Friday 23rd Sep
We had been wanting to visit Busch Gardens again for the last few days but the weather hadn't been great. Friday dawned and checked the forecast which was better further west so decided to go for it as this was the whole families last full day. We set off at around 9am but decided that myself, husband and youngest son would drop the others off and then head for Clearwater.
The drive to Clearwater seemed to take forever but we parked up and walked over to Sand Key and then had sandwiches in Subway. Sat on the beach for an hour or so and it was bright but not the best beach weather. It was very sticky and humid so though that a dolphin watch trip would be the best option. On previous visits we had taken the 'Little Toot' and 'Screamer' boats but tried an alternative. Can't remember the name of it but it was a large blue and white vessel. The trip was very fruitful and there were plenty of dolphins around, it really cooled us down standing on the top deck with a much needed breeze.
Driving back to Busch Gardens at 4pm was an absolute nightmare with traffic and barely any directions to be seen - I think Sat Nav would have come in useful at this time. We picked the others up and had a quick journey back to the villa. We were all pretty tired to decided to have Pizza and beer (my husband's favourite). Finished off the evening by watching a DVD together and so to bed.
Sat 24 Sep
Today was the day the rest of family flew home but as we had packed pretty quickly we were ready to be off by 9.30. We split the party with some to Universal and myself, husband and youngest son to Seaworld. I had told him about the Blue Horizons show and he wanted to see it. Now usually when you see something for the second time it's never as good but it was even better this time. The dolphins and whales seemed to jump higher and were more receptive to the trainers, maybe because it was the first show of the day. Then to hospitality for beer and a final visit to Wild Artic to see the polar bears. We needed to pick the others up by 2pm, which we did, and then headed to Tony Romas on South Internal Drive for our last meal together. We love this chain of restaurants but with a party of 6 there is a compulsory service charge of 18% which I think is a bit cheeky of them but we thought it was worth it.
Back at the villa by 4pm after picking up some photos at Walgreens, kids had a final swim and then a shower and we left for the airport at 5.30pm. They were flying on Virgin back to Gatwick and because they had checked in on-line we didn't need to be at the airport until 06.40pm. Bags dropped off within a few minutes and boarding cards issued and I said my goodbyes before security.
I am a very soppy and emotional person but managed not to cry and wave and smile them off before picking up my favourtie Starbucks latte and another convertible for the last few days of my trip.
The villa is SO QUIET now and I miss them already but have taken a few deep breaths, a G & T and plan an evening in front of the TV. Not sure what the rest of the week holds but if the weather stays as good as today then I think I will be mostly sunbathing and resting by the pool after cleaning up the villa.
Jill
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