Fri 20th: A change of weather and more the Florida sunshine we had been expecting, although we are clearly still in the wet season. We set out to find a florist and a supermarket in order to get a few more gifts for Bud & Dava. This takes us to around 11am and we make our way to our home for the next three days, 11133 Malaysia Circle.
Bud & Dava live on a beautiful retirement estate, in a typical Florida home, single storey and backing onto a lake. The development has around 800 homes aimed at people over 50 years of age, and is one of many in this area. There home is large, open plan, and hugely colourful, they both like prime colours, and they are evident everywhere in the art work and the ornaments.
We get the grand tour of both home and estate, ending up with lunch at the "clubhouse". We see rooms of seniors playing cards, and other games, lounging by the pool or eating lunch; everything is there, you need never leave the development. Bud & Dava clearly love this lifestyle, and it's easy to see why, but you do wonder if being segregated from the below 50s, apart from family that is, is everything its cracked up to be, I think it would take some adapting to.
Having had a small lunch, by US standards, we drive down to Palm Beach and see where the old money spends the winter, some fabulous mansions, and it is evident they are being readied for the forthcoming arrivals, with armies of workmen cleaning, renovating and titivating. LA has Rodeo Drive, Palm Beach has Worth Avenue and a stroll down one side and back up the other is obligatory. It's still quiet, with few people, but come November it will be heaving with The People, and people watching The People, and people trying hard to be The People; yesterday we were just people. All the names are there, and it's a close call but I manage to prevent Lorna from causing damage in Tiffany & Co. As for the automobiles, it's Mercs, BMWs, the odd sky blue Bentley convertible, and of course some big V8 American jobs.
Bud & Dava believe they live in paradise, and it's easy to see why; I'm sure they would like us to move out here. They are rightfully very proud of their lifestyle, and everything about it; they really love showing us everything in the area, even their local wine shop, never have we been such welcomed guests.
Prime Catch is a rated restaurant down by the water, and we are treated, we are not allowed to contribute at all. We all have fish, and very tasty fish, some grouper, some mahi, and some scallops. Bud & Dava watch enviously as Lorna & I devour two large portions of ice-cream, those gym sessions really paid off.
I start to tire around 9.30pm after getting home, and I just manage not to fall asleep while Bud takes me through the family albums on his computer.
Spend today: Florist (card); Target (card)
Having had a small lunch, by US standards, we drive down to Palm Beach and see where the old money spends the winter, some fabulous mansions, and it is evident they are being readied for the forthcoming arrivals, with armies of workmen cleaning, renovating and titivating. LA has Rodeo Drive, Palm Beach has Worth Avenue and a stroll down one side and back up the other is obligatory. It's still quiet, with few people, but come November it will be heaving with The People, and people watching The People, and people trying hard to be The People; yesterday we were just people. All the names are there, and it's a close call but I manage to prevent Lorna from causing damage in Tiffany & Co. As for the automobiles, it's Mercs, BMWs, the odd sky blue Bentley convertible, and of course some big V8 American jobs.
Bud & Dava believe they live in paradise, and it's easy to see why; I'm sure they would like us to move out here. They are rightfully very proud of their lifestyle, and everything about it; they really love showing us everything in the area, even their local wine shop, never have we been such welcomed guests.
Prime Catch is a rated restaurant down by the water, and we are treated, we are not allowed to contribute at all. We all have fish, and very tasty fish, some grouper, some mahi, and some scallops. Bud & Dava watch enviously as Lorna & I devour two large portions of ice-cream, those gym sessions really paid off.
I start to tire around 9.30pm after getting home, and I just manage not to fall asleep while Bud takes me through the family albums on his computer.
Spend today: Florist (card); Target (card)
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