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Sep 2010 |
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Back through
Florida to BVI |
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Our visit to UK
this year was very short as we had to be back to prepare Dreaming On for the
BVI Charter Boat Show, finish off Geoff's Captain's Licence and follow up on
work permits. Traveled back from London to Miami and
drove up to Fort Lauderdale. Stayed with David and Carolann again and
relieved them of a number of items we had ordered online using their home as
a delivery address. to be shipped back to St. Thomas,
As always, drank some fine wine, ate some great food!
David and Carolann organised a BBQ, so we had the opportunity to catch up
with other friends from Fort Lauderdale and meet some new.
Before flying out to BVI via Puerto Rico, we delivered a
number of boxes of "stuff" to Tropical Shipping in Miami for delivery to St.
Thomas. Excellent service and very reasonable. |
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Sep 2010 |
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DIY |
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And in between
family visits, the re-modelling of bathrooms in our flat in Nottingham
continues. This has been a 4 summer project. But, we are almost there. Geoff
will be happy to see the end of it... Next summer! |
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Sep 2010 |
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Simon and family |
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It is always great
fun to visit Geoff's oldest son Simon and family in Horsham, Sussex. Simon's
children, twins, Lucy and Daniel, (almost 12) are great characters, and
growing up into really mature young folk. It's just amazing to think they
will be teenagers next year. As Lucy & Daniel are
not with Simon all the time, we pick a weekend when they are around. Simon
lives with Debs whose son Ben, is 8. So when all three children are around
it can be extremely active,
Ben is a real ball of fire with a great sense of humour.
Doesn't give Lucy or Daniel time to rest!
Spent a weekend with them all. Thanks for the loan of your
bed again, Lucy.
Again, we hope Simon and family will be able to visit us
soon on Dreaming On. Simon visited us on our first boat, Dream On, in the
Bahamas in 2005, but we've come a long way since then! |
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Sep 2010 |
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Nick and family |
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Amy is 8
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Nick is Geoff's
second son. Such a great family! Nick has really landed on his feet here.
Yvonne is such a lovely lady and Amy and Holly are fantastic and always so
easy going when we turn up once a year to see them.
As they live in Scotland, we usually meet half way and either camp or stay
in Bead & Breakfast. This year we camped, while Nick and family used their
caravan.
We met up close to Hadrian's Wall, which once separated
what is now England from the marauding Scots!
Nick and Yvonne arrived a day ahead of us, so when we
arrived, they had already erected a tent for us. Nice large tent too. Last
year it was a borrowed tiny alpine tent for 2. Quite a squeeze!
It was cold up north but we did a lot of walking, made a
trip into a lead mine and found some good warm pub meals.
It turned out that the spot Nick had chosen was also the
place where Iza did her practical geological experience while at university,
(a few years ago!).
Now we have decided to stay in BVI for a couple of years,
we really hope to be able to have the family out to visit us on Dreaming On.
This was never practical when we were cruising around, not quite knowing
where we would be or when we would be there! |
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Holly is 5
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August 2010 |
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Sally and Colin |
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We first met Colin
and Sally and family Heidi, Renny, Minka and Zoey in 1994 in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia. Although Zoey wasn't actually very born but was close to it and
Sally was windsurfing! It is always an experience to
see them every summer and they live in such a fantastic location at the main
farm in Clumber Park, a National Trust location. Their cottage is definitely
built for short folks and Iza and I have to remember to duck at the right
times.
We are always fed so superbly when we visit and it is
great fun to see their family comings and goings. Everyone is very active
and now with boyfriends and girlfriends joining in, it's an enjoyable
whirlwind.
Managed to see them a few times during our short UK trip
this year and although Colin has made one working trip to the boat, we
really look forward to having the whole family visit sometime. That would be
a lot of fun. |
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August 2010 |
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Carol and meeting
up with Adam |
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From Fort
Lauderdale, we drove back to Miami, and flew on BA to London.
Rented a car, and drove down the Geoff sister Carol's great
cottage down in Somerset. Called Adam when we arrived at Heathrow Airport,
he's heading to Devon to surf. Said he would call us when he was underway.
As we were travelling down the A303, we were passed by a
car we thought must be Adam. Called him and asked if he could see a little
red car in his mirror! So, stopped at the services and caught up with him.
Persuaded him to stay overnight at Carol and Bob's as they hadn't seen him
for a while and to spend some time with him before he went to Afghanistan in
September.
Carol and Bob are always very hospitable and fun to visit.
They live in a village of 3 houses, a school and a pub with rolling hills
all around. One horse, 3 dogs, a number of sheep, a few ducks and chickens
make up the rest of the family. |
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August 2010 |
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Fort Lauderdale |
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We left Dreaming On
at Nanny Cay Marina in the care of Antilles Yachts for our brief trip to UK.
The hurricane season was already active, so we were somewhat concerned at
leaving her so close to the hurricane box. But with all the preparations for
chartering there really wasn't the time to take her to the alternatives,
Puerto Rico or Grenada. So we left BVI by ferry to
St. Thomas, (50 minutes), then flew via San Juan to Miami, rented a car
there and drove up to Fort Lauderdale to see David and Carolann for a couple
of days.
Drank some wine, enjoyed some good food, met other friends
and did a lot of pre-charter shopping for Dreaming On. |
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