It's almost one am in Britain so the radio is getting ready to broadcast the shipping forecast. It's only 8pm here in Naples but thankfully the daughter is just about to drop off to sleep.
(Shipping forecast has started - i'm in 99F heat in Florida listening to the storms in Iceland)
We've been pretty much out of Internet access for the last two days in Myakka river state park. There was the odd bit of 3G so we could refresh twitter but not much beyond that.
On our first day we did very little. We were the only RV in a large campsite. The pitch was large and soon set up with deck-chairs and huge buckets of water. Harriet played with the water, I read my kindle, J took photographs and Pip stretched out under the RV.
The next day we drove through the park. We were lucky to see deer, turtles and many birds but not alligators. Harriet fell asleep so we drove out the park and toured Sarasota beach front followed by a quick shopping trip and lunch.
On return we went to the nature trail. J, as many of you will know, has a real phobia of spiders but has tried so hard to ensure he doesn't pass it on. Spiders are 'nice' he insists.
(The National Anthem's playing now)
However, even he couldn't hold it in when he saw these spiders. They were huge admittedly but at a safe distance.
The aerial walkway in the park is well worth the effort. You climb 70 feet up a wooden tower and get great views across the park (just think how many spiders there are!).
Today we travelled down I-75 to the Gulf visitor centre of the Everglades near Everglade City. Taking their advice we travelled to a picnic site that allegedly had the best views of alligators but alligators there were none. We stood in the heat straining our eyesight for any sign of the beasts but gave up and drove further down the unpaved road.
Our futile, sweltering search seemed laughable - there were many huge alligators sitting just by the water's edge.
Satisfied, we travelled to our stop for the night to try out its swimming pool and playground.
It's been an exhausting day I feel as though it's 1am. Thunderclouds have arrived and the sky has turned a threatening colour. It's good to be inside and I'm looking forward to bed; unlike someone in the RV who is fighting sleep with all her strength. J is out taking photographs and I'm off to refill my glass (beaker actually). Plus ca change I suppose.
(Shipping forecast has started - i'm in 99F heat in Florida listening to the storms in Iceland)
We've been pretty much out of Internet access for the last two days in Myakka river state park. There was the odd bit of 3G so we could refresh twitter but not much beyond that.
On our first day we did very little. We were the only RV in a large campsite. The pitch was large and soon set up with deck-chairs and huge buckets of water. Harriet played with the water, I read my kindle, J took photographs and Pip stretched out under the RV.
The next day we drove through the park. We were lucky to see deer, turtles and many birds but not alligators. Harriet fell asleep so we drove out the park and toured Sarasota beach front followed by a quick shopping trip and lunch.
On return we went to the nature trail. J, as many of you will know, has a real phobia of spiders but has tried so hard to ensure he doesn't pass it on. Spiders are 'nice' he insists.
(The National Anthem's playing now)
However, even he couldn't hold it in when he saw these spiders. They were huge admittedly but at a safe distance.
The aerial walkway in the park is well worth the effort. You climb 70 feet up a wooden tower and get great views across the park (just think how many spiders there are!).
Today we travelled down I-75 to the Gulf visitor centre of the Everglades near Everglade City. Taking their advice we travelled to a picnic site that allegedly had the best views of alligators but alligators there were none. We stood in the heat straining our eyesight for any sign of the beasts but gave up and drove further down the unpaved road.
Our futile, sweltering search seemed laughable - there were many huge alligators sitting just by the water's edge.
Satisfied, we travelled to our stop for the night to try out its swimming pool and playground.
It's been an exhausting day I feel as though it's 1am. Thunderclouds have arrived and the sky has turned a threatening colour. It's good to be inside and I'm looking forward to bed; unlike someone in the RV who is fighting sleep with all her strength. J is out taking photographs and I'm off to refill my glass (beaker actually). Plus ca change I suppose.
