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<<< Tuesday, 6 February 1996
Landed 45 minutes late after a good flight, picked up by Chris Yates and went to the car dealership where we tried to progress our car car insurance without success.
Wednesday, 7 February 1996
Spent considerable time on ‘phone progressing car insurance - filled in forms and arranged for them to be delivered by express mail, the car insurance only becomes effective the day after the post mark so we drove around in our car using the dealers trade plates.
Thursday, 8 February 1996
Went shopping for lots of things for the RV including bedding, spending a small fortune!
Friday, 9 February 1996
Car wired up for towing by Independence RV, but tow bar would not fit our 1996 Sports version so the dealer had to order new parts by express. Drove RV to the Stage Stop which is a campsite about two miles from the RV dealer. This was quite an event driving a 38 foot long rig down a busy road. We decided to stay close to the RV dealership for about one week so we have time to check that everything in the RV works properly.
Saturday, 10 February 1996
New tow bar had arrived OK and fitted to car by Independence RV.
Sunday, 11 February 1996
Fitted water filter after lots of problems with fittings and leaks.
Monday, 12 February 1996
Finally got filter leak proof, then found and fixed a leak on hot water tank which was a manufactures fault.
Tuesday, 13 February 1996
Day mainly on campsite. Very friendly couple from Ohio gave us wooden blocks, rug etc., and asked us to send them postcards which they supplied, as we travel around the States. They have an antique clock business.
Wednesday, 14 February 1996
Spent the day buying more equipment at KMart and Camping World and installing in RV.
Thursday, 15 February 1996
Went to Fort Desota - 260 miles round trip - and booked up at campsite for five days starting on Sunday.
Friday, 16 February 1996
Fitted rubber skirt to rear of RV to protect the car when towing. Ordered a Telecoupler. (this is a device to enable George to connect his computer to a pay phone so he can send and receive Email via CompuServe) .
Saturday, 17 February 1996
During the practice run coupling car to RV we found that the electrical cord was too short. Spent 3 hours at Independence RV whilst they made up a special lead.
Sunday, 18 February 1996
Have not found a way of getting back on line during the past week to check for Email. Have ordered an acoustic coupler (Telecoupler) from a company in California, which should enable us to use any public phone. Because we are on the move we have arranged for the coupler to be sent to the main post office in Orlando, where we plan to pick it up on Friday. So it may be another week before we can down load our Email.
Today was a big day as we towed the car behind the RV for the first time, it was quite an experience - rig 55 foot long. We drove 120 miles south to St. Petersburg which is on the west coast of Florida. The camp site turned out to be very good. It is on a palm lined beach with white sand, blue sea with racoons, squirrels, sea birds, pelicans and huge herons everywhere.
Monday, 19 February 1996
A nice sunny morning so we decided to go into St. Petersburg to have a look around. It is pretty place with a lot of pink buildings and some very large houses on the waterfront with boats moored outside. We went onto the pier which we had read was worth a visit. Disappointing and not a patch on Pier 39, San Francisco. Just a few fancy shops and several eating places. It was then time for food shopping to stock up for another few days. It was still lovely and warm when we got back to camp so we had a walk along the beach - everybody is very friendly and chatty.
A cloudy morning and we had to move the RV to a different pitch. We knew it would be a bit difficult because of an overhanging tree and in the end had to back it out but George of course managed it with Valerie's help! After which the sun still had not appeared so we went for a drive to see more of the Desoto National Park. Walked on the North Beach which must be absolutely packed in the summer, the car park would probably hold a thousand cars. The top of the beach was equipped with tables and barbecues and the usual comfort stations. George later phoned the RV and car people but still no news on the tags! Valerie phoned Lesley (her sister) who said they were having more heavy snow and very cold winds. It was a coincidence that we phoned today as Lesley had just posted a letter to us.
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Wednesday, 21 February 1996
Had our now customary walk along the beach after breakfast and enjoyed the sunshine. Went food shopping and ended up buying a small gas BBQ but did not use it tonight as a thick sea mist rolled in.
Thursday, 22 February 1996
Went out with the cameras today to record the campground and some of the surrounding areas. After lunch we phoned Kevin and then gave the RV and car a wash down. Moving to a new campsite tomorrow The Blue Parrot, at Ladylake.
Friday, 23rd February 1996
We moved 140 miles north to the Blue Parrot camp site at Lady Lake which took about five hours. We were delayed for about 45 minutes due to an accident on I75. Needed to fill up the RV - 62 gallons! Immediately upon arrival at the camp site we backtracked 40 miles by car to the post office, but the acoustic coupler had not arrived. The postman said that can take up to 10 days from California. Chased up the RV tags and thank goodness it looks like we will get them early next week. Still no real progress with tags for the car.
Saturday, 24th February 1996
Quiet day getting settled into the new site. We partly chose this site as it offered phone hook-ups, however, the connection must be made by the local ‘phone company - $60 and will take some days to organise, so will be of no use to us. Food and RV parts shopping during the afternoon.
Sunday, 25th February 1996
Above average temperatures so we used the air conditioning for the first time, worked very well. Spent half the day working out how to connect up cable TV and tune in the TV set. Valerie did the washing. Went out for an evening meal.
Monday, 26th February 1996
Yes very hot again. We went to Silver Springs for the day which is an outdoor attraction built around the Silver River. The river starts from this point, being fed by several underwater springs which we saw from a glass bottomed boat
Tuesday, 27th February 1996
Yes. hot again! Had lunch out and then went to Winter Garden post office but the parcel had still not arrived. George phoned California again without success. We then went to Independence RV and collected the RV tags (hooray) JRR 8050.
Wednesday, 28 February 1996
Went to Epcot which was enjoyable but not as good as our first visit some years ago. Stayed to the end and watched the fireworks display, also a little disappointing
Thursday, 29 February 1996
Food shopping, washing and ironing. Telecoupler arrived ! However could not get it to work - no instructions supplied. Phoned Frys who promised information within 24 hours. >>>