LEGOLAND came to Winter Haven, Florida yesterday for their very  first Open House.   Especially arranged to show the people of Winter Haven and the surrounding areas what the future Legoland Florida will look like, the event was overwhelmingly popular with adults and kids alike.  So much so, that they had to bring in Traffic control officers to direct traffic due to the number of vehicles entering the car park at the Orange Dome in Winter Haven.

The Open House was designed to show how the former Cypress Gardens park will be transformed into LEGOLAND Florida, which will be the largest Legoland park to date.  The Florida park consists of 145 acres and will retain the original botanical gardens and water ski show.  Some of the existing rides that are age-appropriate will be kept and re-themed and the Mansion will be used for special events.

Winter Haven residents turned out in force and were welcomed by LEGOLAND staff who were on hand to answer any questions that arose from the displays.

I arrived at 3.45 p.m. for what was to be a 4.00p.m.  till 7.00p.m. Open House.  Thinking I would be early and be able to snap up an easy parking spot at the Orange Dome, which is one of Winter Haven’s landmarks, I was surprised  to find that the car park was already full and vehicles were being directed to park on the grass areas around the Dome.

Walking up to the main entrance were many people, adults and children, senior citizens and professionals , all of whom were queueing at the main entrance.  Television camera crews were wandering around with their cameras at the ready, and exactly at 4.00 p.m the doors were opened and we filed through.

Staff were on hand, giving out leaflets, and then everyone moved into the main hall of the Dome, to be greeted by the new LEGOLAND Florida logo.

Immediately the children, who are of course , the most knowledgeable about LEGO rushed across the hall to the Playland area, where tables were set up with the LEGO boards and bins of the building bricks.

I watched as one little girl spotted Thomas the Tank Engine and went across to hug  the model engine. 

A couple of boys looked in awe at the LEGO built  Darth Vader display standing towards the rear of the hall. And the copy in LEGO bricks of Rodin’s The Thinker drew some admiring glances and touches too.

One of the most interesting facets of the event, to me, anyway, was the fascination shown by the adults.  Around the outskirts  of the hall were TV screens showing what visitors to LEGOLAND could expect to see (obviously taken from othe LEGOLAND parks elsewhere in the world), and adults and children were standing spellbound, watching these demonstrations.

Many of the local visitors were able to see what changes or modifications will be made to the existing Cypress Gardens buildings, and Legoland staff were there to answer questions.  Such questions included when is the park due to open, what attractions will there be at the new park, how big will it be, what impact will it have on surrounding residential areas and roads.   Ons such question concerned the Lego store in Downtown Disney, and the answer was that while both give a great experience for children, the LEGO store is a Brand retail outlet, while LEGOLAND Florida will be a full- day theme park, with over 50 rides, shows  and attractions. There was huge applause when it was announced that the  Botanical Gardens would be retained.  Many of the older residents of the area have fond memories of the Gardens and were delighted to hear that they will remain a part of the Park.

John Jacobsen, managing director for Legoland Parks, was in fine form, wandering around the hall, talking to curious and concerned visitors  and then gave his introductory speech from the platform, answering questions from the floor afterwards.    I met with him and his Sales and Marketing Director, Kim Isemann, but it was really too busy to do anything but have a quick chat.  I also spoke  with Tom Patton, executive director of the Central Florida Development Council and Rodney Carson, Director of Economic development about the crowds  that they were seeing.  Tom was pleased that Legoland is getting the community involved so early.   He said, “It gives you an idea of what to expect when they get here officially” .  Certainly for close to three thousand people who turned up on a sweltering July afternoon to see what the future holds for Winter Haven and the area, this LEGOLAND Florida Open House provided some fine answers.   The new LEGOLAND Florida park is due to open in the fall of 2011.

After a damp squib of a July 4th weekend ( yes, it rained for a good deal of the weekend) we felt in need of some fresh air and relaxation.   In other words, to get out and see some more of our county’s beautiful areas.

This time we headed south through Winter Haven to the Circle B Bar Reserve on Lake Hancock.  It is relatively easy to get to, being about 30 minutes drive from Winter Haven, and the Reserve  can also be reached by using the Polk Parkway.

Once through the main entrance, you drive down a long avenue of grand old and gnarled oak trees. draped in Spanish Moss and resurrection ferns.

Driving down the avenue  we met a family of wild pigs and piglets trotting from one side of  the road into the undergrowth on the other side.   That was quite an introduction to the wildlife that we hoped to see today.

Continuing on to the parking area at the main Educational center, which provides information and educational eco-tours to many of the schools in the area,  we left the car,  and took one of the informative leaflets at the start of the trails.  The leaflets show a map of the various trails you can take, and the type of habitat that you will walking through.  Incidentally, sturdy and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this trip, as well as a camera and insect repellent.

We noticed several families picnicking at the tables and shelters provided, and obviously enjoying the peace and quiet.  No pets are allowed in the reserve; they can be disruptive to the wildlife, and the alligators in the lake make it unsafe for dogs.

Setting off down the trail marked Shady Oak, we walked peacefully along the path;  soon we reached damper areas where it was a good thing that we wore sturdy footwear.  Remember we had had a wet weekend, so water was standing in puddles along the low areas of the trail.   Most of the trails are about half to three-quarters of a mile in distance, and level; therefore they are suitable for both walkers and cyclists.

The first half  of the trail is through open prairie and standing oaks, and quietly walking along the grassy path, we saw a family of wild turkeys. We stood watching them as they stalked through  the tall grasses, with their family of three chicks scurrying busily around the parents, who were murmuring softly to the chicks to keep them close.  After about 5 minutes they had wandered away from us and into the undergrowth, and we continued along the trail.    The open grassland transitioned into a more heavily wooded area, with large oaks draped in Spanish moss alongside the path.  Birds were trilling in the treetops, although we couldn’t see or identify them.  There are bald eagles, ospreys and woodpeckers to be observed.   The trails are well marked, and where they split off in other directions, there are information boards showing what you might expect to see on any particular path.   We continued on from the Shady Oak Trail into the Alligator Trail which took us along the margins of Lake Hancock.   Often when walking in areas like these , one speculates on how the Native Americans and Early settlers coped with the terrain and the problems.   The Alligator Trail is about seven-tenths of a mile long, and the lake is visible all the way

The lake is home to large numbers of wading birds, from the great Blue Heron to the small glossy Ibis, and the path is close enough to the margins of reeds and water plants to see many of these birds.

The lake is also home to numerous alligators;  we met one of the ecological scientists along our path, who told us that at the last count, there were over 4,000 alligators found.  In fact, we noticed they were pretty easy to spot, either just offshore or laying up in the reed beds.    For the record, the distance between the eyes usually indicates the length of the alligator; for instance if the distance between the eyes is about 6 inches ( do not try to measure this!!) the length of the ‘gator will be about 6 feet.  We did see one that we estimated to be about 15 feet in length, although unfortunately it was too far out to photograph.

Walking this path felt slightly like being  in early primeval conditions; there were strange noises off to the sides, rustlings in the undergrowth, the “crawks” of the herons as they flew away from our disturbance, deep throated gruntings – now what was making that noise?

Again, it is necessary to be aware of your surroundings – across the path from the lake is a swampy area, with shrubs, tree roots and moss obscuring the banks – something was moving in the undergrowth; fawny brown in colour, smallish, about the size of a muntjac deer, or a small dog.  We waited , holding our breath, to see what was rooting down amongst the roots and grasses.  Finally the creature emerged into into a little clearer view – wait!  it wasn’t just one, there were  two or three of them, and they were baby wild piglets.   Eventually momma hog came into view and they moved deeper into the swampy undergrowth and we lost sight of them.  Their grunting continued as we walked further along our path.

Deep amongst the moss draped trees and flowering grasses were butterflies flitting from bush to bush.   Can anyone identify this one;  I think it’s one of the Skipper varieties, but I can’t be positive.  We saw lots of the Swallowtail types, and many other varieties fluttering in the warm moist air.

We also sighted lots of ospreys and bald eagles perched in the tops of  dead trees with the results of their fishing expeditions.  Obviously the reserve is home to many varieties of birds, and the information boards at the start of each trial will give you identification information

The Circle B Bar reserve was originally a cattle ranch, and was acquired in 2000 by Polk County and the South West Water Management District, primarily to protect the valuable water and wildlife resources.   The Reserve is on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, and covers 1,267 acres .  Lake Hancock is often referred to as the headwaters of the Peace River which flows 105 miles from Polk County to Charlotte Harbour and the Gulf of Mexico.    Due to its herbaceous and forested landscape, the Reserve supports a wide variety of mammal and bird species.

Tips to make your trip more enjoyable;  if you have binoculars, bring them;  also carry some drinking water; it can get quite warm hiking these trails, even though they are not difficult or overly long.     Take your time; do not rush this experience.  There is a lot to observe on the trails.  Finally do be careful when walking near  water, especially with small children.

One visit that everyone should make at least once is to Lake Kissimmee State Park. Situated just off State Road 60, about 15 miles East of Lake Wales, this is  nearly 6,000 acres  of oak hammock, floodplain, forest, prairie and flatwoods.   There are also three lakes in the state park;  Lake Kissimmee, Lake Rosalie and Lake Tiger.

Lake Kissimmee State Park was once used by Native Americans because of the abundance of fish and game in the area, making it an ideal place to live for thousands of years.

The park is named for Lake Kissimmee, the third largest lake in the state. The 5,930 acres of Lake Kissimmee State Park are teeming with plant and animal life. The park offers outstanding fishing, bird watching, picnicking, camping, boating and hiking on 13 miles of beautiful trails. For nature lovers and photographers few parks offer the variety of plant and animal life that Lake Kissimmee State Park has to offer.

European man arrived in Florida in the 1500’s but his presence was not felt here until the 1800’s. During the third Seminole War Fort Gardiner was built nearby as a temporary fortification. Later the area was widely used for timber and turpentine. The town of Rosalie was built and later abandoned after the turpentine industry pulled out of the area.

During the Civil War the area was used for raising cattle that were shipped to the Confederate Army or traded with Cuba for supplies. After the war, cattle were the main industry and this continues to the present day.

In 1969, the state of Florida purchased 5,030 acres of land from the William Zipprer estate for use as a state park. Lake Kissimmee State Park was opened to the public in 1977. An additional 900 acres were purchased in 1997 and added to the park’s western boundary.

More than 50  protected or endangered species of wildlife can be found here.

Many activities are available in the Park, including fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing.      You can camp here in the special campgrounds, or horseback ride, or hike the thirteen miles of trails.  You may see whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and hawks.

From floodplain forest to prairie hammock there is a variety of seldom seen plants. The ’spark botanical bounty includes delicate mosses, butterfly orchids, sawgrass, cutthroat grass, fetterbush and gallberry. Expansive, colorful fields of lotus and pickerelweed stretch towards the sun.

Scrubby flatwoods are host to the Florida scrub jay, scrub oak and longleaf pine. In fact Lake Kissimmee State Park hosts over two hundred species of birds making it one of the best birding areas in central Florida.

Other animals you may catch sight of are grey foxes, wild turkeys and deer.  You might even get really lucky and catch sight of a bobcat, although they are very reclusive..

Sandhill cranes are quite common here in Central Florida, although they are a protected species, and they are well known for their distinctive call.  The birds  can sometimes be quite aggressive if you enter their territory, especially if they are nesting or have young chicks around.  You will often see family groups of  up to two adults and three or four chicks.    They will definitely warn you off if you get too close!

Wild turkeys are very common in our parks and scrublands.  They forage for bugs and worms in our grassland, and frequently can be seen with many hens and one grand turkey cock lording it over his ladies.    The hens are a bit smaller than the male, who has a long wattle hanging down from his neck.  Do not look for a bird that looks like our Thanksgiving turkeys;  these are wild birds and are more streamlined, longer legged and less plump than their cultivated cousins.

If you are in the park in the early hours of the morning or later in the afternoon, you may catch a glimpse of the white tailed deer.  These are very shy animals and well camouflaged in the woodland habitat.  Very often, unless they move, you will not notice them.  Again, you may see younger deer as well as the adults.

FISHING

Located on the shores of Lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie and Tiger, the park offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the state. A variety of fish that can be caught include the largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel and bluegill. A boat ramp in the park offers direct access to Lake Kissimmee. For those without boats fishing opportunities from the canal banks, marina and dam offer the same variety of fish.

Freshwater fishing in Florida requires a license for those who are 15 years or older. You do not have to have a license to fish with a cane pole as long as you are fishing in the county of your residence.

Horse riders can use the 6 miles of riding trails, while fishermen have a treat ; with lots of fishing docks to cast a line from, they will thoroughly enjoy themselves.

There is a large picnic area located in an oak hammock near the bottom of the park. Large, sprawling live oak trees provide shade for those interested in picnicking at the park. There are numerous picnic tables and four pavilions available. At the edge of the picnic area is a 40 foot tall observation tower where you will be able to view the upper part of Lake Kissimmee.

There is also the Cow Camp to visit, which is a piece of living history that depicts an 1876 cattle camp, including Florida Scrub cattle.  These cattle are descendants of the cattle that were brought to Florida by the Spanish in the 1500′s, and which  bred without interference from local settlers.  They have developed natural resistance to the diseases and pests of Florida, and can survive on minimal vegetation.  Local cattlemen were commonly referred to as  Cracker cowboys.   The name came from the Crack of their long whips as they rounded up and moved the cattle through the brush and undergrowth.   The Cow Camp is open on weekends and holidays from October through May

Daniel Radcliffe and friends meeting and greeting at the Grand Opening of Harry Potter’s Wizarding World at Universal Studios. Thousands of people went to Universal Studios this morning to experience the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter.

The books are so popular and the fact the J K Rowling wrote the last book three years ago ( Deathly Hallows) means that the followers of the stories have been tremendously interested in the progress of the building of the Wizarding World  here at Universal Studios, Orlando.

The parking garage was opened at 5.30 a.m. this morning to cater for the expected influx of vehicles.   The gates to Universal opened at the normal time, and had to shut at 11.00 a.m. due to the capacity crowds waiting in line for the visit to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts School. There were some unhappy people who were turned away.   Those who were lucky enough to get in before the gates were closed needed all their patience and stamina.

It was reported that there was a four to six hour wait from Toon Lagoon, and certainly aerial photos of the crowds would bear that out;  the crowds were stretching all the way from City Walk waiting to get on the ride Forbidden Journey.   At one point it was reported that the Forbidden Journey ride had broken down, but that rumour was later denied, and at this time the rides are working.

Executives at Universal were somewhat surprised by the numbers, and some guests were unhappy with the long lines, especially with the heat today.   Many of the other rides and restaurants within Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios benefited from the large numbers of guests, with some longer than normal wait times as well.    Despite the lines and the temperatures, many fans came dressed as their favourite characters, and a general feeling of goodwill prevailed – although one or two guests grumbled at the delays.

Many of the guests who stay in our vacation rental homes on a regular basis, frequently ask what they can do once they have been to all the major parks. Everyone loves to visit Disney or Seaworld, Universal and the other major theme parks. But sometimes it’s good to take a break from them.
Some of the suggestions we make can include off road driving, trophy fishing, scuba diving and beachcombing; occasionally we suggest shopping, but away from the main malls and brand names.
We also like to suggest to our vacationing guests that they take a drive tour away from the main tourist areas and explore some of the unspoiled and natural towns that can still be found in this diverse State.
You can visit small towns with the charm of “old Florida”, lazy days and rocking chairs on front porches, or go gambling at a casino in Tampa and experience the nightlife.

Ocala is one of those “old Florida” towns, where small local shops line the main street, alongside the courthouse and city hall. It’s a town where time seems to stand still; you will be greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome.

Ocala was established in 1846 by Matthew Edward Hall near the site of Fort King, a military outpost of the Seminole Wars. Ocala is a derivation of the Timucua word “Ocali” which is believed to mean the “Big Hammock”.
Hernando de Soto passed through a Timucua village or province named Ocali or Ocale near the present site of Ocala during his famous expedition through what is today the southeastern United States in 1539. Greater Ocala is known as the “Kingdom of the Sun”. Ocala itself is know as the City of the Horse, and rightly so.
The first thoroughbred horse farm in Florida was created by Carl G. Rose in 1943. Earlier, in 1916, Rose had come to Florida from Indiana to oversee the first asphalt road ever constructed in the state. When he ran into problems with the asphalt, he improvised and experimented with one of Florida’s abundant resources: limestone. He also realized that the Limestone would be a good source of nutrition for raising strong horses, so he took a gamble in 1943 and bought acreage along State Highway 200 at $10 per acre, which became Rosemere Farm. The next year one of his horses, Gornil, won at Miami’s Tropical Park, making him the first Florida-raised thoroughbred to win a Florida race. Close on Rose’s heels, the entrepreneur Bonnie Heath soon set up his own thoroughbred horse farm and produced the state’s first Kentucky Derby winner. Both of these men have prominent Highways named after them in Ocala. Bonnie Heath Farm is now owned and operated by his son Bonnie Heath, III, and his wife Kim. Rosemere Farm was sold long ago, and Ocala’s Paddock Mall and Central Florida Community College were built on the site.

In 1956, the Ocala area Thoroughbred industry received a boost when Needles became the first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby. In 1978, Marion County-bred and -raised Affirmed won the Triple Crown. Today, Marion County is one of the major thoroughbred centers of the world, with over 1,200 horse farms in total and about 900 thoroughbred farms totaling some 77,000 acres. Ocala is well known as the horse capital of the world, one of only five cities (four in the USA and one in France) permitted under Chamber of Commerce guidelines to use this title based on annual revenue produced by the horse industry.

Driving through the countryside towards Ocala , one can see the numerous horse ranches that abound in the area.

Ocala is also known for nearby Silver Springs, Florida, site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world and Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, one of the earliest tourist attractions in Florida. We have always enjoyed visiting Silver Springs ; it’s easy to find, quiet and peaceful for families to visit, and the glass bottom boat rides are great fun. Watch the fish swimming below you in the crystal clear water.

The 110 mile long Ocklawaha River flows north from Central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka, Florida.

Marion County is also home to the Ocala National Forest which was established in 1908 and is now the second largest national forest in the state. The Florida Trail, also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail, cuts through Ocala National Forest.

Silver River State Park was established in the early 1990s to preserve the areas around the Silver River to the east of Ocala near Silver Springs.

Only 70 miles from your Central Florida vacation home, Ocala is an easy town to visit in a day, and will give a totally new experience for even the seasoned Florida visitor.

My first trip to Dallas for a conference.   An early arriving flight gave  myself and some colleagues time  to explore one of Dallas’s most  famous historical landmarks.   We visited the place where President John F Kennedy was shot to death in November 1963.

It was a strange feeling walking down the street , flanked by the “grassy knoll” mentioned in all the newscasts, and even more weird, seeing the two crosses marking the spots in the roadway where the bullets struck.    From where we were standing, we could see the Sixth Street Book Depository where the gunman was situated.  For a small fee, you can enter the Museum and go up to the Sixth Floor where TV , camera and radio footage of JFK’s trip to Dallas is shown. It is a museum  of memories  and you can even see the window where Lee Harvey Oswald stood and waited .

John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been President of the United States for just 1000 days, and some of his decisions had upset some of the various parties.  There had been some incendiary remarks made about the forthcoming trip, and there were some outspoken factions opposing the President.  However, the trip went ahead.

His wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy accompanied him for this trip on one of the rare occasions that they toured together.   Dressed in pink, she was at his side as the motorcade turned down into Dealey Plaza at 12.30.   Governor Connally and his wife were seated in the front of the open topped vehicle.   Secret service agents were alongside the car as it drove slowly down the street.  Suddenly three shots rang out , and in a matter of seconds President Kennedy was slumped in his seat, having been shot in the head.  Jacqueline was trying to scramble out over the back of the car, and Agents were trying to deal with the situation.  The Governor had also been badly injured , and the car accelerated away to the Parkland Memorial Hospital where President Kennedy was declared dead from a gunshot wounds  to the head and neck at 1.00 p.m.    Witnesses reported seeing a man in the Book depository and Lee Harvey Oswald was tracked down and linked to the rifle that was found behind the cartons stacked in front of the window on the sixth floor.  Other witnesses reported seeing a puff of smoke from the trees across from the grassy knoll.

The rest, as they say, is history; there will always be speculation about the true nature and reason for the assassination.

On a personal note, I can vividly remember hearing the news on the radio, and then watching the TV footage as it was run again and again over the next days and weeks.  To many young people of the time, JFK was a charismatic young leader who would change the world.   And the world stopped,  and everyone watched in horror on that fateful day as a young President was killed in Dallas, Texas.

If you own a dog, like me, you’re always looking for places to visit, to stay and to enjoy along with your pet.  Because  I too try to find suitable accommodation for our family and our pet, we find ourselves in the same predicament as many loving pet owners.  Where can we go, where can we stay, where can we eat outside and where can we take our dog for walks.??

That’s why we have great pleasure in being able to offer pet friendly vacation homes! The biggest advantage of staying in a home rather than an hotel is the sheer ease of settling in with your pet.  Dogs are far happier in a home than a hotel room – there is less unfamiliar noise, for one thing.  My dog has a habit of barking at unfamiliar noises, like other guests passing along the corridor outside our room.  She hates the sound of vacuum cleaners, so that’s another problem;  they’re always cleaning the hallways of hotels.  And in a vacation home, we can bring her own bed, blankets, and food bowls.  The outside is easier to access, so taking our pet for a walk is less stressful; most homes are in quiet developments with sidewalks, and open areas that we can walk to and from.

Florida has just been confirmed as having one of the top five dog friendly areas in the United States.  We are fortunate enough to have Fort De Soto beach on our doorstep.  It takes about 2 hours easy drive from Central Florida to reach the famous Fort de Soto doggy beach, where dogs and humans mingle happily on the sands and in the calm Gulf waters.

There are two fenced dog runs for off leash play;  one for smaller dogs and one for the larger breeds, complete with water bowls and showers to wash the sand and salt off.  Shaded seating areas for owners are also provided.

With miles of sandy beach to run along, and soft and gentle waves, dogs of all ages and sizes have great fun .  Obviously all dogs must be kept under control, and sometimes if the larger dogs appear to be too boisterous we tend to walk further along the beach to provide ourselves and our little one some peace and quiet.

The end result of a trip to Fort De Soto is a happy and tired pet, with a grand vacation home to return to, with all the comforts of home.  Their own blanket, doggie bed and food bowls.  What more could a pet on vacation want?

The trip to the UK for my daughter’s birthday was quite eventful.  Preparing for the trip gave me  some very busy days , and it wasn’t until two evenings before I was due to fly out, that I managed to pack my case.  Trying to decide which clothes would be best for the UK weather was difficult;  we had been having temperatures in the 80′s here in Central Florida, and I knew that it  wouldn’t be that warm in the UK.

However, I packed what I thought would be suitable,  checked in at Downtown Disney early on the morning of the flight and went back to the office for a few hours work before leaving.  Why Downtown Disney for check-in?  Because you can check your luggage in and arrange your seat, so you don’t have to go to Orlando airport three hours ahead of the flight.  All you have to do at the airport is go through the security screening and board your plane.

There were obviously a lot of passengers on this flight; it was standing room only at the boarding lounge.  Boarding took place and we were all seated eventually;  lots of children, lots of hand baggage on this flight, but no major upsets – until we were due to take off.

I settled into my seat, nodded to my neighbours and prepared to open the paperback I had just purchased.  Just as the plane started to taxi out from the gate, an announcement came over the tannoy.  The Flight captain gave us all some bad news, then the good news……………..there had  been a  volcanic eruption in Iceland; they had just heard about it, and we would not be able to fly into Manchester airport!  All the airports North of Birmingham had been closed due to the volcanic ash from the eruption.  The good news was that if we left right now, we might be able to get into Gatwick airport………………

There was a collective gasp of horror from the passengers, including myself.  We had all booked to go to Manchester because we needed to

go to the north of the country.  To land in Gatwick with all the headaches of trying to get back up to Manchester was a bit of a concern.  And, none of the staff members knew what would happen when we landed.  Nor could we understand why an eruption in Iceland had closed down UK airspace.

Anyway, once in the air, there was nothing we could do except settle back and enjoy the flight.  Close to our arrival time, the pilot announced that we would be put on coaches for the trip back up to Manchester.

Having landed safely,  and collected our luggage, we were ushered to the bus terminals to wait for the promised coaches.  There was a bit of confusion over the transit to the coaches, but finally we were on our way , and we arrived in Manchester Airport at about 3.30 p.m.  From the airport, it was a fast and comfortable train journey to my daughter’s home town.

The day of the party dawned clear and cold, but at least the sun was shining.  I know now why so many of our guests enjoy coming to Florida to stay in our vacation homes; one forgets just how cool even a sunny English day is, and how small British homes generally are.  We have become used to the spacious rooms and extra amenities of our homes here.  And of course, we are usually fortunate enough to have sunshine all year round.

Once the party was over, and normal life resumed, then of course, the worry about the closure of the airports had time to surface.  After checking the Virgin internet site, it became pretty obvious that there was little I could do until the day before I was due to fly back to Florida.  So we decided to make the most of my admittedly very short stay, and took the train into Newcastle for the day.  Not for shopping, I hasten to add, but to have a look around a city that I haven’t visited for many many years.   The weather wasn’t too too bad, although I had to borrow a fleece jacket to be comfortable.  We visited art galleries, museums and walked across the “blinking eye” ; the Millenium Bridge over the Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead.

Eventually my short break had to come to an end, and the worries over how to get back surfaced again;  the news media were  showing stories of many people stranded all over the world, getting more and more frustrated and unhappy with the lack of assistance and information.  We stayed in touch with Virgin Airline, and on the day before I was scheduled to fly, we were informed that it was very likely that the flight would go.  Virgin staff took a mobile phone number, and at 2.00 a.m. on the Wednesday morning, texted a message to get down to Manchester, the flight was On!  We left the house at 4.15 a.m for the drive down, and arrived just as the check in desk was opening.  I joined the queue and checked my baggage and tried to get a decent seat.  The plane was already pretty booked up even then.  I went to the Boarding lounge, and found a huge number of people waiting; and we waited, and we waited……….. the original flight time of 10.25 a.m. was delayed to 12.15, then to 1.45 then to 2.45 …………. eventually we were given the go-ahead to start boarding at 5.05 in the afternoon!

At last we were off and heading back to Florida……………… I think we were twice lucky;  firstly getting to Gatwick when we did on the trip over, and secondly getting out of the UK on the day we were scheduled to leave.    Sad to leave them all, but there will always be another time or another celebration to enjoy.