drinks package at $6 (£3.30) per day plus 15% - $27.60 - £15).  You get a special mug that with free refills for the duration of the trip.  Not sure whether it will pay off or not as water, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and tea seem to be available for free in most places.  After lunch we have a rest in the room.  Steve has a bit of a bump coming up on his forehead and the makings of a couple of black eyes.  Around 4pm there is the lifeboat drill followed by sail away on the pool deck.  It’s quite strange to be looking out on the Ron Jon Hotel and Jetty Park campground where we stayed 3 weeks ago.  Checking our schedule we are very disappointed to find that tomorrow we only have from noon until 6pm in Nassau meaning we probably don’t have time to take the local busses all around the island as planned.  Change to the early sitting evening meal and the food and service are excellent.  A wide choice and all very tasty.  The evening show with comedian Steve Shaffer is great, either the American sense of humour has changed or we have adapted as he has us chuckling away.  After another exploratory walk around ship we return for a rest before the 70’s and 80’s music.  Steve’s head is hurting a lot now so when he falls asleep I call it a day.  We are woken after 11pm with loud band music coming from the floor below.  The thumping noise does not go down well with Steve but we can’t be bothered to get up and do anything about it tonight. 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN, SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS

PORT CANAVERAL TOWARDS BAHAMAS

TUESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER – Food being a big part of cruising we can’t resist a full cooked breakfast and more.  I check at reception about the noise and find that the Bolero lounge has late entertainment each night.  We are offered a cabin on deck 9 which should be quieter with just cabins above and below.  As a bonus it is a little larger than the other and has an unobstructed view.  It’s an attractive approach to THE BAHAMAS Providence Island with the capital of Nassau.  We pass many smaller islands with lots of shacks.  Dock right by the main town with big colonial style buildings, all very pretty in pink, and opposite Paradise Island with the ostentatious Atlantis Hotel and casino, quite a contrast.   With over 2000 passengers on board the line to leave ship spans 2 decks and takes ages to pass through security.  With around 5 hours on shore and Steve still not 100% we settle for a walk around the town. Set off through Parliament Square then up the attractive Queens Staircase for views from Fort Fincastle.  After that we stroll through the town and call in to one of the oldest homes “Balcony House” where a donation gets us a free tour.  There are 4 cruise ships in port and the waterfront area is well geared up for them as shopping seems to be many peoples reason for cruising.  $4 (£2.20) each gets us a seat in a shared taxi over to Paradise Island.  Atlantis is quite amazing with a massive aquarium in the main lobby that is even bigger than the ones at Sea World.  The décor is fabulous with lots of glass ceiling features but as a non-resident you cannot get out to their man made beach areas.  The $3 (£1.65) ferry back gives us even better views of the hotel.  Back on board mid afternoon for a snooze and only just wake in time to get ready for formal night.  As on our last cruise this does not seem to be adhered to with a few guests being allowed in wearing T-Shirts and shorts.  Of course I have my trusty little black dress and Steve still has his suit from the last cruise so we manage to look the part.  We have a really nice meal and I round it off with 3 puddings.  Down in the theatre it is the Captains reception where we get free champagne and punch whilst the Captain introduces himself and the crew.  Learn that when this ship was built 20 years ago it was the biggest ocean liner ever but today with 2300 passengers on board it is comparatively mid size.  Steve is feeling sleepy again so we retire to watch a movie and have an early night.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE

NASSAU TOWARDS KEY WEST

WEDNESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER – We are not scheduled to arrive in port until the afternoon so get up late for leisurely breakfasts then sit by the pool.  After lunch Steve retires for a sleep whilst I stay to watch the “men’s sexy legs competition” which is really funny as they award things like the most obvious tourist legs!  Docking in Key West USA is impressive as we are right in town by Mallory Square.  Although we dock before 3pm we cannot leave ship until immigration has seen everyone.   Steve now feels much better and his head only hurts when he touches it so there’s a simple answer to that!  As soon as we can we head towards Duval Street, which we walk along before returning via the Bahamian area.  Unusually we are ashore until tomorrow morning and with alcohol expensive on board most guests are happy to hit the bars of Key West.  Return for our evening meal leaving us time to disembark for the sunset waterfront entertainment.   Whilst the sunset is no great shakes the entertainment is good and we especially like the escapologists who gets out of chains and a straight jacket. 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE,

KEY WEST PORT

THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER – By the time we awake we are well under way.  Although we are sailing parallel to the Keys unfortunately we are too far off shore to see them.  It’s a glorious day and perfect for lying out by the pools.  I go into grazing mode taking a small snack every hour rather than big meals.  The belly flop competition is great fun with men put into size categories.  Unsurprisingly the super sized man wins with the biggest splash.  At the afternoon trivial quiz we team up with and American couple but even with us giving them the correct answers to 3 European relevant questions we still only score 7 out of 15 – having said that the winners only had.  Steve watches the Casino poker tournament whilst I head to Sudoku challenge.   Not all the ships clocks are synchronised so I arrive after it has started but get stuck in.  It is all done on speed and the first correct entry is handed in after 7 ½ minutes.  I get the silver medal with my 9-minute entry, which is not bad considering I was more than 1 ½ minutes late in starting.  Our final evening meal is excellent.  Whilst not everything on the ship is the best we have come across the dining room service certainly is.  A couple next to us had mentioned they were a little disappointed there were neither crepes nor crème Brule on the menu.  We had been chatting about curries to the Goan headwaiter.  Amazingly we find that a shrimp curry has been cooked specially for us and the other couple get both the desserts they wished for.  A quick session of line dancing helps my food go down before the evening show themed on the 60’s 70’s and 80’s.  The 1000 sea theatre is packed and the show rounded off with the cruise director showing us the 10 funniest questions he has been asked.  End up in the Voltage lounge for “The Quest”.  We are asked to form teams for 8 – 10 people and given a number.  Casey calls out a challenge, such as “I want 1 man to bring me 3 ladies bra’s in their hands” and the team members who do this within a set time get a point.  It is hilarious and has us in stitches and will be a highlight of the cruise.  Hand on afterwards for some disco dancing but the sway of the ships finally sends us to our cabin sometime after midnight.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE

KEY WEST TOWARDS PORT CANAVERAL

FRIAY 5 SEPTEMBER – With only carry on baggage we have no specific disembarkation time.  Jamie is meeting us around 10am so rather than racing off after 7am we linger as long as possible.  It is a very miserable rainy day.  Apparently we have avoided Hanna as she is now up the coast ahead of us but this is a side effect.  The last guests are asked to leave ship just after 9am so we are pleasantly surprised to find Jamie waiting for us under a big umbrella.  He takes us home and tells us about the weather forecast with Ike now heading our way.  Looks like this is going to be a bad season for hurricanes.  Back in the motorhome we find a puddle on the floor under the air conditioner.  Steve sets to work mopping up and tracing the leak whilst I unpack.  At 1pm we have an appointment at Leisure RV as the Dometic fridge company have a recall on our model for a fire shield fitting at their expense.  Whilst there Steve mentions our roof leak and we find out that a gasket is missing but its not something they stock.  In the interim they have made a temporary seal with something else but with the storms heading this way we need to think about getting it fixed properly.  Jamie has some home made soup waiting for us on return after which we take an afternoon nap.   In the evening we go back to Village Inn for coffee and pie and our stomachs cope much better with this than the cruise dinners!

TITUSVILLE

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – Hurricane Ike has changed course and seems to be heading the way we had intended going.  Jamie is in no rush for us to leave so we will spend today here monitoring the storm and doing odd jobs.  We now think the air conditioner leak was due to the side winds and rain and unavoidable under the conditions so on that basis it is even more important for us to hurricane hop along.  Cook a fish dinner at Jamie’s then spend the day relaxing and tour planning.  I had lost a bit of weight before the cruise and decided that having my belly pierced would inspire me to keep going.  Jamie does piercing and gives me a friend’s rate of $10 (£5.50) including jewellery.  It’s a bit uncomfortable but not really painful if I change my mind (or don’t lose more weight) I can just take it out.

TITUSVILLE 2

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER – We leave after the Grand Prix TV coverage has finished.  For the first time in 4 months we are back on the road with no fixed destination for the day and boy does it feel good.  We came down the coastal road so hop on the 95 to get us north quickly.  Petrol prices are dropping and we fill up at $3.56 (£2) but the exchange rate is worse for us around $1.80 = £1 so it is really no cheaper.  Turn inland and make our way to Deleon Springs State Park, $5 (£2.75).  An underground spring bubbles up into a man made swimming pool before spilling over into a river.  It’s a beautiful spot and obviously very popular with locals.  The old sugar mill has been converted into a restaurant and the photographs show it surrounded by lush green lawns.  Today the floodwater almost reaches the front of it.   I’m not sure about getting my new piercing wet so only go for a paddle in the cool clear waters.  In the middle of the swimming area is an underground cave and we see divers swimming out to it.  Leave around 4pm and off hwy 40 turn down St Johns road to the state forest.  The gate is closed as the area is flooded but this suits us fine as a track beside the gate gives us a nice free camp for the night.  We can barely hear the traffic but have a noisy night surrounded by croaking frogs!

NR ASTOR, ST JOHN RIVER ROAD

MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER – We are woken early when a noisy car pulls up opposite.  The couple in it walk around the gate to walk in the forest.  Ocala is the largest city in the area and we head to the RV dealer to see about getting a service for Harry.  They advertise one at $39.99 but this turns out to be just an oil change and once you add on anything else at all it jumps up to their hourly rate of $105 so we give it a miss.  We are heading to the town of Hawthorne to meet Rich & Phyllis.  6-years ago they did a home exchange with my cousin Karen in Wakefield and she has put us in touch with them.  At the moment they are building a new home for themselves but suggest we meet at their lakeside log cabin around 5pm but can arrive early and settle ourselves in.  On a large plot of land we find a traditional style cabin with rocking chairs on the porch and behind it a beautiful screened swimming pool.  Beyond this a boardwalk leads down to the lake.  Rich arrives and we are soon getting on a like a house on fire with much in common.  Along with his partner Phyllis they are living in their motorhome on a plot of land where they have just about finished building their new home.  The cabin is rented out most of the time but when they have had weekenders in they come back to stay during the week.  Once the market picks up they are planning to sell it along with their other rental properties in order to do more travelling.  He suggests we go to the “Blue Water Bay” in Melrose to meet Phyllis for a meal.  The original bar and restaurant burnt down and was rebuilt in 2003 but made to look old.  Phyllis is waiting for us and has bumped into her son Houston there.  Again we find lots to chat about and notice that this is more like and English style pub with locals bobbing in and out including Houston’s father in law Matt.  On Monday they have a special $9.99 (£5.50) menu with some interesting choices.  Steve and the others opt for salmon en croute topped with crabmeat whilst I pick the crawfish Creole over herb rice.  All the meals are outstanding.  My visit to the bathroom turns up a few surprises.  Electronic gadgets abound but the one I like best is the sensor near the door, which opens the door automatically when you wave your hand in front of it.  I comment on how impressed I am to the owner and he says a friend markets these products and put them in for him but most are sold in India of all places.  It’s quite late when we leave but we will see more of Rich and Phyll as we have volunteered to help them with some painting at he new house.

HAWTHORNE

TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER – Phyll was originally a barber but now does ladies hair and today is working at a nursing home and has left before we get up.  Rich joins us for breakfast in the motorhome after which we drive to their new home.  First he gives us a tour of the estate and takes us down to the jetty on the nearby lake.  Its easy to see how high it as the adjoining swamp is now completely flooded.  Their home is in modern style with open plan lounge, diner and kitchen on the ground floor as well as two en-bedrooms.  Upstairs covers only part of the building and will a combination of study and a place where Phyll’s grandchildren can hang out sleep when they visit.  Today one of the bedroom ceilings and the upstairs rooms high sloping ceiling need painting.  It takes us back to doing up Parkwood as I begin dong the ceiling edges whilst Steve does the rest with the roller.  Once we have finished the bedroom we join Rich upstairs and it is not even lunchtime before we are done.  After showering at the cabin we have lunch in our motorhome.  Join Rich for a ride into Gainesville, a University City and home to the Gators football team.  After driving past the stadium we visit Home Depot for Rich to get more supplies.  We’ve time for a dip in the swimming pool before Phyll returns and join us for a meal in the motorhome.

HAWTHORNE 2

WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – We wake to a warm but cloudy morning, perfect for giving the motorhome a good clean so we get stuck in.  Steve treats the rubber roof and starts working his way down whilst I start at the bottom working up.  Rain stops work just before we are finished but we are exhausted anyway.  It is a heavy storm and probably a sidekick to hurricane Ike.  According to the news it is an enormous storm over 600 miles across and heading for Texas.  Rich calls in for a drink in the evening.

HAWTHORNE 3

THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER – Rich takes us out for breakfast and Lois’s and we have a great feed.  He drops us off before heading to the house.  There is no more work we can help him with so stay at home to potter round and enjoy the pool.  In the evening Phyll and Rich join us for a curry and we talk more about motorhoming as they seem keen to visit us in Mexico this winter either in their motorhome or by flying out to join us in ours.

HAWTHORNE 4

FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMER – Join Phyll and Rich for breakfast by the pool.    He is trying to sell 4 of his 5 houses in order to travel much more but the market here is on the decline so not the best of times to get out of it.  They are a great couple and we hope to meet again in the near future.  Head off to Alachua where we are booked in at the Ford dealer Santa Fe for a service.  Arrive a little early for our 1pm appointment but we are all done and out just after 2pm with a bill just under $100 (£55).  After picking up wi-fi in High Springs we continue to O’Leno State Park where they are supposed to have primitive camping at $4 pp but they tell us it is $16.50.  Back track to where we saw a sign to the Florida Birding trail on Old Bellamy Road.  A mile or so along the track ends in the park area but it is attached to O’Leno and closed from sunset to sunrise.  Heading back to the main road we find a nice little track on our left that will suit us fine for overnight.  It’s a very hot night but nice and peaceful.

OLD BELLAMY ROAD, OFF HWY 441, 2^ND LEFT SOUTH OF O’LENO

SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER – Our 33^rd wedding anniversary.  We plan to visit some springs where you can ride down the river on tubes.  Heading towards Ichetucknee State Park we see lots of places that rent out tubes and dinghies but we have an airbed that should do the job.  Admission is $5 (£2.75) a car but at the moment they will take a book donation in place of it.  We walk upstream to enter the river, a 10-minute stroll through the forest.  A platform makes it easy to launch the airbed and then we are off floating on the natural lazy river.  Being a spring the water is 72F year round, perfect for keeping you cool but not cold.  The water is very clear and a nice turquoise colour but flowing slowly, all very pretty with Spanish moss strewn trees forming a canopy.  At the half waypoint we hop out and find that some people have apparently decided not to do the full trip and abandoned their tubes so we pick one up.  Reckon we are well over an hour floating down to the end where ropes guide you to the exit platform.  Tubes and dinghies are deposited here for collection and most people have someone waiting to pick them up in a car but we walk the 20 minutes back to the main parking area.  To get to the north section of the park you have to leave and drive around the outside.  Again it’s a very pretty spot and this time you get to see where the springs bubble up.  Ichetucknee is a pretty one and great to swim in with goggles as you can see down into the cave and admire lots of colourful plants under the crystal clear water.  A track enables you to walk to the “Blue Hole” downstream, which is even bigger and much quieter but a bit colder.  After making use of the showers we head off around 4pm and cross the Suwannee River, the one that crops up in many songs.  Troy Springs sound good as a civil war ship was scuppered here but never re floated so the wreck can be seen under water.  Unfortunately we arrive to find that due to the heavy rains from Fay the area is flooded and the water no longer clear.  Heading back out we see a side road marked “Ruth Springs Road” and we immediately see a sign saying it is public land.  A side road that loops around becomes a perfect overnight spot for us with grass and shade.

RUTH SPRINGS OFF 27 NEAR TROY SPRINGS STATE PARK

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER – We explore further along the main track after our loop and Steve walks into the next track, as it looks narrow.  He returns to tell me a steep, twisted and uneven track drops down to a beautiful natural spring and he thinks we can make it.  He’s right and we end up parked under shady trees beside a natural headspring and spend the day alternating between lounging around and bathing.  Few people come by and it is really peaceful.  Late afternoon it begins raining so we retreat up the hill in case it becomes too slippery but enabling us to go down for a late skinny dip.   Returning down the main road to our overnight spot we can see what a difference a small amount of rain makes as the track is already very muddy and boggy.  Finally we get a cooler night making it easier to sleep.

RUTH SPRINGS 2

MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER – Back to the springs for another relaxing day.  Around 2.30pm it begins raining so we take our cue and leave.  The next big town is Perry where we use the library for Internet.  Looks like we may have to travel slower than planned as pretty much all the coastline of Texas was wiped out by Ike and people are still stranded in cars.  Settle onto the Wal*Mart car park for the night.

PERRY WAL*MART

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST – All wake up at leisure and then Steve joins Claire and the kids for a last visit to Blizzard Beach Water Park.  I pack up the van and at 10am drive up to the car park.  Daz tries to do the Disney check in but it only applies to direct international flights.  When the swimmers return I have dinner ready as our last meal together.  Around 2pm they board the Disney Magical Express coach to the airport.  It has been a fantastic 2 weeks together but very tiring and we probably tried to pack too much into it but we just about muddled through.  Steve & I stop for a quick shop en route to Cypress Cove.  I expected the store to be busy on Saturday but people are piling shopping carts high and it is mayhem.  When we get set up at the Cove we hear the news that hurricane Fay is due to hit Orlando area on Tuesday and this is probably why people were stocking up.  3 loads of washing later we have the van pretty much back to normal and spend the evening with Steve watching Olympics on TV and me on the Internet. 

CYPRESS COVE RESORT

SUNDAY 17 AUGUST – Lie in until almost 8am then get back into routine with a game of petanque.  Throughout the day more warnings are put out about hurricane Fay so we walk around the resort and decide that either the laundry or the toilet block will be our bolthole when it hits.  There’s a Doctor here today doing skin cancer checks so we both go along and find that I have one suspicious freckle and Steve has a few that we should get checked out in the future.  Speak to Daz & Claire on skype and learn that they had good flights back but are now feeling very tired.  Natasha slept the whole time on the long leg.  We get lots of brief spells of rain and see many people packing up to return to their homes but overall its rather a nice day and much cooler than it has been.  Manage to fit in my 40 lengths of the pool late afternoon.  It is now getting like a ghost town here with the weekenders leaving and other packing up to go back and protect their homes. 

CYPRESS COVE 2

MONDAY 18 AUGUST – At petanque only one other player shows up. Throughout the day staff go around tying things down and removing anything that is likely to blow around.  We have just our adjoining neighbours left in our row and they are sleeping out tomorrow night as they have friends arriving to stay in a villa.  At the pool area just a few loungers and chairs have been left out for use but I do get chance of a good swim without weaving amongst people.  By evening the site seems deserted so we are surprised to find people have shown up to play cribbage and enjoy a couple of games each before we are knocked out.  All TV channels are carrying bulletins about Fay and knowing that the office at the Cove is closing at 2.30pm tomorrow we have to make a decision by then as to whether to tough it out in the motorhome or rent a villa for the night.  All local knowledge says staying in a motorhome is not an option but I am having trouble convincing Steve of this.  Jamie in Titusville asked us to go over there but knowing how often weather forecasters get it wrong we could be out of the frying pan and into the fire doing that.

CYPRESS COVE 3

TUESDAY 19 AUGUST – Its fine when we wake up but you can tell it will soon be raining so we don’t even attempt petanque.  Latest storm update is that the eye of the storm is heading further east and going to hit Titusville but that our area is now under tornado watch.  The storm has not worsened to a hurricane but may do so once it hits land.  I know all this is pointing to it being less of a threat but against Steve’s wishes I books us a villa at the reduced hurricane special rate of $45 (£22.50) night. Throughout the day I sit in the room watching movies and using the Internet whilst Steve watches Olympics in the motorhome.  We get lots of rainy spells and wind but nothing that bad so it looks like I have boobed.  At least it is quiet overnight as it would probably be noisy in the van with the rain on the roof.

CYPRESS COVE 4, VILLA 1166

WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST – Linger in the room until 11am checkout.  Even around the van the only signs of the storm are a few broken twigs.  It rains for most of the day but during an afternoon dry spell I put in 44lengths of the pool.  At least we have TV reception so Steve can watch Olympics and Internet to keep me entertained.

CYPRESS COVE 5

THURSDAY 21 AUGUST – It has rained most of the night.  I’ve ordered a few things on line through Amazon and my first package arrives, a mini SD card for the telephone.  It was really cheap; including postage $11 (£6) so I’m surprised to find the 2GB card comes with an adapter to turn it into a regular SD card that I can use with my camera.  Achieve m 46-length target in an empty pool.  Once the rain stops the wind picks up and it is pretty wild.  Make it to the evening Euchre session but only 6 of us turn up.

CYPRESS COVE 5

FRIDAY 22 AUGUST – It’s still dull and windy and in fact turns into a bad day with lots of very heavy downpours and some strong winds.  Again between the rains I swim and am up to 48 lengths.  At the evening crab races there are only 13 entries and with 10 heats Steve soon becomes a winner and gets a 2 for 1 drinks voucher. It’s the last race and my crab is still in there but storms home and as the last winner I get 2 vouchers.  In the grand finale ours have both gone back to sleep.  Its Rock and Roll weekend at he Cove but only about a dozen people show up at Cheeks for the disco and they are just sitting around so we opt to stay home and watch a movie.

CYPRESS COVE 6

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST – It’s a very pleasant morning and enough people turn up for petanque.  Return to do some cleaning on the motorhome as the awning has got quite a bit of mould on it which all comes off with a good scrubbing.  In the afternoon Steve sits by the pool whilst I put in 50 lengths but has to return before I’m finished as a storm begins.  Again we get torrential rain for a few hours.  At the evening trivia Steve wins one of the round but selecting the price from 1-10 he ends up with the lowest value one of a free drink.  Classic Rock weekend includes a live band and we sit and listen for half and hour or so but recognise nothing so return home.

CYPRESS COVE 7

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST – We begin the nice day with petanque.  In the afternoon Mike shows up at the pool.  52 lengths on the score card today.

CYPRESS COVE 8

MONDAY 25 AUGUST – No one at petanque so that upsets our routine.  Our neighbours John & Margaret leave so now we have a nice view up the street. Sporting events are 56 lengths in the pool and cribbage in the evening.  I’ve ordered a couple of things on line through Amazon.  It worked really well as they delivered them here but my English billing address meant I didn’t have to pay any tax.

CYRESS COVE 9

TUESDAY 26 AUGUST – Morning petanque.  I have fun trying out my new toys.  A Hawking mini dish to extend and amplify my wi-fi and a portable mini hard drive to back up my computer.  60 lengths of the pool and an evening playing Euchre.

CYPRESS COVE 10

WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST – No players for petanque again.  Begin our cruise preparation by digging out our fancy gear and checking if it needs washing etc.  Unfortunately I am so unused to ironing that I forget I have left the hot iron out and burn my arm reaching past it.  There is a nudist research library here, open on skeleton hours, and today we pay a visit.  They have an amazing array of bound naturist magazines from all over the world and copies of almost all the naturist videos that they have now put onto DVD.  Spend the evening by the pool bouncing between the hot tub and the cooler pool until thunder and lightening force us home.

CYPRESS COVE 11

THURSDAY 28 AUGUST – After petanque I do a load of laundry.  Other than sheets and sarongs we have little washing whilst here so it has taken us 12 days to create enough to fill a machine.  Vern arrives onto the site next door and brings doom and gloom about the approaching newly forming storm Hanna that could hit the Caribbean next week.  Ignoring the rumbling thunder I persevere to reach my targeted 64 lengths of the pool (1 mile).  I’m glad I have managed it but boy is it boring – how on earth Claire swam for miles and miles beats me although she probably swims 3 or 4 times faster than I do.  I certainly wouldn’t get any prizes for style or speed.  Richard is the only one to turn up for Euchre so we play a 3 handed game.

CYPRESS COVE 13

FRIDAY 29 AUGUST – This is the start of Labour Day weekend and people begin arriving early in the day.   In the evening we join John & Meg for a drink before heading for the crab races.  Again I have a winner so Steve says we have to stay longer so he can use the 2 for 1 drink voucher to get some whiskey.  When we get home we end up going in to John & Megs and are up late chatting whilst Steve makes a bit of a hole in Johns whiskey.   Steve flakes out on our sofa and is not well through the night.

CYPRESS COVE 14

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST – Steve is still rough in the morning so I go alone to petanque.  It’s Daniels 11^th birthday but he’s away at a scout camp so we can’t talk to him but learn he had a good ten pin bowling party on Thursday.  Sherri gives me a lift up to the supermarket for a shop.  Late afternoon we get a heavy downpour, which puts paid to the petanque competition.  End up just having the meal in the Terrace and defer the game until tomorrow morning.

CYPRESS COVE 15

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST – It’s a cloudy morning but dry enough for the petanque tournament.  It is set up so teams of ladies play teams of men and before the second game new teams are drawn.  Total team points are added up and the men end up just winning.  Then they play some fun games.  For the last one you all throw your boule on the court with no target then someone throws the couch ball over his or her shoulder and the nearest ball to it wins. I’m a winner and get a great Cypress Cove T-shirt as my prize.  We are both sad to leave the Cove having had a great time and made some new friends but at least the weather isn’t enticing us to linger.  Set off after lunch and take the toll road ($1 and $1.25) over to Titusville.  Jamie comes out to great us and as our 3^rd visit to him he calls out “welcome home”.  Spend the afternoon catching up on news then head out to the chain restaurant “The Village” for supper.  They are famous for their pies and do a package deal of starter, main course and half a pie slice at very reasonable prices.  My key lime pie is excellent.  Fellow couchsurfer Pedro joins us for coffee afterwards.  We met him at Jamie’s when he arrived from Portugal to begin his helicopter pilot training course.  He has now progressed to having done 3 solo flights and tells us all about it.  Back I Jamie’s I monitor tropical storm Hanna and conclude that it looks unlikely that our cruise to the Bahamas will go ahead as planned.  Reckon we will find out in the morning what the new itinerary is and so long as it isn’t a cruise to nowhere we will go along with it. TITUSVILLE