13.10.2017 - A Beach visit

[Sam_Smith]

So it's our last full day and we had a beach day planned.

My sister and BIL had free tickets to Busch Gardens, but they had just worn themselves out and couldn't face the travelling (or my sister couldn't face BIL's driving ) so decided to chill out at the villa.

I suggested we all go to the beach as planned, but we could drop DS and DIL at BG for the day and pick them back up on our way back from the beach.

Everyone was up for that so off we went.

The traffic was terrible and it took longer than expected to reach BG's, but we dropped DS and DIL right outside the entrance, and made our way on to Clearwater.

By the time we had parked it was 2pm already, and DH spotted this

well he has an eye for this place

I had fish tacos

and DH had fish and chips. Except there was no chips so he ate mine!

It was all OK and the service was good (apparently) I wonder why?!

We walked over to the beach and onto the pier

The weather was pleasant enough. Not too hot with a nice breeze.

However, the sky became increasingly black

to the point where I thought Independence Day III was being filmed on location!

I decided to have a paddle before the rain started, but it came so suddenly and so heavy we had to shelter under the lifeguard hut!

I think these must be Brits!

The rain didn't let up so we made our way back to the car and decided to find Robert's Christmas Wonderland. We have visited before and I LOVE the place! I always make at least one purchase whenever I visit.

Excuse the amount of photos. I have a bit of an obsession!

I could spend a fortune in here!

I only purchased one thing. It was a new fibre optic angel for my tree. $38.95 plus tax.

We finally left at about 5pm and made our way back to BG. Or at least we tried!

The rain returned and caused more than one accident on the causeway.

Which caused the traffic to back up. This was our view for the next hour!

We finally got back to BG's and DS and DIL were outside waiting for us. They had a great day at BG's. Hardly any queues, and not much rain either.

We finally arrived back at the villa at about 7:30pm, and my sister and BIL were waiting for us. Full of energy after a day's rest!

We were all starving so I suggested Longhorns! It wasn't too far, and I knew there would be plenty to satisfy the hungry men in our party.

When we arrived, once again there was a queue out of the door! We made enquiries, but there was an hours wait.

Opposite was an Olive Garden, and although there was a queue there too, at least it was inside, so we decided to try there.

We still had a good 30 minutes to wait, and DS was really hangry by this point, but we persevered and we were eventually seated on a lovely table in a quiet corner of the restaurant.

All of the men had soup...

and lots of it! I think they all had at least 2 bowls each! The ladies had salad

which was lovely and fresh

along with a lovely strawberry lemonade and of course those breadsticks

DH has spaghetti and meatballs

BIL had the Tour of Italy

DIL had grilled Chicken Parmigiana

DS had Shrimp Scampi

My sister had the cheese fondue

and I had Chicken Margherita

It was all really delicious. The breadsticks just kept on coming and the drinks were always topped up without asking.

A great final meal for our holiday

[barryp1]

It's always best to check the forecast before Florida coast day trips.

On that day the temperature in Daytona was 28 with no rain plus the bonus of the Boo Bash. A much better choice of restaurants in Daytona and I doubt the traffic congestion you encountered.

[collybird]

How rubbish about the rain!

Loved your pictures from the Christmas Wonderland, my OH would be in heaven there.