Shopping day

Today is a very leisurely start. Lauren and Stef go down to the pool for a swim, while Andy and I look at the Ipod and I begin to type this diary. Anita has a lovely long hot bath, which is still very warm when I get in it! Andy has a shower, and fairly soon Lauren and Stef return, and Lauren has a bath and Stef a shower.

We leave the hotel at midday – and head down towards Kissimmee to take a look at the other horse riding place. It is quite a drive, but we find it. We like the look of it – and Anita books Lauren and Stef a ride for Friday morning. Lauren can do any ride – but because Stef has not ridden much – they both decide to do the easy beginners ride. We leave and go back the same way we came – as there is a Wal-Mart back on the I-192. We tried to cancel the other ride in Wilderness Lodge by phone but without any success – usual blooming press one telephone systems! We actually get the front desk at the Fountains to cancel it later!

Walmart Logo

We find it quite easily, and spend over two hours wandering and picking up bits and pieces. T-shirts, bras, socks, pants, loads of Bob stuff, a few bits for Christmas are all purchased. The bill is huge! – well very long at least. We manage to get out of the shop, and load the car up, and drive back as Andy has seen another Harley Davison shop – and he still needs those new pair of gloves.

Unfortunately they don't sell gloves (might be something to do with the weather I guess.) We do however manage to pick up a couple of bits for Anne and John – probably for Christmas. There are loads of very tacky shops here, so decide to head off and find the Florida Mall.

It is very confusing trying to get into the Mall – there are probably about ten entrances – and the mall spreads over three blocks! We park outside of Zaks of Fifth Avenue, and walk into that shop. Very posh – so carry on walking and out into the mall itself. Find a map, and kind of plan a route. We go in and out of shops, sometimes buying, sometimes just looking. Andy finds a gaming shop – and we get to talk to one of the guys there who is very good. He informs Andy that PSP games and PS3 games bought in the states will work on UK machines. Andy is very impressed – and buys a couple of PSP games.

I go into Borders and buy a couple of books – a novel as I have finished my book – and although Anita lent me one – it was not really my type of book, and a computer book! Always try and buy at least one of those – same cost in dollars as I have to pay in pounds at home – and with two dollars to the pound exceptionally cheap!

We manage to find some good presents for people back home, and find a great shop that sells engraved goods. We decide to buy two things as presents – but the engraving will take an hour. Everyone is beginning to feel hungry, so we head to the food hall- only to find out that it's not that good, so we continue to shop, while the hour goes by. We do however buy some sweets and drinks to keep us going!

We are trying to buy Lauren some jeans, but no joy. The hour has now passed so we go and collect the presents, and due to hunger pains decide to head off and find food. In the car, and out of the car park – only I send us the wrong way, which Andy is quick to point out. That's the bad news – the good news is that I spot a Steak and Shakes – so its not that bad really – or maybe not.

Steak and Shakes Logo

We enter, with great memories of an afternoon spent with Pat down in Tampa, in a Steak and Shakes. That's why we had felt so good when I saw the sign. However our server is a complete retard (Andy's words!). We place our order, but only about half turns up. The sides we had ordered come up after we have eaten our burgers! Not very impressed – but he tries. We ask for the bill, and he brings it over. We leave the money on the table, with a very small tip I might add, and get up to leave. "Aren't y'all paying" comes forth – "it's on the table" we reply, and leave, laughing and joking.

We go back the right way – mainly thanks to Andy, back to the hotel. The kids go off to swim, Anita and I sort out the shopping, and then she goes down and joins them while I read a little of the computer book! She also cancels the other ride at reception- as mentioned earlier.

Soon they return, a light snack, and then off to bed.