8/5/8

Yesterday we took advantage of Susans offer to use the boat, and with a crew of one captain Ahab set off across the bay for a small uninhabited island. Turned out there were about eight other boats there as well, together with a million dogs. A trip on the bay that turned out to be yet another pleasant experience.

Susan & Normans boat parking

She would have been miffed if I hadn't let her drive!

The 6th was “sorting out day”, getting all the stuff back into some semblance of order in the cases ready for a little more travelling and the return flight back to UK.Then encouraged by Doreens comments on Skype, we decided to throw caution to the wind and went into the pool. The 18F degree difference was quite a shock to the system, but was very invigorating, and ended up being very pleasant in the sunshine after that.

Then a drive to Tampa Airport to pick up the rental car, and do not let any rental company con you into getting an upgrade. The economy cars are big enough for two and four cases, they are slightly spartan with hand crank windows, but we have been used to that in the RV. We just beat the rush hour, so it was a pleasant drive back, at least for me posing in the open top BMW. (see previous photos at Alafia)

Evening of the 5th was very pleasant, but a bit sad. We drove over to Alafia where Eric and Margaret were camping and enjoyed a BBQ in that beautiful State Park.

Eric and I managed to dispose of a few beers and a considerable amount of wine, (the girls were not drinking so we had to).

It will probably be a while before we meet again, but friendships last, as this one has done for almost 52 years. Cannot remember much about the drive back, but I woke up at Apollo Beach so it must have been OK.

Spare ribs were great.

Eric in a pensive mood??