FLORIDA WEATHER IS GREAT

THIS TIME OF YEAR...yeah right! It's supposed to be sunny, low humidity and warm. So far we've had solid 24 hours rain on Sunday, cloud & cold on Monday, and bright sun, but cold wind on Tuesday. That's me sun bathing on the balcony. Northern US is suffering, Chicago is close to its record low today minus 25 F with wind chill down to minus 45. On our last leg now, meeting friends for dinner tonight, flying home Friday, arrive Sat morning.

MEXICO & SEA DAYS

Weather not too bright, only around 21Celsius but very windy. Some shows had to be cancelled. Food has been very good all week, some of the best we have experienced. Action man still going, the climbing wall was tough on arthritic fingers and hanging by one arm did me no favours. Our luck continues to hold in getting through bottlenecks. We were scheduled to get off the boat by 10am but it cleared so quick we left at 8:30 and cleared customs by 9:20. Something's gotta go wrong soon. The weather here is now awful, 15 Celsius and pour of rain all day. We are near here at Hilton SeaWorld and trying to warm up.

ACTION MAN...

and I've got the haircut to go with it. Been to Haiti & just left Jamaica (no she did it on her own, WENDY, all the old jokes) Days taken up with zips, ice & golf. Really windy here at the moment. Ship is absolutely spotless, and the crew are really looking after us a treat. Zip was good, step off 600 ft platform with no rails, vertigo? No just 3400 feet, the longest zip in the world over the sea. All the food on the Haiti resort is free, live music, water very warm, just windy, windy.

WE ARE...

sailing, good old Rod. Luck is holding with travelling. The boat was late docking because of unscheduled stop for injured crew man. Royal said board later. We turned up a little later, but no queues and boarded with no problems. The loyalty club is excellent, we get promoted 'cos of cruises on sister company, Celebrity. We have our own lounges, free drinks, free internet, the works. Gone all Yankee with grub, pancakes, cream, bacon & maple syrup. Kummelweck, the signature roll in central park is to die for. Caraway seed roll, gravy, hot roast beef & horseradish.

COCOA BEACH

It isn't though, I've just been down there and it's definitely sand. The journey yesterday went much better than expected. What with rail strikes, Gatwick drone wars and no public workers being paid in the US, I was expecting nothing but problems & delays. Nothing could be further from the truth, BA have implemented DIY bag drop. You have to put your labels on yourself and read yourself the security stuff... did you pack this bag yourself etc etc, you weigh it and send it on its way on the conveyor. Worked a treat, no queues, all bags gone in 3 minutes. The flight wasn't full, we had the seat row to ourselves, service on flight good double drinks all round that was so much we took it to the hotel. US doesn't do the customs form anymore, so no paperwork at all. Arrived at US security, no queues and through in 10 mins. Cases came and we got out the airport half hour quicker than normal. What do you think of my rental car? Linda days she wants one for our next car. The weather is stunning here, that sunrise is from our balcony overlooking the sea. There is the start of bike lanes over here for the first time in Florida, and they now have rental bikes on the street corners like in London. Bit of re-packing and we will be off on the noro-ship tomorrow morning.

BLOC OUT

Journey to Gatwick excellent, door to door in 70mins. Bloc hotel is interesting, all features are to hand cos the room is pretty small. It has a wet room/toilet with large rain head & hand shower. The bed is king but longer, about 7 feet. Elsie could sleep at the foot. The hotel is right next door to departure security, so no far to walk. It's quiet and the air con is very effective. Had a nice drink and meal in the Weatherspoons Beehive. Lin got stuck into beer and gin palace, trying the Hendrick's, which is a Scottish cucumber gin. Doom Bar pies later and we are stuffed.

PANDEMONIUM

...that's what we're in trying to get ready to go. Senility is not helpful when you're trying to remember where you've put stuff to pack, what your trying to pack and the details of your trip. I guess all will turn out fine, it usually does. Its been a busy build up - Elsie's birthday, complete with Princess cakes - a trip to the theatre, that was Wicked! You can see what a day with Sue & Lin does to my stress levels. Never mind.

Anyway, ready or not we will be off. We are starting at Bloc, which is one of these Jap style hotels in South Terminal Gatwick, you know, lots of room facilities, but no windows. Next stop is Cocoa Beach to board the Noro Oasis. Royar Carib had a sale on and I booked a zip in Haiti. The longest zip over the sea. Apparently they throw you off a mountain. When we get back to Florida, we are staying in Seaworld & then with friends, looking forward to it.