Manatees, Attack Squirrels and Zydeco

Jean and Gordon arrived late – very late on the evening of the 7th. Something about their trips to the States and delayed flights. (Entries from Jean in white- my comments in Italics) Jean’s story starts: “Woke early in the sunshine but felt fine and ready to start the holiday. Mornings with J&D are usually unhurried with plenty of coffee but by mid-morning, we'd decided to visit a local wildlife park in Homosassa, just down the road from Rock Crusher. This turned out to be a lovely place and we were especially taken with the manatees.

These huge gentle creatures glide through the water and as there was an underwater viewing area, we were able to see them close up. Then there were lots of pink flamingos, a hippo which apparently had been a TV star and after it's acting life was over, it was too tame to be returned to the wild so is living out it's life in Florida.

All in all, we enjoyed the stroll round this place and the sunshine which accompanied us

By lunchtime, we were ready to visit The Freezer, J&D's local bar. This was different - situated on the banks of the bayou, most of it was open to the elements and with a big thatched roof. It seems that a squirrel had made its home there and hung about on the rafters cadging food. After a lovely meal of clam chowder and steamed shrimp, we went for a short drive and then headed back to Rock Crusher to enjoy the sun.

In the evening, we headed to a Cajun Diner called Neon Leon's. Apparently, Leon was Lynard Skynard's bass guitarist but the music playing on this night was zydeco and the restaurant was full of 'seniors' but the food was good - gumbo and more shrimp - and we enjoyed the night.”