A GREAT BIG Surprise

The Lovely Couple - not sure who the random child belongs too!
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So left Ohio on route to Florida to surprise James for his birthday.

Stephanie called me last week to say was there any chance that I could possibly come and visit for James' birthday, especially as he was working really hard at work and studying. So I said I would see and... within a few hours it was sorted - off to FLORIDA!

All married couples should learn the art of battle as they should learn the art of making love

Beaker the cat
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Flight was direct thankfully but a little late, not good as Stephanie had to pick me up and James thought she was taking a girlfriend to the airport - all good lies though. So I landed and Steph was there to meet me. Very excited and we got the car home and talked about how surprised James was going to be and catching up on things. Took about an hour to get there and of course we had to stop by the booze shop! Eventually found one that was open.

Got home and the dogs were barking, James stood in the doorway and looked at this strange guy in a suit with his wife...needes to say he thought it was the Jehovah's! I went up and gave him a big hug - still not sure he knew it was me! In all the time I have known him I have NEVER seen him speechless. When he had got over his shock we craked open the Corona and chatted - up until 3.30am talking and laughing, Stephanie gave up at 1.30.

Beaker again...
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Got up on Saturday morning, Stephanie cooked a lovely cooked breakfast - almost as cooked as an English coffee. She had a lot of errands to run and said that the boys could go and have a boys day out - so we took their boat annd and visited there new house - very nice. Put the boat in the water and cruised over to where James works at the marina and met a few people. Took the boat back and and stopped off for a swim - well to the beach then drank a few and put the world to rights. Lovely hot, sunny weather until the afternoon storm rolled in.

Headed out to their friends house for James' party. Great place in the middle of the ... was really fun and wish I lived somewhere like that. It really did rain, torrential. But there was a bit of cover and there was fish cooked and many beers drunk. Home late again, but thats ok, no plans for Sunday.

Got up and headed out for an American breakfast, very nice. Then went to Venice! There was a dog beach and we swam and laughed and the dogs played fetch - although when one of them gave up, it was me doing the fetching! Poor Boatswain (the dog) got sick and upset stomach, was sick when we got home. Not a happy dog - Dr James and Birchy's diagnosis - Heat stroke. So we went out to drink and play mini golf - now that was amusing after a few wines! I even did a commando crawl through a plastic rock tunnel - the things you do. Headed home and sadly the dog was not so well. Vet first thingin the morning.

Up ealry on Monday, James had to go to work. Stepahnie and I took the dog and left him at the vet then we went to work - well Stephanie did and I helped a little. First job, chop frozen fish into small pieces to feed the sharks. Actually felt a little hungary - something about stale fish in a small confined space! Actually enjoyed doing somehting different. Stephanie was puzzled by the fact the a shark was in the wrong tank - 3 in one 1 in the other, lids on the tanks - the amazing jumping shark. After the feeding, swapping sharks into the correct tanks and making sure all fingers were present and correct, Stephanie had to do some real work so I looked around the aquarium. Really good and saw lots of fish - funny that! Feeding of the sharks - old hat by this time. Also saw gay sharks - dolphins to most people.

Had a lovely lunch with Stephanie and a good old chit chat. Then we met James and they took me to the airport. More laughs in the car and really don't want to leave. A really great weekend. Thanks to both of you. Can't wait to come back next time with my Sally. Flight was delayed but eventually made it to Oklahoma City...