Wednesday 13th September

Despite being delayed for just two and a half hours, we were one of only two flights (BA), to head off for London yesterday evening out of Miami. We had a most comfortable journey, (some turbulence, which could have been Hurricane José), and flew along at times, at 700mph, and were back in London in seven hours fifty minutes.

And the temperature difference is oh so noticeable. It’s chilly here. Miami was 90°F yesterday morning, compared to today in England of 50°F, brrrrrrrrr, autumn seems to have settled in.

As we were about to check in, we were interviewed by representatives of the British Embassy, and had photos taken! I think they wanted passengers who were harried, anxious, and fretting.

We weren’t.

Stiff upper lip, and all that.

And chilled, relaxed, glass half full……

So there we are…… our first US summer holiday without you my darling. And we missed you so very much, went to many, many places that you knew and where you had fun, but we also explored new destinations. Orlando was strange, and difficult really, without you. So many years of fun and memories around each and every corner. It was hard. We missed your smiling face, infectious laughter, demands for outings here and there, and your constant presence around us.

Love you forever

My precious Angel son

xxxxxx

Sunset in the US

Sunrise in the UK

Settling in to the flight

South London below us

Tuesday 12th September

Two and a half years

Just so many tears

Loneliness and fears

Thirty months of grief

Utter disbelief

Your life, far too brief

Two years ago I posted this video to raise awareness of testicular cancer….

I love you so very much

I miss you every day

Precious Angel son

Fly free

Soar high

xxxxxx

Miami downtown skyline in the distance

Trees down

Trees down

Yellow cabs, no-one to transport at the airport. We hope to fly this evening….

Monday 11th September

We awake this morning to calm, warm skies. There is a limited choice available for breakfast, not surprising under the circumstances, and see that the maintenance staff are beginning their cleaning up process. The carpets and floor in the lobby are wet through in places, there are many trees and branches strewn across the grounds, and fencing panels and garbage cans have been blown over.

The television warns us that it is not safe to venture out, as there is still much flooding, trees block the roads, power lines are down, traffic lights are not working, and nearer the beach sand, seaweed and debris have gathered on top of the roads. 

But we have ‘cabin fever’, we are in need of fresh air, cooler air, as the a/c is still not functioning properly. We see that there is quite a lot of traffic on the expressway, so around eleven this morning, we take a short drive out, stop for a coffee at a garage, and look around at the damage caused by Irma. Many police officers are positioned at intersections, where the lights are not working, or blocking movement to the beaches. There is much clearing up going on, and still large areas of standing water.

We are grateful and so thankful that we have been kept safe and were able to remain in our hotel.

We miss you so much

Blowing kisses to heaven

Dearest, darling Angel son

xxxxxx

Branches and fence paneling in the hotel grounds

A broken sliding gate

Hotel entrance driveway

Trees down

A van in the car park with its three back windows blown out

Shopping car park under water

Trees down on the main highway

Tonight’s golden sunset

Sunday 10th September

Well, I think the worst of Irma has blown through…..

We have had no power all day long, no WiFi, elevators, nor air conditioning. It has been incredibly noisy, with monsoon rains, and super strong winds, with a tornado warning. We were not allowed outside, due to the danger of flying projectiles. Many tree limbs are on the ground, as well as fencing and garbage bins. 

The only light was the emergency lighting in the hotel lobby: our room, on the ninth floor, meant a breathless hike, up a dark stairwell, (we had torches), into a dark corridor, back to our dark, warm room.

The WiFi came back on briefly at midday, so we were able to contact concerned family. The power resumed at seven in the evening, so the air con is now working overtime to get rid of the funky smells. 

The elevators are not yet in service: during the heavy rain, water was pouring down the lift shafts, so work is ongoing to resume normal working order.

What we do not have is water in the bathroom, so that might be a problem…..

There is also no WiFi this evening….

It has been a long day, but we are safe. It has not been so for many others, and thoughts are with those who have not fared as well as we have.

I don’t know if you could have coped with all this my darling. Maybe you would…..

We miss you terribly.

Sweetheart Angel son

xxxxxx

Rain and wind lashing east to west….

It’s not safe out there…..

The pool area is being battered…..

Many tree limbs are being blown down….

We need some fresh air, after being cooped up all day….

Saturday 9th September
   

Sitting around, waiting

Listening to sounds, raining

Watching palms, swaying

No one around, driving

Fingers on counter, tapping

Television, daunting

Weather reports, shocking

Hurricane watch, ongoing

My love for you, enduring

Beloved Angel son

xxxxxx

Gift shop closed

Pool closed

Midday excitement ~ a fire in an auto parts unit, opposite the hotel

Palm trees ~ again

The roads are very quiet this evening

Friday 8th September

Afternoon update…….we will not be evacuated from the hotel…….such a big sigh of relief, as we did not particularly fancy hunkering down in an overcrowded shelter. 

We have been told to keep the heavy blackout curtains pulled from tomorrow morning, to take shelter in the corridors or ballroom during the height of the hurricane, be aware that power may be lost ~ no television, WiFi, elevators, nor air conditioning.

The hotel will look after us with torches, food and bottles of water.

We do now feel safe, especially since there are six police officers staying here as well.

Our car is on the first floor of a multi storey car park, so should be ok too.

We walked across the road at midday to a garage which was still selling fuel, and went in to have a snack, drink and to pay for our lotto ticket ~ most important if there are power outages! We also used the ATM to have some more cash ~ without electricity, no electronic payments can be made. We are trying to be as prepared as possible.

The afternoon was sunny, with blue skies, about 95°F, and breezy. Sitting in the shade, beside the pool was perfect.

Thinking of you sweetie

Fly high my darling

Beloved Angel son

xxxxxx

A warm, breezy day

No evidence of the storm to come

Warm in the shade

Gazing skywards

Checking out the pool

A “nuclear hurricane”???