It would appear as though my life is a lesson in leisure, a pastime of partying, an exercise in ease and entertainment. Believe me, this is not so. Never did hours pass so fast. Never did time slip so rapidly from my cupped but leaking hands. Never did I find myself more amazed, at how the days have disappeared. Full they are, yes. Full to overflowing for the most part. So much so, that to find a few minutes in the evening to record the days journey has seemed, this past week, to have been impossible.  Today is different. Today is a day to stop, to take stock, to review.

We arrived in Savannah on Tuesday evening. It was quite late and most restaurants were closed. We did however find a Bar/Restaurant called …… Wait for it ….. Churchill’s!  Guess what style of place that was. Yes, an English bar with good food, very friendly staff and excellent ale. What more could you ask for?

The next day we toured the city. It’s a very charming place. Beautifully laid out in parks and squares. Very laid back atmosphere. There is an interesting maritime museum, with scale models of many ships and artefacts and histories of the seafaring of the area. There is a wonderful waterfront with shops, bars, tourist offices. There is a shop that sells nothing but peanuts. Peanuts!  Every type of peanut you could imagine, (actually a lot more than I could imagine). With every kind of covering, seasoning, dressing conceivable. Peanuts. The squares are all named after some historical or important person or event. One features a statue to Johnny Mercer. Johnny Mercer?  Don’t know him?  Ah but you do. Song writer. Moon River. One for my Baby. That old Black Magic. Yep.  That’s him. He’s a Savannah boy.

Back on the road and we arrive in St Augustine that night. Again, we arrive late and search high and low for an eatery, (you’d think we’d have learned by now). We find this bar that looks a bit dodgy but, beggars can’t be choosers. The outside bar is a bit crowded so we look inside. Empty. Yes and for good reason. There is a DJ there playing music so loud that the doors rattle and you can’t even hear the football on the eleven TV screens. Outside will have to do.  We squeeze onto two stools at the bar and order some food and drinks. Fist class. I have to say, it was first class. Then I decide to take a walk to the room that says “Gentlemen”. Actually, I think it just said “Men”, and with good reason.  The space inside is not generous and most of it is taken up by two very large, hairy, leathery, rough-looking bikers. Trying to appear small and invisible, I sneak past and take up my position.  I don’t want to overhear their conversation, but what can I do? “I can’t help but worry about my daughter. She’s only thirteen and that young guy has been calling around regular”. Ah!  The joys of parenthood. Even bikers get the blues.

We spend next day in St Augustine. Great place!  I think I could easily return and spend a week here. This is the first place where Europeans landed on the North American continent. It’s full of history, not only from that time, at the beginning of the 16th century, but also of the native settlements and culture going back 15,000 years. Plus, we did the old jail and the old general store and the train ride, (you just have to), and finally, we visited, and drank from, the Fountain of Youth. So now I look twenty years old again and will live forever. Roll up, roll up!

That night we go to Orlando. Well actually, nearby to Orlando, to stay with friends. They take us to Disney World on Friday. What a treat that was. I met some Muppets, rode the Star Wars Intergalactic spaceship, (at Lightspeed. Honest!). I got turned upside down and inside out on the Rock and Roller coaster. And starred in the latest Indiana Jones movie. Yep, I got picked out of the audience, (in their never ending search for emerging new talent), and was up there with Indie as he battled the baddies for the supremacy of good. The evening finished with the display of Christmas lighting on the street scenes, which was really impressive.

Saturday we arrived in Stuart, Florida. This is our time-out haven for the next five days or so. Just to sit, catch up, do laundry, and get up to date. We’ll do some swimming, walking, play some golf. The theme in the shops and neighbourhoods seems to be Winter Wonderland. It’s hard to take that seriously in 22 to 25 degrees. I’m not complaining. I just don’t want you to think that my life is all leisure, partying and entertainment.