Memorial Day

David and Cheryle's Flag flying proudly at home at Sweetbriar

Memorial Day is bittersweet.... I'm not from the USA but as a human being still feel the sadness of so many lives lost in the name of freedom in order to let peoples of our Planet live as 'normal' a life as we try to live it here in a civilized society...  All over on Memorial Day flags are proudly flown outside houses and almost everywhere you look, out of respect, protocol deems, that the flag is always in light, so when evening comes a light shines on the flag..in respect of all those that have fallen...thoughtful and moving..

When human beings risk their lives, with many sacrifices, willing to die because of their beliefs, in order to give other human beings a better way of life, their bravery should be celebrated and so it is here, as we do on D Day or Remembrance Sunday in the UK and other cultures do all over the world.

So we had a celebration at our friends Gail and Bruce's place just a beautiful stroll down the street in blistering temperatures.. I am not going to complain being from the UK!!! as it is oh so rare I feel these temperatures and I truly want them to sink into my skin!!Cheryle thought I was mad walking, but then thats not unusual for Cheryle to think I was mad.....she is getting to know me more and more...

                                               

Even Baxter Boy was wearing his American Flag neckerchief...Gail and Bruce's bundle of cheekiness and joy:) joining in the fun at the party...

There was so much delicious food..but this was the only plate of yummies I managed to take a pic of as I was too busy eating!!! just love the colours...we had cheesy macaroni, amazing baked beans with all sorts of goodies in there was to die for!! huge potato salad and lots of other things for the carnivores.... also tasted for the first time a Canadian whisky called Tiger Ball..normally I don't like whisky..but this was delicious almost liqueur like in its richness with a warm smooth cinnamon taste...lovely...after a shot of this I was ready to play Corn Hole......

an American game of throwing bean bags at a low shaped angled board with a hole big enough to fit the bean bag.....and at quite a distance away...all I can say is I tried my best to hold my own as I was partnering Gail's son David against KILLERS at the game her other son Bill and family friend Eddie, I maintained they should have been split up but David and Eddie would not be separated...:/

David valiantly aiming for a winner with brother Bill waiting to score ANOTHER 3 points for getting the bag in the hole, which is when you shout Corn Hole!!

Doing some limbering up exercises...and thinking of distraction strategies...

     Have to give it to Eddie though he was so GOOD at this game...needles to say strategies or limbering up had absolutely no affect, although we did give them a good return match..and were not totally annihilated!!

               Bruce umpiring the game scrupulously....

    Cheryle one of my coaches looking on at my posture and throwing style...not looking happy about it...

        Discussions after the game...head on table hiding his tears....Bruce was so bereft that even after valiant    efforts from both his son and me for a draw...it didn't happen...David having debrief with his coach/wife. Meanwhile.... my coaches Cheryle and David discussing whether I have a future playing Corn Hole for Sweetbriar or maybe they need to 'drop' me...am off to talk to the doggies and have another glass of wine....feeling confident I have a future....any offers....???

Ginger and....

Baxter rushing to the brave losers with lots of kisses and cuddles knowing what it sometimes feels to be like the 'underdogs'.....sorry Baxter and Ginger I couldn't resist that!!! 

                                                 

 *Thank you Gail and Bruce it was a wonderful Memorial Day*

                                                              

Unexpected

This is one of those wonderful unexpected things that can happen....  I live with friends David and Cheryle whilst I am in Florida, they are part of airbnb a wonderful online organization, an alternative to staying in hotels.  Its a wonderful way of getting to know people and hidden gems that only the locals know about!! miles better than staying in the usual sterile androgynous set up of an hotel.  They had Brazilian guests, Marco and Fatima staying a couple of days ago...a lovely couple, Marco was asking about places to visit, they had done the usual Universal, Epcot and outlet shopping extravaganza - the Brazilians love shopping over here as its almost half the price of goods and clothes over there.  I asked if they had visited the Gulf of Mexico, he said no, I went on to tell them him about Anna Marie Island and Bradenton Beach, no high rise hotels or condo's, no buildings over three storeys are allowed. Very laid back with a bohemian feel, lots of artists, musicians, writers and most of all sunset lovers...the sunsets are unbelievable...lets go tomorrow he said, you wanna come?!!!  You can guess my reply... 

Here are some moments of beauty I captured and wanted to share in this great day..as shown in the one above....sailing in the golden light of the sunset....perfect bliss..........
                       

          Our view and beach site for the day....seems to be a thing here....set up your spot and just leave it!!!   Sometimes beach umbrella's go walkabouts in the wind..as the green one tried to do several times...but that's because David hadn't anchored it as well as Marco had done with his...:/  Well he's Brazilian its probably part of the school prospectus over there.... We had taken note, that it is de rigeur to give your beach chairs and umbrellas some alone time...

  My Brazilian friends Marco and Fatima coming back with lunch for us and, as we would find out... the Seagulls...

                                                    

bold seagulls had spotted our beach picnic which included french fries and as we found out they were nuts for!!! Hovering overhead and feeding from our hands..I decided to snap away and found myself on my back which is how this capture came about....

                                     

 Seagulls love french fries....not sure if   this is good for them....!!!

 

  Was already on my back for the seagull shot, so thought may as well take the surf, indigo and aquamarine colours of the beautiful beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  Don't tell Gail as its her very expensive camera I am using...was really careful Gail if you are reading this...honest :)                                                              

                       

     
 





After lunch was time for a dip in the warm, warm, warm Gulf waters...David going forth with a determined gait..

 

 

 You know its David by the cap..good job he was wearing though as temperature was high.... 

    Cap off... as snorkeling was involved..now I think David had a siesta..under the beach umbrella that kept trying to go walkabouts...

Cap on....Time for a beach stroll...David had never been to this place before...so am hoping he is enjoying it..

Next one in...can't believe how wonderful the water feels..getting ready to plunge in and snorkel underwater..see if any are fishes about..maybe a cheeky little Stingray..there were a couple of baby Stingrays here last year when I came.. leaping and skimming along the waters edge..looked as though they were playing and having a great time...people were enthralled by their antics :)
                        

That was the best!!! saw some little silver fish..but not baby Stingrays.

Fatima is already in process of having a siesta under their umbrella that stayed put...but wait...do I see her hand holding it steady!!! Maybe Marco did not pay particular attention to beach studies at school after-all..

 

  

                   

 Selfie....Fatima and me under the beach parasol.. against the white white   sands...happy days...:                                

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Whilst everyone was having a little siesta, I had a walk along the beach and took some pics. I love the colour combinations of the beach house, this would be my perfect beach hideaway...I'd change a few things..a bigger balcony all around the second floor..some different style windows, and some colourful awnings over the windows at the bottom..but not much else to change..

Love the ice cream colours of the houses here, reflecting the hues of the Gulf sunsets..reminds me a bit of Hon Fleur in Normandy.  As you sail into this quaint little sailing port you see all these little different coloured houses, all hunched up side by side...its also a Bohemian kind of place, many artists and writers live here.  Has a great little harbour cafe called Le Parquet Verre, where my ex husband and I used to sip many a Calvados...

This was the place were I brought my two brothers Frank and Harry in 2003. They both loved it, and Frank always wanted to bet back here...we sat and watched the sunset sipping cocktails, Frank took a picture of me as though I was holding the sunset in the palms of my hand..taken on a 35mm film..I still have the film..but  never got round to it being developed.  Coming to see Harry was the first leg of my 6 month journey around the world..all of my pictures were taken on my little Canon..I must have shot 50 rolls of film..still only half of them developed!!!   Frank never did get back to this place..he got back to see Harry in Orlando in 2005, but died of cancer in 2008 in Scotland were we all were born.

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   as I was saying earlier in the blog...'Alone time'  people just get up and go..wandering off. leaving     their chairs....they look like three little deckchair friends to me, just chillin out... owners always come back after a while...beach life is relaxed....a little bit of swimming, or a long leisurely walk looking for that special shell, maybe some cocktail drinking with friends in one of the beach bars...you can't take glass or alcohol onto the beach..... how could I resist this shot!!!

all on its ownsome.... apart from a little cool box...aahhh





                                                              

These guys look super confident to me...one is very laid back and the other is on the look out...they know they look good as they are colour co-coordinating with each other and the sea...

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Many birds love to come on down and join in the fun....and of course whatever might be on offer....

                                                          cute family of Sandpipers

  American Oyster Catcher's?... their bills look like a good way of getting into Oysters...The beach rangers/conservation team had set up boundary breeding areas in the sand dunes, many were resting there, all chatting to each other...and nestling into the Dunes.  

                               Hmm....where to sit...sand is a tad hot...think I'll just stand for awhile...

                                                                   


 One of my favourite coastal birds...the characterful Pelicans

the ubiquitous Gull.....showing off his amazing feather-work .  Think he/she is a Bonaparte's Gull...



                                                                        and a Pigeon.....

                                                                       
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After lots of swimming in the balmy warm waters of the Gulf, we walked along the beach and had a browse round historic Bridge Street which has a lovely pier at the end.  Bradenton will not fit everyone's tastes.Truly there isn't much to do here, some chic clothes and coffee shops, and a few little restaurants, most close early during the week, and some great beach bars and restaurants..... personally I love the feel of this place, being a singer/songwriter, and sunset lover its my idea of Heaven. Its not trying to prove anything by overtly catering for tourists, there's many hidden gems here if you know care to look.  Mostly its a community of people wanting to keep the true beauty of the place in tact, conserving nature and maintaining a pristine and beautiful beach.

Little wooden clock tower on Bridge Street..

 

Harbour side of Bridge Street Pier.

This is a picturesque place to eat by the Harbour at the end of Bridge Street, unfortunately there was nothing for a veggie to eat, they used to have great veggie burgers...plus David didn't see anything that grabbed him, Marco and Fatima weren't hungry, the waitress suggested another place up the street which had great black eyed been cakes...so off we went..

 

The food was good here with huge portions, and lovely alfresco eating, the black eyed bean cakes lived up to their reputation, I had to have a take away box....I was now on my second delicious cocktail, the first one was an espresso coffee, with Baileys and vodka...my my my...was that delicious!!! I meant to take a picture of it, but was so caught up in the taste I forgot...

 Marco outside one of the great places on the beach to sip a sun downer...wearing my mum's beanie hat..its been all over the world with me

 Nikon securely round neck....and not sitting on the rocks...so glad as Gail would have made mince meat of me...even though I'm a vegetarian...well veggie meat of me...:/

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  and now.....the sunset...even Marco and Fatima said they have never seen a sunset like this...and coming from Brazil that is something!!! I have been coming here many years now, and never tire of the magnificent of the sunset here...the clarity and colour reflections against the Gulf waters truly are breathtaking.

 The joy of being alive in a beautiful place....... I have sailed many places all over the world, but have to say apart from a little place called George in South Africa, the sunsets here are hard to beat...

  This shot was taken with my friend Gail's Nikon, on loan to me for the moment, the thrill of having the ability to zoom and capture the moment really was a thrill...thanks Gail!!! :)

 

going.........

  going 

   Gone................Sister Sun is off to give life and warmth to another part of our amazing Planet...can't wait to get back..in just under a weeks time with friends Cathy and Montell, who also have never had the pleasure of being here..

In the words of the late great Lou Reed - 'Oh What a Purrfect Day'