OldiesonTour

Friday 27th March 2026

A little cloudy this morning, perhaps there’s rain in the air.   Anyway, after the school run and breakfast, the sun was shining, no hint of rain now!!!

After a pile of ironing, and not all ours!!!!, we headed out.   Today we are going to Palm Beach by way of Mar-A-Lago, Donald Trump’s country club and residence.   After advice from Andrew we kept off the state highway and went along suburban roads, not quite as wide but still “awesome”, to use a local expression!!   We drove through some particularly nice areas with properties to match; well manicured front gardens, nice drives and roadside hedges straight out of gardening magazines.   We then started to get near to Palm beach itself and the properties, gardens, hedges and drives jumped up several notches; how the top 10% live, houses overlooking the ocean fetching 10’s of millions of dollars.    Then we came across what at first sight looked like road-works, and a Sheriff’s car keeping watch on the traffic.  Once we passed we released it was Mar-a-Lago and not road-works, it was a road closure down the side of his country club estate; not too dissimilar to where Andrew lives, but a lot more dollars to be a member!!!    Because we hadn’t quite released where we were, we turned around and went back for a better “gander”.  We now saw multiple Sheriff’s cars, security towers, and guards sporting guns around the gates and apparently he is not even in residence, what will it be like when he is??   We then turned around again for our third pass-by and for Christine to get a photo or two.  If they have number plate recognition cameras outside, what will they think of us, 3-drive byes and pictures taken: oops!!!

We had been advised by “(Isaac) Simple Simon” to visit “Worth Avenue” the Rodeo Drive of Florida, so that’s was our destination.   As we turned into this very exclusive avenue, low and behold a parking space became vacant, we were unbelievably lucky.   Our AI “mentor” suggested as part of our stroll along this avenue, we head through the small passageways each side of the road as there were interesting “gems” to be found nestling up them.  We did as suggested and low and behold there were “other worlds” behind the exclusive shops, including fine restaurants.   It was good we had already agreed to head out tonight with Andrew and Elton for a meal, otherwise I could see us “indulging”, though we did find a small bijou cafe for a coffee and cake!!!

As we headed back to the car we saw 3-Bentley’s, a fantastic bright red Ferrari and numerous other high-end motors, in fact our hired Chevy SUV looked rather out of place in this road!!!

We now headed back to the beach to cool off and bring us back to reality; at least this beach didn’t have a big rusty drain pipe running alongside the shoreline!!!

It was an hour’s drive back to Woodfield and we were meeting up at 1600hrs, so time to leave.

Back at base we got into Andrew’s car and headed to the boxing club, yes 5-year old Elton has started to have boxing lessons and towards the end of his session he was put into the ring with another, albeit a bit bigger boy. But fair do’s, he held his end up; we’ll done Elton.

In the true spirit of showing us around, we headed back towards Delray beach, but this time along the “correct” road where we passed beautiful properties, some facing the beach or the others backing onto the coastal waterway, all with their boats at the end of their gardens: as I’ve said before, to live around here you need lots of bucks.

Once parked we were taken back in time, we went into an amusement arcade where all the machines were from the forties, fifties and sixties; we were in our element, what fun🤠🤠.   After being “dragged” out we went to dinner before heading back home, quite exhausted. 

Elton playing

First day with a car

Thursday 26th March 2026

After Christine had completed the school run and finished breakfast, with our new found freedom, we jumped in the car and headed to Delray Beach as recommended by Andrew.

It’s good to be back driving in Florida with its 3 & 4 lane highways, staying in lane and passing cars either side; good fun!!, though the traffic lights instead of roundabouts can be a pain!!!   

We found the beach road and parked, though we had to use an on-line pay station and naturally the English operators wouldn’t work so we had to download the app first; not a problem generally but it was so sunny we couldn’t see the screen!!!   Eventually Christine got hers working before mine so paid; what a lot of effort for about £3.

The walk to the actual beach was short but once on the beach, straight in front of us we were greeted with a big rusty drainpipe running as far as the eye can see in either direction.   To cross they had piled up sand dunes to “walk up-n-over”; weird or what?   Anyway we paddled in the ocean for a bit; not to cold though nothing like the pool where we are!!

Our hour was coming to an end so back in the car and headed for a snack and a drink.   

What shall we do next was our question and Issac, now re-christened Simple Simon (AI) on account that he gives extremely simple, “step-by-step” instructions when asked, suggested a place called “Wakodahatchee Wetlands”.   Waze knew exactly where it was and guided us there and we were certainly impressed.   

This is an area of about 50 acres, opened in 1996, and originally was  a waste-water utility company’s property, now converted into wetlands that are free to visit.   There is a 3/4 mile long broad-walk meandering over open water with many islands created by vegitation that encourage nesting and roostering .   The boardwalk has informative  signage as well as gazebos with benches along the way to get out of the sun. This site is part of the Florida migration route and offers many opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitats. Over 178 bird species have been identified here, along with turtles, alligators, rabbits, fish, frogs and raccoons.    These wetlands also play an important part in Water Reclamation.   Each day up to two million gallons of treated waste water is pumped Into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which in turn acts as a natural filter, returning billions of gallons of fresh water back into the water table.

This was an unplanned visit that that gave us unexpected pleasure.   Naturally we were straining our eyes to see Alligators and eventually did.  One was pretty clear to pick out, being in shallow water with minimal vegetation, but two (we think) were harder to spot, camouflaged by vegetation and with minimal movement. Unfortunately there is no clear indication on how many alligators are here at any one time as they come-and-go through small canals and ditches but local “experts” hazard a guess at between 20 & 50.   

Whilst walking along the broad-walk we spotted some rather odd looking white “things”  on top of three “poles”, on closer inspection the white things looked like small bird boxes, a little strange we thought; research later, and the answer* is below.

Getting a bit late to explore and as we were “rather” hot and sticky, time for a swim.

We “swung” by the house to collect swimmers etc then onto the country club only Andrew wasn’t there to sign us in, he’d had to head out to collect Elton from school.   The other day the main car park was “unbelievably” full so Andrew took us to a small, out of the way one and used the back entrance, no reception desk here!!!   We did the same, straight to the pool, no awkward questions😂😂

We enjoyed a couple of hours around the pool before collecting Elton from his tennis lesson; we’re in charge again tonight!!!   Dinner and an early night after a very enjoyable day.

* Purple Martin Habitat

Each winter, Purple Martins migrate from South America and return to Wakodhatchee and Green Cay Wetlands to nest in special houses prepared just for them. While Purple Martins are protected by law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, their populations are declining in many parts of North America, and over 4.3 million birds have been lost in the past 50 years alone. By providing housing for them, the species is supported by various “landlords” including schools, fire rescue stations, parks and private residents who are committed to this important conservation work in Palm Beach County. New for this season, gourd-shaped houses were installed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, with the help of dedicated volunteers and Purple Martin experts from Audubon Everglades. These houses mimic the hollowed-out gourds that native Floridians used for many years to create habitats for the martins, who are dependent on human helpers each season. In other parts of the country, they create nesting habitats in hollow trees or hollow cacti.

Each year, Purple Martins will send a few “scouts” ahead of the rest of the flock to inspect the houses and begin to claim spots for their nests. You might spot the birds in early morning or at dusk by their houses, and during the day they might be out foraging and getting settled into their new winter environment at Wakodahatchee

Tuesday 24th March 2026

After a good night’s sleep, we woke-up to blue skies, birds twittering and raring to go, but first get Elton to school.

This is a great place to be but it is isolated and naturally Andrew has to work, so set about organising ourselves a hire car for the duration which we will collect tomorrow.  We want to look around Florida more, other than theme parks. We will then “abandon” this paradise, and head out on Tuesday week and explore some of the southern states, and maybe get to New Orleans depending on time.

After an early lunch we headed back to the pool area and this time I went in.   Christine was right, it was like a hot bath, reminded me of our pool in Spain in August, in the low 30’s and it’s still only March; how hot will it be in the height of summer???   Maybe they will cool the water then!!!

Back at the house for dinner and tv,

Wednesday 25th March 2026

Slow morning today killing time until we collect our hire car from Enterprise, about 15-minutes away.   My, my, how the prices of hire cars has gone up and to add in accident damage cover, it virtually doubles it, so we ordered a “compact” car, nothing flashy this time!!!

We arrived at the office about 15-minutes early but was informed they were waiting for the car and it may take half an hour; ok, no issue we’ll pop round to “Dunkin Donuts” around the corner and hopefully they will have some of their delicious “apple-fritters”, large donuts filled with apple and deep fried; each one 470 calories, naughty but nice; anyway that was our lunch😂.

Half an hour later we rocked up to the Enterprise office expecting to be handed the keys but no, we were told the car hadn’t arrived and now there were several others waiting for hire cars!!!   As you can imagine the atmosphere was quite heated with everyone moaning, in fact one person had ordered their car for 0900hrs and still no car.   Because we had gone out when we got back everyone thought we had just arrived and was third or fourth in line, but to their horror the enterprise guy gave us our keys!!!!  We were out of there like “jack lighting”, we didn’t fancy being the centre of everybody’s displeasure.   The good news, by default we got an upgraded vehicle, maybe consolation for getting our car an hour and a half late.   At the time I could feel a strong letter being composed, but once we were on our way with the blue sky and rather hot, it evaporated.

Christine needed some new “flip-flops” so headed to the Boca Ratan shopping mall, my my it was a big ‘un, far to big for the time we had there, but in Macy’s she got what she needed.

Back to the house by way of Publix (supermarket), before an early dinner; Andrew is heading out and making the most of us being here to baby-sit Elton.

Sunday 22nd March 2026

After an interesting night in this strange house, with the sun beating through the windows (yeath!!) we emerged.   With Andrew and Elton away, there wasn’t much food though we did find something!!!     The nearest supermarket is Publix, 1.6 miles away and no means of transport so we put our best foot forward and headed out.   Apparently the supermarket is just outside the gated entrance, so the distance is just inside the complex.  The walk was very pleasant, in the warm sunshine looking at some pretty stunning houses, beautifully kept public areas and wonderfully manicured fairways and billiard-ball greens weaving their way around numerous lakes with a lot of bunkers to keep the golfers busy.   

We arrived at the entrance and there it was, a small shopping plaza with a petrol station, bank  and an assortment of cafes, restaurants, clothes shops and Publix but also Dunkin Donuts, our first “port of call”.  After watching the world go by we did the basic food shopping, well enough for today; we can come back tomorrow with Andrew in his car to get the rest!!!   We now headed back but by now it was “hot” and being loaded we stopped a couple of times and admired some of the sights.

The rest of the day we did some chores, but nothing to heavy followed by a nice meal and American Television; quite different to what we are used to!!!! 

Andrew and Elton walked in the door around 2230hrs, and after  a quick catch-up headed to bed, after all Elton has to be in school for 0800hrs in the morning.

Monday 23rd March 2026

Again we we awoke to bright blue skies and the patter of Elton rushing about preparing for school, apparently he really loves it, and getting him ready in the morning is not an issue.   

Back from the school-run and after breakfast, Andrew got down to work whilst we pottered about before we all headed to the actual country club.

Woodfield CC is an amazing area. Situated within Boca Raton, this is this an 830-acre gated site, with 20 individual neighbourhoods, and was designed so that each area/community has its own identity, separated from its neighbour by large lakes and the impeccably manicured golf course and extremely wide roads lined with colourful plants.    The neighbourhood Andrew lives in is “Cambridge”; (this was the vital piece of information missing when the uber driver brought us here!!!).   The properties we saw from the road looked amazing, and one particular area is gated again, but those properties are selling for up to $8-million so one can understand why!!!    As we drove up to the the country club complex itself and quite stunning as we parked, so much parking space both for cars and buggies.

Andrew gave us a “whistle-stop tour” of the facilities. Woodfield Country Club is a private, member-owned club known for its family-friendly, luxury, resort-style living with extensive amenities, including the 18-hole championship golf course, a “nationally” recognised tennis program, a large fitness centre, a spa, and multiple dining options, a “his” and “hers” playing card rooms and It also offers a wide range of sports, social, and family-oriented activities, making it a very popular choice for families and active adults, but at a cos no doubt!!!!!

Our tour ended at a coffee station with complementary hot and cold drinks and assorted bagels; complementary????  Oh yes we also stopped at a “cookie” station, also complementary!!!   We enjoyed our coffee by a pool cordoned off with swimming lanes; no one swimming but a life-guard on duty.   Andrew had things to do and suggested we lazed around the pool, but not this one!!   He took us to the other pool; very much bigger, various depths and and an interesting shape with three life-guard stations! Here we lounged though Christine went in.   I took the opportunity to catch-up with much-needed rest.   Three days of consecutive walking, circa 3-miles per day, pounding the cold streets of Boston was catching up on me😡😡, but what a place to do it.

Once Andrew returned we went to one of the many eating areas for a light lunch.   The light lunches we ordered were various interpretations of salads and were “huge”; that will certainly keep us going!!!

The afternoon was much like the morning until a “world-wind” brushed passed us and “splash”, it was Elton jumping in!!!

Heading back home we were driven around several of the “neighbourhoods” and even the “lesser” properties were stunning.   As I said earlier this complex is targeting families and encourages children with the many sports facilities; Elton has weekly tennis lessons and will be starting golf lessons in a weeks time.  I think one could be “institutionalised” living here if one worked from home or retired, as everything one could ever want is in this complex other than a supermarket, but as we all know, groceries can be delivered direct to your door.   Naturally being the US, everything is spread out but most people have buggies; obviously the houses have a car 2-car garage but many also have a separate buggy garage!!!!!

We had a quiet evening as both Andrew and Elton were getting over the time differences so shot off to bed whilst Christine and I watched the film, “The Italian Job”; as I said earlier, American tv is very different!!!!   

I wonder what tomorrow brings🤔🤔