Wed - Sat, March 27 - 31, 2013

Sunset at Indian Rocks / North Redington Beach. Looks much like last year ! We landed in the North Redington area after a great visit with Steve and Denyse. Then began the bed hopping for a few days - Hotel Isis for 2 night, condo at Indian Shores for one night, Bernie off to Daytona for golf and finally Far Horizons for the month. The days have been filled with walking the beach, bit of shopping, Bad Ass Cafe coffee, reading, flea market, relaxing, quilting and Bernie golfing and driving NasCars at Daytona. The beach is filled with spring breakers, families here for Easter weekend, the pelicans diving for fish, the beach dotted with blue umbrellas, the gulls, cigarette boats zipping by and the temp a lovely 25 degrees but nobody swimming as the water is really cold. Happy Easter to everyone

Sunday - Tuesday, March 24 - 26, 2013

What a breakfast we had at Dianne's. She is a fantastic hostess and chef. We waddled out of the Villages and headed south to Bonita Springs along 27. Beautiful drive thru towns, a few lights but worth the longer drive. Orange trees everywhere, cattle farms, bear crossings (didn't see any) and no truck traffic. Great visit with Steve and Denyse at their home on the river near Bonita Beach. The only warm day spent on their boat cruising the inland waterway enjoying the beautiful scenery, dolphins, Osprey and their babies in the nest, lunch at a waterside restaurant, and company of Steve, Cheryl (condo neighbours), Linda and Megan. The weather turned cold, windy and we pulled out the winter clothes - who would have thought this far south. No beach weather so a drive to the Marco Island area, a walk, lunch, bit of shopping filled the day. We went back to a local eating establishment at Coconut Plaza to have a collection of mini appetizers for supper and listen to a great singer entertain us with the music of Frank Sinatra. Sounds like all we do is eat but not true :-).

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Glorious to walk out of hotel into the warm weather. Shorts day ! Off to Dianne and Ivan's in The Villages to spend the night. Morris and Susan are also visiting so we had a great time hearing about their boat trip around the Abacos ( I can tell Mom is jealous right now ). Ended the day at Jane and Gary's for barbecued hamburgs and brownie dessert. First barbeque of the season. Delicious !

Friday, March 22, 2013

Cold, cold this morning in South Carolina (along the 77 just south of Charlotte) -2 and cloudy. On the road early, roads clear and traffic not too heavy and were happily trucking along when our "little engine " light came on. Last time it happened was on our way back from New York at New Years. We searched our GPS info and found a Chevy dealer 20 minutes away in Brunswick, Georgia. Three hours later and a few $'s short and a new sensor we were on our way in a fixed and clean SUV. All good :-).. In Ocala, Florida for the night and it is a lovely 22 degrees. Love it. Long pants and sweaters are history.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Another day on the road, safe and sound and did a whooping 1100 kms today. We had a great evening with Stephen, Mary and Erica on Wednesday and managed to get on the road at a reasonable time this morning. We had sun, clouds, snow flurries, wind, sun with snow flurries, but the roads were clear and drivers not to wild. But still cold, cold - from -2 to +7. Still long pants, socks and sweaters. Maybe tomorrow night we can haul out the capris, shorts, sandals and short sleeve shirts. No buds on the trees or daffodils blooming until we crossed the border into South Carolina. What a difference from last year. Now time to turn in and do it all over again tomorrow. Happy dreams.

Wednesday, March 20th

A big day today - did all of 450kms from Portsmouth to New Jersey and only lost once :-). Going through a toll I dumped all the coin on the floor so we missed seeing the correct turnoff to Steve and Mary's house. Te GPS eventually took us to the correct address but the tour was not through the high end of town. Very interesting but safe. Now off to dinner with Steve and Mary after a short but great visit with their daughter Erica. Sun is shining and weather is getting warmer. Yeah !

18-19 March 2013 Trip to Florida

On the road again ! Tuesday was a beautiful drive to an overnight at Grammie Jeanne's in Johnville. Steve Maltby joined us for supper and a few of the Brennan clan dropped in during the evening to say hi. Tuesday we made it to Portsmouth, NH. An OK drive through the sun, snow, and rain while still drinking Tim Horton's coffee, snacking from the cooler, listening to the good old country station and looking at the beautiful scenery along the I95. Only seems to be three main colours - grey, black and green with a spot of white here and there. Sooooo dreary this time of year. Did have one stop at LL Bean to pick up a new bathing suit :-) Last year when we arrived in Portsmouth it was +27 degrees and everyone was dressed in shorts and t-shirts - today it is -2 degrees and miserable. Off to dinner with (nephew) Shawn and Amanda Murray and Amanda's parents and grandmother. It will be great to see them. Happy dreams everyone.