Christmas Shopping in the Keys

Off the boat for the first time in a week for some Christmas
shopping. Took the dingy across the harbor to the dingy dock (the
floating parking lot) and after checking in with the marina and
finding out where things in town are, we headed out to do a little
Christmas shopping. Marathon is one of the bigger towns in the Keys
and very proud to host a Kmart.

Marathon also looks like a small town and probably is unless you are
traversing it on foot! We walked and walked and walked, but managed
to get all the shopping done. I think this is the first time I've
done Christmas shopping on foot!

It's really nice here and the people are incredibly friendly, a
noticeable difference. Even the woman at the DMV / tax collectors
office was friendly and helpful when we went to get a replacement
decal for the dingy!

As a treat after all the shopping (who knew the bags would be so heavy
after a mile or two?), we went to the Keys Fishery for lunch.
Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the KF serves fantastic - you guessed
it - fish! Steve had a conch sandwich and I had one with soft-shelled
crab - incredibly fresh and yummy! We will be taking Jess there!

After taking our treasures back to the boat, we dingied over to West
Marine for some parts for the propane system and then went for a
sunset ride exploring some of the harbor. Back 'home' in time to
toast the sunset!

There Be Gators!

After three weeks of work, Steve announced we were taking a day off (whew, yippee, wahoo!!!)! Somebody said this not working stuff was slow, boring and tedious. Ha, not with my guy! We haven't stopped since we arrived here. And, actually, even our days off are busy!

First thing (after breakfast, of course!) we went to downtown to St. Petersburg to check out the Farmers Market. After buying from Walmart we are desperately in need of veg that tastes like - well, veg - instead of insipid, bland, boring, picked too early stuff masquarading as veg! I want tomatoes that are red, not pink or peach, ripe and luscious. We didn't realise how spoiled we were buying from the farmers' market in Blackburn, what a difference in the taste of food. (Oh yeah, and I want cheese, real cheese - sharp, pungent, melt in your mouth French cheese - the kind which fails all US health inspections!)

After running various errands all over the county, then we went to GATORS for lunch! One of my favourites for seafood, sun and people watching. We lucked out and ended up with a waterfront table where we could watch the boats pulling up and the sailboats coming in and out of the pass. The famous smoked fish spread to start and chicken wings to finish - lovely!

Then we had a nap, then we went grocery (and boat stuff) shopping, then we had dinner (at 10:00)!

A Night Out in Gulfport (Again)

Our weekly night out on the town was spent this week at Pia's Italian Trattoria in Gulfport. We liked Gulfport so much that we wanted to visit again and after a busy day we were starving for an early meal.

After a wander down the main street and perusing all the restaurant menus, and after discounting the French restaurant (what self respecting French restaurant serves Virginia baked ham?), we settled on dining outside and Italian food at Pia's. It was an excellent choice and we had one of the best meals we've had this side of the Atlantic.

Of course no Italian would show up for dinner at 6:30 and it is doubtful the restaurant would even be open if he did, over here Pia's was hopping and we ended up with a lovely table. I had the tuna (or tunno) and Steve had the Fruitte de Mare. The waitress agreed to leave us alone and not bring each serving until we were done with the prior one, she also didn't bring the bill until we asked for it. The portions were huge so we had to bring some home and we didn't mind a bit because it was all so GOOD!

It was a great evening - especially when I forgot my handbag at the table, got all the way home, remembered it, came all the way back and it was THERE! Happiness is finding one's handbag!

Churrascaria

Last night we went out for dinner to a churrascaria - La Fogata in Gulfport.

"The Parana region of Brazil and the neighboring Argentina and Paraguay are famous for their churrasco, which is a method of cooking of tender cuts of meat on long steel skewers over a hot grill. At a traditional churrascaria restaurant you are served at your table from the skewer and sliced off by the waiter (called passadors) as much barbequed meat as you like. The waiter holding the skewer is back again and again until you do not stop him." Trip Advisor

We had a great time! They have a very nice salad bar for starters and a good wine list. They give you little red (stop) and green (go) medallions which you flip if you would like them to bring more or pass you by this time. Steve loved the meat feast, I really like the grilled pineapple (with sugar and cinnamon, yummy!) - all the food was great, and we had control over when the courses were served.

(One of the interesting experiences coming back to the US after having been in the UK / Europe is trying to have a leisurely evening out. I know it is the norm here, but I would like to have a drink before dinner, finish eating my salad before my main appears on the table and to ask for the check rather than having it appear with my main.)

La Fogata reminded us of the churrascaria we went to that we very quickly enjoyed one afternoon while waiting for a plane in Chicago.

This was our first relaxing evening out since we got here, we'll be going back to Gulfport!

Birthdays!!!

Part of the fun this time of year is celebrating our bithdays! This year a joint celebration was held at Northcote Manor and it was fantastic! Not bad for turning forty-mumblemumble and forty-mufflemuffle!

Another Weekend in London

In London this weekend again! No complaints though – the weather has cooled a bit and it’s still sunny.

Went for a wander last night through the side streets of Chelsea searching for The Phoenix (by way of The Cross Keys). The Phoenix was eventually found and we have discovered another place which makes the list – very comfort foody! Leisurely ramble back to the flat and a not too hot (some might call it chilly) night’s sleep.

Up late and off to the Chelsea Bun for breakfast – perfect weekend fare! Eating at the Bun is always exhausting so we went back to the flat for a nap. After we recovered, it was time to go see Mama Mia again. What a fun movie! It was just as good the second time around!

Took Steve to Pucci’s for some proper pizza after the movie!

Square Rather Than Thai

The Thai Fair at Battersea was interesting, but crowded. Lines far too long to wait for food so we continued our ramble from the park into Battersea. Steve was up for Italian so we headed over to our favourite little square and had an early dinner at La Tosca – good food and very friendly. It’s very warm today (might be the hottest one this year) so we topped dinner off with a walk back along the Thames.

Weekend in London

This weekend is a London weekend - summer in England is the best, and summer days in London are fantastic!

Friday night we were both back to the flat reasonably early and managed to get locked out! Someone (we won't mention anyone by name (the cleaner!)) locked all the locks and with us sharing out the keys to various visitors hadn't reattached all keys to the various key rings. So we now know how to find a locksmith and that we cannot access our flat via any scaffolding.

After the flat opening adventure, we headed off to La Bouchee to celebrate Claire's birthday. Very, very French and one of our favourites. It was a warm evening so we were glad to be seated downstairs (which is our preference anyhow). Mussels and oysters to start with a very nice Cahors followed by Jarret de Porc for Steve and I and Ribeye for Claire. We broke down and had dessert, Steve had creme brulee and we had Chocolate Mousse - it was a birthday after all!

Saturday began with a walk to the South Kensington Farmers Market via Starbucks and breakfast. The stroll then extended to Sloane Square to visit the farmers market there (which was better) where we found the necessary items for a carpet picnic. Jess came in from Windsor and we headed over to Battersea park for said carpet picnic with books and blankets (for naps!). It was lovely weather for a picnic in the park!

Once it clouded up we walked back to the flat for more napping and then a quick washup before heading out to the Leicester Square Odeon for the new Indiana Jones movie. The popcorn was terrible and the movie was fun.

Over to Mr. Kongs for a post-movie discussion and a Chinese. They have the best soft shelled crabs and have expanded their menu and the restaurant for that matter. We had all the usuals (ribs, dumplings, squid) along with Steve's Hot and Sweet, and I tried a new Steak with Pickled Cabbage and Black Bean Sauce. Sounds weird, but it was very good!

Jess stayed the night and everybody slept very late (8:00!). We headed off to Starbucks to do the Final Detailed Finish Off By October 28th Plan. Breakfast was well deserved after that and Matt had joined us so we headed over to Chelsea Bun for one of their teeny tiny breakfasts. Actually their breakfasts are enourmous and they have a very nice selection beyond the Full English.

Some of us had a post-breakfast recovery nap while others surfed the web looking for property in Devon. To ensure that we didn't spend the whole gorgeous day surfing the web, Steve found a Thai food fair in Battersea Park so there's another walk in our future and that's where dinner will be!