Snowbirds are gone, Spring Breakers are go!!!

Sun 8 Mar

Went to ‘Noah’s Ark’  a Christian Community Centre, to hear, a swing band.  One of our neighbours and co-golfer, Nancy plays the saxaphone with this band.  It was fantastic and a fine crowd sangalong and danced to the wonderful sounds and songs of another era.  Once again, I forgot to take my camera, but you can imagine how it was – you’ve seen umpteen pics of the senior dance circuit of Panama City Beach.

Tues 10 Mar

Last visit to ‘Sunny Hill’s Golf and Country Club’.  For the very first time, I had another woman partner, Nell.  Our male partners were Walt and Roy.  We had another beautiful, hot, sunny day – in fact just a little too hot at times.  Wish I could say the golf was hot, but my game was very much up and down.  Still, at the BYOB, I got a first prize for my ‘net’ score, which is yet another different type of scoring that favoured me, over better golfers, but I’m not complaining. It was a fun day, and I did say goodbye to many of the nice people I have met at the Watercrest.

This used to be a quiet road.

Wed 1 1 Mar

( Does that VW Van look familiar, Sharon?) En route to anywhere, these days all the beach roads  are an obstacle course with  crowds of beautiful young people ambling  all over the road, without a care in the world.  Heading straight for the FREE BEER that’s on offer almost everywhere.  Good thing Nell was driving  – all those gorgeous bikini babes to distract the men.

Martin, Bill, Mary, Kay, Eleanor, Nell and Jim.

'Men's Eyes on Stalks'

Martin, put your eyes back!!!!

Anyway, the wings party, was fantastic.  Eleanor had won it at a recent event and we were so happy with our beautiful servers in their ‘Hooter’s Gear’ of really short shorts, and skimpy tops. 

Sorry about the dull pic, but Mary and I knew enough to wear ‘dark colours’ – Think about it ‘finger-lickin food!! ‘

The servers are:-

• Young
• female
• curvy
• gorgeous

 We had a great meal.  Messy, but great!   Even though we (as over 21′s) were in a minority of three tables, the food was so tasty that our ‘wings party’ was a resounding success.    I have to say our server, was helpful, warm and friendly.  We probably reminded her of her ‘Grammy and Grandpa’.  The guys might not agree.  Look at the pics.

Jim, Hooter Gal, Martin, Bill

 What fun!  We all enjoyed the food, the guys enjoyed the scenery and the food.  So everyone was happy.  Thanks, Eleanor!

Nell, our driver, had a few problems backing out on to the road, but we finally made it – thanks to Bill.  We were heading home  for our own version of peace and quiet – some in the sun, some not.  I went for a walk on the beach and meditated on my time here

Wow! Can you imagine what it’ musgt be like in Summer!

It was a lovely day and my last but one!

It's like Sauchiehall Street

In and above the Gulf

Tomorrow, I am playing golf with Bev and Dave Kopischke at the US Naval Base, ‘Pelican Point’ at Tyndall again.  Really looking forward to my last day, but the news , from Denise  made my day.   Their ‘moving date’ has been agreed and  is Mar 27.  She and Lee will be in their new house  – well settled for Easter.  Fantastic!

Fri 13 Mar

Hopefully not unlucky for me as I fly home to France today.

Great day yesterday; golf, drinks with the Kopisckes, then dinner at ‘Scampy’s'  Feeling a little rough this morning.

I have more alligator pics, but don’t have the energy to upload them – they can wait ’til I get home.  Now, all I must do is make sure my condo is clean and tidy for Eleanor and Martin, who will stay here for a couple of weeks.  Packing all done!

Farewell to Florida – “L’annee prochaine?’   – who knows?

See you all soon!

Golf and Cinderella?

 

Jim waits for me to 'tee-off' at Indian Springs, Marianna

 The Texas Scramble was played at Indian Springs and it was a beautiful day and yet again another gorgeous course. 

Thankfully, I played a little better than yesterday though we were never ‘contenders’  Don’t forget I was one of the  organisers of this competition.  Poor Bill Marek was gracious but he did most of the work, though I did present the prizes and make the little speech.  Our motto was ‘Everyone’s a Winner’ and everyone did receive a monetary reward, so that was well received at the Pot-Luck Dinner later that evening along with the BYOB.

Saturday 7 Mar

Today was to be a quiet day.  Enjoying the views and sights from the balcony.  Some business and shopping , then Martin and Eleanor were off to a St Patrick’s Dance.  Remember, me, aging Cinderella, couldn’t get a ticket – SOLD  OUT!!.

I really didn’t mind.  Tonight the clocks change for ‘Daylight Saving Time’ and I have loads to prepare for my departure on Friday.  So early dinner, shower, then early to bed to watch funny film – That was the plan!

Around halfway through the film, the phone rang.  It was Pete, saying ‘You shall go to the Ball,  – or more realistically, ‘Get your ass down to this dance!  I’ll pick you up in ten minutes!!!’   ’Hey, wait there are no tickets’  ‘Forget it, you have a seat as a guest of the DJ, Big Jim Lawson and he wants to give you a copy of his latest CD.’

So Prince Charming(Pete) duly arrived and by that time, I had managed to throw on some ‘green’ clothes for the dance.  What about the make-up?  Nowadays it takes me ages to prepare, but ladies, believe me  it can be done in ten minutes. 

Well, the dance was great fun.  Sorry I didn’t take my camera, to show you all the weird and wonderful costumes complete with green hair and makeup.  Boy these North Amerians really love St Patrick’s Celebrations!

Oh, and by the way.  DEFINITELY  NO MORE  DATES!!!!!  Poor Pete, I don’t know how many times I have bade him farewell.  Next week is a pretty  full schedule.

Snowbirds still Golfing

OK, I told you I needed my passport to be allowed to play at the Airbase.  (The duty guard was just past his twelfth birthday.)  What a beautiful day and a lovely course.  My only misginvings were as I read this sign: 

SCARY SIGN!

My golfing partners were Howie, Walt and Al and we really enjoyed the beautiful but challenging conditions of this lovely course.  The greens were totally impossible – all sloping at odd angles and with fertiliser to make them difficult to read……..even for the real golfers.

In Scotland, people talk about ‘a good walk spoiled’ but no-one could fail to be enchanted by the wildlife, even when the golf was less than inspiring.

Wild Turkeys, Own this Hole

Then, of course, there was this guy……………… and his feathered friend, sunbathing on the 7th. 

Anyone want to move me and my sunbather buddy?

After HIM, things were really just cute.  Look at this little turtle, investigating the trash can.

His parents were sunbathing nearby - this was his 'bid for freedom'

Towards the end of the game, we could actually see our condo from this hole, way in the distance.  However, the bonus was someone fishing for dinner.

Mr Heron goes fishing

That’s the end of the ‘Wildlife Study’ for today  Tomorrow – more golf, It’s the Texas Scramble at ‘Indian Springs.’ Remember, I am one of the organisers – Oh No!!!!!!

PS Remember I said no more dates?  Well yesterday there was a card, today when I returned home, I received a call from Jane, Howies wife saying there’s a package for you at reception.   FLOWERS  AND  A  CARD.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Welcome Spring Breakers!

Welcome Spring Breakers!

I think I am past my ‘sell-by’ date.   SPRING  BREAK  IS  HERE!

The whole complexion of Panama City Beach has changed.  Beer tents, Free beer offers, ladies free entry before nine o’clock, Foam Parties?

No doubt, I should be home by now.  They have even set up the beach for the ‘bikini babes’   What about the St Patrick’s Night Dance?  Too late – no tickets left.

Never mind there’s always the golf.  I played Tuesday.  I shall play tomorrow,(Thursday) and then there is my ‘ Texas Scramble’ on Friday.  Meanwhile, the whole setup is for the ‘kids’ – the’ Spring Breakers’

All for the kids

Oh-oh - Hope all is well!

Tomorrow I shall need my PASSPORT to play golf.  We are playing at the ‘Tyndall Air Base’  and it has ‘high security’ entry.  Will let you know if I pass the test.  Will you write to me if I end up in Guantanamo Bay?  By the way did I mention alligators?  I kid thee not!    No probs, Howie, Walt, and Howie’s friend will look after me – I hope!!!!

Fun-filled Florida or Bloomin’ Hard Work?

Ready to go to the last Snowbird Special Dance

Mon 2 March

So the tornado blew itself past us without stopping, however, it did leave cool weather again!  So many cool days – is this Florida or what?

Went to the dance yesterday and wore my ‘sitting down’ shoes as I had lost my dancing partner.  WRONG MOVE!  He came back……….. I could hardly walk in those stupidly high heels, never mind dance.  Those shoes will certainly not be going home to France – no way! 

Anyway, there was a large crowd for this ‘bonus’ dance and lots and lots of fond farewells.   Always hated goodbyes, but here, at the moment, they are impossible to avoid. 

After the dance I went, with Pete, to the ‘Blue Moose’ then on to ‘Tootsie’s' (I know what I said before!!)  Home around ten thirty, then yet another ‘Goodbye’ to Pete as he sets off to drive the two hour journey to his home in Alabama. 

 This time – definitely NO  MORE  DATES!!! – no matter what!!

Wooly Bully

Definitely the last dance of the season at ‘The Boardwalk’

Spent this morning at an executive meeting of the ‘Texas Scramble’ group.  It was dead complicated.  You have to take account of handicap, average scores over the last few weeks then try to form ‘balanced teams’.  Who knew all this was involved and also we are having a ‘shotgun start’.  This means that we  have the whole golf course and teams all start at the same two times, so that they will all finish at roughly the same times. 

All this and prizes, closest to the hole etc.  I think I am about ‘golfed out!  Thank goodness for Howie, Roy and Bill, my co-organisers.  At least they appear know what they are doing.

In Like a Lion?……..

 

Tornado Watch

 

Sat 28 Feb

As I sit here watching ‘Law and Order’ my TV screen keeps a running message telling me what to do if the tornado gets here:-

‘If a tornado is spotted please act quickly and find a place of safety immediately.’

Every news station on the radion emits a special signal then repeats the warning at regular intervals.  We already have severe T-storms in effect but we are also on ‘Tornado Watch’   Might not manage to ‘get the pics’  I ‘d like.  I really need a better camera – I can’t even capture the dolphins leaping, however……..stay tuned!!!

Meanwhile, you may have noticed that it’s Saturday evening and I am at home watching TV.  Suffice to say I have decided to give up on the ‘dating game’ and  am back in the ‘strictly single lane.’  Trouble is, in the course of reaching this decision, I have  now, also lost my dancing partner.  Oh well, such is life!  Today there will be a special dance, so I may have to be a ‘wallflower’ – either that  or make Martin work overtime.  It would be unthinkable not to go.

People to see…..Places to go

24 Feb

Played golf with Roy, Russ and Dick.  Didn’t do all that well on the front nine, though my excuse is I had really hurt my back and the Advil took some time to ‘kick in’  Anyway the back nine was a little better and my raw score got me a third prize at the BYOB/prizegiving

Sunny HIlls Golf and Country Club

Afterwards we went to dinner at a special promotion for a Holiday Complex called ‘Paradise Palms’  Free dinner and lots of prizes in the draw, plus an ‘Elvis’ impersonator, who was excellent.  He sang to me then wrapped a pink silk scarf around my neck,  That’s the only thing I won, but Eleanor won ’100 Hot Wings’ from ’ Hooters Bar/Restaurant’ -   may have to help her eat them.

Wed 25 Feb

Goodbye to Jessie and Bill

We were all a little bit sad as today is the last of the official ‘Snowbird Dances’ though there will be a special dance at a different venue on Sunday.  More people to say goodbye to and the whole ambiance of the ballroom reflected this slight droop in spirits.  The ‘goodbyes ‘ were swiftly followed by ‘see you next winter!’  All except me – I can’t even plan one month ahead never mind a year ahead.  Most people have already booked their places for next year and can’t understand my hesitancy – in fact they seem to take in personally that I won’t commit myself.

Goodbye to Marilyn and Don

The dance was the usual mix of nostalgia and fun, and after saying ‘no’ a hundred times to Pete, my dancing partner, I finally caved in and went out to dinner with him last night.  We went to see a new singer at the ‘Buccaneer Bar’ and I am going with him to see another ‘old’ singer on Sunday evening at the ‘Blue Moose’.  Tonight Marilyn and Don are going to ”Tootsie’s’ again and invited me to go with them but I have also been invited to a dinner with Martin and Eleanor’s golf buddies.  Decisions, decisions, decisions! 

It seems that now that it’s almost time to go home, my social life is completetely ‘taking off’.

Bride on the Beach

Another Boringly Beautiful Sunset

Just another one, I thought – but what makes this one different?  Well take a look at who’s watching it!

How wonderfully romantic

Aw, come on it is romantic

Now the Bridal Party is heading for the pool area.  Could they be contemplating……….?

Mmmmmm! that hot-tub looks inviting - but in this dress?

Oh Well, better do the traditional pics for the album

I see all of life from my balcony!

The Real Mardi Gras Parade

Here They Come!

All the other parades were just the lead up to today’s ‘Big One’ at St Andrew’s Park and it’s a beautiful sunny day for it too.

Beads! Beads! Beads!

This is definitely the ‘Big One’  Last week’s little parade at Pier Park, pales in comparison.   

Pirates?

Lobsters?

What a crowd, mostly families, but really all ages, types and cultures, but bonded by the one resolve –  to have a great time,  and they did.

Wait a minute.....not them again!!!

 Fantastic spectacle and a great day out for all the family – Help! I’m starting to sound like a  ‘Disney’ commercial.

New Day – New Experience

Fri 20 Feb

Last night was another whole new experience.  Went to ‘Tootsie’s’ for a Country Music night.  What a blast!  They had a live band from Nashville, so new it doesn’t yet have a name, but they were really great and played from 6-10pm almost nonstop. 

Come on Ladies, climb up on the bar and dance!

I was with Marilyn, Don, Joe and Ellen and we arrived really early to ‘bag’ the best table.  (This is the story of my life)  We danced and even learned some complicated new line dances from some young girls who were advanced in this field.  

Don and Tootsie gal strut their stuff

 Suddenly one of the waitresses, pulled Don up to dance and as the place was not yet in full swing, they became the cabaret with everyone cheering and clapping.  Within the next minutes the place was full  and people made their requests to  the band.  When they  played something called ‘Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy’.  The place went wild.   Ladies were invited to climb up and dance on the bar counter …. and many did!!!

 My family will be relieved to hear that I resisted and stayed primly, but firmly in my seat. (Will I be able to keep up with this  fast pace or should I retire, gracefully while  I still have the energy to switch on the TV? ) 

The MC  then, asked each table where they were from and soon after, that  a real ‘red-neck’ gal came over to our table and spoke to me in perfect French.  It emerged that her group, complete with cowboy hats, and all the ‘yee-haa’s ‘ you could wish for, were actually a local college group with some French visitors  here on a two week visit from Bordeaux.  I had a lovely chat with them and was glad that my language skills had not completely deserted me.  It was a ‘taste of home’ and the highlight of my evening.

This morning, from my balcony, I watched the dolphins frolicking.  I rushed for my camera, but, once again, was not ‘quick enough on the draw’

Lovely supper at Eleanor and Martin’s after the BYOB, then a quiet night at home.  Tomorrow is the real ‘Mardi Gras Parade’ and we have to be there early – so nothing new there, then.