Sixty One Days

It may be a little earlier than previous years but it's now 14 months since we last wriggled our toes in Floridian sand and I'm really, really ready for a proper holiday, not one of those weeks off at home spent cleaning and pottering around that I've had recently.

A holiday that includes several, nay dozens of trips to my favourite supermarket. Yes, I know you Americans have your own thoughts but we just don't have places like this over here - well not near us anyway. I mean you can buy almost everything in there. I love our first trip, usually at 3am the first morning 'cos you can't sleep and what better to do than go and buy your sunscreen, water, fruit, sandals, bulk supply of paracetamol (hell you can buy them by the bucket in there, none of this silly 2 packs of 16 only thing!) and spare set of tyres or gutting knife if you need one and leave with the beaming smile of a happy to serve checkout girl. (cough)


I'm already planning at least one trip to the Fossil Outlet shop for a handbag or two. I have one I bought a couple of years ago for £65 and saw a very similar one in the Fossil shop in the Metro Centre for £250!!! and you all know you can never have too many handbags!



Once we experienced the luxury of Lowes at Universal, no visit would be the same without a few nights at one of the three hotels, preferrably The Hard Rock Hotel. I just love the music and rock memorabilia. Also the fact that your room key serves as a fast track for the rides at Universal Studios makes it well worth the money. Oh and the pool isn't deep so no risk of Alexander drowning when he jumps in the deep end.

Last year we ate at a Logans Roadhouse. For some reason we had never been in there before, preferring Black Angus or Outback for our steaks. What a treat! The food was delicious although beware the peanuts, they easily spoil an English appetite. I did however have a bit of an OCD issue with the disposal of peanut shells. It went against the grain to just 'chuck' them on the floor.

Ahhhh, mmmmm.....Ghiardelli's hot chocolate fudge sundae, imagine a warm sunny evening on the verandah overlooking the lake at Disney Marketplace. Wrought iron tables with parasols, children chasing bubbles and "It's a Small World" playing in the distance. Heavenly!

This one is to retain my sanity. The Vans Skate Park in Festival Bay Mall. We can hopefully leave the boys there for an hour or two while we go shopping or have a meal alone. Jordan is old enough to supervise Alexander and they have to wear helmet and pads. They have both already decided they want to go every day, and although it's very tempting, I feel that's a little excessive. (or maybe not)

There are lots of other things on our itinerary but as usual we will just see what we feel like when we awake every day. This will be our 17th trip so rushing out to theme parks isn't a priority anymore. Off to count how many sleeps, haircuts and bin days there are until we go....!