IT'S A DOGS LIFE
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO
IT'S A DOGS LIFE
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO
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Florida, Jacksonville – Entertaining company

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Got the last few things ‘ship shape’ in preparation for company.

With the all the holes in the dingy sealed we put the chaps back on and hung it back up on the back of the boat.

It took a whole day re-stitch the dingy chaps, but it was worth it. The chaps make the 'incredible deflatible' look so much better. You would never know it is completely covered in patches. The canvas is a lot nicer to sit on too.
It took a whole day re-stitch the dingy chaps, but it was worth it. The chaps make the ‘incredible deflatible’ look so much better. You would never know it is completely covered in patches. The canvas is a lot nicer to sit on too.

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But we had one last night before they were set to arrive, and it was Sarah’s (s/v Prospero) going away party.

This crew do not need an excuse to have a party
This crew does not need an excuse to have a party

Sarah and Jake on Prospero took the ICW (inter-coastal waterway) from Fort Pierce to Jacksonville and joined us at Ortega Landing.  They had a ‘bit of bad luck’ along the way and have some repairs to do on the boat, so Sarah is going back home to work and Jake is going to remain to complete them.

I will fill you in on Jake’s progress, as well as our own, as the season progresses.  Speaking of which, the dingy started deflating the next day.  So it is ‘back to the drawing board’.  But we will deal with after our company leaves.

And here they are!

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Ashley and Liam.
They found the boat was just like a ‘jungle gym’
The grown up humans can relax in the cockpit
The grown up humans can relax in the cockpit
I am so excited to have them visit all way from Canada
I am so excited to have them visit all way from Canada

Unfortunately it is the hottest time of the year in Florida.  So we did not stay long on the boat.  We headed for the pool for a BBQ and a swim.

Pool side BBQ with a view out over the river. With Sarah gone, Jake joined my Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary
Pool side BBQ with a view out over the river. With Sarah gone, Jake joined my Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary
The kids enjoyed the pool well into the night
The kids enjoyed the pool well into the night

My visiting family booked themselves into the luxury of a hotel close by.  Small cabins, cramped spaces and rocking with the wake of passing boats is not everyone’s idea of a holiday.  They would still be spending every day with us anyway.

The next day we were off to the shops.

Now this is something you will not find in your local department store in the UK or Canada
Now this is something you will not find in your local department store in the UK or Canada

Of course the ‘gun department’ was a novelty for all.  What do you need to buy one?

That is how easy it is to own a gun
That is how easy it is to own a gun

Enough of the shops, or so we thought, we headed out to see a bit of history.  St.Augustine, just south of Jacksonville, is Americas oldest permanent settlement.

The busy main street of St.Augustine
The busy main street of St.Augustine

When we arrived we found the main street packed with shops, restaurants and tour operators.

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These shops seem to sell everything to tourists.

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You almost want to buy the airfreshener just to find out what some one imagines bigfoot to smell like

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We should have kept all the shells after we removed the conch. All those piles of discarded conch shells on the beaches of the Caribbean. Would tourists really pay this?
We should have kept all the shells after we removed the conch. All those piles of discarded conch shells on the beaches of the Caribbean. Would tourists really pay this?

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Ashley and Liam really enjoyed the magic shows
Ashley and Liam really enjoyed the magic shows

But in and amongst all this commercialism there were some small oasis.

Some cool court yards to take a rest break from retail theropy
Some cool court yards to take a rest break from retail therapy
The mill may have been changed to a pub, but the water wheel is still intact
The mill may have been changed to a pub, but the water wheel is still intact
We all loved the charming little garden at the back of this shop
We all loved the charming little garden at the back of this shop

But it was history we had come to see and we were determined to find it.

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Nothing beats some cannons you can climb around on
Nothing beats some cannons you can climb around on

 

Flagler College
Flagler College

We stopped into one of Florida’s oldest hotels. The buildings design and history is very interesting.  The Rockefeller’s, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Thomas Edison all play a part.  The building has remained preserved as a college now.

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The general public are allowed in the impressive entrance.
The general public are allowed in the impressive entrance.
You will need to join a walking tour if you want to see more of the Tiffany stained glass windows
You will need to join a walking tour if you want to see more of the Tiffany stained glass windows

Still looking for more history we headed down to the waterfront.

The City Marina has some interesting guests. Open for the kids to explore
The City Marina has some interesting guests. Open for the kids to explore
The waterfront of the city is a much better view
The waterfront of the city is a much better view
With a waterfront to defend, you are sure to find more cannon to climb on
With a waterfront to defend, you are sure to find more cannon to climb on
And you need a fort to defend your waterfront
And you need a fort to defend your waterfront
St.Augustine has a great fort to explore. Unfortunately we got there too late to explore inside, the outside was still impressive
St.Augustine has a great fort to explore. Unfortunately we got there too late to explore inside, the outside was still impressive
The bricks of the fort were cut by the Spanish from ancient reef.
The bricks of the fort were cut by the Spanish from ancient reef.  You can make out the shells as they slowly erode to the surface.
Stay away from the 'high street' and the rest of the city is very nice and a good day out with the family
Stay away from the ‘high street’ and the rest of the city is very nice and a good day out with the family

They all returned to the Marina and pool for some rest and relaxation.  They are on holiday.

Pool frisbee matches
Pool frisbee matches
Pool side arts and crafts. Making shell and bead necklaces and bracelets.
Pool side arts and crafts. Making shell and bead necklaces and bracelets.
Need a break from the sun? How about playing Wee in the air-conditioned club house
Need a break from the sun? How about playing Wee in the air-conditioned club house

We had one more family excursion before their holiday was over.  You can not come to Florida and miss out on the beaches.  A little research and we chose Atlantic Beach, as it was quiet and allowed dogs!

I am so happy I can come along
I am so happy I can come along

 

Atlantic beach is much quieter then Jacksonville Beach
Atlantic beach is much quieter than Jacksonville Beach
Lots more room to build sandcastles
Lots more room to build sand castles
Lots more room to do hand stands
Lots more room to do hand stands
And enjoy a swim in the sea
And enjoy a swim in the sea
A great way to finish up a holiday
A great way to finish up a holiday

We filled our pockets with shells, watched pelicans plunge into the sea after fish and were lucky enough to be in the water as dolphins swam close by.  What better way to finish a holiday.

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The week flew by and before I knew it I was saying goodbye to everyone.

It is all so very lonely without them!

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