Category Archives: Florida Keys

Waiting for the sun to set

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Friday 6th January
  

After a great breakfast with a lovely group of friends, we decided to drive down to Key West again, and do some more exploring.

So many memories are scattered all over place. Memories of happy times with my father. And of course so many memories of you. Eating strawberries in the Conch Republic, drinking cold drinks on Sunset Pier, laughing at the granny statue outside the Customs House, and watching many sunsets. 

Today we made new memories with your brother and his girlfriend, but all the while, you were with us, walking the whole length of Duval Street to the Southernmost Point, then back to Mallory Square to watch the sunset.

Remembering all the happy times 

Love you sweetie

Moon and back

xxxxxx

Your Grinch came with us again

Emulating the statue

In heaven

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Thursday 5th January
   

Happy days

Holidays

Thinking of you

In so many ways.

  

Good times

Fun times

Missing you

As your star climbs.

  

Each day

Every day

Loving you

In heaven you lay.

  

Precious Angel son.

xxxxxx 

Your brother and girlfriend went canoeing today

Dinner and sunset at Marker 88

Fun, fast, flat-out

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Wednesday 4th January

  

Jet skis this morning were great fun, speeding around offshore, then through the mangroves, bayside; we were very lucky to see a large group of spotted eagle rays. At times we were doing over fifty miles an hour, bouncing and swerving over the waves with the spray hitting our faces, stinging our eyes ~ but it was so exhilarating.

This afternoon~ a snorkel trip, but it was a little cloudy, poor visibility, plus I got stung by a jelly fish. Oh dear ~ it took ages for the stinging and throbbing to abate, despite spraying with white vinegar.

This evening we met up with our friends for another sunset drink.

The crescent moon looked beautiful up there: blowing kisses to you sweetie. Love you so very much.

xxxxxx

A fishing trip

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Tuesday 3rd January
  

Today we went on a fishing trip to catch ‘the big one’. The boat was ready to leave at nine thirty in the morning; as it was already baking hot in the beautiful sunshine we made sure we were suitably covered with sunscreen. 

Each of us managed to catch at least one fish: although they weren’t the massive specimens hoped for, it was good fun. Baiting with strips of squid, letting the line go until it hit the bottom some thirty feet down, then waiting, waiting, waiting …….. expectantly for the bite, before reeling up the precious catch. A few snapper, box fish (which had to be returned), and many grunts were hooked by the aspiring fishermen.

Upon arrival back at the dock, the fish were allocated to their catchers, gutted and cut into filets ~ we left with quite a decent bag.

And with that bag firmly secured, we drove to a restaurant where your catch is cooked for you ~ blackened and fried, served with salads and fries.

We had so much food prepared that it was difficult to finish everything ~ I’m sure if you were there you would have helped us clear the table. 

We love you so much

We think about you daily

We miss you all the time

Dearest, darling Angel son

xxxxxx

Tarpon and Pelicans

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Monday 2nd January
  

We took your brother and his girlfriend to Robbies this morning to see the tarpon and the ever-hungry pelicans. These birds are so greedy and will push and shove to take the little fish from the buckets meant for the tarpon.

A manatee also made an appearance under the dock, swimming leisurely along, taking no notice of the other massive, voracious fish.

The weather was fabulous and we spent a good few hours eating, drinking, feeding the fish and wandering around looking at all the craft stalls. We also booked a fishing trip, a snorkelling outing and a jetski session for the next few days.

On the way back we stopped off at Anne’s Beach to watch the many kite surfers mastering the wind gusts to show off their aerobatic skills. I think both your brother and his girlfriend were watching wistfully thinking how good it would be if they had their boards with them.

We miss you sweetie and we think about you all the time.

Love you

Darling Angel son

xxxxxx

Pelicans at Robbies

Relaxing after lunch

Anne’s Beach

Sunset time at the Lorelei

Another busy evening

New Year

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Sunday 1st January  
   

New Year

A new year for us

Another year without you

Missing you so very much

Darling Angel son

Love you

  

xxxxxx

New Year’s Day breakfast at the Lorelei

Interesting watercraft

Your brother

Messing around

Such a beautiful morning

Friends

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Thursday 29th December
  

This afternoon we met up with a great group of friends whom we haven’t seen for two and a half years. Such wonderful, charming hosts who always look after us and welcome us into their home.

Upon arrival we all scrambled onto the dock to see a slow moving manatee swim sedately by. A wonderfully docile creature, blowing bubbles as it checked us out, enjoying some shade beneath the boards of the dock.

Some time later an unidentified species of shark snaked its way along in front of everyone. Jaws it wasn’t, but rather intimidating nonetheless.

As the sun went down the sky and water basked in a warm, golden glow, with reflections rippling across the glassy liquid.

Our friends really liked you and spoke of you most fondly, recalling past vacations, outings and meals with them. You would have enjoyed being there this afternoon, seeing the sea life, probably swinging on the hammock or splashing in the hot tub.

But you weren’t with us this afternoon: however, you were there, in spirit. You should have been there. I want you to be with us. It’s so strange without you. But so many people have so many wonderful memories of you, and we will continue to share these memories for as long as we can.

Missing you my darling.

Love you forever

Moon and back

xxxxxx

Sombrero Beach again

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Wednesday 28th December
  

We started the day with another of your favourites ~ a trip to IHOP ~ you loved their pancakes, especially the apple, cinnamon, raisin and ice cream ones, liberally doused with lashings of maple syrup.

Following breakfast, your brother bought a fishing rod and we went to Sombrero Beach to test it out ~ unfortunately no fish were caught. However it was a lovely place to spend the afternoon, paddling, watching the boats and pelicans, and relaxing.

A large iguana met us as we were returning to the car, with a scaly back and large feet/claws, it certainly fascinated your brother and his girlfriend. 

Thinking of you

Missing you so much

Blowing kisses to heaven

Loving you forever

Darling Angel son.

xxxxxx

John Pennekamp 

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Tuesday 27th December
  

We started the day with a typical American diner breakfast at Waffle House, and ended it with burger and fries at Wendy’s. 

Hmmmm. Your brother wanted his girlfriend to experience his favourite fast foods. You would have liked his choices, I’m sure.

In between, we spent a few hours at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, enjoying a kayak trip through the mangroves.

I think you would have liked exploring the waterways, especially when we saw a huge, ugly iguana sitting in the trees, looking at us.

I wish you could have been here today 

Love you so much sweetheart 

Missing you like crazy.

xxxxxx

Boxing Day

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Monday 26th December
  

Yesterday, Christmas Day, we drove to Miami to collect your brother and his girlfriend ~ they had flown over from Lisbon, and will be spending the next couple of weeks with us.

It was so good to see them both.

Your brother has not been in America, with us on holiday, for twelve years.

Boxing Day today, and we went to Bahia Honda beach where your brother and his girlfriend swam, played bat and ball, relaxed, laughed and had fun.

You were with us in spirit, as you always are my dearest, darling Angel.

Missing you so very much, as I always will, my dearest, darling Angel.

Love you forever, always have, always will, my dearest, darling Angel.

xxxxxx