Much the same way that ending a rain of hammer blows to the head can feel like pleasure, one of the best things about sleeping rough is that you have a renewed appreciation for all those things you took for granted. First among these: hot shower, clean sheets, chairs not fixed to the floor.
After two nights slung between trees, I was ready for a bit of comfort, and, on my last ninety miles through the Everglades, it was incredibly cheering to think that my next stop would put me in the company of family.
That my brother Jeff was in Florida with his family was a coincidence that we just couldn’t pass up. Hence the somewhat migratory pattern across southern Florida, taking me to a lovely corner of Bonita Springs, just north of Naples.
When I got there, it was a joy to see my brother, his wife, and my niece and nephew, who I hadn’t clapped eyes on for almost two years. Unfortunately, i was slightly too fragrant to trade anything more than handshakes at first, and was given a beer and promptly ushered inside for a wash.
What followed were a brilliant few days hanging out with the kids, stoking up the sauna, chasing tennis balls and eating food that didn’t come out of a cellophane wrapper. Brilliant.
Taylor and Calvin: a sight for sore eyes
Buddy takes one for the team and squeezes into the back
Unlike my crew, these are good eaters, all
iPoke: irresistible to little fingers
The Ballad of George’s Meatball
after carrying them 800 miles, i was not going to miss a chance to wear my ‘finest’.
this turned out to be my only opportunity.
Hi Jay!!
Glad seeing your ride on this old Batavus is going ahead… or not? Go on big man 😉
Cheers from Basque Country (remember to hi me when you wish a freesh cider).
enjoy
Hey Felix! great to hear from you. The ride has in fact, gone ahead. i’m just not so quick on updating the blog as i could be.
here’s a link that shows the posts chronologically: http://shambolic.com/blog/blog/category/floridia/tour-de-florida/
should finish updating in a day or so.
will definitely remember you when the next glass of cider gets tipped.
hope to catch up soon!
jay
Hahaha… allways late!
Nice to see you finished it, congrats.
And be sure, someday will meet again… cy!
It was great having you Jay. So glad that our trip to Florida just happened to coincide with your mini bike odyssey. I’m indebted to you for the “silent game”. I suspect we’ll be using that a lot in May! Can’t wait to see the entire crew! Send my best to everyone.
definitely a highlight of the trip for me, Cyn!
not long now before the mass reunion takes place in Tarrana.
looking forward to it. give the rest of the gang a squeeze from uncle jay.
xx