After the disappointment, we were warned, of the Everglades we drove up to Naples. To think that in the early 1950’s this area had a population of 2,000 people, one set of traffic lights and a few shops is amazing considering the scale of development that has taken place since. Swamp land cleared and drained, exclusive housing and shops with bars and restaurants, white sand beaches, housing with docks for boats, six lane highways, vast in both size and number, shopping centres and exclusive golf course developments———not forgetting a majority electorate that voted for Donald Trump.

We went down to the beach having narrowly avoided the famous 5th Avenue South although we did see it a couple of evenings later———very exclusive and expensive shops and an array of glistening and twinkling white Christmas decorations—very impressive.

We arrived at Bruno and Vera’s, Tom’s in laws, house where they spend about four months a year. They had very kindly asked us to stay for a few days before Christmas. 

A very cleverly designed house

It forms part of a gated 500 house development built around the golf course. Their house has uninterrupted views across the course and in particular the 2nd hole par 5. The whole development is beautifully maintained.

Tom, Nadine, Yannick and Katinka had arrived the day before——in typical fashion !

Despite earlier misgivings the wire mesh enclosure ensures no mozzies, no snakes and no alligators not to mention a few errant low flying golf balls!

We went to the Bonita Springs beach——white sand stretching for miles

and Bruno cooked supper in the evening——much to Vera and Nadine's surprise!