Carrabba's 6, the exit

We arrived early for our last Wednesday night dinner at Carrabba's, and someone was sitting in 'our' spot at the bar... Horror of all horrors.

Not really, they sat us at a table nearby, and our server Stephanie made sure no further interlopers had a chance to squeeze in. Our "cheers" was at the table, a great way to start a very happy occasion.

After the couple paid-up and left, we just walked our drinks over to the kitchen bar, and the world continued to unfold as it should.

Here are the magicians that make dinner here a very special occasion. From right to left: Jay, William and Justin. I might add that to get them all facing the same way at once is a major exercise in patience, and timing.

Next is Jay, the grill man, who always finds the time for a quick smile in his otherwise hectic pace.

Here's is Jay's 'office': a very well organized and managed grill if ever I've seen one.

Nate, the head chef joins the fray, reading out the orders received from the printer nearby.

My excellent meal: Steak, crab-cake and two scoops of garlic mashed potatoes. It doesn't get any better. Sorry if I dug in before taking the picture... My bad.

Joan shared her Calamari which was as great as ever.

We wanted a group shot, using the flash this time, and preparation is akin to herding cats...

The owner Debbie and head chef Nate joined in with the kitchen crew in the background.

So there's the whole group, now that Stephanie and I joined in. No, I did not wear my new Carrabba's hat while sitting at the bar.

As the signs in the background states, this is likely our 'exit' from Carrabba's for this visit. We've enjoyed good company, great food, and much appreciated service from all staff. We've tasted the best and made new friends. What fun!

There was always a great deal of laughter and I wish you the same.

Stephanie at the Rocking Horse trials

Last weekend, Joan and I went to Ocala where Stephanie Calvert had come down to do some training of two horses: Red and Denver, [Frankie's stablemates]. Of course, getting away from the real winter didn't come into the matter...

As usual, you can click on photos of interest to see a larger version.

The Rocking Horse facility is huge, covering a hundred and fifty acres. This is a picture of their signature jump, considered a 'training level' jump.

Next is Stephanie 'walking' the cross-country course [~ 2.5 kilometres] to memorize her course sequence before the competitions began.

Horse events and dogs seem to go well together; here are a few dogs just having a good time while their owners are walking the course.

The weekend competition consisted of Dressage, Stadium jumping and Cross-Country jumping.

Dressage is the slowest, not unlike watching grass grow, or paint dry, or... well, you get the picture. Here are three shots of Steph on Red.

The second event, stadium jumping, can be quite confusing to a photographer. When faced with this next scene, how do you figure out which jump to jump when?

Maybe this next one is clearer?

Steph figured it out easily and here she is on Red.

The next shot is Denver doing his dressage test.

Denver and Steph airborne in the stadium jumps.

I just looked on as a jumper broke this bulky jump. The dark broken upright that should be holding up the large pale log on the left is just visible below, just before a crew arrived to fix it.

Here's the crew putting on the finishing touches. The old upright was removed, the hole re-dug, a new upright was installed, the hole filled, the ropes retightened, and the soil re-packed. Elapsed time? Less than ten minutes! I guess they are paid piece work...

Competition resumed, and here's Steph and Red doing a jump in the Cross-Country.

Steph and Red again, going in, through, then out of the second water jump. Fun to watch, maybe not so much fun to do?

It was quite foggy on Sunday morning and we arrived just in time to see Stephanie and Denver jump in the distance.

Then it was Denver's shot at the signature jump. Well done!

As usual, no competitor can do it alone; someone has to keep things running and Stephanie is blessed to have her Mother, Elaine, keeping things at a much less than panic level.

Here's Elaine walking Denver so he can cool down after his cross-country run.

We had two overnights at a B&B and though some of the next shots might be of interest. Here's a view as you enter from the highway.

The gate under the arch is the actual entrance and here it is from inside the complex.

Our splendiferous room had a wood burning fireplace and a poster bed.

It also had a jacuzzi but I didn't want to disturb the lady snoring there...

A very dusty weekend, but a fun one. Retirement has so much to recommend it.

Cruising on the St Lucie River

We took a 9o minute cruise along the older parts of the St Lucie River on a pontoon boat. Here's a slider turtle, just starting to slide backwards into the river.

Next is a tri-colour heron, a first sighting for Joan and me.

Here's a flying tri-colour heron.

This is a no-swimming area...

Just a couple of quiet scenes of what Florida used to be.

Is this guy just napping after a big meal?

Here's a flying heron, just barely above the water.

This next guy seems to be looking for a meal, any volunteers?

Here's a little night heron.

This next guy is an immature blue heron, another first for us.

Two turtles, sunbathing on a log.

This anhinga is doing what it always does; drying its wings.

As I leave you, remember that is not a swimming area...

Well we had fun, I hope you did too.