saratogagirl
<font color= CC0066>I need books, and wine and Ian
- Joined
- May 4, 2006
- Messages
- 6,421
I know, I know I've been back weeks, so time to crack on with it!
The Cast
Ian - 40, loves WDW, in particular the drinking establishments, leaves all planning to me..
Jules - 39, chief planner, and lover of salty rims!!
Our adventure began on March 8th, when we traipsed across the street, dragging our cases to catch the twenty to three bus to Cardiff. We get into Cardiff at around half past three and head straight to Weatherspoons, where we share a bottle of pinot, I have a steak, and Ian has some sort of chicken dish, which looks like it wouldn't fill a fly. The meals were very cheap, and it is no suprise why..
At around five we head to the train station to get the train to Manchester airport. The train is dead on time, we settle ourselves for the journey and share some little bottles of wine - classy chick! We have one change along the way, which went without hitch, and within five minutes of changing trains we arrive at Manchester Airport.
We get a taxi from the rank outside the airport and are shortly at the Manchester Travel Lodge, which I got for the bargain price of £29.00.. It gets some dodgy reviews on Trip Advisor, but we found it to be fine. The check in was quick, and the room was clean.
We booked the shuttle bus for the following morning and then headed to the bar, where Ian had a few bottles of lager and I had some wine, we finished the evening with a Pepperoni Pizza, before heading to bed at around 11.00.
The following morning we were up bright and early, the shuttle bus was dead on time, and got us to the aiport quickly. I was so excited at that point, I could have done with a Tena lady. There was a lovely old man at the Virgin check in desk, who asked us had we done self check in before and went through it with us, he was so sweet I wanted to take him with me. Check in was painless and we were on our way through to security litckety split.
We desperately needed caffeine at this point, so our first stop when airside was for a much needed expresso. We had a quick look around the shops, Ian got some cigars, I got Jodi Piccoults new book and a Mac lipstick. Even though its ridiculously early we decide its wine o clock and head for the bar, where I have a vino and Ian a guinness, Mandy texts me to see if we are at the airport and I confess where we are, I ask her not to mention it on Facebook for fear people may think I am a lush!
Frankie and Bennys is our next port of call for some breakfast, whilst walking there I spotted a very familiar looking young man, I am just about to mention to Ian that I think I know him from somewhere, when he starts tugging at my arm saying "look there is Steven Gerrard", he is very tall and quite yummy, as we turn around to double check on him, he was whisked away towards the first class lounges by a burly looking fellow.
Our breakfast was very good, Ian washed his down with another pint of guinness, I was a good girl and opted for a cup of tea..
After breakfast we head for the departure lounge, and in no time at all are boarding. Its the usual uneventful flight, chicken or beef, cheese and pickle sandwich, and two glasses of vino! Ian watches a couple of films, but I can never really settle to watch anything, so spend the time trying to read and flicking between channels, I must be a joy to fly with!
We land dead on time, and are very quickly through immigration and have our luggage. We head for the Alamo desk, where we are offered the usual upgrade, when we politely decline, we are told that our car will have no central locking and windey up and down windows. Also, we will not be insured for the windscreen or tyres! As usual we need not have worried, we pick a lovely little white number, it has air conditioning, central locking and whoo hoooo electric windows! Fibber Alamo man!!
We head out of the airport and are soon on our way to Cocoa Beach, we have the usual squabble over the radio, every channel I choose is not suitable, and there is much grumbling from Ian that the ipad is in the boot!
Before too long we are passing the cruise terminals, and the Country Inn where we stayed in October, we continue along looking out for Ron Jons as our motel is next door. After a few wrong turns, we find it.. I present to you the Fawlty Towers Motel
We park up and head to reception, where the lovely owner checks us in, confirms our shuttle transfers for the next day, and informs us that its happy hour at the Tiki Bar. I sensibly suggest to Ian that we should shower and freshen up before hitting the bar, no way hose, he is dumping the suitcases and heading to the bar, did someone say Happy Hour! The Tiki Bar
We are soon settled at the bar, which is perfectly pleasant and the bud is cold, there had been some reports on Trip Advisor that the barman may need to go to happy school, and unfortunately this proves to be true. There are some friendly guests though, so we spend a little time chatting about the area, they recommend a restaurant for dinner.. Five buds and six dollars later, yes six dollars (we like it here), we finally head to the room to get showered and changed.
The room was exactly as I had thought it would be, it was clean, and suited our needs perfectly, I was suprised that we got a small balcony, I wasn't expecting that. It wasn't the height of luxury, but we were more than happy with it.
We had a lovely view from our balcony
Suitably cleaned up, we headed in the direction of the Sunset Bar and Grill, which the people at the bar had suggested we head for pre dinner drinks. It was a great choice, although the barmaid obviously decided I didn't look suitably thirsty as she bought Ian his beer, but forgot my rita! My first birthday rita and she forgot me! She was very apologetic when she realised, and promised me the best rita I had ever had, it was very good..
We get chatting to some elderly locals at the bar, Harry is a true character and has us in stitches, he assures us that he will be at FishLips tomorrow waving as the ship goes by. He confesses that he likes to go there and flash his bottom to the passing ships, he says he never does it the Disney Ships though because of the children! Ian has three beers, I have two ritas, we ask for the bill - $10, $10 we like Cocoa Beach, I need to move there!!
We head nextdoor to Florida Seafood which is the restaurant that has been recommended to us.
We start with conch fritters and some cheesy garlic bread, for some reason they also bought us some donuts
Both were yummy, but it was a huge mistake to have starters as we both really struggled with our main course, steak for me and fish in a seafood sauce for Ian. It was a shame as the food was delicious, next year we will either share one starter or skip and go straight to the main course. We washed it down with a yummy bottle of Mr Pinot.
Slightly tipsy, and a little tired, we decide that we love Cocoa Beach, friendly locals, cheap alcohol, and yummy food, what is not to love.. We stroll back to the motel, and are asleep in no time at all
The Cast
Ian - 40, loves WDW, in particular the drinking establishments, leaves all planning to me..
Jules - 39, chief planner, and lover of salty rims!!
Our adventure began on March 8th, when we traipsed across the street, dragging our cases to catch the twenty to three bus to Cardiff. We get into Cardiff at around half past three and head straight to Weatherspoons, where we share a bottle of pinot, I have a steak, and Ian has some sort of chicken dish, which looks like it wouldn't fill a fly. The meals were very cheap, and it is no suprise why..
At around five we head to the train station to get the train to Manchester airport. The train is dead on time, we settle ourselves for the journey and share some little bottles of wine - classy chick! We have one change along the way, which went without hitch, and within five minutes of changing trains we arrive at Manchester Airport.
We get a taxi from the rank outside the airport and are shortly at the Manchester Travel Lodge, which I got for the bargain price of £29.00.. It gets some dodgy reviews on Trip Advisor, but we found it to be fine. The check in was quick, and the room was clean.
We booked the shuttle bus for the following morning and then headed to the bar, where Ian had a few bottles of lager and I had some wine, we finished the evening with a Pepperoni Pizza, before heading to bed at around 11.00.
The following morning we were up bright and early, the shuttle bus was dead on time, and got us to the aiport quickly. I was so excited at that point, I could have done with a Tena lady. There was a lovely old man at the Virgin check in desk, who asked us had we done self check in before and went through it with us, he was so sweet I wanted to take him with me. Check in was painless and we were on our way through to security litckety split.
We desperately needed caffeine at this point, so our first stop when airside was for a much needed expresso. We had a quick look around the shops, Ian got some cigars, I got Jodi Piccoults new book and a Mac lipstick. Even though its ridiculously early we decide its wine o clock and head for the bar, where I have a vino and Ian a guinness, Mandy texts me to see if we are at the airport and I confess where we are, I ask her not to mention it on Facebook for fear people may think I am a lush!
Frankie and Bennys is our next port of call for some breakfast, whilst walking there I spotted a very familiar looking young man, I am just about to mention to Ian that I think I know him from somewhere, when he starts tugging at my arm saying "look there is Steven Gerrard", he is very tall and quite yummy, as we turn around to double check on him, he was whisked away towards the first class lounges by a burly looking fellow.
Our breakfast was very good, Ian washed his down with another pint of guinness, I was a good girl and opted for a cup of tea..
After breakfast we head for the departure lounge, and in no time at all are boarding. Its the usual uneventful flight, chicken or beef, cheese and pickle sandwich, and two glasses of vino! Ian watches a couple of films, but I can never really settle to watch anything, so spend the time trying to read and flicking between channels, I must be a joy to fly with!
We land dead on time, and are very quickly through immigration and have our luggage. We head for the Alamo desk, where we are offered the usual upgrade, when we politely decline, we are told that our car will have no central locking and windey up and down windows. Also, we will not be insured for the windscreen or tyres! As usual we need not have worried, we pick a lovely little white number, it has air conditioning, central locking and whoo hoooo electric windows! Fibber Alamo man!!
We head out of the airport and are soon on our way to Cocoa Beach, we have the usual squabble over the radio, every channel I choose is not suitable, and there is much grumbling from Ian that the ipad is in the boot!
Before too long we are passing the cruise terminals, and the Country Inn where we stayed in October, we continue along looking out for Ron Jons as our motel is next door. After a few wrong turns, we find it.. I present to you the Fawlty Towers Motel
We park up and head to reception, where the lovely owner checks us in, confirms our shuttle transfers for the next day, and informs us that its happy hour at the Tiki Bar. I sensibly suggest to Ian that we should shower and freshen up before hitting the bar, no way hose, he is dumping the suitcases and heading to the bar, did someone say Happy Hour! The Tiki Bar
We are soon settled at the bar, which is perfectly pleasant and the bud is cold, there had been some reports on Trip Advisor that the barman may need to go to happy school, and unfortunately this proves to be true. There are some friendly guests though, so we spend a little time chatting about the area, they recommend a restaurant for dinner.. Five buds and six dollars later, yes six dollars (we like it here), we finally head to the room to get showered and changed.
The room was exactly as I had thought it would be, it was clean, and suited our needs perfectly, I was suprised that we got a small balcony, I wasn't expecting that. It wasn't the height of luxury, but we were more than happy with it.
We had a lovely view from our balcony
Suitably cleaned up, we headed in the direction of the Sunset Bar and Grill, which the people at the bar had suggested we head for pre dinner drinks. It was a great choice, although the barmaid obviously decided I didn't look suitably thirsty as she bought Ian his beer, but forgot my rita! My first birthday rita and she forgot me! She was very apologetic when she realised, and promised me the best rita I had ever had, it was very good..
We get chatting to some elderly locals at the bar, Harry is a true character and has us in stitches, he assures us that he will be at FishLips tomorrow waving as the ship goes by. He confesses that he likes to go there and flash his bottom to the passing ships, he says he never does it the Disney Ships though because of the children! Ian has three beers, I have two ritas, we ask for the bill - $10, $10 we like Cocoa Beach, I need to move there!!
We head nextdoor to Florida Seafood which is the restaurant that has been recommended to us.
We start with conch fritters and some cheesy garlic bread, for some reason they also bought us some donuts
Both were yummy, but it was a huge mistake to have starters as we both really struggled with our main course, steak for me and fish in a seafood sauce for Ian. It was a shame as the food was delicious, next year we will either share one starter or skip and go straight to the main course. We washed it down with a yummy bottle of Mr Pinot.
Slightly tipsy, and a little tired, we decide that we love Cocoa Beach, friendly locals, cheap alcohol, and yummy food, what is not to love.. We stroll back to the motel, and are asleep in no time at all
what more could you ask for ? What a great start Julesy, just hope I don't have to wait till August for day 2 (ooh, cheeky mare) 
Honestly, DF's just nearly fell of his chair when I said it was $5 for 6 Buds 
I think he just wants to go there for that!
