For those of our friends who are concerned we’ve become naturalists (or is that naturists?) we can reassure you we have returned to our customary binge drinking ways with our friends, Nic and Russ and I for one woke with a particularly killing hangover after too many G&T’s, beers and red wine.  We stayed with them until Tuesday, an extra day to allow us to spend time by the pool and have some great steaks cooked by Russ on their barbecue.

As all good things come to an end and so we didn’t overstay our welcome, we set off in Reg, who had spent the long weekend being gawped at by the residents of Nic & Russ’ community (why is there a large RV on our community in Florida? Who would want to travel away from this climate?).  We drove back on ourselves to Fort Myers to enable us to visit Sanibel Island as recommended way back by Bruce at Krenek RV where we bought Reg from.  It was really lovely to catch up with Nic and Russ who were charming and generous hosts and hopefully they’ll visit us wherever we next wash up.

We drove across the causeway (bridge really as unless there’s a tsunami it’s unlikely to ever be covered by the tide again) to Sanibel, which is another beautiful barrier island with large houses, condominiums and a large local reserve.  We took the Thomson Twins and cycled around the beautiful beaches and along the wildlife reserve.  This gave me an opportunity for another ‘Matt’s Mishaps’ as while wondering where Alex had got to, I rode into a branch of a tree causing me to fall off, swear vehemently so that an old gentleman offered me assistance and to end up with severe grazing on my forehead meaning I looked like I’d been in a punch up!  Fortunately pride didn’t come before the fall as I’m telling you all about it now with a scab still on my forehead.

During the second day at Fort Myers, I invented the pastime of Bikram Shopping where you walk to the local supermarket in the heat of the day with a rucksack.  You then purchase about 20 kg of fruit and veg to put in the rucksack and continue to the supermarket, purchase washing powder and other assorted items and carry them in shopping bags in your hands with the rucksack still on your back all the way back to the RV.  By the time I reached Alex, who had been spending her own time in a sauna (more commonly called the laundromat of the campsite) I was completely drenched in sweat and seemingly expiring before her eyes.  Fortunately, large amounts of liquids revived me and I didn’t suffer from dehydration too much.

After Fort Myers we set off back up towards the Florida Panhandle, stopping at St Petersburg where we didn’t get a chance to sight see as we needed to push on and continued the next day up to Crystal Rivers.  We stopped briefly at a restaurant called The Lighthouse along Hwy 41, despite there being no sign of the sea (or a lighthouse come to that) for lunch.  The RV park at Crystal Rivers was in a beautiful setting on a small river and on the day after, Saturday, we cycled the 16km to and from the beautiful beach to look out at an enormous coal fired power station.

After the beach we set off again north and had a beautiful three and an half hour drive up to Coe Landing, just outside Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida.  We have spent Sunday walking in Lake Talquin State Forest, overlooking the Ochlockonee River which was beautiful followed by walking around Tallahassee’s old Capitol building and having a coffee in the ‘stoodent’ area of the city.  Wouldn’t visit again but pleasant enough city.  Have also spent the day being bitten aggressively by mosquitos and ‘no seeums’ which are persistent little f*&$£”s and I’m itching all over. 

That’s all folks, next few days we’re in the Panhandle then crossing Alabama and Mississippi on our way to New Orleans and Mardi Gras.