April 21 - 29, 2014

The last few days at the beach were beautiful  - sunny and warm. We walked, swam, relaxed, played golf with John and Deb from Far Horizons, dinner at the condo with the Milners, afternoon on the beach and dinner with Marjorie, Ripper, BoBo, Pam, Rhonda, Grant, Pete and Beth, and relaxed some more.

Grant, Ripper, Pete, Bernie, BoBo

Then we had a problem. After a nice walk on the beach Fri morning we discovered we had mixed up our departure date. It was not on Sat but Fri. So  we packed up, said our good byes and on the road by 12:30. Onto the 275, the 75, the 301 and finally to the 95 and motored 675 kms  to Walterboro, SC (exit 53). Delicious dinner at Ruby Tuesday's which we never tried before. For our trip home we decided to take the 95 all the way north. Interesting but probably won't do it again - traffic, tolls and more tolls, construction. Second day did 1200 kms and pulled off the road just south of New York City where the traffic was really backed up. Third day was cool (long pants weather) and the route was the 95 thru NY city, NJ turnpike, 91, 84, 90, 495 and back to the 95 to Kennebunkport. Spent the night with Steve, Mary, Erica and Dave (who became engaged Fri night). Crossed the border at Centreville on Tues, overnight with Grammie, lunch on Wed with Billy, a quick visit with Derek, Katja and Christoph and home by 7pm. Bernie not feeling well so it was really great to be home and recover in familiar surroundings. We had a great trip especially when it was bad weather at home when we were away - storm after storm 

Steve, Mary, Jen, Bernie

April 19 - 21, 2014

Another dreary few days on the beach. Saturday Bernie, Pete and Robert D. Lee went to a classic car show in St. Pete's and had Beth and Pete over for a steak barbecue (so cool I put on my long pants). Easter Sunday we spent the day on the deck as the beach was too windy and cool and our highlight was Skyping the kids who had Easter dinner at our place :-). Derek, Katja and Christoph also had a sleep over on Saturday night. Great they are getting together. Sharman and Roy shared Easter dinner with us at Far Horizons and the night warmed up to spend a nice time on the deck watching the sunset. They are heading home tomorrow. Bernie had a game of golf with Fredi and Jim at the Tides while I puttered the morning away. The sun popped in and out all day. We visited the Lewis, Jacksons and Sutherlands on their beach, sunset at our beach and then supper and singing at Friendly's Tavern. We were joined by the crew down the beach - Marjorie, Johnny Ray, BoBo, Pam, Sherrie, Fran and hubby.

Bob,Slyvia,Rhonda,Grant,Jen,Gord,Sherrie,Bernie

Sunset at North Redington Beach

April 12 - April 18, 2014

Another week gone and time is getting near to packing day. This has been the coldest, windiest and wettest April we have had in Florida since we started "coming south". Not complaining, just an observation :-) This week Bernie, Joe, Pete and Roy went to the stock car races up off Ullmerton, while Sharman, Jen (Nfld) and Jen (NS) went to Carrabba's for an excellent dinner and social time; another day we watched the Masters with Bubba winning,

days on the beach, attended the musical The Jersey Boys at the Straz centre and thoroughly enjoyed it; played golf at The Tides with Sharman and Roy - some great shots and some different ones. 

Joe and Marlene left on Tues as they are expecting their first grandchild and it was a boy - Cameron, 4lbs, 6oz and going to be fine young fellow; we shared a sunset and cold one with Sherrie, Gord, Rhonda and Grant on the beach at Maderia; one night had dinner with Gisele and Fred at Marlin Darlin' and then ended up at Friendly's Tavern with 14 other Amhertonians for a night of Karaoke (Beth, Pete, Sherrie, Gord, Rhonda, Grant, Pam, BoBo, Marjorie, Johnny Ray, Denise, hubby, Rita and Caissie). As they say "Oh what a night" - even Gord and Grant got up to sing. The girls all did "House of the Rising Sun". So far we have not seen any recording deals. 

Gord and Grant

Rita,Rhonda,Jen,Caissie,Pam,Marjorie,Denise,Sherrie

One morning it was only 13 degrees and windy - as they say in Florida "the real feel "was 9 degrees. It did warm up to 25 and sunny and after the afternoon on the beach Jeannie, Mark, Mel and Laurne came for a chicken casserole dinner and beautiful sunset. As always when we are away Aaron has a birthday - 6 years old. We did get to speak to him and Kiahna and Kyra the next day. He was all excited about his lego. Also Skyped Derek and Christoph one evening. The little rascal had the keyboard, mouse, papers, etc all on the floor but he did stop once in a while and look at us and talk. Busy, busy kids. We went to the car show and dinner at Quakers Steak & Lube - car show was not good but the food was great. Friday it poured and blew and poured so we spent the day at Rainbow's End, a couple of classic car dealerships, relaxing, walk on the beach, and potluck dinner with the Ohio, Wisconsin crew. No chance of being bored on the beach :-)

Sharman and Jen

April 6 - April 11, 2014

On the beach again enjoying a cold drink. Have been doing the usual things almost every day - early morning walk on the beach, coffee, beach time, reading, swimming and just relaxing. There are a ton of high school kids around and it is fun to watch the football games, volleyball games and just the drama that goes on with teens. They are well behaved and having fun. One night we heard this noise on the beach and it kept getting louder and louder - looked out and there had to be 100 kids on the beach. Pete and Beth arrived on Sunday after leaving Amherst on Fri at noon - they drove a lot each day. Monday was the wind storm on the beach and we didn't stay very long. We were covered in suncsreen  and sand, it was an afternoon for the deck.  On Tues it just poured rain so the Estabrooks, Vanvulpens and we went to Ellenton to the Outlet Malls - Bernie had a hay day. Lunch at Woody's on the Bay and then Joe, Pete, Bernie and Jen went to the Toronto - Tampa hockey game. Tampa won and Toronto is out of the playoffs. On Thurs Gisele and Fred came for a beach visit  (on the deck as the wind was strong again) and then Paul and Judy showed up. Paul and Judy stayed for 2 nights and we had a great time relaxing under our umbrellas on the beach, dinner at Petey-Joe's, Investment meeting of the boys on the beach, lunch at Mango's, swimming and socializing . P and J headed to Orlando Fri afternoon and they fly out on Sat morning. Great to have them here

The Investment Boys

Bernie, Beth, Jen, Judy, Pete, Marlene, Joe

April 1 - April 5, 2014

Weather has been great at North Redington beach and perfect for daily walks, relaxing on the beach, reading, sipping on a cold one, swimming, and just doing nothing. Tuesday night was ribs at Friendly's, the local Tavern and then karaoke for Katherine. I was her cheering section. She did a great job - 5 singles, 2 duets with the karaoke guy and a group song with 2 waitresses and 1 guy from Ind. It was a fun night. Wednesday night was hamburgs, well done, at JD's at Indian Rocks with Jeannie and Marianne - the Piano Man didn't make it and his substitute was so-so. We had fun watching the older folks dance especially one couple - she came with a walker but they had fun on the dance floor. She swayed in one spot and he danced around her and never let go of her hands and a smile on his face the whole time. Thursday we hated to leave the beach but the musical we went to was well worth it - Disenchanted was a story of the Princesses after the original story was done. It was hilarious. Friday after we spent a few hours on the beach I drove Katherine to the airport and she winged her way home with AC - as with her trip down she was delayed and missed a connecting flight and ended up getting home a few hours later. But we had a great week - enjoyed her visit immensely . On Saturday Bernie arrived back early afternoon from  Daytona - he had a great 9 days with the guys golfing. Apparently his golf was terrible but he had fun. Marlene and Joe have also arrived and we expect Pete and Beth on Sunday. Beautiful sunset on the beach and a barbecue steak to finish the day

March 28 - 31, 2014

At the beach and so enjoying the relaxation and warmer weather. The poor old Maritimes are being hammered again with snow and freezing rain. Maybe a little bit guilty :-) Katherine and I having a good time walking, reading, relaxing, shopping, visiting friends, listening to music at a local hang out, eating out, cooking in. Have visited Crabby Bill's, the Candy Store, tour of Clearwater and lunch over looking the beach, beach shops, kitchen shop, moving from room 23 to 25, and just relaxing. The girls- Sharman, Jennifer (NFLD), Katheine and Jennifer (NS)

Sharman, Jennifer, Katherine, Jennifer

March 23 - 27, 2014

Warm in Bonita Springs, company great, food excellent but Denyse had a bit of an accident and broke 2 ribs. She is in quite a bit of pain and not able to do a lot. We relaxed, watched golf tournament, chatted, read and ate well. We left on Monday and had a "lovely drive" north in the rain. A little side trip to the Ellenton Outlet Mall for a break and then onto Sharman and Roy's for the night. Great to see them and get caught up with all the news and of course Sharman cooked a fantastic dinner and fed us well. On Tuesday we checked into Far Horizons for our stay until April 30th - good to be here and listen to the waves 24/7. Unpacked somewhat, picked up a few groceries, and then met Bob and Karen for supper at the Salt Rock restaurant overlooking the Inner Coastal Waterway. Weather has been cloudy, cool, a bit of sun, rain showers - depends on what time of day it is. Wednesday we pick up my rental car and then went to a Toronto - New York Yankees spring league ballgame with Bob and Karen. Great game - Toronto down 6-1 after the second and came around and won the game 10-6. We were all dressed in long pants and sweaters at the start but the sun did come out and warm up the day a bit.

Rounded out the day at Crabby Bill's for a beer and appetizers of crab, nachos, and chicken wings. The Maritimes are being hit by another blizzard today and we did talk to all the kids and everyone safely tucked in at home. 30-50 cm of snow and high winds of over 100kms .  Katja's birthday so maybe we will call it  "Katja Juan".  Today Bernie left for Daytona for a nine day golf trip with the Amherst guys - he took side roads across the State and arrived safe and sound.  I spent the day roaming around JoAnn's, Barnes and Noble, the grocery store and puttering in our unit. The weather is still cool, cloudy and showers. Bob and Karen dropped off their extra groceries as they are heading home tomorrow. Looks like rainy weather for a couple of more days.  Happy 30th birthday Greg ! 

Mar 19 - Mar 22, 2014

We are in Florida and it is getting warmer each minute. On our way out of St Augastine we stopped at a Wed morning market beside the beach. So love these little markets with their artisans, bakers and creative people - salsa, dressings, pottery, scarves, salad dressings, jams and pickles. Early afternoon we arrived in the Villages for 2 days to visit with the Stacks and Devars - nice warm weatheer !! As usual the hospitality was super and a lot of good food, lots of laughs and a cool drink now and then. Jane and Garry are having work done on their new Florida room so the carrying of shelves and  the cable girl entertaining us with her hunt for the cable in the attic kept us busy. Bernie and I roamed the downtown Square, popped into stores, had a cool one, a driving tour with Dianne and Ivan, Olive Garden dinner, and caught up on all the news.  Now we are at the Dow's for a few days with Burt and Karen - news, hot tub, music, barbecue, laughs - just a great night

Bernie, Steve, Bert

Mar 17 - 18, 2014

St Augustine

Still cold and miserable. Headed to Savannah, Georgia to take in the St. Paddy day celebration - missed the parade (the 3rd largest in the US) but found a hotel room right downtown in the middle of the festivities. Lots of people, lots of green, weird and wonderful costumes, a bit of beer flowing, food, music but not lots of Irish music. We found one spot with Irish music, met people from the northern States, a toast and song to a newly engaged couple, and lots of uniformed firemen and police (they had taken part in the parade). A feast of shepherd's pie and a glass of wine rounded out the night - it was a rainy, cold night but we were warm inside :-). Tuesday we cancelled our thoughts of doing a Trolly tour of Savannah as it is too cold and wet - 5 degrees. Off down the road to Amelia Island, walked the beach (still cold), kept to the A1A along the coast, crossed on a ferry and ended up in St. Augustine, Florida. Still cold - 10 degrees. Walked the town with it's old bricked streets and architecture and ended up at Harry's restaurant where we had a delicious meal of crab cakes and scallops sitting on the outdoor patio with giant propane heaters keeping us warm. Am now sitting on the motel deck, wrapped in a blanket and watching the water, sailboats and palm trees. Tomorrow we are putting on sandals and shorts no matter how cold it is - this is Florida :-)

Mar 14 - Mar 16, 2014

We are off to the sunny south. Left on Friday morning and headed to an overnight with Grammie. What a drive - the roads were snow packed all the way to Fredericton and one lane bare from there to Bath. Snow everywhere - some poor people in Fredericton cannot see out their first floor windows because the snow is so high. Good visit in Bath and then on the road Saturday (snowing again) for a 1000 km run to the Lockhart's in Midland Park, NJ. Great hospitality, and a delicious Italian dinner and wine at a small local restaurant ( even though Bernie ate Steve's dinner and Steve ate Bernie's. I think the conversation went " Bernie are you eating chicken ? Ya, I think. But didn't you order veal? Ya. I thought. Steve are you eating chicken ? No I'm eating veal." And then a great chuckle. Bernie had all the mushrooms that he doesn't like and Steve was so looking forward to mushrooms ) Sunday down the 287, 78, 81, 17 and then the 95 to Rocky Mount, NC. Cold, and a grey day but there is hope. I saw 6 daffodils and green grass in one spot along the way coming into NC. Watching the weather later we saw that Washington and surrounding states received snow, more snow coming and freezing rain. Made thru it in time.

4th March, 2014

10 more sleeps and we are on our way south (weather permitting) for a bit of R and R .