In the week we had a satellite launch
These pictures of Bear’s sandals are purely for Pete (Troutbridge) to prove
he is not alone when sandals hit the five thousand mile mark. They just don’t
make them like they used to, these blew out at a couple of hundred. Not
to be replaced then. We did our bit with these – made from reconstituted tyres –
they had to live in the cockpit for most of their short lives as they smelt like
a cross between a glue factory and the surface of Brands Hatch after a hot,
sweaty days racing. As soon as we got the hire car it was off to Cocoa City to
get new unsmelly models. Bargain, not only in the sale, but buy one get a second
pair half price, AND they only smell new, winner. Beat that Pete. On a happy
note - email from our man in Fiji tells us he will move aboard Trouters around
the 8th of April – Well done, it has been a slog of a road for you. Sending hugs
to be collected when we see you in Thailand.
Trooper, Steve and Mags
were there at the new sandal (s) purchase and as a reward they introduced us to
happy hour at the Steak and Shake. What an event. Thick shakes in all flavours,
mostly eaten rather than slid up a straw in the buy one get one free time
period. Trooper got stuck in too.
For our road trip I hope
to have chosen the best matches to the scene in CSI “there’s a deadun in room
214.” We won’t have time post UK visit to do anything but get a sharp move on to
leave the U.S. before our cruising permit expires. This road trip will give us a
look at the West coast of Florida and even out the one way surcharge to the
airport on the hire car. We have chosen the Knights
Inn, Sarasota (a real gem, hope we are on the top floor and the
manageress is called Beryl with her pencil stuck through her hair bun – Ooo with
no front teeth would be the icing on the cake), the Super
8 Naples where I hope to get photos of me chatting to a trucker about the
price of gas – him looking resplendent in stained vest and the Cordova in Fort Lauderdale, for the heck of it in a
smoking room (sorry Bear, pressed the wrong button but it could add to the
experience). More info will follow I have no doubt with loads to see and do
before we fly on the 5th.
For now, our final ever
‘Farewell’ to Trooper – one of life's characters. He knew something was up
today. We stopped in the shopping mall to watch an elderly lady bounce in a
harness (that’s what they do here to break up a shopping day – we got on
orgasmatron chairs). Trooper came over for a hug and buried his little face
under my arm, a sure sign that he knew a ‘change was in the air’. We wish him
well as Seadog Troop.
A quick ‘beer o’clock’
and our final farewells to Steve and Mags, it’s been
a blast. Good luck on the Luff Bug. Farewell to Beez, Bernie, Bobby, Claude and all the boys, see you on
the 10th of April XX XX.
ALL IN ALL TIME TO
HIT THE ROAD
SEE Y’ALL DOWN THE ROAD
.
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