The Avalon B&B has been a great success——more like a hotel than a B&B the only difference being that they are not legally allowed to cook bacon and eggs

The Avalon is at the bottom end of Duval Street which is the main drag, full of shops and restaurants. The architecture is all very similar having been built in the late 1880s

A small beach is just down the road

and the southernmost point of the USA is just around the corner

We were taken snorkelling by Harriet’s (daughter in law) uncle who is a dive master on Captains Corner dive boat.

8 miles out is a large reef just covered in water on which stands the Sand Key lighthouse. This used to have living quarters for the lighthouse keeper but they were demolished by a hurricane. 

This significantly reduced the number of wrecks which were running at about 500 per year! A lighthouse was then built on Key West. Key West itself is only about 14 feet above sea level.

Whilst others dived we snorkelled just on the edge of the “Sanctuary” reef.

A fast return trip late afternoon in the setting sun 

followed by happy hour and a parade of boats dressed overall for Christmas.

A visit to Ernest Hemingway’s house is apparently a must. There are about 40 to 50 cats, all with 6 toes, and the house and gardens smelt of them. The visit was not a great success.

The one that got away!!