Raining this morning. Decided to crack on with the book! Only 7 hrs to go!
After lunch we decided to go and collect Clive's mail and get some Mayo. Well, Clive decided he wanted to buy Salt Cod, to make a Jamaican meal! They didn't have it at the supermarket, so off we set, almost to Miami to the Jamaican supermarket! On the way he said he was suddenly hungry, so we would get Jamaican Patties and Cocoa Bread as a snack. Then he said there was a restaurant there so we could eat there. We ended up ordering cooked meals to take away - namely, Curry Goat, Oxtail and Cow Foot all served up with Rice & Peas ( which are beans). Whilst that was being prepared we bought Salt Cod, Fresh Callaloo and Scotch Bonnet Pepper - I've told Clive that's a rubber glove job - for his cooking and then Patties and Bread for a snack ! Help, it was like a curry meat pasty in a bread roll. We ate them in the car. When we got home we had Curry Goat! Enough food for one day.
After the meal, another couple chapters of the book. Then I spotted the turtles all sunbathing on the grass. We had thought there was only two but about five were there. So off we went to take some photos. By the time we got downstairs they had all gone back in the water. Never mind, we collected two Mango's and a Pawpaw off the trees. So not a fruitless outing after all.
Movie tonight. My favourite Pride and Prejudice.
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Day 11. Another day at the beach!
Beautiful day! Lets go to the ' Office' and read the book!
Packed up picnic and off we go. First we stop at The Eco Centre. It's where schools or groups come to learn about the conservation of the Mangroves and their wildlife. There is a Manatee conservation area there. We didn't see any though.
Off we went to the office, only to find it was reserved for a Baby Shower. So we has to go to another one. It was lovely there but just set off the beach. We listened to another seven chapters of the book. Whilst having our picnic, we saw a Racoon, I was a little scared, it was quite close to us. There was also a sign telling you the beach was called Coloured Beach. It said that in the early 20th century, the people of South Florida wanted the Black community as far away from Palm Beach as they could. This area had been designated for the Blacks, but the road never got built and it never happened.
After a long day at the beach, Clive took me into Ft. Launderdale to look at the homes and beach area. Fabulous! Then off we go to The Mall! We did some window shopping and got a Gelatto - delicious!
Home and tonight, some TV!
Packed up picnic and off we go. First we stop at The Eco Centre. It's where schools or groups come to learn about the conservation of the Mangroves and their wildlife. There is a Manatee conservation area there. We didn't see any though.
Off we went to the office, only to find it was reserved for a Baby Shower. So we has to go to another one. It was lovely there but just set off the beach. We listened to another seven chapters of the book. Whilst having our picnic, we saw a Racoon, I was a little scared, it was quite close to us. There was also a sign telling you the beach was called Coloured Beach. It said that in the early 20th century, the people of South Florida wanted the Black community as far away from Palm Beach as they could. This area had been designated for the Blacks, but the road never got built and it never happened.
After a long day at the beach, Clive took me into Ft. Launderdale to look at the homes and beach area. Fabulous! Then off we go to The Mall! We did some window shopping and got a Gelatto - delicious!
Home and tonight, some TV!
Monday, 29 July 2013
Day 10. Sunday
Kind of slow start to the day. Clive made the breakfast and we just chilled and chatted. He had said we would try to get a photo onto the blog. - success! Still can't get it to go direct to the blog yet but I am sure Clive will sort it out. He is one of those people, that is like a man with a mission. He has to make it work.
He asked me to read something he has written. It was amazing! I couldn't imagine how you would start to write like that. He is a very talented person. I seem to be spending a lot of time reading at the moment!
Life hear is good. I can't believe ten days have already passed. I think it's about forty days till our cruise. If it continues like this, it will fly by.
He asked me to read something he has written. It was amazing! I couldn't imagine how you would start to write like that. He is a very talented person. I seem to be spending a lot of time reading at the moment!
Life hear is good. I can't believe ten days have already passed. I think it's about forty days till our cruise. If it continues like this, it will fly by.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Day 9. Extreme weather warning!
Last evening we had a weather warning on TV for Ft. Launderdale ! An extreme electrical storm was being forecast . We were told not to go outside and keep well away from windows! Well, we heard the thunder start and wow what a light show! Clive's apartment is on the 4th floor, so the sky is very visible. It was amazing and it went on for hours.
Today is grey and humid. We have decided to stay at home, and you probably guessed, carry on with our book! We continued and started to reevaluate our choices of perpetrator of the crime. All was going well until the book announced " There is another file to download ! A third section , another 10 hours of reading left! I was so despondent. I was really enjoying the book but couldn't believe we were only halfway through. We are going to continue but Clive has said " we will listen to a much shorter thriller next time" thank goodness for that. I now know why classical literature has never been a part of my life! He laughs at me. I expect he thinks he is living with a heathen.
The storm keeps coming and going all day. Lets hope things improve tomorrow.
Chore day I think.
Today is grey and humid. We have decided to stay at home, and you probably guessed, carry on with our book! We continued and started to reevaluate our choices of perpetrator of the crime. All was going well until the book announced " There is another file to download ! A third section , another 10 hours of reading left! I was so despondent. I was really enjoying the book but couldn't believe we were only halfway through. We are going to continue but Clive has said " we will listen to a much shorter thriller next time" thank goodness for that. I now know why classical literature has never been a part of my life! He laughs at me. I expect he thinks he is living with a heathen.
The storm keeps coming and going all day. Lets hope things improve tomorrow.
Chore day I think.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Day 8 Day around the pool
Decided to stay around the pool area today. We also needed to, as we thought finish the book! 22 chapters and we were on 16. So we packed up our cool bag and off we went. The pool area is lovely, we were told they had spent £40.000 refurbing it. So we settled down to listen to what we thought was the last bit. We had been guessing who each of us thought had taken the Diamond, and we were looking forward to finding out I was correct in my judgement! It was very hot, so we sat under the verandah, the breeze was cooling the sweat on our foreheads - in my case, as anyone who knows me well, my top lip!!! We were both struggling with the heat but were determined to stick it out. Suddenly there was an announcement from the book. "We are sorry there is a break in the book, it has to be downloaded on two files!" We waited a few seconds and up come another 20 chapters!! We decided to go back and make food, it was too daunting to even listen to one more chapter today! Also our judgement is probably misguided.
Had our meal, and guess what, we didn't watch a movie!, No, out came the book again. Clive is now determined to press on with it! I managed about 45 mins and then was falling asleep, so went to bed.
Book to be continued tomorrow!
Had our meal, and guess what, we didn't watch a movie!, No, out came the book again. Clive is now determined to press on with it! I managed about 45 mins and then was falling asleep, so went to bed.
Book to be continued tomorrow!
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Day 7. A day at the office!
Spent most of the day at the beach. Clive's Office! It's a pavilion with open sides, right on the beach!
It has been a very hot day, the sea was the calmest it's been since I arrived. The beach is at John U Lloyd park. It's a conservation area that has won a Gold Award- it says its the best in America. It's a really lovely spot. Not commercial, lots of families there today. We took our audio book and sat under the shelter and listened to a few more chapters. - you are right Leah, it is a long book! I collected some shells and driftwood. (Only a very small piece. Don't imagine a tree trunk!) the sea was so warm! We also packed our picnic - this is something I can control! We had our lunch there and left about 3.30pm. When we got in the car, the outside temperature was 96 f! It was also not as windy today.
Off to CostCo, more food to buy!! I think we have enough fruit to feed you all! I have taken a photo of the melon - enormous - and the apples are the biggest I have ever seen! Well you know what they say, " everything is bigger in America ".
Home for dinner , and, you guessed it, another movie!
Lovely day though!
It has been a very hot day, the sea was the calmest it's been since I arrived. The beach is at John U Lloyd park. It's a conservation area that has won a Gold Award- it says its the best in America. It's a really lovely spot. Not commercial, lots of families there today. We took our audio book and sat under the shelter and listened to a few more chapters. - you are right Leah, it is a long book! I collected some shells and driftwood. (Only a very small piece. Don't imagine a tree trunk!) the sea was so warm! We also packed our picnic - this is something I can control! We had our lunch there and left about 3.30pm. When we got in the car, the outside temperature was 96 f! It was also not as windy today.
Off to CostCo, more food to buy!! I think we have enough fruit to feed you all! I have taken a photo of the melon - enormous - and the apples are the biggest I have ever seen! Well you know what they say, " everything is bigger in America ".
Home for dinner , and, you guessed it, another movie!
Lovely day though!
Day 6. Stayed at home again today
We had another quiet day- think maybe the walking was a bit much for Clive!
Clive had made his Oatmeal ( porridge to us Brits.). It was good. I had to remove my portion before he started adding his ingredient's! ( gym for me tomorrow !). His sweet Jamaican tooth is unbelievable- he says has reduced the amount of sugar he uses! Evaporated and condensed milk, raw cane sugar, followed by cinnamon sugar, salt and banana! He is trying so hard to healthy but he just finds food so bland without a lot of seasoning or sweetness. Suppose its his roots.
Listened to some more of the book, it's so good! But we both keep getting sleepy being read to.
We made a dish for lunch using Callaloo, a bit like spinach . We added fish, rice and chilli, it was great.
Movie time again! Maybe the book tomorrow.
Clive had made his Oatmeal ( porridge to us Brits.). It was good. I had to remove my portion before he started adding his ingredient's! ( gym for me tomorrow !). His sweet Jamaican tooth is unbelievable- he says has reduced the amount of sugar he uses! Evaporated and condensed milk, raw cane sugar, followed by cinnamon sugar, salt and banana! He is trying so hard to healthy but he just finds food so bland without a lot of seasoning or sweetness. Suppose its his roots.
Listened to some more of the book, it's so good! But we both keep getting sleepy being read to.
We made a dish for lunch using Callaloo, a bit like spinach . We added fish, rice and chilli, it was great.
Movie time again! Maybe the book tomorrow.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Day 5. A quiet day at home
Wow, this weather is amazing. One minute it's so hot and sunny and the next an electrical storm! It's the hurricane season out here, so the weather is unpredictable .
We decided to have a change today and listen to an audio book, The Moonstone, we are both enjoying it.
We went for a walk across by the canal to night. It's. just opposite the apartments. The homes are built along the small inlets and people have their boats moored in front or behind their houses. The boats are awesome! - getting into the American way of speaking! You have to watch for the mosquito's as the sun sets. Great walk though.
We decided to have a change today and listen to an audio book, The Moonstone, we are both enjoying it.
We went for a walk across by the canal to night. It's. just opposite the apartments. The homes are built along the small inlets and people have their boats moored in front or behind their houses. The boats are awesome! - getting into the American way of speaking! You have to watch for the mosquito's as the sun sets. Great walk though.
Monday, 22 July 2013
Day 4. Greeting the sunrise
Early start, off to Dania Beach for an early morning walk.
Lovely day, great walk on the beach and back to Clive's office for breakfast. We had just been looking at the turtle nest's, when a man brought us a Baby Turtle he had found on the road. He asked if Clive would put it in the sea! It was so tiny, we took it to the waters edge and watched it rush to the water! It was so amazing to think this tiny little creature could survive all alone! We both felt so lucky to have the opportunity to experience this. ( Will try and add some photos's)
Went to Miami this pm. Very big and busy place. We are going back again and spending more time there. On the way home we sopped for an ice cream, wow, glad we only ordered one!!!
Home now, movie time again - wonder what it will be tonight!1
Lovely day, great walk on the beach and back to Clive's office for breakfast. We had just been looking at the turtle nest's, when a man brought us a Baby Turtle he had found on the road. He asked if Clive would put it in the sea! It was so tiny, we took it to the waters edge and watched it rush to the water! It was so amazing to think this tiny little creature could survive all alone! We both felt so lucky to have the opportunity to experience this. ( Will try and add some photos's)
Went to Miami this pm. Very big and busy place. We are going back again and spending more time there. On the way home we sopped for an ice cream, wow, glad we only ordered one!!!
Home now, movie time again - wonder what it will be tonight!1
Day 3. Quiet Day Required
Had a great nights sleep but need a quiet day. ( That number 60 is beginning to show - I'm blaming jet lag).
Had breakfast on the balcony and watched the neighbour's picking the mango's from the trees below. Clive and I went to check out the garden - mangos, coconuts, papaya, avocado and almonds! Hey, we must get a picker, we would save a fortune! We also found turtle 's and fish in the lake, the turtle's thought we were there to feed them.
Clive then took me off to check out the pool, sauna and gym. ( not ventured there since!). Might have to start soon!! We sat in the verandah for a couple of hour's, very relaxing.
Lunch at home and then movies. We ended up watching three - interspersed with dinner!
I needed that quite day.
Had breakfast on the balcony and watched the neighbour's picking the mango's from the trees below. Clive and I went to check out the garden - mangos, coconuts, papaya, avocado and almonds! Hey, we must get a picker, we would save a fortune! We also found turtle 's and fish in the lake, the turtle's thought we were there to feed them.
Clive then took me off to check out the pool, sauna and gym. ( not ventured there since!). Might have to start soon!! We sat in the verandah for a couple of hour's, very relaxing.
Lunch at home and then movies. We ended up watching three - interspersed with dinner!
I needed that quite day.
Day 2. Getting my bearings!
Well, I seem to have lost this one! Blogged but can't find it.
Clive took me out for a good look around. Went to Clive's office by the beach, four hours flew by!
Next onto Hollywood beach, very vibrant place. Had pizza ( must try to remember the 80 - 20 rule! Then onto the supermarket and home for a movie.
Sleep required, didn't stay the course.
Clive took me out for a good look around. Went to Clive's office by the beach, four hours flew by!
Next onto Hollywood beach, very vibrant place. Had pizza ( must try to remember the 80 - 20 rule! Then onto the supermarket and home for a movie.
Sleep required, didn't stay the course.
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Day 1
19th July 2013.
Well, here I am at last.
Had great flight, met nice people- never be afraid to travel alone, people are so friendly. Went through immigration very quickly, that was my concern, due to the length of stay. Clive was there to meet me - so lovely to see him! There was a thunder storm on the way home - where is the great British weather?
Body clock said 9am actual time only 5am! Hope this soon sorts itself out.
Day 1.
Out for breakfast! What's with the 'easy over' eggs! I never knew there were so many choices of ways to cook an egg!
Sun is shining! Off to Clive's office at the beach. Beautiful spot, such a cool breeze coming from the ocean. Four hours soon flew by. There are turtle egg nests marked out on the beach ( hope to see them hatch out). It is all Mangroves around here, fantastic.
Now on to Hollywood beach, much more commercial. Had pizza - getting into the American culture (must remember the 80-20 ratio). Stayed until around sunset. Very vibrant place. Then off to supermarket -how much more is there to do today! Oh yes watch a movie, gave up, sleep required!!
Oh, missing you already!
Well, here I am at last.
Had great flight, met nice people- never be afraid to travel alone, people are so friendly. Went through immigration very quickly, that was my concern, due to the length of stay. Clive was there to meet me - so lovely to see him! There was a thunder storm on the way home - where is the great British weather?
Body clock said 9am actual time only 5am! Hope this soon sorts itself out.
Day 1.
Out for breakfast! What's with the 'easy over' eggs! I never knew there were so many choices of ways to cook an egg!
Sun is shining! Off to Clive's office at the beach. Beautiful spot, such a cool breeze coming from the ocean. Four hours soon flew by. There are turtle egg nests marked out on the beach ( hope to see them hatch out). It is all Mangroves around here, fantastic.
Now on to Hollywood beach, much more commercial. Had pizza - getting into the American culture (must remember the 80-20 ratio). Stayed until around sunset. Very vibrant place. Then off to supermarket -how much more is there to do today! Oh yes watch a movie, gave up, sleep required!!
Oh, missing you already!
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Already at last!
Wow, three months is along time to leave your home for!
All packed and ready to travel - getting excited now!
USA, here I come! Fly tomorrow. enjoy! (Oh! and "Have a nice day!")
All packed and ready to travel - getting excited now!
USA, here I come! Fly tomorrow. enjoy! (Oh! and "Have a nice day!")
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
New life at 60!
Well, I never went to 'Uni', never had a 'Gap Year', just like millions of women my age! BUT, I was approaching that ' Big Birthday', 60! What should I do? " Let it pass by," was my answer. Get away on my own, and just let slip past without anyone knowing. "Yes", that's what I would do.
April 2013.
Well ,it's arriving in a couple of weeks. I had booked myself on a 'Far East Cruise', on my own. Then, change of heart. "Why am I trying to pretend this isn't happening?" " Hey, I must embrace this year". So many people are not fortunate enough to even reach their '60th Birthday'. A party, that's what I'll have!
A great 'Tea Dance' was had by all, ( well most- there's always one!) I had a great time! Old friends, new friends, school friends and family, I loved it!!
Off on the cruise I went. It was wonderful. Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Japan. The whole thing was so great but most importantly, I did it on 'my own'. How liberating is that! For any woman travelling alone, it's a safe way to travel.
Not only was the cruise and the places we saw wonderful, I met this wonderful man, Clive. He lives in Florida and now a possible ' new life' for me begins....
April 2013.
Well ,it's arriving in a couple of weeks. I had booked myself on a 'Far East Cruise', on my own. Then, change of heart. "Why am I trying to pretend this isn't happening?" " Hey, I must embrace this year". So many people are not fortunate enough to even reach their '60th Birthday'. A party, that's what I'll have!
A great 'Tea Dance' was had by all, ( well most- there's always one!) I had a great time! Old friends, new friends, school friends and family, I loved it!!
Off on the cruise I went. It was wonderful. Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Japan. The whole thing was so great but most importantly, I did it on 'my own'. How liberating is that! For any woman travelling alone, it's a safe way to travel.
Not only was the cruise and the places we saw wonderful, I met this wonderful man, Clive. He lives in Florida and now a possible ' new life' for me begins....
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