Yet another beautiful day greeted us this morning. We ate breakfast outside enjoying the sunshine. The temperature was almost perfect for us, not too hot, yet hot enough. If Carlsberg could do weather, then this would be it. Long may it last.
We all chilled for the morning. I read the papers online and then my kindle. Neil listened to Talk Sport whilst laying on a sun bed. Karen picked up a new Elly Griffiths book from the villa library and was immediately engrossed in the story set back in Norwich.
I even found time to manipulate some of the old photos we had been given of the Clare Family.
As planned, we all had an early lunch and were ready to leave by 12.30pm for a drive to the Vineland Outlets. It was an easy drive and as usual we parked without a problem at the top set of outlets. We hit Old Navy first and then North Face where I managed to get a new coat, to replace my existing one at home which has seen better days.
We crossed the road and as usual made our way to the Colombia store where Karen bought herself a new rain jacket to replace her one that had been thrown out not long before we flew out here. Then we went to the Asics store for Karen to get her annual new pair of special trainers that help her dodgy foot. An expensive purchase but a great saving on what she would have had to pay at home.
Then we made our way to our meeting place with Neil and grabbed a table. Karen walked to find where the Starbucks store was currently located as it keeps moving just to keep us on our toes. It was lovely sitting in the sunshine people watching and having our drink.
Neil met up with us after his spot of secretive shopping. Then he went to the Shake Shack to get himself a custard cup. Karen also wanted one so I went and got her a chocolate version. It was terribly nice and I think we will be purchasing another one of these this trip. Out of nowhere there was a very brief shower which soon passed over.
Once back in the car we decided to drive to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores as Karen wanted to visit Wilson’s Leather Outlet. It only took a few minutes to get there. In fact we spent longer driving round looking for the shop than it took us to there, only to conclude that it was no longer there.
We headed back to the villa where we caught up on a few things before we headed out for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, a place Neil approves of for the number of large screens showing sport and the wings themselves. Karen & I had the special menu offer between us and both had the boneless wings (no such thing according to Neil) with wedges and a drink – all for $20. Between us. Neil ordered his own and went quite high up on the heat sauce chart. Because of the offer the bill was very reasonable and we all enjoyed the food.
As we have an early start planned for the next day we decided to just go to Target for Neil to have a look around – where he purchased his own holiday pickle ornament for his Christmas Tree. We then got some more toilet roll from Dollar Tree before having a wander around Five Below before heading back to the villa.
Driving back, I realised that we have not taken many photos at all this trip. It’s probably because we feel like this is almost like our second home. I think it will all change from tomorrow when we have our first park day. I will try and make the effort of taking more photos of some of the times here we kind of take for granted like whilst we are chilling by the pool.
At the villa, the election coverage was in over drive. The polls show almost a dead heat. Both sides seem to be claiming they are ahead. More worryingly is the fact that the White House amongst other places are being boarded up in case there are protests or violence. Certainly, the financial markets seemed to be spooked for either result. The TV channels are getting themselves in such a tizzy over the 7 swing states. There is also one county that only has 6 voters which they are confident will declare their result first.
In between this we also watched some of the Buccaneers playing away at the Chiefs. With all this excitement happening – will we get any sleep tonight?
Karen prepared our lunch to take with us tomorrow before pouring us some more of the wine to settle down our excitement.
