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Saturday the 29th of March 2025

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We played our last round of golf this afternoon. It was very hot and sunny until the 17th hole when it clouded over and for the last hole there was some heavy rain. It continued to pour on and off for about 2 hours then cleared up again. We were again a 2 ball playing behind a 3 ball who were very slow. When we started we had a 4 ball behind us and one of the men asked if they could go ahead of us. The starter had told us to go next so Ben said that we were next, to which the man said he hoped we wouldn't hold them up! In the end we had no control of our speed, but we didn't hurry. As it was our last day we ate again at the recommended restaurant at which we had eaten our other meal out. It was very good again. We have to leave our house by 10am tomorrow and have only an hour's drive to Tampa airport where our flight leaves at 6pm so we will have to find a way to occupy ourselves during the day. We have enjoyed the break and have booked to come here next March so until then...
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Friday the 28th of March 2025

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We played at Manatee golf course today and went out with just the two of us. We had a 4 ball in front of us and a 4 ball behind. It was very slow and we had to wait on nearly all our shots. As the next few holes in front of those in front were empty we eventually asked them if we could go through. They let us eventually on the 15th hole and we didn't see them again. Just wandered across the cart path in front of us It was hot and breezy and we saw a lot of wildlife on the course. On a par 3 hole over some water I hit my drive into the water. I went to the drop zone and a small alligator walked across in front of where I was hitting. It didn't take any notice of me. On another hole two racoons appeared from the undergrowth and walked up to the buggy and were about to jump in looking for snacks but I frightened them away. They didn't look very friendly  and I wasn't sure how big their teeth were! I won the round today which puts me in the lead by one. Tomorrow is our last...
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Thursday the 27th of March 2025

Today was our last non golf day. It was very hot with no wind so Ben did some fishing before he got too hot and I sat in the sun for a while this morning. This afternoon we went for a walk along the beach which was cooler by the water. We stopped at the ice cream shop on the way back to cool us down, Ben had a double scoop of maple syrup and walnuts and I had a double scoop of Bing Cherry. There are so many different flavours that it is dificult to decide which to try. We walked back via the path/road - Ben's watch was reading 84F.  There was a labrador out having a walk but even it had given up and was sitting in the shade. We have 2 more golf days and then we return to UK. 
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Wednesday the 26th of March 2025

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For once we had a relatively quick round of golf today, our last this holiday at Buffalo Creek. We were joined by Rick from Minnesota, and as we weren't close up to another group until the last few holes we finished in just over 3 and a half hours. Ben won today with a good back 9. Before we went to play golf Ben did some fishing and caught 2 fish at the same time on the same line. The comment from someone was that there can't be much skill needed for fishing! It has been a very hot and humid day today with the car outside temperature gauge reading 84F after we had finished playing golf. The weather is gradually improving. We were told that the sea water temperature is nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than usually at this time of year. We didn't mention it yesterday, but we watched two dolphins working together near our deck to corral fish before rapidly turning into the corraled fish to eat them.  We have never seen this before, but dolphins are renowned for their intel...
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Tuesday the 25th of March 2025

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The tempertaure reached 82F today with at least 75% humidity, which coupled with virtually no wind has left us feeling very sticky. We did not have any golf booked so Ben has spent most of the day fishing. The heron is well fed with fish Ben caught this morning and didn't seem to be around this evening, so he must have been replete. We had a brief trip out this afternoon to Walmart to buy a few things prior to our returning back to England. They are possibly the same things in Asda but we don't usually go there in England, although unlike when son Phil was a senior Property director with Asda, Walmart now only has a minor stake in that Company.  We have been able to watch a lot of the Miami open tennis competition as there is no time difference between there and here. We now have our hopes up on Emma Raducanu going further after her excellent wins to date. . Plenty of ice to cool us down!!
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Monday the 24th of March 2025

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The day dawned cloudy but hot and humid.  The sun came out for our golf in the afternoon along with a temparature of 81F.  We played at Manatee course again and today were joined by Christian and Claire. They came from Quebec and have a place here,where they spend 6 months of the year during the Canadian winter We were told that Christian didn't speak much English so he and Claire communicated in French.  Claire was bilingual and spoke to us in English although Christian did speak a little English to Ben. My thoughts were that he wasn't going to speak English but probably understood everything we said. They were both good golfers and we struggled to understand why Christian drove from some blue championship tees and some white. Ben was disappointed with some of his golf today having got 3 penalties in the first 4 holes!  His back 9 was much better but I generally played steadily throughout and managed to beat him by 1 shot! Before we went out to golf Ben did some fis...
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Sunday the 23rd of March 2025

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The day started with cloud and a breeze and felt the need for a jumper. The neighbour told us that it would be warmer by the afternoon and he was right. This afternoon was sunny and warm. We went for a walk, starting on the beach but the bright sun on the sand was too dazzling for Ben, who had forgotten his sunglasses, so we walked along the road. We ended up at the ice cream shop where we ate our dripping ice creams.  When we got back Ben did some fishing and caught a few fish. He has now marked a chart of which varieties of fish he has caught- non of them look very appetising!  Liz managed to overturn the swing seat, which took some doing - she was lucky not to hurt herself.  Ben rescued her - no photos though! Liz the right way up in her swing seat!! Our deck by the water and looking out 
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