UKDEB
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Saturday, 15th November
After yesterdays impromptu decision that Matt should play golf today, the alarm is set for 6am, but Im stirring at 4:45 and wide awake by 5am, so I decide to get up. I put on the coffee machine and spend a quiet hour watching the news and pottering until Matt surfaces. I manage to knock up 3 vases and 2 ashtrays. Were out of the door at around 7:30. The forecast for today is hot and humid, but its grey and overcast as we leave.
The journey to Orange County National is very easy from WDW out on Western Way (which exits property at Coronado Springs) to the 429 and then a very short (2.5 mile) hop north. Our first stop is the pro shop to check in and for Matt to buy a golf shirt. Were informed we can get out at 8:27 if that suits us and, if we take that tee time, there will be no rider charge. As were there anyway (its now approaching 8am), the earlier the better as far as we're concerned.
Theres just enough time for Matt to hit a bucket of balls at the range before we head to the 10th tee of the Crooked Cat course where hell start. It takes him a mere 5 minutes to work out he needs to take them out of the bucket before hitting them.
We arrive at the tee to discover hes been paired with a twosome. Kevin lives near the PGA Village at West Palm Beach where we stayed in 2007 and Deborah hails from Chicago. As the round progresses we learn that they met at the driving range of his local course in January this year. As hes left-handed, he found himself facing her on the range and invited her to join his three ball. (I know these left hookers are quirky, but three balls ?) It turns out that she retired last year from her own advertising agency (which her daughter now runs) to pursue her love of golf. She travels alone, all over the US, trying out courses shes heard of for one reason or another. She loves playing with strangers and is writing a book on the very matter. And also about golf. [Must investigate we could well be infamous by now.]
The boys share one cart whilst I drive her in the other. I discover that shes fast approaching 60 whilst hes just turned 50. He has no idea that shes 10 years his senior (she only knows because she happened across his driver's licence) and things are starting to get serious, so shes keen to get things out in the open. She looks nowhere near her age and, never one to miss out on the potential for some drama, I encourage her to out herself. The age difference is less than between Matt and me and that seems to spur her on. That coupled with the fact that I dont leave it alone for the next 4 hours.
Shes been playing for 6 years and, considering her passion for the game, isnt really that much better than me. [Matt: At least she holds the right end of the club.] I kick myself for not having had the confidence to play. The prospect of being paired with strangers often prevents me from doing so lest I make a complete fool of myself. Kevin, it transpires, is really very good and shoots an 82.
Theyre staying at the OCN for a 3 day weekend and invite us to join them for lunch at the clubhouse. It isnt really my kind of place way too functional and lacking any kind of finesse. The food is pretty poor, too. Despite its rave reviews, the course is also lacking in character and I take very few photos. I wouldnt rush back there. The big reveal goes off without incident. Disappointingly, Kevin appears most non-plussed. Maybe he's had a previous encounter with her driver's licence.
Back at Saratoga Springs, we go over the plans for this evening. Ive been hankering to visit Rix Lounge at Coronado Springs and, during yesterdays discussions when suggesting Matt play golf today, I took the opportunity to re-introduce the idea. Now, though, hes clearly not keen and is interested in little other than a walk across to Downtown Disney. I feel weve done this to death, but I appreciate his point that the Rix plan will equate either to $40 in taxi fares or to him having to drive. Unsurprisingly, neither appeals to him in any way, shape or form. As Ive graciously dragged myself around a golf course for 4.5 hours for his benefit today, I figure I can push my agenda a bit and suggest we drive to Rix for one drink so that I can satisfy my curiosity and then return to SSR for the walk to DTD. He readily agrees. This compromising lark might even catch on!
Rix is very nice. A gorgeous, grown-up lounge, but totally incongruous at Coronado Springs. Its particularly noticeable after youve been inside for a while and come out into the homogenised Disney environs. Interestingly, I dont remember thinking the same thing at The Wave.
Matt has a Makers Mark on the rocks and I have a glass of La Crema Chardonnay. We chat to the locals sitting beside us at the bar. He talks about the economy/Obama/the financial crisis/himself. He constantly talks over his wife (although shes no shrinking violet) and contradicts me whilst repeating precisely what Ive been saying in the next sentence. A total bore. After around 20 minutes, even he tires of the sound of his own voice and asks about us.
Once back on our stools after having fallen off in surprise, we decide that food may be in order. Its appetisers only on the menu here and our new friends recommend the Seafood Cappuccino. We order one to share along with the Citrus Infused Chicken Skewers on Garlic Toast. The cappuccino is delicious a sweet and intense seafood bisque with a cream and cinnamon topping. The skewers are good, too and are accompanied by what is effectively a lemon/lime/orange marmalade, but less sweet.
We drive back to SSR and stop by the room to drop off the camera. As luck would have it, weve timed it just right for online check-in for tomorrows flight home. We find that our pre-selected seats of 79 A&C have been changed to 70 A&C. Not the end of the world, but annoying nonetheless. The exit seats are the only ones available for selection, so we snag those with absolutely no hope of actually getting them come tomorrow.
We walk across to Downtown Disney. Its very busy tonight. We hit it just as the second showing of Cirque is taking in and there also seems to be something going on at House of Blues. We head for Raglan Road where we sit at the bar and partake of a snifter or two.
Shortly after 10pm we make our way back to the room with the intention of finishing up the beer and wine there, but our early start catches up with us and were both falling asleep almost as soon as we walk through the door. Bed wins. Damn you, bed and damn the tiredness!
After yesterdays impromptu decision that Matt should play golf today, the alarm is set for 6am, but Im stirring at 4:45 and wide awake by 5am, so I decide to get up. I put on the coffee machine and spend a quiet hour watching the news and pottering until Matt surfaces. I manage to knock up 3 vases and 2 ashtrays. Were out of the door at around 7:30. The forecast for today is hot and humid, but its grey and overcast as we leave.
The journey to Orange County National is very easy from WDW out on Western Way (which exits property at Coronado Springs) to the 429 and then a very short (2.5 mile) hop north. Our first stop is the pro shop to check in and for Matt to buy a golf shirt. Were informed we can get out at 8:27 if that suits us and, if we take that tee time, there will be no rider charge. As were there anyway (its now approaching 8am), the earlier the better as far as we're concerned.
Theres just enough time for Matt to hit a bucket of balls at the range before we head to the 10th tee of the Crooked Cat course where hell start. It takes him a mere 5 minutes to work out he needs to take them out of the bucket before hitting them.
We arrive at the tee to discover hes been paired with a twosome. Kevin lives near the PGA Village at West Palm Beach where we stayed in 2007 and Deborah hails from Chicago. As the round progresses we learn that they met at the driving range of his local course in January this year. As hes left-handed, he found himself facing her on the range and invited her to join his three ball. (I know these left hookers are quirky, but three balls ?) It turns out that she retired last year from her own advertising agency (which her daughter now runs) to pursue her love of golf. She travels alone, all over the US, trying out courses shes heard of for one reason or another. She loves playing with strangers and is writing a book on the very matter. And also about golf. [Must investigate we could well be infamous by now.]
The boys share one cart whilst I drive her in the other. I discover that shes fast approaching 60 whilst hes just turned 50. He has no idea that shes 10 years his senior (she only knows because she happened across his driver's licence) and things are starting to get serious, so shes keen to get things out in the open. She looks nowhere near her age and, never one to miss out on the potential for some drama, I encourage her to out herself. The age difference is less than between Matt and me and that seems to spur her on. That coupled with the fact that I dont leave it alone for the next 4 hours.
Shes been playing for 6 years and, considering her passion for the game, isnt really that much better than me. [Matt: At least she holds the right end of the club.] I kick myself for not having had the confidence to play. The prospect of being paired with strangers often prevents me from doing so lest I make a complete fool of myself. Kevin, it transpires, is really very good and shoots an 82.
Theyre staying at the OCN for a 3 day weekend and invite us to join them for lunch at the clubhouse. It isnt really my kind of place way too functional and lacking any kind of finesse. The food is pretty poor, too. Despite its rave reviews, the course is also lacking in character and I take very few photos. I wouldnt rush back there. The big reveal goes off without incident. Disappointingly, Kevin appears most non-plussed. Maybe he's had a previous encounter with her driver's licence.
Back at Saratoga Springs, we go over the plans for this evening. Ive been hankering to visit Rix Lounge at Coronado Springs and, during yesterdays discussions when suggesting Matt play golf today, I took the opportunity to re-introduce the idea. Now, though, hes clearly not keen and is interested in little other than a walk across to Downtown Disney. I feel weve done this to death, but I appreciate his point that the Rix plan will equate either to $40 in taxi fares or to him having to drive. Unsurprisingly, neither appeals to him in any way, shape or form. As Ive graciously dragged myself around a golf course for 4.5 hours for his benefit today, I figure I can push my agenda a bit and suggest we drive to Rix for one drink so that I can satisfy my curiosity and then return to SSR for the walk to DTD. He readily agrees. This compromising lark might even catch on!
Rix is very nice. A gorgeous, grown-up lounge, but totally incongruous at Coronado Springs. Its particularly noticeable after youve been inside for a while and come out into the homogenised Disney environs. Interestingly, I dont remember thinking the same thing at The Wave.
Matt has a Makers Mark on the rocks and I have a glass of La Crema Chardonnay. We chat to the locals sitting beside us at the bar. He talks about the economy/Obama/the financial crisis/himself. He constantly talks over his wife (although shes no shrinking violet) and contradicts me whilst repeating precisely what Ive been saying in the next sentence. A total bore. After around 20 minutes, even he tires of the sound of his own voice and asks about us.
Once back on our stools after having fallen off in surprise, we decide that food may be in order. Its appetisers only on the menu here and our new friends recommend the Seafood Cappuccino. We order one to share along with the Citrus Infused Chicken Skewers on Garlic Toast. The cappuccino is delicious a sweet and intense seafood bisque with a cream and cinnamon topping. The skewers are good, too and are accompanied by what is effectively a lemon/lime/orange marmalade, but less sweet.
We drive back to SSR and stop by the room to drop off the camera. As luck would have it, weve timed it just right for online check-in for tomorrows flight home. We find that our pre-selected seats of 79 A&C have been changed to 70 A&C. Not the end of the world, but annoying nonetheless. The exit seats are the only ones available for selection, so we snag those with absolutely no hope of actually getting them come tomorrow.
We walk across to Downtown Disney. Its very busy tonight. We hit it just as the second showing of Cirque is taking in and there also seems to be something going on at House of Blues. We head for Raglan Road where we sit at the bar and partake of a snifter or two.
Shortly after 10pm we make our way back to the room with the intention of finishing up the beer and wine there, but our early start catches up with us and were both falling asleep almost as soon as we walk through the door. Bed wins. Damn you, bed and damn the tiredness!
By the way can you spare us one of the vases; we seem to have a lack of them in this house. That lady really didn't look sixty.
