THR Roger's Story

[Jollyroger]

I've not posted for a couple of weeks - nothing new to say I guess - so I had to search for my old thread. It was 4 pages down the list; there does seem to be a lot of activity on the forum these days.

Well, bags are packed, on-line check-in completed and we are off tomorrow early morning. I used to love flying but ever since my heart scare a few years ago it's an ordeal now that I have to will myself to relax through. The end result, though, is usually worth the trauma of the journey.

I'm going to try stopping the pain meds while we are away. I don't need them at all for the new hip - that's smooth and pain free now. I think they help a bit with the other one, though, so we'll see how we go; I might not be able to get Tesco Value Stone Free Dried Prunes in Florida! :eek:

I've also got a suitcase full of pills for various ailments so I hope I don't get stopped by Immigration for suspected drug smuggling! :th_heehee:

Assuming I can get wifi OK, I will post a photo of the sand between my toes in a few days, all being well. :yes 4:

 

[nanamac]

Well have a safe and fun journey Roger! IF I were you though, I think I would take the meds with me just to be safe. If you are doing more sight seeing you may be a bit surprised to find an unexpected ache or two. Just better safe than sorry. Especially for the hip that is still waiting.

Otherwise, can't wait for the pics! Have a wonderful time Roger!

 

[Jaycey]

Have great trip Roger! Look forward to your picture!

 

[Jollyroger]

Well have a safe and fun journey Roger! IF I were you though, I think I would take the meds with me just to be safe. If you are doing more sight seeing you may be a bit surprised to find an unexpected ache or two. Just better safe than sorry. Especially for the hip that is still waiting.

Otherwise, can't wait for the pics! Have a wonderful time Roger!

Hi Janet

Many thanks for your good wishes. It's wonderful how much encouragement and goodwill you spread around you on this Forum when you have had such a difficult time yourself. I do hope it all comes good for you in 2012.

Regarding the pain meds, I have packed them and will certainly use them if needed. I have left all my pills in their blister packs so that Immigration can see I'm not drug smuggling! :th_heehee:

 

[Jaycey]

Regarding the pain meds, I have packed them and will certainly use them if needed. I have left all my pills in their blister packs so that Immigration can see I'm not drug smuggling! :th_heehee:

Sounds like a good plan Roger - since your knees may set off the alarms anyway. :hate-shocked: Safe journey!

 

[beesquare]

Happy happy hippy holiday Roger!

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Have a great holiday Roger - a bit of R&R before side 2!

 

[Jamie]

Roger....fear not! We have LOTS of prunes in America!!! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Jollyroger]

Hi from sunny (today!) Florida

We arrived earlier in the week after a boring but bearable 10 hour flight from the UK. The new hip never gave me any trouble. As ever, it is the 'old' one that gives me grief now, but not too much.

Immigration was quite quick - only 30 minutes or so plus another 30 minutes at the Hertz desk to pick up the rental car and then we were off to brave the road maze that greets you outside Miami airport. Even with satnav we went wrong twice ("recalculating the route...")!

Spent the first night in a local Miami hotel and then came on up to Delray 50M north. The villa here is cool, comprising several separately rentable units on a private estate with pool etc.

The rest of the family started arriving on Friday (my son and Sue's two daughters plus fiancee) and my daughter, husband and 2 grandsons arrived yesterday. We had quite a party last night. The final arrival is tomorrow when my son's (current) girlfriend arrives. We will then be 11 in total. Catering is going to be great fun, I can see!

Have been down to the beach to have a look but it is 11 miles away and when I went for a walk I didn't have my camera (silly boy) so no picture of sand between the toes yet! I did feel good, though.

The weather has been mixed so far (but warm - 80F) but it is cloudless today so fingers crossed for it to stay that way.

Right, must sign off now as the rest of the family are stirring and wanting breakfast.

More later.

 

[Poppet]

Hi Roger

Loved your post and the fact that it is going to be such a wonderful get together with the family and their partners... Lots of food, drink and laughter coming your way.

Pleased you got through the airport without too much trouble regarding your drug cache, Hahahahah!!!

We are at our real home by the beach, now and will stay for Christmas, but today (Monday 19 Dec)is raining, so a hood day to curl up with ebooks and videos on our iPads and good fresh seafood. I noticed our local fish co-op just down from us has local lobsters just come in... So I guess lobster and salad for lunch sounds good.

At least we will both get the sand between our toes sometime in our trips

Lovely to hear from you, lol, Sandy x

 

[Poppet]

Sorry about the iPad errors, absolutely no way to edit them once they have moved up the text box without a scroll bar..

But hopefully you can understand the new tech jargon all us iPad users are now inventing, Hehehehe!!

 

[djklaugh]

What a wonderful gathering, Roger! Enjoy your stay and enjoy the warm weather and (hopefully) the sand between the toes

:xmasmore:

 

[forbesy]

Hi Roger

Glad you are enjoying your holiday and you appear to have the tribe with you, so much for a quiet relaxing holiday .
You villa sounds terrific and hope your not being lumbered with all that cooking :th_heehee:
Enjoy the family get together at least you have plenty helpers.

Billy

 

[DaveGM]

Roger

Christmas is a time for family

You are doing it in style!

I don't know why you are bothering!! Here back in the UK the weather has been fantastic - I think not!

Looking forward to seeing pics of you with sand between your toes!

Regards

Dave

 

[Jollyroger]

Hi Folks

Thanks for the good wishes.

I can’t spend too long on the computer now or I’m accused of being an antisocial ‘nerd’ so this will have to be short! Apologies for not keeping up with everyone’s else’s stories but I will try to catch up when no one is looking.

Yesterday was glorious sun all day and a vey pleasant 78F. We spent the day messing about around the pool enjoying sun on the body (if not yet sand between the toes) and then descended en masse on a local Cuban restaurant for dinner.

The last member of the crowd joins this evening and then we are all together until Boxing Day (26th) when working members start to depart again.

Seven of us are in what is called the Guest House and the family of 4 are in the Guest Wing – yes, it’s that sort of place!

Catering should settle down once everyone is here. The deal is everyone chips in with buying breakfast/lunch stuff and each ‘couple’ have one evening meal for everyone to buy for and prepare (and clear up, hopefully).

So far it has been great fun.

Must go – folks are wanting breakfast!

More later.

Roger

PS I am back on the meds for the ’old’ hip. The new hip continues smooth and pain free, and long may it continue to do so.

 

[Poppet]

I can just imagine the fun, talk, laughter over happy meals... Sounds like great holiday Roger.

I am still working on the sand between the toes, waiting for the weather to improve.. Soon

Have fun

 

[Jollyroger]

Thanks Sandy

It is kinda lively here with 11 of us at meal times. During the day is OK as we have 3 cars between us and can go our separate ways if necessary. I am indulging a teenage dream (ever since the film Bullitt with Steve McQueen) and have hired a Mustang. Unfortunately it is the automatic version not the 'stick shift' but it still goes like stink if you floor it (up to the local speed limit of 45 mph anyway!).

We finally had a walk on the beach yesterday down in Miami so I've now definitely had sand between the toes. The photos are here . My daughter and family are not in the group shot - they didn't fancy the long(ish) drive via the Everglades to Miami Beach.

We've also visited the Everglades National Park and had the obligatory 2 hour tour with an excellent guide.

Our plans to have a BBQ Christmas Day have been scuppered by not having a BBQ that could accommodate anything like 11 so it looks as though Sue and I will be doing the honours, something we came away in the hope of avoiding! No matter, I'm sure everyone will pitch in so it could be more fun.

The weather here continues warm/hot (78F average) with scattered clouds the last couple of days - very pleasant and warm enough for the pool to be in demand.

Right, after the Greek evening and the Italian evening it is now the Hawaiian evening. Must go and put my 'loud' shirt on.

More later, if I'm allowed!

Best Christmas wishes to all my fellow Bonesmarties.

Roger

 

[nanamac]

Welcome to the US Roger! Great pics! There are "3" of them, yes? I think you will have a fantastic vacation. The car looke pretty snazzy! I just showed Bill who is a real car buff!

I haven't been on much for a few days as I've been baking up a storm. Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. So glad you brouhg the meds "just in case".

Have a wonderful time!

 

[Phillygirl]

It sounds like you are having a great time. It is really nice to be with family. We are heading to Florida to be with all of my family ,save some warm weather for us. :xbanner:

 

[Jollyroger]

It sounds like you are having a great time. It is really nice to be with family. We are heading to Florida to be with all of my family ,save some warm weather for us. :xbanner:

Hi Phillygirl

Thanks. The weather here now is just about perfect, for us northern Europeans anyway. It was 81F today with very little cloud and not too humid.

Welcome to the US Roger! Great pics! There are "3" of them, yes? I think you will have a fantastic vacation. The car looke pretty snazzy! I just showed Bill who is a real car buff!

I haven't been on much for a few days as I've been baking up a storm. Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. So glad you brouhg the meds "just in case".

Have a wonderful time!

Thanks Janet

There are 3 photos in the Album currently but I may add some more later.

I'm glad I brought the pain meds - I'm back on them every day for my 'old' hip. The new hip is great - no pain and smooth plus greater ROM than the old one. I think swimming breast stroke and walking round big supermarkets and Malls are aggrevating the old one!

We had a quiet day today. The 'youngsters' left around 9am to drive to Key Largo - about 2 hours on the turnpike (motorway) and are not expected back until later this evening. We have now done the big shop for Christmas lunch - turkey and all. Cooking it all will be fun as our part of the property doesn't have a proper oven. However, the part my daughter and family are in does have a big one - but its 50 yards away and up a flight of stairs, but their place is not big enough to seat 11 so we'll have to bring the roast stuff back here to carve and eat. I expect we'll manage!

Enjoy all that baking.

More later.

Roger