Starting overcast, of course the sun came out the moment I decided I was not going to stay cooped up on the boat all day. Sun = hot here!
Well sunscreened, suitably attired and with bike helmets on (always), we set forth with camera, money and the idea we would stop for coffee (of course) being that it was now 10.30am!
Having found this gem of a coffee shop, we are happy to be their clients. They welcomed us by name:) How nice is that, and how good for business! lol.
We had had a glimpse of some of the Victorian homes around the central Historic District, but Waz had torn me away from them and made me go home:(...well, I guess there is always another day, no?
Today we had the purpose of touring the local streets.
We were not disappointed, let me tell you. What does disappoint, always, is the fact that so many of these treasures are falling down. These are not well -to-do parts. This is the South, and though there is much wealth, there is also much poverty, and it is there in the mix with the huge old homes. I didn't take any photos (as I don't) of those homes, out of respect for those who live there.
We feel most fortunate, at times like this.
We also truly appreciate those folks who take the time and put their own money into restoring these beauties.
I know some of you have a similar affinity for these gracious old ladies...enjoy!:)
And we cant NOT mention the gorgeous parks and the HUGE moss hung trees.
The two people sitting on the porch agreed that I could take the photo, after we told them what we were doing and engaged them in conversation. This home is a community home for followers of Believers in the original word of the Bible. They gave us instructions to the Deli that the community runs, which was around the corner a couple of blocks down.
I was so sad to see this old home, whose bones were once good.
The Yellow Deli we had been directed to. We went inside...air conditioned, fortunately!
More than sufficiently fortified, we set off on our bikes again...also having met one of the Community from Australia (German import as a child), who does the gardening, and takes care of so much more, it appeared. She is married to an American, but misses Aussie. Oh well!
So, back to the road, or should I say the cracked sidewalks. Some were in excellent shape, but mostly not.
Of course this straightened sidewalk was outside the home below. How gorgeous is this home? I was prepared to move in right then and there!
Just gorgeous!
Of course no collection of photos is complete without the garden ones!
I have always loved Lillies! These are spectacular.!
Pretty!
Waz is a long way ahead of me, but then I stop often to take pics:)
Cant you see yourself on that porch swing??:)
We returned to the boat around 2.30pm...a bit pooped, granted, and per usual, I would have gone on forever, but Waz had a sore butt...given his recent medical history, his butt won!
We need to look for more comfy bike seats...sheepskins?
We spent some time having a coffee and relaxing...Waz had a nap...well, a snore, actually!lol.
I had the makings of dinner...well, almost.
First we had to get our rental car. They picked us up just before 5pm, and took us to a part of town we hadn't been before...well, of course...it was beyond the capabilities of us on our bikes.
The heavens had opened, in the meantime, and we exited the boat with coats on and a brolly up!
The Enterprise rental shop was beside the local Walmart food mart, so we went there for some small bits and pieces for our journey over the next few days.
Returning to the boat in a torrential downpour wasn't much fun, but hey, it adds to the experience...at least that is what we told ourselves as we hung everything on the line out back, to dry!
I set to, making our Cauliflower Risotto. We don't do rice, anymore, so Cauli is a wonderful substitute and we always enjoy them. The prawns needed to be cooked...they had freezer burn, and there had to be room in the freezer for the ice-cream we somehow ended up bringing back with us...how DOES that happen???:)
In a tablespoon of butter (Irish is almost as good as NZ) sautee a couple of chopped spring/green onions with about 4 large cloves of chopped garlic (not pressed!). Do not brown the garlic. Finely chop the cauli and add to the butter et al. I like to microwave the peas prior to adding, so cook them for three mins in the micro. Add, and then add about 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream. When the cream has thickend and the cauli is soft, add the precooked shrimp and heat them through quickly. Do not over cook!
Add shaved parmesan cheese, stir with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve! Bon Apetite!
Just before dark I went outside to take this photo of the last of the more than 4 hr storm that has passed us. Such lightening!! and thunder that threatened to shake us out of the mooring.
So, now it is time or a real leaf tea, and a banana split! yep! Ice-cream!:)
Ciao ciao
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