After free coffee in the tiki bar and a walk around the pretty harbour taking photos, we made the half hour journey to Key West. The architecture was exactly as I had imagined, chocolate box pretty clapboard victorian houses, all in pristine condition with lush gardens and shady porches complete with requisite rocking chairs. You could almost imagine Ernest Hemingway scribbling away at one of his novels with his six toed cat at his feet. Found the hotel, The Chelsea house, shame about the name! But it was exquisitely pretty and unusual for the area, parking right next door. We were way too early to check in so took ourselves off to Walgreens to stock up on shower gels and other absolute necessities such as bug spray!! Left the car in the hotel lot and walked ... read more

Ouch, sore heads, coffee needed... Dragged ourselves to Big Pink, a famous diner right across the street, bagel and cream cheese for me, massive eggs benedict for Alex and a big fried egg sandwich for Jon, gallons of coffee. Feeling vaguely better, took a walk around the amazing Art Deco district with to die for designed buildings, a real throw back to the 30s, every building a special treat to the eye, even more run down apartment blocks featured stunning architecture. Not sure if it was the best idea after last night but took a boat tour of the port area including the millionaires islands where the rich and famous have their homes. A quiet night was definitely in order so headed back to Lincoln road mall area to meet up with one of Jon's contractors ... read more

Yes I know it's still oct 30th, as I say, it was a long day! Good news, our bags made it! Waiting outside for our friend Jon to pick us up, a very pretty, tall, long legged, blonde Russian girl stood by us and asked to use my phone to send a message to the person collecting her, now, NOBODY touches my phone! I hear stories of this type of scam when they leg it with your phone, no oh no, not happening babe! Then felt vaguely guilty when a respectable looking non-pimp like bloke collected her, maybe I am too cynical. But with those legs she would have outrun me! Jon arrived in a huge SUV, piled our luggage in and headed off to hotel. A modern quirky hotel, highly recommend it Blanc Kara on ... read more

Off early to the airport to make full use of the VIP lounge, got the usual interrogation by the security check in agents! No need, do we look like terrorists? Ok Alex's beard may be a bit suspect and I guess I can be threatening when I want to be! Ate our way thru the free food in the lounge and treated myself to a bloody mary the headed for the gate, breezed past most of the passengers with our premium service option shame it didnt go as far as letting us sit in club or first! Nice modern aircraft with IFE in seat backs, spotted the cocktail menu but stopped myself just in time, we had a long day ahead! Great flight, hundreds of movies to choose from and nice food, passed by pretty quickly ... read more

Said goodbye to the dogs, managed to escape without too much Frazier slobber, packed up the car, grabbed the last of the rubbish to drop off on the way, and off we go! Drove the hours journey to the airport with Barry who took the car back, only to find an hour later the bag of rubbish had come all the way with us, let's hope it's not still in the car in 19 days when we get back!!... read more