Winter begins

Some pictures as promised;

The first day of winter...yesterday...we drove to Siesta Key Beach again. We didn't want to waste a  warm,windy day for kiting!

My husband had a curious watcher!
There were many families but no film crew! This is a wonderful beach with excellent facilites.

Hah there's my 'laundry' ( a very long whirlagig on my kite string) and the bigger sled that I fly. It was such a joy to just play with my kite. Many reactions from people walking by...the sound of the waves was soothing. Very relaxing. It was great fun to watch my husband fly his stunt kites as well.He also rigged a remote release parachute which slides up the kite string and releases the shute...so much FUN!!!
We had a small snack and then headed off to the Mote Aquarium,Sarasota http://www.mote.org/ ...a fabulous place!!! There are many research projects and they also heal sea turtles and manatees. We got to see newborn seahorses!!! Saw sharks and  penguins (on a loan) and many other  things. The volunteers were so friendly and informative...very exciting place and not overwhelming...welcoming and delightful.

It was a fun afternoon. I highly recommend the Mote Aquarium!!
Then we drove to the Sweet & Savory Restaurant in the  Village of the Arts for dinner. Wonderful meal.
I was so tired as we returned to the rv park...but seeing the Christmas lights on ...we drove around the camp and enjoyed the decorations. Oh there was an article and pictures of the parade in this camp...apparently the parade is repeated  in some other camps.
Our decorations are up...music is playing ...the sun is setting on another perfect day.
Happy Christmas everyone.
Love & Laughter
Anne

Sinfully sunny

No complaints this year about the weather!!! Sunny and warm day after day after day...the locals are saying it is wonderful ...with temps above normal. I do notice the afternoon breeze here which gives some relief from the heat.

Sat Dec 17th we drove into Bradenton to visit their Village of the Arts. We didn't notice the tourist map orientation til we'd parked...north was at the bottom...so we were not where we wanted to be...the gallery we'd parked beside was closed...and then there was someone yelling further down a street. I was not comfortable with this so we went back to the car and moved further into the Village of the Arts. Saturday afternoon and many places were closed? Then we were welcomed warmly by the owner/chef , Jim Copenig of Sweet & Savory Bakery and Restaurant. He showed us around. He cooks the savory things and Tara Sell does the sweet things. We got to sample some of his breads and mmmmmm good. We then looked at 2 galleries that were open...excellent work in both. Enjoyed talking to Sandra French about her stained glass work.  http://www.villageofthearts.com/

Sunday Dec 18th we drove north to check out rv parks for January that fit our budget...many of the charges in parts of Florida double in Jan. We looked at Zephrhills rv parks...this area had been recommended by a long time rver in Canada. We saw a couple of parks that we liked and walked about a little. After a quick but timely lunch (I needed to eat!) we drove toward the Gulf of Mexico...just north of Tarpon Springs to an rv park that we had phoned back in October. It is called Seven Springs Travel Park in New Port Richey. The office was closed but we parked and walked about. Chatted to a number of residents...very warm and friendly people. As we went toward the car...passing a fishing pond...we noticed someone taking a picture of a water bird sitting on the edge of a boat. We were very quiet til the picture was taken and then the bird opened his wings...and my jaw dropped...it was an anhinga!!! I asked the photographer if I was correct and yes...an ANHINGA...wow I saw one in London yrs ago but I could never confirm it...but to see one again...I was so happy. The photographer told me that they are also called a snake bird. They are dramatic and unusual and they smack the fish after catching and then swallowing them...unfortunately this bird had followed the directions on the nearby sign that said "Catch and release"!! We took some pictures as well and I will try to post them soon.
Monday morning we phoned and booked in to this park! Yes!
Our return drive was close to the coast...we went through parts of Tarpon Springs...lovely town...huge Greek community...tourists,fishing and sponge industry. I look forward to seeing more of this place.
When we returned to Horseshoe Cove...the Christmas parade was getting lined up...all golf carts lovingly decorated. We parked and walked over to take pictures...great fun! Then when the parade was touring the park...the lights were amazing...there were treats tossed for the children...and many Holiday wishes exchanged. Again when my tech guy returns from playing bridge we do have some pics.

Tuesday Dec 20th...sunny and warm again...we drove to Siesta Key Beach where our research said the local kite club flies. We had prepped for flying and put on lots of sun block. Met a lovely couple from St Catherines in the parking lot. There was a steady wind and huge sandcastles and people clustered about them...so we  found a good spot to fly our kites further away...also away from a film crew. Beautiful beach...white white sand...clean...family friendly. Pure play after that...one of my kites wasn't happy with the strong wind so I put up the soft kite and then put on the 'laundry' which is a long wind whirler that gets attached too my original line. Great fun to just play in the wind and watch people and the clouds!! My husband  flew his stunt kite which was fun to see and hear. We were enjoying the afternoon when a film crew guy walked right into the area my husband was flying his stunt kite and plunked a tripod down then got other film crew to join him...my husband safely brought down his kite when he could see the crew were settling in. He did go over to talk to them...they had ignored us. 'They were filming'...'everyone knew about this event'...(forget that we were tourists and not aware of a travel film being made). They had no regard for what people were doing around them even after we gently complained. We packed up and left...along with another group of people.
We went for a late lunch to the Alpine Steakhouse in Sarasota which was recommended by Diners & Dives...great meal and experience!!
We then did some shopping on the way back to the rv. I was very thirsty that evening so I must bring more water with me and drink it when flying kites.
Today has been sunny and hot with rain forcast for Christmas day and later...so soaking up the rays while I can. Listening to Christmas music and thinking of family and friends around the world...wishing everyone safe travels & great gathers during this holiday.
Love  Joy  Peace
Anne   

Beach walk!

Hello from Bradenton;

We went out to explore a beach this afternoon. The temps are in the high 70's...with very warm sunshine. As we set out I found myself very uncomfortable with the humidity.
We stopped at the post office to mail the last of our cards.
Then drove through Bradenton...I was seeing palm trees and flowering plants I usually see in green houses. Bright coloured buildings...the pastel colours...many many rv/resort parks with medical buildings across the street. We passed some very classy residential groups that ran beside the river or the  Gulf...one sign clearly said 'stay out'...'not wanted' but in different words.
We were looking for public parking or a public beach and stopped and asked a gentleman who was walking toward a beach area but  it was private...he directed us north to the public beach on Anna Maria Island where there are washrooms and food courts and glorious beaches.
We walked and listened to the waves...felt the warm wind blowing down the beach...soaked up the sun...I felt fine on the beach. It was fun to people watch ...seeing the deeply tanned regulars and the sunburned northern visitors....the old and the young playing in the water or on the beach.
Dolphins!!! I saw Dolphins!!! Also saw some water birds and sandpipers and a brown pelican. It felt so good to walk along a beach again. My husband walked into the water and just had fun.This does make up for all the vacations that we didn't take.
On drive back I saw a hawk in a tree....hah...we had passed many fishermen parked at the side of the road...using nets...so I thought the hawk had picked out a good spot as well.
Back at the rv...we rinsed off shoes and socks to get the salt out of them.
A wonderful afternoon jaunt.
I am still pinching myself and trying to remember that Christmas is close.
Sunshine & Laughter
Anne

Choir Concert

The choir concert was  so much fun!!Sharing joy with other singers and the audience was a treat.

There has been some rain and colder temps the past few days but still much much warmer than this time last year.

I have written out Christmas cards....we did go to the post office already but will be doing another visit.

My husband went out for an afternoon of Bridge here. There are many things that we haven't even begun to explore yet.

Wishing everyone a healthy and joyous Holiday also a happy full moon...the Long Nights Moon.

Sunshine & Laughter
Anne

Remembering 14 young women

Good day. It is warm and sunny again...much warmer than usual for this time of year here.

Yesterday I joined the choir here at the rv camp. It felt so good to sing again. Their  Christmas concert is this Friday and I have sung most of the songs they are doing...so it will be up to me to pay close attention to what the conductor wants.

There is another activity I am checking out at the community centre this aft....dealing with dulcimers.

Tonight I will honour and remember the 14 young women who were gunned down 22yrs ago in Montreal. You are not forgotten. There continues to be too much violence and abuse against women and children but there are so many more avenues for help today. May the resources continue to grow and stay strong.

Peace & Love
Anne

Sunny weather - purrrfect!

Hello again!
After my last post, we headed to the camp comunity centre for the Turkey Soup & Ice Cream dinner. My jaw dropped when I saw who was serving me the soup!!! It was the gentleman who played my husband, Norman, in the play"On Golden Pond" which we did years ago in Ontario. We were each so surprised at seeing each other. He and his wife have been coming to this camp for yrs and they made us very welcome. We met some of their friends at the dinner. It was a lovely introduction to the rv park.
There are many activities each day plus a beautiful walking trial onto an island.

The weather was so great yesterday and today. Sunny in the mornings with a gentle breeze starting mid morning. Oh soooo different from our December trip last year!!! brrr!
The rv camp had a 'lights on' event last night ...so my husband and I did some decorating on the outside of rv and started putting up some Christmas things. I was so happy to find I had packed my old fashioned Santa figure...he now stands on the top of our little fireplace.My husband gave the 'tiki' lights Santa hats! So the season has begun.
I have been in touch with the Storytelling Liasion for the State of Florida who gave me a warm welcome...we met last year. As I searched through some sites, I realized that many events are set early and some groups do not meet again til the New Year. I will contact a teller in Tampa to see if anything is happening.
There is a choir here at the camp...so I signed up.They meet tomorrow.
It seems so odd to be dealing with too much heat and sun skin care at this time of year.We are taking things slowly...relaxing rather than being busy for now.Some of this is a reaction to the long driving days just getting here and  some slowness is  in response to the weather....soaking up the rays.
Sunshine & Love
Anne

Hello from Bradenton, Florida

We are here!! Arrived yesterday (Dec 1) at 4:40 pm...more about the arrival later.
On Dec 1 awoke to birdsong and sunshine at 8 degrees in Tifton Ga.Got ready to travel...I dressed in my warmer pants to be comfortable at the start. Greeted people across the way who were also pulling out and heading to Florida....we wished each other a safe road trip.
Crossed into Florida about 11 am and stopped at the first tourist site where there was free juice and a friendly welcome...plus many brochures. I changed out of the warm slacks...temp was around 17 and sunny.
Lunched in Gainesville which took a  bit longer than my husband expected...very busy  place...then we continued down I 75 again.Smooth hwy...not much traffic,to me. Saw orchards (?pecan? and fruit), horse farms, small towns and lots of billboards. The sunshine felt so good and the temperature climbed to 22 degrees ( about 72 for US terms). Crossed waterways and passed by many rv camps. After one stop my husband was tense...wondering if we would be late to register at the rv camp...I so needed to get out and  move  but we kept an eye on the time and distance...the traffic was  light...good roads except for one  section...(good thing...the toilet paper wouldn't unroll again)
Arrived at camp after doing a crazy tight u turn...me following of course which made the move even wierder...we signed up at the gate and then would finish things today. Sooooo my husband got through the security gate...I didn't park close enough to reach with the card...so the  gate person helped me out BUT by then my husband had driven off...I had no map and no idea what lane we were to park on...hey at least it was daylight still!!! Anyway I went one way...then knew I was getting lost...did another u turn and checked down lanes as I passed them...did see what looked like the rv's nose and then saw my husband ...whew we arrived.Some neighbours were out watching things...I think they were impressed with the solo backup job my husband did. We settled some things but couldn't hook into wifi til today.
Also last night, we celebrated living in the rv for one year!!! Tah Dah and we are still talking to each other.
This morning we have fully registered...I signed up for the choir!!! and we have done a walk about of the camp...though haven't looked at the island trail attached to this camp yet. There are lots of activities here and the people are welcoming.
Sunshine & Laughter
Anne