Holiday over :o(

So where was I.... after the everglades we got our hire car, very nice, although it didn't have a proper gear stick, only seemed to go up and down and not from side to side... anyway it was a comfortable chevy so can't complain. We drove all the way throught the florida keys, over the 7 mile bridge (6.9 miles ;o) ) to Key West - the hip hop and happenin' key of the florida keys. we did a nice long tour of Key West and stopped off at the southern most point of the U.S. although there are more southern points of Key West but they were man made... we didn't stop to argue.

I must share with you this photo which Liz took of me at southern most point, nice beard...


Key West is famed in the keys for having really pretty sunsets, and it did not dissapoint - photo below


After Key West we drove to Marathon which is a big city for the keys on Grassy Key. We went to the dolphin research center where we saw loads of dolphins and actually swam with one :o) Liz liked this a lot! The dolphin we swam with was Flippers grandson... well, thats what they told us anyway ;o) After that we went to the sea-turtle hospital to see some baby turtles and older ones who have had flippers amputated and all sorts. One was called bubble-butt. Yes, this did make Liz laugh like a little girl!

Finally we went to Key Largo which is where all the 'watersports' takes place. There was loads of snorkelling /diving/fishing/spearfinsing etc to do, we initially booked snorkelling and diving, but liz had a problem breathing though her mouth. I guess, she normally breaths through her nose, in case she needs to talk quickly. As useful as this is, its quite a hinderance under water. We both enjoyed it lots tho. We both saw a big baracuda - must have been about 6 ft easily, and later I saw a nurse shark! Initially I was scared, but once my fear bubbled away from me, I decided to stay and watch him swim away as the divers got too close for its liking!

One final photo is a photo we bought which is of me and Liz in parrot jungle with a baby bengal tiger and chimp as our friends... not sure if I mentioned this before or not but here's the pic... (I'm holding the tiger)


So thats it! We're back now. Jet-lagged and tired, just finished first day of work and been shopping. Watching Stoke v Barnsley.... not that interesting or good, hence me blogging :o)

Hope you all enjoyed our travelling story! :o)

Si

Update from Miami!

Hello,

Had a spare few mins so thought i'd write and update you all on what we've been up to...

Flights were all fine so far, we landed in Miami and have walked around the surrounding area of south beach loads. They're really big on italian food here, and when I mean BIG, you know what I mean ;o)

We did a duck tour which is a car thing that can float too! Had a look round the aquarium, and saw killer whales and dolphins, manities and other cool things. Temperatures have been as high as about 26 and on one day abour 15 :(

We went to Tampa bay which is a nice little city to chill out in. Ybor city was our favourite place, cigars everywhere! Liz did her presentations fine.

Two highlights were the ice hockey games and valentines.... ice hockey - so good we saw two games! really exciting and great fights :) Valentines - took liz out for a romantic meal in Hooters :oD lovely atmosphere.... It was her first visit to Hooters, and mine too (with Liz).

Now back in Miami, we've just done a city tour and got back from the everglades... that was awesome. The fan boat ride was amazing, it was really fast! Didn't see Ben tho :(

An unexpected treat in the everglades was to hold a 3 year old gator! Got video and stills of it. It felt like I would imagine a snake to feel like... if that makes sense..... probs not... probs sounds mad eh adam? ;oP

We also felt hungry so ate aligator tail burger :) I took a couple of bites but couldn't really bring myself to eat it after holding it! Liz couldn't speak much as she was too busy stuffing her face with aligator!

Ahhh, and I think i'm getting fatter!

Si

When people compain, they get a load of arse...

Title says it all really...

I can never really be bothered to blog, but given that every one *always* complains (you know who you are, Linda!) here is a proper post...

So what can I write about? *looks below a bit* Looks like I haven't blogged properly since November... So, I guess there was Hazels birthday... I think, although I can't remember as my memory has deteriorated so much.... maybe it was Lindas... or maybe they both had birthdays, anyway, it was certainly Christmas in november so lets talk about that!

On 23rd November was lovely Nicole's 1st birthday and she's lovely and cute. Liz and I went to her little birthday party and celebrated with Nicoles close family. Then we went to my mum and dads for the evening, when it happened..... Liz left me to go to see her family for Christmas... at first I wondered how I'd manage without her... but its ok, mum was there to make my dinner and open my beer ;o) (love u lizzy :oP)

Christmas was a lovely break both round mine and round Liz's. It was nice just to forget about work and enjoy life for every day, and not neccesarily go out intending to do something everyday but just to enjoy whatever happens... sounds crazy? you should see what i'm wearing.....

So then we got back to work and it wasn't actually that bad to return... i think its because me and Liz have spent so much time together that because we were still together at work and at home, there wasn't that void that there sometimes is after going away for a while... which was nice.

January... Mums birthday, had a good party round mum and dads house, and lots of pressies/bottles of alcohol were opened ;o) Don't think a lot else happened in January.

February... well we're really only just into this month and as I write this its 'holiday eve' so we're both packed for our holiday in Florida... details:

Sat 10th - Fly to Miami
Sun 11th - Miami
Mon 12th - Miami
Tue 13th - Miami. Travel to Tampa
Wed 14th - Tampa
Thur 15th - Tampa
Fri 16th - Tampa. Travel to Miami
Sat 17th - Miami
Sun 18th - Miami - Everglades
Mon 19th - Miami. Travel to Keys
Tue 20th - Keys
Wed 21st - Keys
Thur 22nd - Keys
Fri 23rd - Keys
Sat 24th - Travel to Miami. Fly to UK
Sun 25th - Arrive in UK

Things i'm looking forward to are... Swimming with dolphins, snorkelling, scuba diving... errr, fat fat foods and lots of it, pancakes, syrup, sun and stupid fat people with silly accents (and i'm not talking about people from Newcastle (Tactful, eh Ian ;o) ))

So thats me up to date... i'll try to blog more, but its likely something more important or fun will get in the way...

So long and thanks for all the dolphins...

Simon Maple - Blog King

New post?

I wonder if anyone still reads this ;o)