We have further explored our environment, going south to St Augustine to visit with Rhonda and Bruce Little...chief Troublemakers at Brunswick Landing, and Gloria and Mike who are sail boaters on their way back to West Palm Beach to meet with their boat broker and have a showing. We haven't heard if that was a Yes from the clients!
We were early for our rendezvous with them all, and as we were driving on this visit, we drove onto the Island, determined to walk onto the Atlantic Ocean beach there. We did stop at a wonderful garden store, through which we could see the St Augustine Light House.
Parking is always at a premium in St Augustine, but we figured that if we parked on the opposite side of the Bridge of Lions, we would find parking. We did find a coffee./chocolate shop where we fueled up on a Latte...Hold the chocolates please.... and the woman there said she would love to have our car in their parking lot....it would make it look like they had customers:) We obliged, of course. Not too far to walk, and perfect all around.
The Bridge of Lions from the 'other' side.
As we walked back over the Bridge of Lions, we noticed that there were now TWO large babies on the dock, where there had only been one before. This is looking south down the ICW, and the south mooring field at St Augustine, Florida.
We know where the Home Depot is, the Post Office at Orange Park...a good one and not too busy!...that we are not far from the Naval Air Station at JAX, so we see lots of military out and about, and aircraft overhead.
Directly across the river from us are some lovely river side homes....some palatial, but many ordinary. We have done our usual Real Estate peek through that neighborhood of 40 yr old homes with large shade trees, and found one or two for sale.
On Waz's birthday, Nov. 14th, we drove down the highway, having sussed this out previously, to the 4Rivers Bar-B-Q and Ribs joint. It was a bit like take out ribs...we decided to split a whole side of St Louis Style, and sides of fries and cole slaw (per usual), which is all kind of dumped on the tray (except the slaw) and you take a seat, and bus your own. It wasn't quite the 'really nice' meal we had anticipated, but the ribs were juicy (Fatty, he said) and the fries were chunky and crisp...and most important...hot! We put the GPS on and found a Dairy Queen not too far away, and became their only customers for a long while, picking up a mini Blizzard each instead of a Birthday cake at the restaurant.
We see some interesting sky wherever we go, and this day was something special. There were even photos like this on the local TV weather channel, later that night. It was significant because of all the contrails we saw. This is only a small portion of the 28 Waz counted
With my total Hip Replacement surgery date looming large, we were preparing the boat for me to rehabilitate in. The temperatures were lovely, without being hot and needing airconditioning on at night....too bad, coz there is a leak somewhere in our bedroom system!
My lovely sister sent me a coloring book and pencils to while away the down time, when I'm not mobile enough to 'do' stuff. I immediately set to, coloring the front cover. I'm very determined to do each page as it comes and not skip around, as I might normally. We will see how long this resolve lasts, lol. The book is a thing of beauty, and I am enjoying it immensely. Lots of fine detail!
We went out for a Saturday Breakfast to the local Metro Diner, but were a but disappointed. It is obviously a favored place amongst the locals...busy as all get out! My usual Crab cakes Benedict left a bit to be desired....we will give them a second chance some time when I can walk on my own.
We also discovered, in the days immediately prior to surgery, that we have a wonderful Japanese Restaurant just around the corner, and that the Chinese food place is also excellent. Well, there goes all of our take-out needs!
We actually ate at the Japanese restaurant twice! First time, Waz had the $9 chicken curry....while I had a dinner bento of grilled salmon, with enough sushi,sashimi, etc to sink the Bismark. Delish!
We tried a combo of four Sushi rolls the second time. What we love about these folks is that they kept bringing us samples to taste:)
Not overly expensive, but definitely worth the journey to Fuji Sushi!
Finally...Surgery day! I had felt a bit like a cat on a hot tin roof the day prior. Lets just get this thing done!!! I had been swimming a couple of times in the large pool at the marina, and taken advantage of the lovely spa pool alongside, afterwards. We have walked a lot when we could, and so I felt ready physically and mentally, to do this surgery.
The 18th, Wednesday, was overcast, and we were informed we had to turn up at around 10.45am. I couldn't wait to get there, so we were on the road waaaay early.
Well prepped, warm blankets out of the warmer...I love that part:)....and being asked a gazillion questions over and over again. Surgeon comes in and signs my left hip where he will cut, and then the lady anesthesiologist came in and asked me the same questions yet again. Aieee!! I guess they cannot ever be too careful.
We are so enjoying our association with St Vincent's Hospital and associated specialists. Our Doctors and specialists are all highly trained and regarded and we feel safe in their hands.
I was out of surgery mid afternoon, with the op itself taking only 1hr 40 mins.
After two night in hospital...this floor is devoted to knee and hip surgery, and they are VERY conscious of germs and phobic about hospital bugs, thank goodness....they sent me home on Friday after lunch, having had three rounds of PT already. I knew what I was supposed to do, and could function as well as I needed to get up and down the stairs here.
My Pt lady just left the boat after the second visit. She pushed me hard today, and we walked all the way to the end of the dock...my second visit there today. I don't put a lot of pressure on the walker and she noticed that and was surprised that I was confident on my feet, though still needing the comfort of the walker. Waz bought me a cane today! We practiced with that inside the boat.
Last night was not a fun night for sleep. I don't think either of us got much. Waz had cooked some spicy sausage for dinner, with greens, and we both found that they were a bit much and giving us acid reflux....something horrid! At 2am we went in search of the Tums. I also was having spiders crawling over my legs....so he has just gone away to get my prescription for Valium filled. The PT lady said I might need it tonight especially after doing so much hard work on my mobility. We will see.
I'm feeling confident I will be fully mobile by the date of my Hand Surgery, Dec.21st.
It is Thanksgiving in the USA on the 26th, and we are going to join many of the other live aboard boaters in the Yacht Club rooms, for a shared meal and company.
With Christmas just around the corner, we have sent all the parcels off to foreign lands and family everywhere, and can now just concentrate on staying well and getting mobile. Waz is a saint! He is so happy to help with everything and his cooking is coming along in leaps and bounds...probably coz I cant get up to look over his shoulder:)
Well, that's it for now. Happy Thanksgiving to our American Readers, and we will be in touch before Christmas. Ciao.
Sunsets are just as good in this Marina as they were in the last one:)
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