Match Day

I was really looking forward to Saturday.

Started early - alarm set for 6.30 snow could get up and out to Frankie Farrells to watch the Newcastle United v Arsenal match (that we would have been watching at St. James' Park had we not been in Florida).  Surprisingly the pub was really quiet - we were the only supporters there. We ordered breakfast and settled down at a table with a good view of one of the TV's in there.   

Now Frankie's is a big place, with lots of tables all over the place, so when a family of americans with small noisy twin boys came in the door, we really didn't expect them to sit opposite us just within eyesight of the screen in our peripheral vision. However, we did our best to concentrate on the game and even though we lost we came out into the hot sunshine with positive vibes.

The plan was to spend the afternoon packing, so I suggested hubby took the boys off somewhere with a football while I had the room to myself to try and fit all our belongings into the luggage. It always amazes me how much we buy, and even the 'room maid' (I always feel uncomfortable calling them that) seemed to be astonished as she did the beds and bathroom while stepping around piles of mugs and trainers and other collected things.

A couple of hours later, with three of the four cases packed, weighed and locked up, we went off to Disney Spring for late lunch at T-Rex Diner. Not my favourite place. It's so noisy, kids all over, dinosaurs and meteor showers making noise every few minutes, it's like a mad house. I don't expect staff stay long there, it would drive me do-lally. This was the finale dessert..the Chocolate Extinction. After the initial scrum, it only took 5 mins to clear the plate.

On the way back to the car we crossed a little bridge and a waft of fish drew our attention to a couple of otters in the little stream. I wasn't sure they were even real at first but then saw the fish they were eating and realised even Disney probably wouldn't have gone to that extent. Not a great photo but you can see them by the rocks.

Then it was off to Orlando to watch the Orlando City v Chicago soccer (football) match.  I was looking forward to it as I had never been to a match here before and as a fan of American 'Football' (not proper football) knew it would probably be a bit different to our matches in the UK. As usual this  year, anything we wanted to do in the afternoon/evening seemed to involve a storm and rain. The days we had nothing to do it was fine.

As we set off towards Orlando this was the sky... Orlando is right underneath that storm cloud.

When we arrived it was torrential rain. the car park we had paid $20 for so that the car was in a secure place, turned out to be a field right outside the ground. Local residents were out in force trying to goad people into their 'yards' at a cost of $10-$20. It was all very confusing and not being able to see clearly because of the rain didn't help. The neighbourhood was well dodgey and you really wouldn't have wanted to be there for any other reason.

Eventually we parked up in a boggy field, new trainers ruined as soon as we stepped out of the car. Luckily the ground was just across a road and so we didn't get that wet as the rain had eased off. This is the ground - The Citrus Bowl.

We got inside and found our way to the stand where we had tickets. The Supporters Section. This was where 'The Wall' stands. These are hard core supporters. probably the ones who arrive early in the day and have a tail-gate party, getting drunk and in the party spirit.  By the time they are in the ground, they are in a state that would have them banned from any English football ground. But as we noticed in the concourse they had cold beer stands all over the place, encouraging rather than discouraging those intent on getting drunk.

This photo was taken when we first got inside the ground, light rain and most people were still milling about poetised or on their way in. Minutes later the rain came down in torrents again and they stayed out there singing and waving until the announcement to vacate seats due to lightening me over the tannoy.

The rule in Florida for outdoor events is that if there is a listening within 10 miles, then the event is postponed for 30 minutes after the last strike. So the party continued in the concourse. Then we all went out as the teams came out to warm up, most standing in the torrential rain, but even with a poncho on (like me) you still got wet. The stands started to fill up and then back came the lightening and we all had to go back under cover again. This happened again and after 90 minutes of this and no communication from the club regarding postponement or otherwise, we decided to call it a night and go back to the hotel.

It turned out to be a good decision as when we got back to the car, there were several other cars stuck in the mud as did we at one point so Jordan and I jumped out barefoot and pushed the car until it was clear and could get out the field.  While pushing, my phone that was in my pocket but Id forgotten about fell into the mud, in the dark. Fortunately a guy who came over to help us saw me drop it and picked it up. That really would have been the worst night ever.

Jordan kept an eye on the match as we drove through the storm to the hotel, they kicked off at 9.35, and came off again 18m minutes later. This went on (and off) until 12.10 when the match ended 1-1. God only knows what state the supporters were in by then, or maybe they'd have run out of beer. Either way, we were showered, warm and in our beds by then and not stuck in a field surrounded by lary drunken supporters in a proper dodgey part of Orlando in a rainstorm.

Three Days Left

Here I am in what I call the 'ready for home' stage of my hols. That's why 18 nights is a good length of holiday because you get a full fortnight and then you move into the 'RFH' bit when you start to think about packing and doing a final wash in the guest laundry.

I'm looking forward to seeing my girls again, I think they have been missing us a little although they have been in good hands and at home rather than kennels but I expect Kizzy will do cartwheels and the 'Wall of Death' around the room when she sees us. Kesha will probably wag her tail and wait until the fuss dies down with 'the young 'un' before coming over to have her cuddle. Then both will crash out and go to sleep knowing that the house is back to normal again.

So the itinerary for the next three days is as follows;

Today (Friday) - Disney Magic Kingdom to do the stuff we didn't get to do because of the storm the other day followed by a second visit to The Boathouse at the newly named 'Disney Springs' - formerly known as Disney Marketplace/Downtown Disney.

Tomorrow (Saturday) - Early wake up (7am) to get to the pub to watch the Newcastle United v Arsenal match. Luckily they do a cracking breakfast there and hopefully Newcastle will put in a good performance again. Then its a late lunch at The Rainforest Cafe followed by a trip to Downtown Orlando to watch Orlando City Soccer team play. They aren't doing very well at the moment so will be like watching Newcastle last season I expect.

Sunday - well, who knows what Sunday will bring. At the moment Hurricane Erica is making steady progress towards us and wether she hits land or not there will be some bad weather around, and bad weather in Florida means flight delays. For us a fight delay from Orlando means it's unlikely we will get our connecting flight from JFK to Heathrow. We have just 40 minutes to get off across the terminal and onto the Heathrow plane.

Erika on Thursday

Not bad planning on our behalf, the airline changed the fight schedule a few weeks ago and when we tried to change to an earlier flight to avoid this, we were told not to worry, it would be fine and anyway they weren't able to change our booking.  According to some comments on forums, they don't put you up in hotels if the missed connection is due to weather problems.  So there are three worse case scenarios.

1.  We don't even leave Florida - if there is a hurricane we might be told to stay where we are at the hotel.

2.  We get to the airport but the flight it delayed and when we get to JFK we are at the mercy of American Airlines to get us back to the UK and then from Heathrow to Newcastle.

3.  We get to JFK, and suffer severe stress and anxiety having hurtled at warp speed from one flight to another and sit traumatised for several hours in our seats.

In the event of any of the above, I intend to make sure one of the hand luggage contains a spare set of underwear, a clean top and basic toiletries required for an overnight stay - be that in a hotel or bank of seats in an airport lounge.

Fingers and toes crossed here...

Floridays15 - Do We have Enough Space?

It's now day 14 and with just 4 days left, I'm getting a little preoccupied by the packing process. We came with 3 empty suitcases. One smaller one is already packed and locked with goodies from the first week. This leaves two huge ones and another smaller one to fill.

We have worn and washed most of the clothes we bought but can't pack them until the last day as I need to use them to pack around the breakables...like the 9 Starbucks mugs, the 4 bottles of gin, the shot glasses and one of the two very expensive handbags.

The boys haven't yet got to understanding that footballs take up a lot of space and there is a good chance that most of the balls they have bought/won will be left behind 'accidentally', along with the Free Universal Refil Mugs - of which we already have a cupboard full at home. Thankfully there are no stuffed Minions or Giant Mickey Mouse's to cram in these days.

This is my idea of a properly packed suitcase.

Then there's the balancing the weight thing. The big cases can get too heavy unless packed with lighter things. This packing lark isn't easy you know. You have to have many years experience and lots of common sense to do it properly so that clothes don't end up crumpled on the way there, and on the way back the fragile items are protected enough to prevent having leaks and bags of broken glass when you get home.

That's why it's my job, and mine alone. Woe betide anyone who interferes - and that includes 'helping' me pack and especially 'putting things in for me'. The best way to help me is to bugger off out the room for an hour wearing the bare minimum - i.e. swimming trunks and flip flops, to enable me to have full reign of the room, drawers, wardrobe and luggage.

Of course there are little things that one must do to minimise the risk of the dreaded customs search. Having bought, worn and washed the clothing, removed tags and 'lost' receipts, it would be a very 'officious' customs officer who gave us a problem with that. I will of course be using my most expensive handbag as hand luggage...and since I only brought one with me, the other two could easily be classed as a normal female requirement. Alcohol is legal, we don't smoke so we have no tobacco so I feel comfortable and justified going through the Noting to Declare channel.

They may think I'm setting up business as a Starbucks come Adidas trainer store though!

Floridays15 - Out with the Old

Soon to be demolished archway

Yesterday while at Disney's Hollywood Studios we overheard a conversation between a member of the animation team and a guest about the closure of the Animation Academy and other animation departments to make way for a whole new area with roller coaster and restaurant.  This saddened me as I always enjoyed watching the animators draw and tell us about their job in the Disney studios. I would have a slight pang of regret that I didn't follow my planned pathway after leaving school of going to art college.

Animator at work 

I would even go in and take the animation class, a 30 minute session on how to draw Goofy or Stitch. No exactly art college but I would come out clutching my carefully rolled up sketch just the same as the five and ten year olds.

Animation classroom

Sad because to me the whole Disney 'thing' is about the drawing and design of the films and attractions. I look at how a particular ride or show has been designed and built, the attention to detail, the little things that could so easily have been left out, but weren't. It's the same in Universal Studios. If I were leaving school now and had visited these places I would want to be a set designer for Disney or Universal.

Dragon Alley'set' at Universal Studios

Apparently in 5 years time, the artists will be back in a new form, Pixar are taking over the animation area and with it I expect a more modern take on film making. Reminds me of my old job while in the Navy, I worked for a couple of years in Training Resources. Hand drawing and producing training and visual aids. Using scalpels, technical drawing pens and Letraset on a large tilted drawing board. I loved it. Not long after I left they began to use computer design, eventually closing the branch as trainers could easily produce their own resources on their desktop PC and printer.

I love technology, but there's nothing as satisfying or as personal as seeing your artwork develop from idea to completion with pen or brush on paper or canvas.

                                

Floridays15 - The 'whateva' Face

Walking around Universal Studios and Disney you see it everywhere. Usually accompanied by a finger pointing parent using a tone of voice used mostly when owner of the 'face' aged approximately10-18 has overstepped their 'line'.

Yesterday I witnessed a mother waggling an exasperated index finger at three teenagers lined up against a wall just outside The Animal Kingdom. 

"Your father and I have worked hard to bring you ungrateful, spoilt children to Disney and what do we get in return? Well? ....."

...sulky silence accompanied by 'the face' and matching body language.

"Attitude, that's what!...and you know what else? I'm sick of looking at your three miserable faces right now and we haven't even got through the entrance!".....

Of course there are multitudes of versions of the above and lectures that follow. We have already had three episodes of our own. Due to it being 'boring', 'hot', or us not giving him more dollars to spend on something else on his "Da-aaaad.....can I have...." list.

I've seen all nationalities having these 'conversations' - mostly US/UK to be honest, and US mothers are the loudest - using the 'I don't care how many people hear me talk about your attitude' kind of level.

We usually end up going out knowing that at some point 'the face' will appear and deal with it when it does, sometimes involving a good talking to, or depending on the location bribery. Anything to diffuse a temper or risk of having to leave the park/restaurant having paid a lot of money to be there in the first place and always involves us having to compromise...because teenagers don't ever see why they should have to.  

The one good thing about seeing them, is that you realise that you are not the only parents who have to deal with kids wearing 'Whateva Faces'. Its actually very reassuring and you find yourself casting a sympathetic glance as you uncomfortably walk past avoiding eye contact.

Happy Holidays..

Floridays15 - Grumbles

When my alarm went off at 6.30am this morning, for a brief moment I thought it was a work day. Until I remembered;

a.  I don't have a job at the moment

b.  I was on holiday in Florida

c.  It was Saturday.

Oh yes, it's match day! Even on holiday, football comes first whenever possible. In fact not just football. In years gone by we have changed plans to be in the the room or local bar to watch England play rugby, cricket and the Olympics.  Today it was Newcastle versus Manchester United at Old Trafford. Luckily we are only missing one home match while away, but as it's Arsenal we will certainly be having another early Irish breakfast at Frankie Farrell's next Saturday.

Frankie Farrells - Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlets, Orlando

Surprisingly the day started well, a load of new players playing well against Man Utd gave us hope for the rest of the season, probably more so than the lone Man U supporter on the next table who kept flinging his arms up in despair as they missed chances and gave away the ball. Never mind, they can try again when they come to visit us at St. James' Park later in the season.

Jordan kitted up for the match.

Sunny and hot again, we had decided to change plans to go to Epcot and go to Blizzard Beach Water Park instead. There have been thunder storms every afternoon for the past few days so going there early meant that we should be able to have a few hours of sunshine and not have to come out of the park when the weather changed. 

We arrived just after 10am and by the time we got changed into swimwear not a single free sun lounger was in sight. Oh there were little low chairs a plenty.. piled up on the sand. But every sun lounger had a  towel or something to ' baggsie' it for someone who was not lying on it but would probably spend most of the day in the water or on slides or in queues for slides.  That REALLY irritates me, especially when most of them will be children who would never actually lie on a sun lounger unless they were ill or grounded. 

If it were me, with my two boys, I would 'baggsie' two loungers and two chairs...knowing the chairs would be used mostly for T Shirts and flip flops and not children's backsides... because we all know that children never sit still or sunbathe and always play in the water until their skin shrivels up or they are kicked out of the water because of a storm.

Towels reclining comfortably in the sun... 

Anyway, because of all the inconsiderate folk at Blizzard beach,  I had to spend most of the time there, sat in the sun on a chair with my legs stretched over another chair while 90% of the sun loungers around me were being used by towels.  I had volunteered to be 'bag keeper' as I am not fond of water slides, but happy to have a bit of a paddle or drape myself over an inflatable doughnut and bob about on the lazy river. Even that bores me rigid by the time I get halfway round.

Today was hot. Damn hot..sweat dripping from every pore hot. Even sitting in the shade it was hot. Going for a swim gave some respite but since all the sun loungers were in the shade to stop the towels getting sunburnt, I was forced to grumble and sweat while 'keeping the bag' so the boys could go and do 'boys' stuff.

And then there were the wasps... grabbing a bite to eat on the way out, still dripping with sweat, even after getting dried and changed we sat in a shaded area wafting away wasps. Funnily enough, earlier in the day I had read a tweet on Twitter about wasps... the post read "Wasps are made entirely from bastard". (@mrdaveturner). This is so true. They are bastards....just there to annoy you and nothing else. Just like the bastards who put towels on sun loungers they never use...

behind that smirk is an evil wasp.

It was nothing short of heaven then to get into the air-conditioned car, and cool down en-route to Walmart to stock up on water supplies and a few other items we needed. As predicted there was a heavy downpour over the Kissimmee area but was dry as a bone by the time we got back to the hotel. 

Tonight we had arranged for the boys to eat at the Mara market in the hotel - pizza and burgers, while we went to Jiko, the superb african restaurant. We have eaten there several times before and have had fabulous meals. Tonight was no exception. Filet Minion cooked to perfection with red wine jus and spoon bread with jumbo asparagus for me plus a glass of $20 red wine that almost caused hubby to fall off his chair...well it was the one recommended on the menu to go with my $50 steak.....

Filet minion with spoon bread and asparagus

Hubby just had a Bud Lite with his Short Rib Steak - said he couldn't afford expensive wine with his. 

Short rib steak with roasted veg and some hot sauce stuff

Dessert came with the Dining Plan meal, so of course we had to have one. I had Ghainian chocolate with coffee and almond cream...heavenly delicious. Hubby had Passion Fruit Melk Tert which was also heavenly - I know because I always try his too.

Plates of heavenly things

Just to clarify that we aren't stupidly rich and eat $50 steak on a regular basis. One of the main reasons we love to stay in Luxury Disney Resorts is that if you wait long enough before booking you might get an offer of a stay with free dining plan. This means you get one snack (drink, fruit, cake, coffee etc) one counter service meal (drink, burger n fries/salad/pizza and dessert) and one table service meal (a two course restaurant meal with soft drink) every day for each person in the party. Believe me that is a LOT of food and we always struggle to use it all up. A meal like we had tonight costs us two table service meals instead of the usual one. So because the boys just ate their counter service meal tonight in the hotel, we used their table service meals with ours. (4 meals). Worth it when the boys are picky and unlikely to eat or enjoy something like we had tonight.

So despite sun loungers and wasps -  and the fact that the wires from my bra started poking out after getting changed at the water park,  the start and end of the day was great, it was the irritating bits in the middle that spoilt it just a bit.

Floridays15 - Lots of A's

We are gradually waking later and later, 7.30am today which is good for us all as we need to charge our batteries while away and catch up with the late nights and stressful days prior to the holiday.  The only problem with that is that I don't get to have the 'quiet' hour' that I enjoy to read and do some blogging without being pestered by folk asking where things are...for God's sake its only a hotel room, not a mansion...things can only be in one of two or three places, why can't they just look for themselves?

So blogging is being done sporadically when I have my iPad with me or once I'm back in the room/by the pool....oh the hardship! I must remember to pop it in my bag every morning when going out.

Anyway, today was 'A' Day. Animal Kingdom...as always, hottest place on earth.  Although it's paths are covered with lots of tress and foliage, it always seems to be scorching and you leave dragging your feet leaving a trail of sweat in your wake. However, it was number two on the Starbucks Disney Mug collector's trail having collected the Hollywood Studios one yesterday.

and this one too for good measure... 

While in The Animal Kingdom we went out on the Kilimanjaro Safari Trek. I didn't take any photos this time as I have dozens of the same Giraffes, Elephants, Warthog photos from years gone by, and to be honest, they haven't changed much, maybe shifted position a fraction but not enough to warrant another shot.  

However, something the guide said this time had me thinking...

The Antelopes were lying down in a circle today, all facing different directions. This was so that all angles were covered should any predators happen to wander past.

All well and good if you were out in the African Savannah with a pretty high probability of getting eaten by a lion or something equally as hungry. But this is Disney and I'm not a betting man but I'd go as far as saying that Disney aren't going to let any of their animals get chased around the enclosure and ripped apart by one of the handful of lions - which happen to be in a secure, disguised, fenced off bit of Africa some distance away. That would really would really put the cat amongst the pigeons...or Antelopes in this case.

 So why do they still do that? You'd have thought that by now they would have realised that after several years of sitting around with their backs to each other and nothing happening that one of them might turn around and suggest a more social way of soaking up the sun. Or maybe they just don't like chatting?

Four hours in Africa and we had to drive to the Florida Mall for an appointment at the Apple store to get Jordan's cracked iPhone screen fixed. Its been like that for months but says being on holiday justifies him sending some of his holiday money on it...

While waiting around, using one of the display iPad charging leads to ramp up the charge in my own phone, there was suddenly an announcement made by a member of staff on a step ladder..yeah I know, all a bit weird. Were they giving away free Apple Watches? Phones?... no, they were saying good-bye to a member of staff finishing their last shift.  Another member of staff said a few words of endearment, read carefully from the notes page on her iPhone of course before starting a lengthy clapping session as the girl leaving hugged each and every one of the employees as she made her way to the main door...much to he bemusement of customers coming into the store unaware of what was going on. Thankfully she got there in the end, to be met by her family and then a presentation of what looked like a big whiteboard with lots of messages written on it. She waved goodbye with tears and tissues and let the staff get back to serving customers with "WTF?" written all over their faces.

All very nice and that but reminded me of leaving my last job...a brief e-mail from my line manager telling me that a courier would be collecting my IT equipment the following Monday between 9-12. Do they do that in all Apple Stores?

The Impressive World of Harry Potter

For a few years now we have enjoyed walking around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal's Islands of Adventure. We were there not long after it first opened and did the Olivander's Wand thing - (LDude still has two wands at home), the Dragon Challenge (we still call it Duelling Dragons) and the ride through the castle. We drank Butterbeer and Gully Water, even ate 'English' Shepherds Pie and Fish n Chips....bloody awful but we tried it. The whole experience was fantastic, snow covered houses in Hogsmeade and lots of wizards wandering around.

Everything is just how it is in the book, and you really do feel like you are in Harry's world. Last time we saw the beginning of the construction work in the Universal Studios park where 'Kings Cross Station' would be. They took away old favourites like Jaws and Disaster to do so, but I have to admit, what they put in their place is something pretty spectacular. 

 

The best way to do this in my opinion is to start in Islands of Adventure, have a look around Hogsmeade, and the shops there, visit Hogwarts, and take photos etc. Then go to the station to get the train. 

 

You need to show your Two Park Pass to get through and be ready with the camera for the train pulling into the station as you wait at the front and as you get on and shown into your compartment, take a quick photo of it as you don't have much time. Then enjoy the ride. There's something very pleasing about the journey that only us Brits will appreciate... We shared a compartment with a family of Brits who said the same.

When you get to the other side (Universal Studios) you come out of Kings Cross station into Universal and what is a typical 'English' street scene. Even a fake record shop! A few yards along, opposite the Night Bus, is a completely missable entrance - looks like you're going into the restrooms. That's Diagonal Alley! 

 

There was a heavy thunderstorm while we were there which made it even busier so was difficult to get good photos. We will be going back early one day so will post more later. Here are just a few to give you an idea of what it's like.

Our 'couple of hours' in the park yesterday ended up as five... It's was hot and humid and we opted for the boat ride back to the hotel. Alexander wanted to go in the pool, so he and I found a nice shady sunbed for me while he went off for a swim. Piña Colada ordered from the bar...in souvenir glass...because I forgot to say I didn't want it due to having two others at home already. I lay down and relaxed. Hubby and Jordan stayed in the room recovering.

An hour or so later the afternoon clouds come creeping in with the tell tale breeze that prewarns you of a storm. So we head off out to the boy's old favourite Chuckee Cheese. Now there's mixed feelings from others about this place but ever since they were small they have both enjoyed going here, and the pepperoni pizza is really good. OK so the place is usually a hive of hyperactive children, running around clutching fistfuls of tickets won from playing the games machines. You spend £10 on tokens and come home with a few plastic frogs, tootsie rolls and a hyperactive child. It's not a place to go with a headache! 

 

The plan was for the boys to have pizza there and then we would go out to eat after dropping them back at the hotel so we could calm down with a couple of drinks and try somewhere new in City Walk, the area between the two Universal parks. 

 

 

 

Floridays15 - Sir, It's a Process..

My regular readers will by now be wondering why no mention of handbags and Fossil shops etc. don't worry though because today's post is one for the girls, unless you're a man who holds the 'soon to be discarded' handbag while your beloved wanders around endless handbag shops looking for 'the one'.  Some men are excellent at this, well trained and even calculate the cost in pounds for you as you pick them up. Offer sometimes helpful suggestions, though sometimes you wonder if they even look at the bag you use forcing you to give them that "are you serious" look. My man is very good at handbag shopping. I wouldn't go without him.  Anyway, I have actually bought a Fossil bag already, well discounted but is packed in a suitcase in the car so I don't have a photo of it. However, as sometimes happens, the outlet didn't have a lot that attracted my attention this year. Lots of bright 'on trend' bags but I'm not spending money on a fluorescent pink bag where I'd rather die than use next year.  So, having texted my US handbag expert in California (Thanks Shirley), I went elsewhere.  Elsewhere being Kate Spade of New York.

Yes I like handbags, I like practical handbags, not fashion ones that only go with certain outfits, but I'm not one to buy a certain brand because everyone else has one. I've seen the women and girls with their Michael Kors Draped over their arm, 'in that way', the MK badge in full view. I laugh because I could have been using MK bags for years and been in the forefront of British fashion if I'd known.   Anyway, there was something about the name and logo of Kate Spade. It was neat and had the 'Jo Malone' feel to it. Of course you all know I'm a huge Jo Malone fan too. So it made sense to use the opportunity of a cool interior and have a browse. As I entered I was greeted by Maxine, a sales assistant, who welcomed me and offered to help if I needed it. (5 Customer Service points gained there)..... .....30 minutes later and I'm standing in the store with three large black handbags on my arm. Indecision written all over my face. Hubby telling me to get whichever one I liked. That's the problem. I didn't know which one I liked most. I liked them all. The Libra panic set in and I couldn't decide. Libran's are rubbish at choosing. Even poor Maxine, who had been very helpful at various times couldn't sway me one way or another, so I did what I usually do and left without one. Even though there was an extra 20% discount for two days. I did detect a slight shift in hubby's demeanour at that point. Extra discount on an expensive handbag meant a lot. I went away and did some research, who was Kate Spade? I'd not heard of her before. I came across an article in the press to confirm that she was up there with the MK's, Coaches, and other designers of that ranking. Not with Louis Vuitton or Chanel but at a nice comfortable designer level. Good enough for me. Strangely, the following day I was asked if I wanted to go back to the outlets where Kate Spade was, having spent so much time in her shop the previous day, we hadn't seen all the other shops. Passing Kate Spade, hubby casually asked me if I wanted to go back in for another look - he knows me so well. Unfortunately he had left his 20% extra discount card in the car, but saw the girl in the store had some in her hand as we entered.  This time I knew exactly what I wanted, more or less. Medium, black, big enough for iPad. Maxine came over again, a vague recollection of a familiar face. I told her I'd been too overwhelmed to make a decision the previous day but knew what I wanted now. She looked at hubby's exasperated expression as we chatted about the leather and what I would use it for...."Sir, it's a process we have to go through, it's not a simple decision when buying a handbag". She said seriously. (More Customer Service points). Finally I did it. I chose the one I'd probably wanted all along. On the way over to the cashier hubby suggested a matching purse. See that's why I would never go handbag shopping without him....   And here it is, the 'one' handbag to rule them all....

     

Floridays15 - Second Leg

Cloudy skies greeted us this morning as we packed up the car to drive back down the I-4 towards Orlando and the craziness of theme parks. This is our 19th trip to Florida and we still visit every park at least once. This time we have booked 5 nights at the Universal Royal Pacific Resort Hotel as we prefer it to The Hard Rock which tends to get a lot of 'pretty people' staying over the weekend, taking over the poolside and behaving as though they have sole rights to everything.  The journey south was uneventful this year, no presidential cavalcade nor being pulled over by a Sherriff. Just a bog standard two hour drive down the highway with one fuel/wee stop. As we approached the Universal area we could see the top of the Rip Rockin' Rollercoaster and The Hulk. In years gone by, the boys would have been squeaking with excitement, not now, just a nod of acknowledgment as if they were old friends they hadn't seen for a while. That's how we feel once back here. It's all very familiar and comfortable. Is that a sign of old age? We pulled into the hotel, parked up, checked in and knew exactly which corner of the lobby the elevator to tower 2 was. The room was the same as every other room we have stayed in here and although the view was different - the best one we have had actually, it was almost like being home. I still had the OCD strop I get when they all dump bags everywhere and mess up the beds. I hate clutter and mess. They know this but still do it. I have to unpack, hang things up and have it all sorted before I go anywhere. Then I can relax and go out to do what ever it is. Today the whatever was a walk into Universal Studios. It was hot and humid, so we did a lizard count as we walked along the path towards the parks to take our minds off it.  Much to the embarrassment of my family, once again, for the fourth year, I caused a backlog at the entrance because the machine couldn't take my fingerprint. Happens every year, every time I try to get into the park. Jordan is convinced I scour my fingers before leaving home. The three of them cower and cringe, leaving me to try and explain 'it always happens to me' to the bewildered employee. Eventually they just let me in, probably because I don't look too dodgey or sneaky.

We spent a couple of hours on a few of the rides, checking out the new Harry Potter part which links the two parks by train and the two boys ate in Simpsons Springfield - Duff beer is a bit 'Duff' to be honest. We left them in the park and went off to eat at Bubba Gumps, for some reason the boys didn't want to come with us, so it was rather nice for the two of us to have some time together. 

While waiting to get our table we watched a few minutes of the film Forrest Gump - it's years since I last saw it and said to hubby we should watch it again sometime. Little did we know we would soon be tested on our Gump knowledge by Dustin, our server who had the enthusiasm of a young spaniel. The kind of guy you can't help but like but wouldn't want him living next door. He kept popping up at the table to take our order, check if we were ok or just to ask some Gump quiz questions, always with a smile and lots of gesticulation. Of course, he earned himself a good tip. All part of the universal service. Just as we got up to leave the thunder rumbled and heavens opened. Hoardes of people rushed out of the parks towards the car parking complex. Some in poncho's, some not. All soaked. We chuckled at them desperately trying to avoid the deluge...you're gonna get wet...just like you do on the Bilge Rat's Ride!  However, we were under the porch of a restaurant at that time, but eventually decided to just get out in it and he'd back to the hotel. It's only water after all. We plodged ankle deep in water, along the path to the hotel, arriving like two drowned rats in the air conditioned room - soaked to the skin, much to the amusement of the boys who had got back before the storm which decided to linger for a while, closing the pool area for the evening, and scuppering plans for a late swim. We read on the Disney forums that people are so disappointed at the weather this year. Apparently it's been wetter then usual and I expect people haven't gone home with the sun tan they expected from a holiday in Florida. Well we know now that if you come to Florida and theme parks, you aren't going to get a beach tan unless you spend all day at the poolside - which you aren't going to do if you've paid a small fortune for park tickets. It rains a lot in July/August here. We once had 5 days of constant rain when a tropical storm sat above Central Florida, it wasn't pleasant, mainly because you couldn't dry your clothes and a lot of the rides were closed meaning shops and indoor activities were busy. No point moaning about it though. Next time book for May or October, we would if we didn't have to stick to school rules. It's by far the best time to be in the 'Sunshine State'.