Our time was done but I totally forgot to talk about so much. Water park fun, a rainy day in Busch gardens where we got on one ride due to 'inclement weather'. It's the extreme roller coaster ride experience when you have serious threat of being electrocuted by lightening as you ride.

Anyway. We got to siesta key and checked into the most amazing apartment. Overlooking the sea and kitted out with everything a person on holiday might need. In the gym you could ask for Bose headphones to make your experience more enjoyable. Wow.

Me, mum and dad went straight down and jumped into the sea. The Gulf of Mexico is basically the same temperature as a bath so that was amazing. We got talking to a couple from somewhere in Arizona I think. Some highlights of the conversation include but are not limited to:

"North Africa. Is that a country?"
"Do they have beaches in North Africa?"
"I want to go on safari as I like wild animals. Like in sea world."

It was an interesting hour.

The days were mostly spent flitting between beach and the apartment. There were a few thunderstorms which led to a bits of flooding outside the apartment block. Barricading the car in and meaning out only option was to go and eat. Shame. I had a go at paddleboarding. The first day was not a success as the sea was pretty choppy but I persevered and on the second day was essentially a pro. Well I could stand and paddle but paddling didn't seem to do much.

We also went for a bike ride one afternoon and shopping. Lazy days.

Alexandra turned 21 when we were there and since she's been in the USA all year it was an especially big moment as she could drink legally again. So at 11:00pm the night before her birthday we were watching a film and mum got us up and out of the house so that we could be in a bar for Alexandra to order a drink as she turned 21. The bar was a bit local and all the locals were singing karaoke country and western songs. A lot of them were really great singers and it made for some interesting viewing!

The time has come to part ways though. Mum, dad and Alexandra to the uk and me to Australia via LA on a very long flight/connections/ plane fun times. Fingers crossed for no more cancelled flights!