Mike Jones
<font color=993300>....nothing clever to say... ju
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,372
The Cast:
Mike, 39, chief organiser, driver and brew maker
Heather, 40, wife and mum
Bethany, 11 (going on 20!), coaster addict, hates getting wet.
Adam, 9, (going on 8!), hates coasters (except BTMRR), LOVES getting wet!
DAY 11 SUNDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2003
I woke at 530 but managed to resist the urge to rise and dozed on and off until 630. Everyone else asleep (good!) so I made coffee and took it onto the gazebo next to our apartment and the pool. Peaceful 30 minutes or so. Its warm outside, almost T-shirtable at 700am! I go back inside and check the local forecast wall to wall blue for the next few days and up to 75 degrees today! Both kids are awake by 715 and I get Heather up at 730 if she doesnt get up soon Ill have to feed them here, and I want to try the Broken Egg this morning! We manage to get out of the apartment by about 820 and, as we intend to have a decent walk later (and as Im starting to faint with hunger and anticipation) we drive the ¾ mile to the restaurant.
The Broken Egg is a local favourite for breakfast and lunch. It is situated on a side street in the Village area, and parking is right outside the door. There is a sheltered and landscaped forecourt with palms and other exotica surrounding the outside tables. We go inside, where every table is taken, and are offered outside tables at once, or a wait for indoors. The interior is pleasant and bustling, with lots of servers moving purposefully around and enjoying happy banter with each other and the staff behind the bakery/gift shop counter. For anyone waiting for tables there is a well-stocked area of touristy stuff to browse, including some quite tasteful pieces of art and other collectables.
We take the eat quicker outside option and order coffee and OJ for Heather and me, choc milk for Adam and strawberry smoothie for Bethany. Have a look at the breakfast menu: http://www.thebrokenegg.com/breakfast.htm - EVERYTHING looks yummy and we struggle to choose! The eventual contract comprises: Mike Broken egg breakfast (takes about 2 minutes to order this as you have to specify how you want your eggs (over-easy please), what type of bread for your toast (wheat), choice of bacon, sausage or ham (bacon, please!), and fruit (several options!) or hash brown (hash brown, please and these are made with cream!) AND (mistake here due to ignorance of portion sizes!) I also ordered Banana Nut Bread French Toast. Heather - 2 sticky Danish. Bethany Strawberry studded pancake (about 12 across thank goodness she didnt ask for two!) and Adam sampler breakfast with choc chip pancake underneath egg (over-easy), sausage and hash brown! (not sure that I would have put maple syrup on my egg and sausage, but he enjoyed it!).
The food was delicious. The nut bread toast was excellent, but I struggled to finish it after the main breakfast plate, as there were 3, thick, six-inch-square slices and a pile of cream! Wallet damage: $50, including tip. Not cheap for breakfast, but weve probably saved a fortune on the lunch we wont need!
Back to the apartment and dressed (undressed!) for a walk on the beach to get our bearings. We access the beach across the road from the accommodation and set off south towards the public beach bit. We walk about 1 ½ miles, past the wider, public section. There are plenty of people around, some sunbathing or making castles etc, but many are walking, jogging or cycling along the flat, hard-packed strip nearest the surf. It doesnt feel in any way crowded, though theres so much room here. Pelicans are bobbing around just off shore, periodically taking off and skimming the waves just like those boat-planes you see in remote lake areas. They occasionally climb to around 20 feet before diving down in a clumsy fashion, (like theyve been shot!) to grab a fish. They dont seem to miss much, either! Its warmed up to hot now and the pint of OJ and 3 coffees are threatening to embarrass me, so we return to the public beach bit and seek out the restrooms. We sit near a playground under palm tress for a while and send a few texts home. We stroll back, just into the surf (which is warmer than Id expected, just Oooh!, not AARRRGGHHH!). Back to base by 1100am. Adam wants to try the pool, so he and I shower and go outside. Heather joins us, but declines to swim, preferring to sit in the shade under our gazebo and read a book. Bethany has apparently found the 24hour Emerill Channel on cable again, and stays inside. (Weird child!) She appears at 1230 and announces shes hungry! What a surprise.
We go and get cleaned up and venture towards the south of the island with a map provided by Paige showing us where Wal-Mart can be found. There are two access points to Siesta Key the northern one is nearer to Sarasota. The lower one, located in the centre of the Key looks closer to our destination. The area around the drawbridge is affluent looking and has a multi-storey speedboat garage in the marina! Plenty of bucks around here!
Wal-Mart is easily located about 8 miles away. We hope to find cheap Game boy Advance SPs for the children to blow their Christmas dollars on. Id forgotten how BIG these stores are, and, after wandering aimlessly for about 20 minutes we seek assistance. An employee directs us to the large, central electronics area (how did we miss it?) and the GBs are located. $99 each. We get two and I pay with my credit card I hope to do quite well out of the deal with the current exchange rate! After leaving the store, we remember all the other bits we wanted and stop at one of the many Publix stores weve passed previously. Ah, thats better a Tesco sized supermarket that doesnt require a map to navigate! (One point at Wal-Mart, and at every other place I use my credit card, the checkout staff never check my signature, normally returning my card straight after swiping. Is there no credit card fraud in the US, or do they not care?)
Back to the apartment by 330pm. We are all peckish now, having missed lunch, and wander up the road into the Village area for an early dinner. The road is only moderately busy, and nobody speeds in truth, I would think that most stay at least 5 mph under the limit of 30. There are numerous crossing points along the road, with notices warning motorists that failure to give way to pedestrians will result in a $78 fine! Most motorists in the areas weve explored, around Orlando and the parks, seem willing to stop for you anyway, but here its very satisfying. Adam and Beth soon develop a posture and gait suggesting that they MIGHT cross the road and giggle at the power they have over the drivers.
The busiest place seems to be the Daiquiri Deck - http://www.daiquirideckgrill.com/Index.html - its clearly bustling and there is a reggae band in full flow. Paige has recommended this and says that they are child friendly, so we go in. Although they have hostess seating at night, we are told to find our own table and do so with reasonable ease. The interior of the pub is light and airy, as the front part is like a raised veranda, open to the street. The fittings and flooring are predominantly light coloured timber. There are various TVs and flat screens showing a variety of programmes, mainly sports. A group of young people behind us are cheering a football game in progress, but most people are eating, chatting and listening to the reggae. We order a pitcher of Bud between us (1/2 price during Happy Hour, daily from about 3pm-7pm) and the kids have strawberry smoothie (B) and coke (A). From the food menu we choose: Adam burger & fries, Bethany - chicken wrap w/fries. Heather and I fancy starters; I have ½ lb peel n eat shrimp, Heather has potato wedges. For main course, I have a grouper sandwich in beer batter while Heather asks for a mushroom burger (both w/fries). We listen to the band, who play a variety of Bob Marley stuff and other, more contemporary songs, and have another pitcher of Budweiser. The band are very good, as is the food! (and the beer!) I forgot to record how much it all was, but Bethany insists it was $78 + tip. (Shes probably right, as she calculated the 15% tip level for me at most meals and has a memory like a steel trap!)
I think well come here again. By about 500pm we head back to the apartment and then onto the beach to video the sunset. We can hear the noise of Drumdown from the public beach about ½ mile away and walk in that direction. Theres a large crowd of people gathered, and at the centre are a few dozen revellers with drums of all types, from professional bongos to pots and pans! They are hammering out a basic but evocative beat, accompanied by a few flutes, guitars and other instruments. The effect is surprisingly moving and we push through the outlying observers to the centre, where most of the people are dancing. A flower-power-generation couple are really going for it in the middle, tending a small fire with roses and other flowers laid in patterns around it shes about 18 stone, dancing her socks off and not giving a damn! Hes skinny, stripped to shorts and swinging an incense burner as he frolics! There are other, base smells in the air too, some of which might be of interest to the local sheriff! Quite an experience! Its gone pretty dark now the light fades fast after the sunset at 545pm and although the party shows little sign of ending, we start back towards our beach exit. We walk just into the surf and are very happy! A tall, strange shape a few yards into the water turns out to be a large stork/crane-type bird about the business of catching its tea. It completely ignores us as we pass!
Back at the apartment the kids play with their new Game boys. Heather and I take a few more beers out onto the terrace next to the pool and chill. Its still pleasantly warm, even when we go in at 815. Everyones very tired, and we are all bathed, showered and in bed by 900pm!!
I like it here!
Tomorrow: Shark Tooth Hunting at Venice Beach!
Mike
Mike, 39, chief organiser, driver and brew maker
Heather, 40, wife and mum
Bethany, 11 (going on 20!), coaster addict, hates getting wet.
Adam, 9, (going on 8!), hates coasters (except BTMRR), LOVES getting wet!
DAY 11 SUNDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2003
I woke at 530 but managed to resist the urge to rise and dozed on and off until 630. Everyone else asleep (good!) so I made coffee and took it onto the gazebo next to our apartment and the pool. Peaceful 30 minutes or so. Its warm outside, almost T-shirtable at 700am! I go back inside and check the local forecast wall to wall blue for the next few days and up to 75 degrees today! Both kids are awake by 715 and I get Heather up at 730 if she doesnt get up soon Ill have to feed them here, and I want to try the Broken Egg this morning! We manage to get out of the apartment by about 820 and, as we intend to have a decent walk later (and as Im starting to faint with hunger and anticipation) we drive the ¾ mile to the restaurant.
The Broken Egg is a local favourite for breakfast and lunch. It is situated on a side street in the Village area, and parking is right outside the door. There is a sheltered and landscaped forecourt with palms and other exotica surrounding the outside tables. We go inside, where every table is taken, and are offered outside tables at once, or a wait for indoors. The interior is pleasant and bustling, with lots of servers moving purposefully around and enjoying happy banter with each other and the staff behind the bakery/gift shop counter. For anyone waiting for tables there is a well-stocked area of touristy stuff to browse, including some quite tasteful pieces of art and other collectables.
We take the eat quicker outside option and order coffee and OJ for Heather and me, choc milk for Adam and strawberry smoothie for Bethany. Have a look at the breakfast menu: http://www.thebrokenegg.com/breakfast.htm - EVERYTHING looks yummy and we struggle to choose! The eventual contract comprises: Mike Broken egg breakfast (takes about 2 minutes to order this as you have to specify how you want your eggs (over-easy please), what type of bread for your toast (wheat), choice of bacon, sausage or ham (bacon, please!), and fruit (several options!) or hash brown (hash brown, please and these are made with cream!) AND (mistake here due to ignorance of portion sizes!) I also ordered Banana Nut Bread French Toast. Heather - 2 sticky Danish. Bethany Strawberry studded pancake (about 12 across thank goodness she didnt ask for two!) and Adam sampler breakfast with choc chip pancake underneath egg (over-easy), sausage and hash brown! (not sure that I would have put maple syrup on my egg and sausage, but he enjoyed it!).
The food was delicious. The nut bread toast was excellent, but I struggled to finish it after the main breakfast plate, as there were 3, thick, six-inch-square slices and a pile of cream! Wallet damage: $50, including tip. Not cheap for breakfast, but weve probably saved a fortune on the lunch we wont need!
Back to the apartment and dressed (undressed!) for a walk on the beach to get our bearings. We access the beach across the road from the accommodation and set off south towards the public beach bit. We walk about 1 ½ miles, past the wider, public section. There are plenty of people around, some sunbathing or making castles etc, but many are walking, jogging or cycling along the flat, hard-packed strip nearest the surf. It doesnt feel in any way crowded, though theres so much room here. Pelicans are bobbing around just off shore, periodically taking off and skimming the waves just like those boat-planes you see in remote lake areas. They occasionally climb to around 20 feet before diving down in a clumsy fashion, (like theyve been shot!) to grab a fish. They dont seem to miss much, either! Its warmed up to hot now and the pint of OJ and 3 coffees are threatening to embarrass me, so we return to the public beach bit and seek out the restrooms. We sit near a playground under palm tress for a while and send a few texts home. We stroll back, just into the surf (which is warmer than Id expected, just Oooh!, not AARRRGGHHH!). Back to base by 1100am. Adam wants to try the pool, so he and I shower and go outside. Heather joins us, but declines to swim, preferring to sit in the shade under our gazebo and read a book. Bethany has apparently found the 24hour Emerill Channel on cable again, and stays inside. (Weird child!) She appears at 1230 and announces shes hungry! What a surprise.
We go and get cleaned up and venture towards the south of the island with a map provided by Paige showing us where Wal-Mart can be found. There are two access points to Siesta Key the northern one is nearer to Sarasota. The lower one, located in the centre of the Key looks closer to our destination. The area around the drawbridge is affluent looking and has a multi-storey speedboat garage in the marina! Plenty of bucks around here!
Wal-Mart is easily located about 8 miles away. We hope to find cheap Game boy Advance SPs for the children to blow their Christmas dollars on. Id forgotten how BIG these stores are, and, after wandering aimlessly for about 20 minutes we seek assistance. An employee directs us to the large, central electronics area (how did we miss it?) and the GBs are located. $99 each. We get two and I pay with my credit card I hope to do quite well out of the deal with the current exchange rate! After leaving the store, we remember all the other bits we wanted and stop at one of the many Publix stores weve passed previously. Ah, thats better a Tesco sized supermarket that doesnt require a map to navigate! (One point at Wal-Mart, and at every other place I use my credit card, the checkout staff never check my signature, normally returning my card straight after swiping. Is there no credit card fraud in the US, or do they not care?)
Back to the apartment by 330pm. We are all peckish now, having missed lunch, and wander up the road into the Village area for an early dinner. The road is only moderately busy, and nobody speeds in truth, I would think that most stay at least 5 mph under the limit of 30. There are numerous crossing points along the road, with notices warning motorists that failure to give way to pedestrians will result in a $78 fine! Most motorists in the areas weve explored, around Orlando and the parks, seem willing to stop for you anyway, but here its very satisfying. Adam and Beth soon develop a posture and gait suggesting that they MIGHT cross the road and giggle at the power they have over the drivers.
The busiest place seems to be the Daiquiri Deck - http://www.daiquirideckgrill.com/Index.html - its clearly bustling and there is a reggae band in full flow. Paige has recommended this and says that they are child friendly, so we go in. Although they have hostess seating at night, we are told to find our own table and do so with reasonable ease. The interior of the pub is light and airy, as the front part is like a raised veranda, open to the street. The fittings and flooring are predominantly light coloured timber. There are various TVs and flat screens showing a variety of programmes, mainly sports. A group of young people behind us are cheering a football game in progress, but most people are eating, chatting and listening to the reggae. We order a pitcher of Bud between us (1/2 price during Happy Hour, daily from about 3pm-7pm) and the kids have strawberry smoothie (B) and coke (A). From the food menu we choose: Adam burger & fries, Bethany - chicken wrap w/fries. Heather and I fancy starters; I have ½ lb peel n eat shrimp, Heather has potato wedges. For main course, I have a grouper sandwich in beer batter while Heather asks for a mushroom burger (both w/fries). We listen to the band, who play a variety of Bob Marley stuff and other, more contemporary songs, and have another pitcher of Budweiser. The band are very good, as is the food! (and the beer!) I forgot to record how much it all was, but Bethany insists it was $78 + tip. (Shes probably right, as she calculated the 15% tip level for me at most meals and has a memory like a steel trap!)
I think well come here again. By about 500pm we head back to the apartment and then onto the beach to video the sunset. We can hear the noise of Drumdown from the public beach about ½ mile away and walk in that direction. Theres a large crowd of people gathered, and at the centre are a few dozen revellers with drums of all types, from professional bongos to pots and pans! They are hammering out a basic but evocative beat, accompanied by a few flutes, guitars and other instruments. The effect is surprisingly moving and we push through the outlying observers to the centre, where most of the people are dancing. A flower-power-generation couple are really going for it in the middle, tending a small fire with roses and other flowers laid in patterns around it shes about 18 stone, dancing her socks off and not giving a damn! Hes skinny, stripped to shorts and swinging an incense burner as he frolics! There are other, base smells in the air too, some of which might be of interest to the local sheriff! Quite an experience! Its gone pretty dark now the light fades fast after the sunset at 545pm and although the party shows little sign of ending, we start back towards our beach exit. We walk just into the surf and are very happy! A tall, strange shape a few yards into the water turns out to be a large stork/crane-type bird about the business of catching its tea. It completely ignores us as we pass!
Back at the apartment the kids play with their new Game boys. Heather and I take a few more beers out onto the terrace next to the pool and chill. Its still pleasantly warm, even when we go in at 815. Everyones very tired, and we are all bathed, showered and in bed by 900pm!!
I like it here!
Tomorrow: Shark Tooth Hunting at Venice Beach!
Mike
