Travel day can be summed up as a day of queuing.  We had a relatively straight forward drive to Gatwick via the M40/M25/M23.  Needless to say there was some queuing on the M25!  Having arrived at Gatwick South terminal we set off for the bag drop (we had already checked in and got boarding passes the day before) when we were 'redirected' to the main queue (all destinations) as we had oversize bags (golf clubs).  We consequently queued for over an hour before we could check in the bags.  Having deposited suitcases, we were advised we had to take the golf clubs to an oversize luggage check-in - which we expected and was very quick.  The 'idiot' who redirected us unnecessarily should be shot! 

Icefields approaching the Canadian Coast (at 38,000 ft)

The flight was comfortable and uneventful.  We breezed through immigration to the bag collection area.  Our golf clubs and Liz's suitcase appeared minutes later.  After that no bags appeared and we 'queued' for at least 40 minutes.  When they did start appearing mine was about 3rd through.  We now had 2 trolleys with golf clubs and suitcases to get to the car reservation.  This involved elevators and 2 train journeys - why don't they make the door entrances wide enough! 

We eventually got to the rental car area.  There was a huge queue for AVIS/Budget, who we had booked with.  I thought 'what ho', I had registered with them for fast access including providing credit card details.  Liz wisely said go without the luggage to check you can take a car.  I breezed down a level and presented myself, with paperwork and ID, at the check-in desk.  The girl entered my details and advised that she had a mid-sized car ready for me.  She then advised that as this was the first time we had booked with them I had to go through the check-in system upstairs!  Somewhat dejected I returned to find the queue was even longer!  There were few operatives manning desks and it was evident that there was a problem as there was virtually no movement of the queue.  It seemed they had run out of cars for people had not pre-booked.  Eventually I was called forward and very quickly provided with the necessary paperwork to take the car - a mere 2 hrs queuing!!

The journey of about 25 miles from Tampa to Bermuda Bay Club was uneventful but we had to be shown where our apartment was as the residential area is a warren of buildings and roads! However when we reached it, it proved to be well equipped and comfortable. 

Liz on our little beach

Today as usual we were awake at 5am and couldn't get back to sleep. The upstairs occupants were up at 5.30am so there were a few creaks from above from then onwards. We had no food or drink so when we got up we went and found a Wendy's and had breakfast there. We then found Walmart and bought some essentials and a couple of evening meals to keep us going for a day or two. The lady in the apartment next door to us told us that there is a Publix nearby so I expect we will use that for food in future. After lunch we went for a walk around the complex and found the beach and pools. It all seems very quiet around the area, but it is between school holidays so it will get busier when the schools finish for the summer. 

Ben decided he wanted to look at the fishing possibilities so we drove to Gulfport and walked along the pier which is open for public fishing. He now has to find a tackle shop to buy bait etc.

The weather today has been mostly grey and cloudy with the odd shower of rain. It is pretty windy but the showers should dwindle overnight according to the forecast. It isn't cold though as the temperatures were nearly up in the 80s today.

Golf is booked for tomorrow now we have got our bearings and food supplies.