Boss Hogg
<font color=green>It's 5 o'clock somewhere<br><fon
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,528
A quick recap on who is attending:
Well me naturally as I am writing it. Albeit, there are some sections of the trip which I couldnt have been there for, as I have no recollection of them curious huh?!
Deb, also naturally, as there is no way Id get a holiday unless she was on it.
Oh, and some other neer-do-wells and interlopers will be joining us later.
So, onward dear readers to day 2.
We awake at some time in the morning, get on a plane and fly to America, then drive to Palm Beach. The end.
Did you enjoy that?
Let me guess, youd like a little more detail? Im beginning to think this is a bad idea.
So, lets try again.
The alarm goes at something like 5.30 with a taxi booked for 6.30 to allow the lovely Mrs Churchill sufficient time to make herself look even lovelier. Guess Im luck being a chap roll out of bed and 15 mins later Im showered, shaved and ready for fun. In fairness, I realised long ago that trying to beautify myself was folly and gave it up as a waste of effort.
We make our way out to the front of the Hotel to await Jo le Taxi (not sure his name was Jo, but stay with me on it). Ironically, there is an empty shuttle bus parked out front what are the chances of that, Id bet all of the money Kevs got that if youd intended to use the Hoppa bus, youd be waiting a good old time.
Anyhoo, Jo (le Taxi) arrives moments later and we are whisked off to Terminal 3, which is undertaking a lot of a work, and looks more like Beirut airport in places. I have a certain sense of trepidation as we turn the corner to where Virgins check-in is located as I know what Gatwick can look like, but, it is very quiet, hardly any queues at all. We head for the DIY desk where we keep a wary ye on the scales as one bag goes on, but, we are fine no problems at all.
The two chaps travelling together next to us have less luck. The guy has a holdall that he wants to take on as hand luggage, which I am sure I could fit my entire 2-week wardrobe into. The lady behind the counter is trying to explain that he cannot take it on as hand luggage, but will he listen not at all. Now I am a fairly even-tempered sort of chap, so I cannot be the only person who gets the urge in such circumstances to go and punch him in the back of the head rather hard! SHE AINT GONNA LET YOU ON WITH THAT BAG IDIOT. SORT IT AND STOP HOLDING OTHER PEOPLE UP.
Sorry about that I shall attempt to calm down. Bags and the golf clubs are deposited and we amble off to Travelex to get our currency, which works very well (once we find the correct kiosk).
So off to security, where we come across cretin no.2 for the day. A small group of Americans are in front of us. One lady has two pieces of hand luggage and an umbrella in her hand. Needless to say, the lady on security is having none of it, and will not let her through with the 2 bags and an umbrella. No matter whether you agree with the rules on hand luggage they are the rules, but, is our American cousin having any of it oh no! So, she proceeds to debate the whys and wherefores of it all. Part of her argument is that she has been allowed to take an umbrella on board before, when asked where, she replies In the US, to which the security lady says well you are in London now! top drawer I say. Now as you all know I am a fairly even-tempered sort of chap, so I cannot be the only person who gets the urge in such circumstances to go and punch her in the back of the head rather hard! SHE AINT GONNA LET YOU THROUGH WITH THAT UMBRELLA IDIOT. SORT IT AND STOP HOLDING OTHER PEOPLE UP
Sorry about that I shall attempt to calm down.
Now, things and idiots have something in common they all come in 3s. We are approaching the x-ray and metal detectors, there is a guy in front of us with a largish bag and coat on. Despite the 3 million signs about laptops, he waits until getting to the belt before making any attempt to free his laptop from his bag, then takes 5 mins doing that, 5 mins pratting around with his jacket no you pillock, leave all the stuff in the pockets, just take the damn thing off!! Now as you all know I am a fairly even-tempered sort of chap, so I cannot be the only person who gets the urge in such circumstances to go and punch him in the back of the head rather hard! HE AINT GONNA LET YOU THROUGH UNTIL YOU TAKE YOUR JACKET OFF AND PUT YOUR LAPTOP ON THE BELT. SORT IT AND STOP HOLDING OTHER PEOPLE UP
Sorry about that I shall attempt to calm down.
We then have a squizz around Duty Free, buying some perfume and make up (and Deb gets 20 woodbines). Then with an hour and a bit to spare we wonder what to do how about a spot of breaky I say. We have a look around some other shops, but, dont invest in any other items.
We take ourselves off somewhere (sorry cant remember the name). Deb has a breakfast of some sort and I have a bacon roll both very nice we agree. I am horrified however, that Deb declines to have an alcoholic beverage (too early/schmearly) after all Its 50clock somewhere yes Garcon a glass of your finest lager for me
We finish breaky and then head off to the plane, which is parked just where it is supposed to be lucky break I say. We are both very impressed with the plane, which is an Airbus a lot nicer inside and newer looking that the 747s you get on the LGW-MCO route.
The best thing is easily the entertainment system, V Port< which makes watching things much easier.
We are around 45mins late taking off, due to some shenanigans with some passengers. The flight is pretty uneventful, but luckily we are 1hr30mins quicker than expected so arrive early woohoo.
Miami airport is unfortunately a bit of a hole, and nowhere as nice as MCO. It also does not seem that they are as efficient as MCO in getting foreigners, or aliens in immigration speak, through maybe a problem with flying saucers who knows?! That having been said, I seem to think we were through the airport in under an hour. We head off , and find the Hertz bus to take us for our car, which is waiting for us, and departs 5 mins or so after we clamber on board. There are around 6 other groups of people on board the bus, so a cunning plan hatches in my noggin as soon as we get to the depot and the bags are unloaded I am off like a rat up a drainpipe (or maybe like Kev away from the bar when its his round) indoors to the counter to get the paperwork, whilst our fellow travellers are sorting themselves out SUCKERS!!
The car is exactly what we ordered, and I think we got a good price as the lady behind the desk asks me how much we paid in an odd tone?
The Wheels (admittedly not pictured at MIA, but rather at SSR)
The signs around the Airport arent great, and things are also hampered by the fact that there is a lot of building work. However, after a scenic journey around the Airport perimeter we are headed for the I95 and the turnpike for the short-ish trip to Palm Beach, where we are staying at the PGA National for one night (due to the fact that I didnt want to travel all the way to Orlando after a flight, and the remainder of our travelling party dont arrive in Orlando till tomorrow).
A very straightforward and uneventful drive sees us arrive at the PGA National. A very pleasant resort, which is having some refurb works done but will certainly suffice for one night (especially at £65). The room is a good size and very nice to boot.
Chez Churchill at the PGA National Resort & Spa
A quick look at the room and change and we are off on the hunt for the two things that tell you youve arrived (or at least they do me ):
1. Cold beer;
2. Enormous juicy burger!!
We locate the bar, and plonk ourselves at it. We exchange pleasantries with the chap and chap-ette behind the bar. Lets call them George and Mildred, when George says those magic words that makes my hair stand on end and my pulse race (and no it is not How you doin!!) can I start yall of with something to drink
HELL YEAH BABY!!! 
No those of you with am memory will remember me saying that my memory of certain points in our trip is not so good, and this is one such occasion.
Things I do remember:
1. Pleasant evening spent with the lovely Mrs Churchill;
2. Enormous juicy burger (my dinner, not Deb);
3. Lots of cold beer and suitably served Bourbon and cocktails;
4. George and Mildred were good eggs and we enjoyed their conversation.
Suitably fed and watered we head off to bed for a well earned snooze, ready to take on the Turnpike nice and early in the morning for the trip to Orlando.
Well me naturally as I am writing it. Albeit, there are some sections of the trip which I couldnt have been there for, as I have no recollection of them curious huh?!
Deb, also naturally, as there is no way Id get a holiday unless she was on it.
Oh, and some other neer-do-wells and interlopers will be joining us later.
So, onward dear readers to day 2.
We awake at some time in the morning, get on a plane and fly to America, then drive to Palm Beach. The end.
Did you enjoy that?
Let me guess, youd like a little more detail? Im beginning to think this is a bad idea.
So, lets try again.
The alarm goes at something like 5.30 with a taxi booked for 6.30 to allow the lovely Mrs Churchill sufficient time to make herself look even lovelier. Guess Im luck being a chap roll out of bed and 15 mins later Im showered, shaved and ready for fun. In fairness, I realised long ago that trying to beautify myself was folly and gave it up as a waste of effort.
We make our way out to the front of the Hotel to await Jo le Taxi (not sure his name was Jo, but stay with me on it). Ironically, there is an empty shuttle bus parked out front what are the chances of that, Id bet all of the money Kevs got that if youd intended to use the Hoppa bus, youd be waiting a good old time.
Anyhoo, Jo (le Taxi) arrives moments later and we are whisked off to Terminal 3, which is undertaking a lot of a work, and looks more like Beirut airport in places. I have a certain sense of trepidation as we turn the corner to where Virgins check-in is located as I know what Gatwick can look like, but, it is very quiet, hardly any queues at all. We head for the DIY desk where we keep a wary ye on the scales as one bag goes on, but, we are fine no problems at all.
The two chaps travelling together next to us have less luck. The guy has a holdall that he wants to take on as hand luggage, which I am sure I could fit my entire 2-week wardrobe into. The lady behind the counter is trying to explain that he cannot take it on as hand luggage, but will he listen not at all. Now I am a fairly even-tempered sort of chap, so I cannot be the only person who gets the urge in such circumstances to go and punch him in the back of the head rather hard! SHE AINT GONNA LET YOU ON WITH THAT BAG IDIOT. SORT IT AND STOP HOLDING OTHER PEOPLE UP.
Sorry about that I shall attempt to calm down. Bags and the golf clubs are deposited and we amble off to Travelex to get our currency, which works very well (once we find the correct kiosk).
So off to security, where we come across cretin no.2 for the day. A small group of Americans are in front of us. One lady has two pieces of hand luggage and an umbrella in her hand. Needless to say, the lady on security is having none of it, and will not let her through with the 2 bags and an umbrella. No matter whether you agree with the rules on hand luggage they are the rules, but, is our American cousin having any of it oh no! So, she proceeds to debate the whys and wherefores of it all. Part of her argument is that she has been allowed to take an umbrella on board before, when asked where, she replies In the US, to which the security lady says well you are in London now! top drawer I say. Now as you all know I am a fairly even-tempered sort of chap, so I cannot be the only person who gets the urge in such circumstances to go and punch her in the back of the head rather hard! SHE AINT GONNA LET YOU THROUGH WITH THAT UMBRELLA IDIOT. SORT IT AND STOP HOLDING OTHER PEOPLE UP
Sorry about that I shall attempt to calm down.
Now, things and idiots have something in common they all come in 3s. We are approaching the x-ray and metal detectors, there is a guy in front of us with a largish bag and coat on. Despite the 3 million signs about laptops, he waits until getting to the belt before making any attempt to free his laptop from his bag, then takes 5 mins doing that, 5 mins pratting around with his jacket no you pillock, leave all the stuff in the pockets, just take the damn thing off!! Now as you all know I am a fairly even-tempered sort of chap, so I cannot be the only person who gets the urge in such circumstances to go and punch him in the back of the head rather hard! HE AINT GONNA LET YOU THROUGH UNTIL YOU TAKE YOUR JACKET OFF AND PUT YOUR LAPTOP ON THE BELT. SORT IT AND STOP HOLDING OTHER PEOPLE UP
Sorry about that I shall attempt to calm down.
We then have a squizz around Duty Free, buying some perfume and make up (and Deb gets 20 woodbines). Then with an hour and a bit to spare we wonder what to do how about a spot of breaky I say. We have a look around some other shops, but, dont invest in any other items.
We take ourselves off somewhere (sorry cant remember the name). Deb has a breakfast of some sort and I have a bacon roll both very nice we agree. I am horrified however, that Deb declines to have an alcoholic beverage (too early/schmearly) after all Its 50clock somewhere yes Garcon a glass of your finest lager for me
We finish breaky and then head off to the plane, which is parked just where it is supposed to be lucky break I say. We are both very impressed with the plane, which is an Airbus a lot nicer inside and newer looking that the 747s you get on the LGW-MCO route.
The best thing is easily the entertainment system, V Port< which makes watching things much easier.
We are around 45mins late taking off, due to some shenanigans with some passengers. The flight is pretty uneventful, but luckily we are 1hr30mins quicker than expected so arrive early woohoo.
Miami airport is unfortunately a bit of a hole, and nowhere as nice as MCO. It also does not seem that they are as efficient as MCO in getting foreigners, or aliens in immigration speak, through maybe a problem with flying saucers who knows?! That having been said, I seem to think we were through the airport in under an hour. We head off , and find the Hertz bus to take us for our car, which is waiting for us, and departs 5 mins or so after we clamber on board. There are around 6 other groups of people on board the bus, so a cunning plan hatches in my noggin as soon as we get to the depot and the bags are unloaded I am off like a rat up a drainpipe (or maybe like Kev away from the bar when its his round) indoors to the counter to get the paperwork, whilst our fellow travellers are sorting themselves out SUCKERS!!
The car is exactly what we ordered, and I think we got a good price as the lady behind the desk asks me how much we paid in an odd tone?
The Wheels (admittedly not pictured at MIA, but rather at SSR)
The signs around the Airport arent great, and things are also hampered by the fact that there is a lot of building work. However, after a scenic journey around the Airport perimeter we are headed for the I95 and the turnpike for the short-ish trip to Palm Beach, where we are staying at the PGA National for one night (due to the fact that I didnt want to travel all the way to Orlando after a flight, and the remainder of our travelling party dont arrive in Orlando till tomorrow).
A very straightforward and uneventful drive sees us arrive at the PGA National. A very pleasant resort, which is having some refurb works done but will certainly suffice for one night (especially at £65). The room is a good size and very nice to boot.
Chez Churchill at the PGA National Resort & Spa
A quick look at the room and change and we are off on the hunt for the two things that tell you youve arrived (or at least they do me
):1. Cold beer;
2. Enormous juicy burger!!
We locate the bar, and plonk ourselves at it. We exchange pleasantries with the chap and chap-ette behind the bar. Lets call them George and Mildred, when George says those magic words that makes my hair stand on end and my pulse race (and no it is not How you doin!!) can I start yall of with something to drink
HELL YEAH BABY!!!
No those of you with am memory will remember me saying that my memory of certain points in our trip is not so good, and this is one such occasion.
Things I do remember:
1. Pleasant evening spent with the lovely Mrs Churchill;
2. Enormous juicy burger (my dinner, not Deb);
3. Lots of cold beer and suitably served Bourbon and cocktails;
4. George and Mildred were good eggs and we enjoyed their conversation.
Suitably fed and watered we head off to bed for a well earned snooze, ready to take on the Turnpike nice and early in the morning for the trip to Orlando.
