Monday 3rd of March

 Well we have arrived here on Anna Maria Island. We spent Saturday night at the Hilton Hotel at Gatwick and had a seemless transfer from the hotel to the terminal. The concierge from the hotel collected our luggage and took it to the entrance of the terminal. He then transfered it from the hotel carrier to an airport trolley free of charge so we just walked about 5 minutes to the check in desk. We then were relieved of all our luggage apart from from our hand luggage. We used the club class lounge to have a small breakfast. Unfortuately we had to wait for nearly 2 hours while a wheel was changed on our plane but eventually took off and had a smooth 9 and a half hour flight to Tampa. The aircraft was fitted with a new style pod in business class which was very private and comfortable. As we had landed at Tampa before, we knew the route which involved 2 trains to the car hire desk, We were quickly allocated our car and left the airport at 7.45pm local time and had an hour and a bit journev to Anna Maria Island. We knew where our accommdation was so found it easily, We are in a ground floor flat of a house which had been under 4 feet of water when hurricane Milton hit the island in October last year. Our flat has been completely rejuvenated and all the furnishings and white goods are brand new. We eventually got to bed at 11pm local time (4 am UK time). As usual we were awake at 5am ready to start the day.

There was no food or drink of any sort in the flat so we went out at about 9am to find some breakfast. We found a very busy cafe and, having taken a while to comprehend the menu, we ordered and joined a table with an american family who were ending their holiday. The family consisted of mother , father and daughter. The daughter was a secondary school teacher and seemed to have to cope with exactly the same problems that our secondary schools have. She was young , though and had lots of energy to cope with the challenges. 

We then went on to Publix and stocked up with provisions. We found everything very expensive and ended up paying $300 for the shop. 

When we went out it was quite windy and the temperature was about 14C but by 12 o'clock it was way up to the 20s and was very pleasant to sit outside. The flat is by the water so we were able to sit outside in the sun. Ben did a bit of fishing and caught a sheep's head fish so he's happy that there are fish in the water near our dock.

It is quite disappointing to see the damage that has been done to the island by the hurricane and there a few empty plots of land where houses have been completely destroyed and there are houses with work still being done of them. Most of the isand is now back and vibrant again.

Golf booked for tomorrow......