Went for a long walk
along an almost empty beach. Miles and miles of
golden yellow sand, sea birds and shells. we
assume that during the main season it gets busy
but we hardly saw a soul.
March 1996
<<<
Friday, 1 March 1996
Today it rained for most of the day. Instructions for Telecoupler arrived but
concluded that the coupler was faulty. Tried to contact the company but nobody
was there. Now looks like it will be Tuesday at best before we get a
replacement.
Saturday, 2 March 1996
Went to a very large indoor flea market but did not buy anything. Out for an
enjoyable Chinese buffet meal in the evening.
Sunday, 3 March 1996
A quiet day looking around an open-air flea market and a Mall. Cleaned part of
the RV.
Monday, 4 March 1996
Long talk with Don Skinner from Michigan.
Moved from Lady Lake to St. Augustine
which is about 120 miles. The site is not on the beach as we expected and even
though they claim it is a luxury site, it is very bare in places. Excellent
cable TV for $1 a night. It now seems that the Telecoupler will not work with
the US Robotics modem as it draws too much loop current, so do we buy a new
modem, go cellular or what?
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|
|
Went for a long walk
along an almost empty beach. Miles and miles of
golden yellow sand, sea birds and shells. we
assume that during the main season it gets busy
but we hardly saw a soul. |
|
Spent the day visiting
St. Augustine which is the oldest
continuously occupied town in the States. It is
a beautiful town with a mixture of traditional
wooden single-story houses and enormous fine
brick-built buildings. |
||
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The major building was
undertaken by Flagler who went to St.
Augustine for his honeymoon and liked the
town and area so much, that he decided that it
was an ideal area for his rich friends to take a
holiday. Amongst others, he built an impressive
hotel which today is
Flagler College. |
|
Thursday, 7 March 1996
Spent most of the day at Computer City, eventually buying a modem and trying to
get the acoustic coupler working using their in-store phone - still no success.
Friday, 8 March 1996
We are now in St. Augustine which has miles of wide flat beaches, so long
walks have been the order of the day. The sand is firm, so it is possible to
drive cars for miles on the beach so guess what, we did the same and it is quite
an experience. The weather has changed in the last 24 hours, having had hot days
and warm nights for the last week or so, yesterday we were put under a tornado
watch and it turned very black and then we had heavy rain.
***Weather***
The temperatures have dropped from yesterday's 80F to today’s 50F and tonight it
will be less than 30F. For this part of the world that's cold.!
Saturday, 9 March 1996
A replacement acoustic coupler arrived but still did not work. However, spent
some time playing with various settings and finally - had success. We can now
send and receive Emails from most pay phones. This made George's day.
Sunday, 10 March 1996
It rained all day with strong winds gusting up to 50mph. We did some shopping,
and watched the rough sea but spent most of the day writing letters to send back
home. The acoustic coupler worked for the second day running!
Monday, 11 March 1996
Cloudy windy. The mail package arrived but nothing of interest. Went to
Jacksonville and purchased the Map & Go
route planning CD for the computer, which seemed to work well when we plotted
out our next trip to Carrabelle FL.
Our car insurance company are chasing an experience letter from our UK insurers.
Phoned June who offered to chase them for us.
Tuesday, 12 March 1996
Waited until early afternoon in case our missing mail arrived. Unclear if our
mailbox service had made a mistake or if the mail had got lost in the post.
Moved on to Perry near the Florida panhandle.
Good run on quiet and very straight roads. Stayed for one night at West Gate
Motel and campground. Nice site spoilt by the view - a recycling plant!
Wednesday, 13 March 1996
Travelled from Perry for 85 miles to near Carrabelle. When we
stopped for coffee at a beachside lay-by we noticed an RV site overlooking the
sea. Decided to stay for two days, going for a long walk along a deserted beach.
Along the beach were the stumps of large trees forming weird shapes. Beach
erosion over the years is slowly destroying the forest along the coastline.
Thanks to June the experience letter has arrived and is OK, so the policy is
being issued and should arrive at our mailbox in 5 to 10 days.
Just heard on the news about the shooting at the Scottish nursery school, how
awful. Even over here where this sort of thing is more common, it was the main
news item.
The first service for the RV was due at 3,000 miles so off we drove to Bill's
Lube. Over here they have specialist service bays to do oil and filter changes.
We drove into the service bay with just two inches to spare as we are 11 foot
ten inches high. The service took only 15 minutes with three people working on
it at the same time. The service included checking the gearbox, rear
differential, brake fluid, power steering, washer, battery, and cooling levels;
checking air cleaner, greasing and washing the windscreen as well as changing
the oil and filter; the whole service only cost £24.00 including oil and filter,
which we thought was excellent value. (It also kept George's hands clean!)
Gas (petrol) consumption is as we expected about 6.8 miles per gallon, so when
we fill up we normally need 60 to 70 gallons! and fifteen minutes. The RV weight
is about 9 tonnes and with the car, in tow, we are about 55 feet long.
Thursday, 14 March 1996
Had a 2-mile walk along the beach just after breakfast, the sea was very calm.
Brilliant white sands and blue sky. We then went food shopping and a drive
further along the coast. Returned to camp and started talking to a lady who
originally came from Epsom but now lives in Michigan, where they run a bed and
breakfast place. They gave us their name and address in case we get anywhere
near them.
Friday, 15 March 1996
We left the campground at about 10.15 am to make our way westward towards
Pensacola (157 miles).
Journey went very well right along the Mexican Gulf coast through
Panama City but we came to a complete halt for
an hour and a half in Destin. The road was blocked
off by police and fire engines; apparently, someone had planted a large bomb
outside the house of somebody they had a grudge against. Eventually, we were all
diverted around the area and were on our way again, after a two-hour delay. The
campground called Navarre Beach camp is quite busy - we were put next to a
couple from Texas (Larry and Lydia) and they invited us to eat with them
tomorrow evening.
Saturday, 16th March 1996
Did the laundry and then drove to Pensacola - George wanted to get paper
and a colour cartridge for the printer. After driving around and around we
eventually came across the right store! Valerie got some new shorts and a top.
We had delicious steaks and jacket potatoes this evening which Larry BBQ'd. They
own a second-hand car business and travel around attending car auctions. They
invited us to go to Birmingham, Alabama with them for a couple of days on Monday
and to meet some of their friends.
Sunday, 17 March 1996
St. Patrick’s Day and Mothers’ Day. We went out to lunch with the Texans who
knew of an Irish Pub in Pensacola which was full of people celebrating in
style. The pub was festooned with thousands of one-dollar bills that people over
the years have signed and stuck on the walls and ceiling. We got back to the
campground and found a note pinned on the door saying that there were two
English couples camped near us. We went over to see them - they had emigrated to
America 40 years ago from the Lewisham area They go back to England every few
years.
Monday, 18 March 1996
We left the campground at 10 am ahead of Larry and Lydia and took the preferred
route recommended by the computers "Map n Go". Arrived 3 hours later at
Pelham, which is just south of
Birmingham, Alabama, just before the sky darkened and we were
surrounded by a terrific electric storm which lasted a couple of hours. The
television was also giving out tornado warnings in the area! We managed to go
out later for a meal.
Tuesday, 19 March 1996
George went off at 9.30 am with Larry and his mate Charlie to look at
second-hand cars for their business. After the laundry had been done Lydia and
Valerie went to the local shopping mall which was the largest she had seen so
far. Managed to spend a bit.
Wednesday, 20 March 1996
George went out at 9 am with Larry to experience a car auction. There were ten
lines of cars being auctioned off at once! We had lunch out for a change and
then in the evening they came into our RV for a drink and chat. We exchanged
addresses and they told us to contact them if we ever needed help or if we were
in their area - southern Texas.
Thursday, 21 March 1996
Travelled 320 miles from Pelham AL to Bay St.
Louis near Gulfport, Mississippi. On this
occasion, we used the main roads which had fairly light traffic for most of the
way. Worst campsite and the most expensive so far. Dirty, and untidy, and we are
surrounded by sheds, mobile homes and several roads and tracks. Arranged to meet
Sikko tomorrow and visit the factory, that is after changing campgrounds.
Friday, 22 March 1996
Moved from KOA to Five Star Resort at Pass Christian,
MS at Sikko's suggestion, however, the campsite is part of The Presidents
group which sells memberships to campers. So we are expected to attend a
90-minute selling presentation at some point. Met Sikko and visited the (new to
Philips) Regina factory, which has a good layout but with a low order book, the
future does not look too bright. Sikko and family then came to see our RV.
Saturday, 23 March 1996
Went to Walmart Super Centre for shopping in the morning and then Sikko came to
pick us up and take us to his house which they are renting at
Diamond Head. It is a very large bungalow in
an area with two golf courses and a private airstrip. Their babysitter arrived
at 7 pm and they then took us out for a nice meal at a fish restaurant.
Sunday, 24 March 1996
We made an early start in the car for New Orleans
which is about 60 miles from our campground. We parked very near the French
Quarter ($10 a day) and went to the nearest cafe for elevenses (also expensive)
being a lot like Paris. Lots of jazz bands were playing in the streets and
cafes. Street entertainers started in the afternoon. The market was also very
interesting selling local produce, including Cajun spices and the like. Watched
the Mississippi steamboats departing and then went on the riverside trams.
Monday, 25 March 1996
Woke up at about 5 am to a very loud storm raging with torrential rain. We had
to take the RV to Express Lube for an oil change, luckily by which time it had
stopped raining. We then moved to a new site called San Beach Park - we will be
here until our mail arrives.
Tuesday, 26 March 1996
Woke up to heavy rain again which did not stop until early afternoon. I rang
Olga but the mail still had not arrived! Means another night here. Went to have
a look in one of the many Casinos along the front - lots of people putting their
money into slot machines.
Wednesday, 27 March 1996
We awoke to find a soggy wet carpet - it had poured hard all night and unbeknown
to us our so-called "Fantastic fan" which is meant to close the vent in the roof
when it rains, had not worked. Tried to blot the carpet dry but in the end,
George had to take it all up and direct the fan heater onto it. Not a good start
to the day but at least the mail arrived at 0lgas which we went to collect and
stayed for a cup of tea. She is worried about the future of the new Philips
factory and the security of Sikko's job.
Thursday, 28 March 1996
Moving to Natchez today and after George made
several phone calls about our still missing car licence plates (tags) we left at
about 10.30 am for the fairly straightforward journey north up the
Mississippi. Arrived at the
Plantation Park at about 4 pm. Very nicely
laid-out camp with lots of trees and shrubs. The girl in the office gave us a
lot of information about local things to see.
Friday, 29 March 1996
It is Spring Pilgrimage time here when people come to see the azaleas and tour
the old and very large plantation houses. There is also a Confederate pageant
which we went to and enjoyed seeing how the Southerners used to live before the
civil war. George was sitting next to a local lady who gave him all the inside
information about the people taking part! Left the auditorium at about 10.30 pm
to be greeted by another of their very loud storms.
Saturday, 30 March 1996
Several of the big motor homes had already left when we got up this morning -
guess the Canadians are on their way home again now that their winter is nearly
over. Decided to go to the local POW WOW which is held once a year in Natchez
on the site of a ceremonial ground of the now-extinct Natchez tribe; they
were wiped out by the French invaders. A lot of people there were of apparent
Indian descent (some Cherokee) and were selling craftwork and a lot of silver
and turquoise jewellery which Valerie quite fancied. At noon they started their
ceremonial dancing and chanting to drums, they must have felt pretty hot in
their colourful blankets. (It was very warm and humid). We left at about 1.30 pm
but the activities were continuing until 9 pm. Went back to the campground and
George started to rewire the lights on the car because he does not consider them
to be bright enough when being towed!
Sunday, 31 March 1996
Finished off the wiring and we left Natchez at about 11 am to travel just
a short distance (90 miles) to Vicksburg, also on the Mississippi and the site
of one of the big Civil War battles. Had previously booked to stay at the Isle
of Capri RV park which is owned by one of the many casinos in the area. Several
American Eagle and Provost RVs are here which cost over $300,000 (£200,000) plus
they tow the American Jeep type of cars! Discovered we have a free phone hook-up
to the RV and made the most of it by making several calls home. Visited the
Casino in the evening and played the slot machines without any success. Left
them all to it after about an hour.
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