DAY 7
TUES 17th OCT 2000
Up
at 8:00 and off to the welcome meet in one of the beach front
cottages. Now this place is really stunning. 3 bedrooms
downstairs with 2 bathrooms, whirlpool bath, showers etc. while
upstairs is the living area, kitchen and balconies both front and
back. Unfortunately it costs a zillion points a night.
The meet itself provides free coffee and breakfast including
fruit, croissants, muffins etc. It is split into two parts, one
relating to DVC, which doesn't really tell me anything I don't
already know, and the other telling you about the resort
activities and surrounding area. This part of the presentation is
done by Justin, a radical surfing dude, so everything is 'really
cool'. He is very funny and makes the whole thing thoroughly
entertaining. At the end they have a draw for a cool bag and a
towel which first India and then Georgia get asked to take part
in. They don't pull out our tickets (stupid children!) but they
get offered something for helping out. They can choose from
either a beach ball, a frisbee or a slinky each. They both choose
the ball but then Justin gives them both a frisbee as well. Then
he says you may as well have the slinky too! Not a bad haul for
one morning.
The next few hours are spent relaxing around the pool while the
children indulge in various activities. Firstly there is the
water balloon toss. As the name suggests this involves a load of
children attempting to catch balloons filled with water, usually
without much success. The end result is wet, happy children.
Next is the water relay. Two teams of children are chosen and
they race against each other from one side of the pool to the
other whilst carrying a ball and cone. Some children are very
fast, while others take longer than an African Olympic swimmer.
Lunch at Bleacher's (the pool bar) is followed by a walk along
the beach for me, India and Georgia as Tammy relaxes by the pool.
When
I say 'beach' I use the term loosely. There is very little sand
to walk on as the tide roars in again. What sand there is, is
liberally peppered with seaweed. You would not choose this resort
for its beach facilities. It is probably just a rough time of the
year as there are beach chairs and jet skis available for rent in
more favourable conditions. Also British visitors that might
expect to stroll the beach and drop into a taverna or beach bar
(as in the Med) are going to be disappointed as there is nothing
for miles in either direction. In fact the whole area surrounding
the Vero Beach Resort is highly residential and you definitely
need a car if you want to explore outside.
At 3:00 we sit on the back porch and listen to Unca Banjo for a
few minutes before attending the open house in the beach front
cottage. The lady there is not particularly talkative but we
enjoy a glass of lemonade and a cookie.
Back to Community Hall as it is time for bingo! There are only
two other players so the Stringer family reap another veritable
treasure chest of prizes including chocolate for Tam and various
knickknacks for the girls. Shame they don't have beer for a
prize.
One thing about this family, we are always up for a freebie. In
fact Tammy would probably walk across red hot coals if she
thought that there was something free at the end of it.
Back to the room, showers and out by 5:30. We are going to eat in
Captain Hirams, about 4 miles away in Sebastian. This is a pretty
place by a marina.
We
start with salads which are 99 cents with an entree. India has
the smoked fish dip and crackers (8) with fries on the side (wow,
don't I sound American!) while Georgia stretches her culinary
boundaries with hot dog and fries (7).
My entree is Grilled Grouper (8) and Tammy has the Seafood
Platter, which consists of scallops, mahi mahi and shrimp broiled
in a white wine, butter and lemon sauce (8.5). We have a coupon
from the web site for a free dessert and try the Captains Derby
Pie, a nougat brownie covered in cream and choc chips (5.5). The
total bill including tip is $70, very reasonable I thought. This
is helped by the draft beer being $1 on special. As I am driving
I cannot take advantage of this great deal. Life can be so cruel
sometimes.
Back to the resort where we book Shutters restaurant for 7:00 PM
tomorrow night for Georgia's birthday celebration.
As we are passing the TV room the Tigger Movie is just starting..
I want to go to the bar for a beer but we start to watch the film
and once we are settled we have to watch the whole thing. Several
people walk by on the way to or from Shutters and give us amused
looks but we are all snuggled up on the sofa, so pay no
attention.
There are not many things that can keep me from a beer but Tigger
seems to be one of them.
We are back in the room by 9:30 to wrap up Georgia's presents.
Tam has bought a birthday banner which we are going to put up
when she is asleep.