America 2024

We had a week back in the UK after our trip and then we [ minus Amelia who stayed home to have some alone time, and look after the dog ] headed for the West Coast of the US of A.

We flew via Dublin and thought it would be wiser to have a pint of Guinness rather than crossing into US territory immediately. This was a huge mistake! After our pint of Guinness we headed for US security to see an enormous queue, followed by a second huge queue followed up by a third ridiculously long queue. We had to do a VISA check, followed by security and then passport control. By the time we got through all three phases of checks our flight was showing as being closed. Absolutely convinced we’d missed our flight we ran through the terminal to the very final gate and found people still queuing to get on. We’d made it. Just.

We flew into SeaTac and Jason came to pick us up.

We went out on Kerry’s boat on the Puget Sound. Emma and Nicole had a drink ir two in the sunshine,

Jason and Kerry’s boat…with a can of Stella

The gang with Kerry

A few days after the outing on Kerry’s boat we found ourselves on Clear Lake, WA at the Stoner’s lakeside cabin. We’re beginning to think all American’s have a boat, except Jason – but that’s a whole different tale. This is where Oli learned to wakeboard and wakesurf or something. Jason and I learned how to drink beers and wave a flag when somebody is in the water. Emma and Nicole learned how to sit on a paddleboard with a glass of wine. It’s safe to say we all learned a lot.

In the background is Mount Raneer. A really rather large mountain!

We did lots, lots more whilst we were in the PNW but after a week of hanging out with the Coope’s it was time for us to go walkabout to California.

Last Supper

The entire Corralejo trip was fantastic and there are many more highlights that I haven’t written about [ e-scooters and e-foil spring immediately to mind ] but we wrapped up the trip with a swanky meal at a harbour side fish restaurant where I paid Oli £10 to eat some barbecued squid. It was actually pretty good.

My major takeaway from the whole trip is that despite a nine year combined Spanish learning time of Mum, Amelia and Oli – they can’t speak Spanish for shit.

ATV in Corralejo

Another of the things that Oli and I wanted to do whilst in Fuerteventura was take an ATV up into the hills. Whilst on this very dusty ride we stopped and got the picture below which is one of my favourite ever photos.

If I ever do this again I’m wearing a pair of swimming goggles. Sooooo much sand/dust

Jetski-ing with the boy

Oli and I had a long list of stuff we wanted to do on holiday. Riding a jetski was one of them. As you can see, we had fun.

Switching seats with the Atlantic Ocean bobbing around us was a bit tricky but we managed it.

Fuerteventura

The family Steele and Nana Pat decided to have a bit of a break in Corralejo, Fuerteventura. This is the view from my balcony.

Don’t think I’ve ever stayed in a villa so close to the sea.

Fantastic villa, right next to the beach and a short walk into the town.