FLORIDA - SAT 18th OCTOBER to WED 22nd OCTOBER

KATIE

Well, as I mentioned, the organization at Peruvian airports is worse than Miami which is saying something so we ended up walking straight onto both the plane at Cusco and Lima - very efficient use of time! Actually getting through Miami was mercifully quicker than last time so we were very pleased with ourselves and thinking we'd get to Naples before it was too late until we got to Alamo car hire and things went a bit pear shaped. Apparently our car hire had been cancelled and to cut a long story short we ended up having to start a new rental agreement costing us $500 when we had already paid for the rental 5 months ago to Yes car hire - useless bunch. Still in the process of trying to resolve this 2 days later and will probably end up spending 2 hours at the airport tomorrow now arguing about it before we leave for Cayman. Happy days!!!

On the plus side we've had a lovely few days in Florida, and until today have been enjoying the sunshine (somewhat cloudy, windy and threatening rain today) but then we've been doing the domestic chores and catching up on lots of washing an ironing!! Oh, and stopping a potential fire and then flood from the dish washer here….

Brief update - we got to Naples late the first night and then headed off for Bradenton reasonably early the next morning and stopped for a nice big American breakfast, which I'm sure James will tell you more about! Spent the day by the pool and did the obligatory shop at Walmarts! Monday was spent at Myakka State Park, with dubious success - we had a great idea of doing a 10 - 13 mile trek along the hiking paths, which seemed a good idea, and the park ranger suggested what looked to be a nice 13 mile hike. All good so far. We started off and after about 20 mins started encountering rather large and very unattractive spiders hanging across the paths. We carried on for a while (rather heroically for me I feel, since I REALLY don't like spiders, let alone ones that are bigger than my hand and have an evil look in their eyes…) but they soon appeared almost everywhere, all around us and eventually we decided the safest option was to head back! I have never enjoyed a walk less, truly horrible! So, having completed all of about 4 miles we changed to a bicycle track thinking that would be better, since the walking tracks were hardly used. This time we got to about 2 miles when we were forced back but floods!! Third time lucky and we headed the other direction and managed to have a much more successful walk, and probably managed about 8.5 or 9 miles overall. Next time I think I'll stick to the mountains, far less obstacles and evil spiders lurking in trees.

Tuesday was spent at Bradenton beach which was much more sedate and a far more sensible option I feel, as was the lovely ice cream we had mid afternoon having had our economical packed lunch in the car (we found out the hard way that seagulls like packed lunches…..). James' parents arrived in the evening so we had a nice chilled out time around the pool. Wednesday was a beach day again, but this time walking along from the top of Bradenton beach to Manatee beach and taking the trolley bus to Anna Maria Island and then back to the car. Saw about 5 dolphins too so that kept me VERY happy!!! Spent a lovely evening at the BeachHouse where we had dinner, which was really lovely, although I think about half of it came home with us in boxes!!! Today is a day of chores, lots of washing and ironing and sorting out ready for moving on to Cayman tomorrow - whoo hoo!!! Planning on doing a bit of shopping in St Armands Circle later but otherwise a rather un-eventful day compared to the last week or two!!

JAMES

A very relaxing 5 days in Florida so far - as Katie said, much less dramatic than Peru, big spiders, death trap dishwashers, and the muppets at Yes Car Hire notwithstanding! I shan't recount that particular saga. Not before I have had some Anger Management Courses first!!

On the drive up to Bradenton we stopped in at Cracker Barrel for a hearty American breakfast. The breakfast menu runs to about 3 A4 pages, containing a baffling array of items, including fry-ups, pancakes, French toast, porridge and yet more. It seems that, faced with this plethora of options, most of our Yankee cousins simply opt to have the whole lot! Saves choosing I suppose! I went for the "small" Old Timers breakfast - a mere two eggs, has browns, grits, muffins, bacon and toast. Kept me going til lunchtime anyway!

The good idea of a hike round Myakka went a bit pear shaped, as Katie explained! Even I, without a particular fear of spiders, refused at the point there were about half a dozen of these beasts lined up waiting for us! The photos don't quite show their size properly (foreshortening apparently!) - they were as big as my hand, honest!!

Had a really nice, chilled out day at Bradenton Beach, soaking up the rays! It really is one of the best beaches in the world I think - fine powder white sand, not busy but with enough people to afford some reasonable people watching opportunities, a quality ice cream parlour over the road, and lots of wildlife to watch - dolphins, pelicans, a Batman Bird (a Frigatebird according to Dad's book, but Batman Bird sounds cooler) and even a beached whale (see photos)!

Mum and Dad arrived that evening, so it has been really nice to spend a couple of days with them. Had a cracking meal at the BeachHouse, even if the sunset was non-existent! I know it is primarily a seafood restaurant, but I was compelled to opt for another huge NY strip steak - 14oz this time, and I didn't finish it, shock horror. Probably the first time in about 15 years I haven't eaten all my dinner!!

Off to the Cayman Islands tomorrow - can't wait, it has been a long time coming, having promised to visit ever since Nick moved there four and half years ago!! Looking forward to seeing Nick and Janet, a few beers, and a lot of boat based shenanigans!!!