Tag Archives: lighthouse

Sunbathing in the snow

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In the Mucky Duck

Unbelievably, it’s warm enough here in Cedar Mills for Dot to sunbathe on the deck, with a nice snowy background while drinking a mimosa. We’ve just been for a “half-hour walk” (B Murray) around local roads and have also toured the garden, which is quite a jaunt in itself. Yes, we’re back in Canada, relaxing. The past few days went something like this.

Evening of Thursday, March 4

Because of language difficulties and different customs, found ourselves in an embarrassing situation at Traders, where we had booked in and (apparently) arranged to meet the Murrays’ French friends (Valerie & Co), should they care to drop by. They did drop by, and were under the impression that Roger had booked a table for nine so that we could all eat together. Happily the restaurant was able to accommodate us all, but of course our own meals were already ordered, and it all got  a bit chaotic. Still, it was a fun evening, and we continued the trend of chaos in France by watching Day of the Jackal when we got home.

Friday, March 5

Our final full day in Florida, which dawned sunny and apparently warmer. We went for breakfast at the Lighthouse, and then Barbara and Roger decided to walk to Redfish Pass. It then emerged that it wasn’t as warm as it seemed, and we were glad we decided not to join them. Even though they went out by the road through the resort so that the wind was behind them on their way back along the beach, they still got very cold. Dot and I meanwhile visited the dock briefly before going up to Starbucks, where we had drinks out of the wind, then went into a gallery, where we met photographer Ted Myerson, who was part of an arts collective. He was interested in my poetry, and I gave him my website addresses. Saw Barb and Roger walking past, and Roger came in and talked to Ted about photography. Meanwhile Dot bought a kind of bracelet made locally. Back at the house, Dot decided to go into the pool while Roger and I had a brief game of tennis. Played much better than last time. Roger and Barb went up to Mucky Duck to order meal for 5pm, but Dot and I got there late, so we eventually had the meal shortly before 6pm. Window seat, fantastic sunset, fish and chips. What more could you ask for? Certainly not broccoli. After packing for the journey, we watched You’ve Got Mail, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. A feel-good movie.

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W Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, with its unique shot at a toilet/shower room/basin combination. At least, I hope it's unique

Saturday, March 6

The journey home began in bright sunshine, which was to last for just about the whole three days. We left at 9.15, and I did my only driving stint from near Gainesville, Florida, across the border and well into Georgia. It then emerged that Roger actually preferred driving, and I didn’t mind either way, so I became a passenger. Pretty uneventful drive, with constant temperature – only dropped below 10C as we got to the W hotel after dark. Roger and Barb hated the hotel, but Dot and I thought it was just trying to be too avant garde and get as much of your money as it could, which I suppose is not good. Had room service – an excellent chicken club sandwich with egg and avocado, but lukewarm chips. Dot’s caesar salad was on the vinegary side. But tea and coffee were first class, and so was the bed. The bathroom was peculiar, to say the least, a sliding screen leaving you in full view of the rest of the room while you were on the loo. There was no bath and a kamikaze shower. OK, I can see what they meant, especially as Roger arrived with a bad headache. Had a very small breakfast before leaving, because they charged excessively for that too.

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Highway 20: a beautiful mistake

Sunday, March 7

Around freezing at 9am, but soon warmed up, and we were around 15C for much of the day. Went wrong out of Atlanta and found ourselves heading for the Carolinas on I-85. Made the mistake of pointing this out, so we missed the chance of adding two more states to to our list. Instead detoured across country on Highway 20, which as it approached the I-75 proved to be a beautiful route. Very enjoyable, though it cost us about an hour and a half. It’s those pesky traffic lights. Dot started taking pictures of the many churches that dotted the roadside. Back on the I-75 we listened to a couple of Garrison Keiller tracks as we entered Tennessee – “The Radio Announcer”, which was hysterical, and “The Young Lutheran’s Guide to the Orchestra”, which was more gently funny. Reached Cincinnati Cheesecake Factory about 6.20 and had about 20 minutes to wait for a table. Very nice steak. Waitress a bit dozy, but quite sweet. Only a few miles from there to our LivInn hotel at Sharonville, where we had a goodnight’s sleep in a basic but comfortable room with a bathroom that was quite separate and could not be seen from the bed.

Monday, March 8

Last day on the road. Again sunny and warmish. North on the I-75 through Dayton, where it was 8C, and the temperature contrarily increased the nearer we got to Canada, despite occasional snow at the side of the road. Clear run to Detroit, where we missed the bridge turning because of a blocked ramp and so experienced the tunnel, thanks to directions from a large black man who pulled up conveniently alongside at traffic lights and gave us directions. Equally genial was the female border guard, who chatted to us for a while and then waved us through. Dot and Barb were desperate for a coffee, so we stopped at a Tim Horton’s. Needless to say the Starbucks they were looking for was 50 yards further down the road. Still, I like TH. While I was in the restroom Dot tried to send my doughnut back, but she retrieved it when I told her it wasn’t a mistake. From there a long run on the 401 – everything looking so much more cared for than in desolate Ohio, but with the disadvantage of very few rest stop options. In the end one of our party got desperate a few miles before our turn-off, and we detoured to a MacDonalds on a side road, where we ruthlessly made use of their restroom without even holding the burger. From there it was only about 20 minutes to Chrissy’s house in Waterloo, where we had superb roast chicken with yorkshire pudding and great mashed potato! Chrissy on good form, and the children keen to see their grandparents – even keener to see their presents. Chatted to JD quite a bit, and we all got on really well. Very spacious and well located house. Glad we were able to stop. Back in car about 9pm for 90-minute drive back to Cedar Mills / Palgrave by back roads, this time intentionally. By the time we got there and unpacked I had pretty much had it and collapsed into bed. At one point during that short trip the temperature dropped to -1C, but it was back up to 3C by the time we arrived. When Roger turned the house water on there was a slight leak, but he fixed it by tightening a nut.

Wind chill factor

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osprey
One of a number of ospreys on the islands

Thursday afternoon: sunny but with a cold wind. Temperature 14C – checked with David, and it’s 6C in Bedfordshire, but with an even higher wind chill than here on Captiva! After a leisurely breakfast today we drove over to Sanibel to visit the high spots of the island, using the term “high” in a strictly non-geographical sense. Started by returning our videos (watched Girl in a Cafe last night, followed by A Perfect Murder on videotape – supplied by the house), then called at an art gallery on the way to Tarpon Bay, where the wind was whistling across. We’d taken a trip from there three years ago when it was hot, and even then it was chilly on the water, so we decided not to risk hypothermia. Instead I bought a pair of binoculars – good value at $20.

Back to Periwinkle Place, then on to Dixie Boulevard, which turns into a dirt road round by the bay. Beautiful spot, though no real way of getting at the beach. We parked illegally for a few minutes and found the skeleton of a snake, as well as some dead “no parking”signs. Also saw some ospreys flying quite close up: amazing birds. Amazing also to think how rare they are in the UK. On to the Sanibel Marina and then the Lighthouse. The pier was very cold indeed but just round the corner out of the wind it was pleasant, and there were people sitting on the beach. A couple of dolphins were having lots of fun right up to the beach, and I may have got a couple of decent pictures, or I may not. Dolphins are very quick. My first memory card ran out here. I have started using the other one, but have found that it still has pictures from Switzerland on it, so I’m a bit worried how many more I can take. May have to do some deleting.

After a tour down Gulf Road to the residential part of the island, and taking in the Sanctuary (ditto) we returned home. Barb and Roger are now flaked out on the sofa, and Dot is reading on the balcony upstairs.

Yesterday was overcast and even cooler than today. In the evening it could even be said to be very cold, and when we broached the beach for the sunset we had to wear anoraks and coats. Unheard-of here. We had started the day with breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe and driven on to Fort Myers, where we found one of the dullest malls in captivity. Even Barb and Dot were unimpressed, and I think I had the only book in the entire place,so I read some of it. We returned to the island and found another bookshop, which was excellent. I bought a couple. On to Periwinkle Way and a bit more shopping. Indulged in another black cherry ice cream in a waffle cone and managed to negotiate it successfully.

Back on Captiva I walked over to the dock while the girls went up to Starbucks. It was very cold there too, but there were some dolphins interacting with pelicans quite close in. Seemed at first that the pelicans were attacking the dolphins (which seems a bit foolhardy), but we decided they were just interested in the same fish. Later Roger and I fetched desserts from the Bubble Room for everyone except me. I had cheese, bread and crisps, which was much more fun. Oh yes it was.

27 February 2007

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Picture by our waitress at Tommy Bahama’s yesterday in Naples, where I outraged Barb by ordering a cheeseburger instead of something cultured. However, I did have a Cosmo martini, and Dot had a Coconut Cloud (speciality of the house, with their own rum); so that was all right. Using the phrase “all right” rather loosely.

Afterwards Barb and Dot went shopping, and Roger and I visited about six galleries. Some really excellent pictures, especially in the Galerie du Soleil, where they were showing pictures from Naples, Italy, in some kind of exchange deal. Stunning portraits.

Journey to and from Naples was afflicted by heavy traffic. On the way there, through Fort Myers Beach – a kind of sub-tropical Great Yarmouth – it was foggy, depriving us of what we were assured were splendid views. Naples itself was very refined, or upscale, as they say over here.

Today we had breakfast at the Lighthouse cafe again, then went to see the actual lighthouse, which is not much aesthetically, but nicely placed opposite an osprey’s nest. And round the corner is the pier where quite a large number of people were fishing. Surprisingly peaceful, despite the usual suspects – pelicans – putting in an appearance. Saw dolphins again.

On the way back we called at the video shop, and while we were inside, there was a thunderstorm. Back on Captiva it was dry. Dot and I went to the post office, then Starbuck’s, then bought one or two cards and other items at the Bubble Room emporium. Barb and Roger saw manatees at the dock, but by the time Dot and I arrived, they had mysteriously disappeared. The manatees, that is.

Meanwhile a new fridge was installed. We had a delicatessen supper on the deck, then played bridge, followed by a film – Calendar Girls.

23 February 2007

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This is Dot and Barb sitting on the dock of the bay during our orientation walk. Otis Redding, eat your heart out. (A Roger Murray picture)

Last night we stayed in and watched a couple of movies in the company of some gigantic desserts from the Bubble Room. The desserts didn’t stay around long – well, mine did, but then I was never much for dessert. We saw Woody Allen’s Scoop, and The Devil Wears Prada, both of which were good value.

Today we went to the Lighthouse for breakfast again and called in at a delcatessen called Andrea’s. Just looking, apparently. Back to the house for a webchat with Caddington and then a kayak ride out in the bay. Beautiful calm day, stunning views and manageable exertion. Dot and Barb have now gone down to the beach, but Roger and I decided to take advantage of the house. Cool.

I didn’t get the commission for the Norfolk poem, but they liked my stuff and might use some of it.