DAY 112 FRIDAY 28th DECEMBER 2007

Fiesta Key, Florida (Miles to Date: 13100)

We had pretty relaxing day yesterday. Our last one in Hollywood. The morning was a really slow start but after lunch we once again tied up with the Caldwells to play on the beach which is only about 2 blocks from their condo. It was a lovely warm afternoon and while the parent relaxed Sam and Jack started to dig up the beach and make huge constructions of sand whilst Emily and Jessie stuck to the more genteel activity of collecting shells from the beach. Laura who had been in pretty much a foul mood most of the day just sat on the boardwalk and watched for the few hour we spent there. The plan had been to go back early as we had washing to do before leaving and wanted to go back to Bed Bath and Beyond to return to stuff – but as with most of our plans it did not quite turn out this way. In fact we had a better offer – to stay and have dinner. The Caldwell condo had a pool area with a barbeque so we decided to try and work out how if functioned a cook on it. After some fiddling with gas canisters we managed to get it a light and then proceeded to cook. It was actually a pretty successful meal – mainly leftovers topped up with some food from the local super market. Finally it was really time to leave. Unfortunately as we progressed up the street stranger than usual noises emanated from the Jeep so we pulled over and had a look. As myself and Karen are both mechanically challenged when it comes to cars we decided to give up and slowly drove the car home.

This morning our first task was to pack up for the day and get the car sorted. Karen took the car to the Jeep dealership was fortunately down the road. We tend to let Karen do these trips as she tends to get the sympathetic support to help her – whereas if I went they would probably just shrug their shoulders in that “well I can’t really help you” sort of way. The problem turned out to be the power steering system had a fluid leak and the car was not safe to drive. Also they had no parts there but they had it in Miami and it was probably going to be Tuesday before it got looked at. Not good news. One of the service guys kindly said he would contact the other garage and see if they could get the part and squeeze us in today. In order to cover all angles we rented a car. So after clearing up from our campsite Jack, Laura and I set off as far as the local Wal-Mart to pick up some things whilst Emily and Karen hit the supermarket to stock up before we set off for the Florida Keys. By the time we had our rendezvous at Wal-Marts the garage said the part was in and the work would likely be done by 5pm that day. Finally good news. So Karen hung around the area with Emily and Laura (to do some shopping!!!) and Jack and I headed off down to the Keys to set-up camp.