Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Our good friend Lindsey told us about Homosassa and what a great place it is.

Having parked the car we were driven into the park on a trailer.

Just some of the baby Alligators.

This is an American Beaver.

Baby Turtles.

If you look really closely these are 3 adults Turtles sitting in the sun.

I think this is a good idea but the Alligators put me off anyway.

Owl.

Another Owl.

North American Stork drying off (thank you Jack)..

Flamingo's

Strange mix of birds.

Bald Eagle

 Florida Black Bears.

A selection of Pelicans.

Just sitting in the afternoon sun.

Watching the world go by.

Not an indigenous animal.

No comment.

And of course the Manatee's

They measure up to 13 feet (4.0 m) long, weigh as much as 1,300 pounds (590 kg).

Big Vegetarians they just eat grass and greens. Not sure I'm going to loose weight if thats the case.

The fish swim up the river to the fresh water spring for short time.

These video's were taken from an under water observation

deck immediately above the spring.

The American otter, he's there and he's quick. 

We had to make our way back to the car. 

This time we went on a boat nice and gentle.

A really nice place to visit.

Trip Down to Tampa

Earlier this year we found I had relatives in America, So we decided to pop down and see them while we were in Florida. It's only 384 miles down to Tampa, around a 6 hour drive.

Yes Bristol (Florida).

Rocky's BBQ???

You haven't moved have you Rocky.

If so I like your Gas Station.

Stopped for lunch in Perry.

Yeah little old me. Keep eating all this fried food it'll

BIG old me!!!!

The Boss informs me this is in the Ladies Restroom!!!

Nothing new there.

This is me sitting looking hungry (human interest)????

On the day before we left, we watched a film

called Fried Green Tomato's

So we had to try them and few other southern delicacies.

Broccoli Bites, Mozzarella Sticks, Corn Nuggets, Bumpers

and Munchers.

Baked Potato, Pork and Ribs.

Fries (Chips) & Ribs.

Wouldn't fit in the trunk (UK Boot).

This is Jack can you see the family resemblance.

A really great day just sitting and talking about families.

Jack and his sister Susan just catching up.

For the genealogists, Jack and Susan's Grandfather, was my

Father's elder brother.

This is Jack, Susan and her daughter's Becki,  Rachel and her son Cameron.

Nearly everyone together, thanks to Lance (Susan's Husband) for taking photo's

and David ( Becki's partner).

We arrived in the morning and within 5 minutes we felt so at home. We really enjoyed our time together spending the whole day just talking.

Thank you all for such a really great day.

On the way back from Tampa we stopped at a Fruit Farm.

These  are Srawberries being gown hydroponically.

Human interest me Strawberry rustling.

Always thought this was a skin condition???

Rows and rows of fruit.

In the Farm shop with a selection of fruits including Grapefruits.

Sounds good to me.