Our day started with a fits of laughter when we read the following email from Mollie and I just had to publish it. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Hiya mammy,

Hope that you and Tony have arrived in the US of A o.k. and that you are having a great time. Uncle 'Daddy' Gary read the letter you sent to me and my partner Alfie. I really am settled in but did really miss you for the first couple of days (and still do ) but I've come round now. Gary said I had to stop being a drama queen like you, as I wasn't upset enough to go off my food.(I'd really have to be under the patio to do that ha ha) Well Gary let me sneak into the back bedroom and lay on the bed so I enjoyed that but I heard him telling Alfie that he'd be knocking that on the head in a couple of days, (thats what he thinks, I can open the xxxxxxx door myself......don't tell him that I swore or I'll get grounded). I banged my head on the table yesterday but Gary is taking me to the optitions next week, to get some glasses, (he can xxxx off if he thinks I'm wearing them, Ive got him sussed and I'll have some contact lenses before Christmas). Well mams you take care on that motorbike and enjoy yourself. I'm fine, and Steve came round and brought that Hector, so I've got a new mate already (got to keep Alfie on his toes, you know what blokes are like treat em mean keep em keen eh Ma?). Well Ma I'm off to bed now so I'll say goodnight for now. Gary will be home in a minute and I don't want him to catch me on the computer, he thinks we can't get in the room here when he's out, but I just stand on alf's back and pull the handle down. tee hee. Don't you go tell on us. If Gary goes out on Friday we're gonna get the keys to downstairs and hit the Gin bottle, we've just got to wangle the alarm number out of Kathy. Alfie doesn't think she'll fall for it but I said ' you keep her throwing the ball for you' and I'll get round Bob no problem hee hee. Well Ma I'm off now I've just heard Gar coming in downstairs, night night God Bless. Enjoy yourself and don't worry about me, I was only kidding about the gin, Alfie would go mad if I drank that shit. send my love to Tony. hope to hear from you as and when. lots of love. love you loads. Molly and Alfie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The day developed much as it started, we got lost by taking the wrong turn, and when you do that on an interstate, it is a long way to the next turn off. However we eventually found Walmart and bought a lot of bits and bobs to make life comfortable in the RV.
Next it was off to get the trailer, guess what? We got lost. Eventually found the house, but we knew the trailer was 25 miles away and we were to follow HarleyCharlie to where it was parked to collect. "Follow me" he said. The RV was running and a car passed us and off we went, going like a bat out of hell, I had difficulty keeping up. Then the mobile rang, and a voice said "you are following the wrong car", Jane said "how do you know", and the voice said "'cos I am behind you, turn right, turn around and follow me". By then we were in fits of laughter again, however we eventually arrived at the trailer location. The pictures did not lie, it is a superb trailer, and was worth the magical mystery tour, fun and games. So that too is in Orlando now, and we pick up the motorbike Saturday. (if we are not lost, deported or locked up).
Just for the record we also got lost (again) as we were almost back - but hey - everyone should try doing a U turn with a 23 footer and 10 foot trailer in rush hour traffic - with 1 missing headlight - but that's another story.

Wednesday
Dawned bright and sunny, and after breakfast Susan and Lillian took us to The Local Tax Collectors office to change the titles on the RV and Motorcycle. They certainly could teach our council operatives a thing or two. Exactly 40 minutes after "clocking in" we walked out with the new titles and registration plates, admittedly slightly lighter in the pocket, but everything was complete and above board.Screwed the plates on the RV, did the pre-flight checks, and Jane drove it back to Orlando with me behind in the rental as rearguard. Doesn't sound a very exciting day, but to us it was and we did cover about 100 miles. Tomorrow looks like another good one as we take the RV up towards Daytona to pick up the trailer.

Tuesday
Got up this morning, had a shave, did Times crossword, had another shave!!!! (Courtesy of The Scaffold) Seriously though............Had a swim before breakfast, pool quite cool at 65F. This is the big day to meet Janes cousin in Apollo Beach, the one who has been gathering in the mail and large toys, but on the way we stopped off at Winter Haven to meet up with my old buddy Eric and his wife Margaret. It was good to rabbit again and she provided us with a super lunch. We then carried on the 70 miles to Apollo Beach, near Tampa, where we recieved the most amazing hospitality and set eyes on the RV for the first time. All the expectations we had have been fulfilled, it is exactly as described and will fit the bill admirably. The evening passed quickly with good food and consumption of various liquid refreshments.

The Johnson Household

I told you it was nearly empty

Day One

Well we got here in style, Internet check in for the flight, a very easy bag drop at Gatwick, and before we knew it the flight was being called. I can recommend Virgin Airlines to anyone, the seat pitch is ample. Mind you we were a bit spoiled 'cos the flight was only half full, there were actually over 40 seats empty around us which allowed for a full stretch out for a couple of hours each. The grub was brill, the booze was free and the cabin crew superb, push back was on time and we arrived 25 minutes ahead of schedule, what more could one ask?Arrival procedures in the states are tight but smooth, if a little lengthy. The usual attempted con at the car rental, with the guy saying we wouldn't get any cases into an "economy" car, but we refused a costly upgrade and stayed with it. Turns out that they had no "economy" cars, and they were all "compacts", which turns out to be the same size as my Rover 400, so plenty of room for the four cases and the Duty Free.The hotel is much as I remember it from 2001, still as plush as ever but with Internet access now. Yesterday was supposed to be a chill day, but due to the time change I woke early (3.57 A.M to be exact). We had an appointment in the evening and needed Dollars, so went looking for a bank. Found a Bank of America and it was easy to open an account, which means we do not have to carry cash around the country, and certainly makes one feel a little safer.Managed a chill in the pool later in the day, but no sunbathing, the temp was only 72F, mind you the Hot Spa was 104F, felt like a Lobster must feel, but a quick dip in the pool cured that.Managed to make the appointment at Kissimmee, later than planned due to an RTA on the only road going there, but eventually found the house and the guy selling the Virago. What a super bike, and a lovely couple. They even invited us to join them for dinner, but having bargained him down slightly on the price we felt it would overstay our welcome if we accepted. To cut a long story short, Jane is now the proud owner of the motorcycle, and tomorrow we should be able to change the title in Tampa.(pics later when I find out how to do it)

Initial Post

This will be the journal of Jane and Tonys American Adventure starting late November 2007