10th November

Well what on earth is happening, it is raining, has been all night and forecast to rain some more today and thunderstorms tomorrow! Didn't sign up for this.

Not a good nights sleep for me as I kept hearing rustling and scratching, sounded like an animal in the bedroom, freaked me out a little I have to say. I put on the light to investigate and the noise seemed to be coming from the window area, I decided to record the noise it by video to prove I wasn't imagining things. Outside the bedroom there is the pool cover so now wonder if a squirrel or racoon was trying to take shelter or nest in the cover. Still no idea what it was but don't think it will do me too much harm.

Our original plan was to return to the town of Celebration to visit the Farmers's Market we missed last week and to browse the area but as it was raining we thought we best try a Mall - Mawl in US language and headed off in search of one of the Premium Outlet Stores on Vineland Avenue. I know I should have listened to my Sat Nav as there was conflicting directions coming from the side and the back of me, turn left, no it's a right, carry on  just what was a girl to do? The amount of traffic was horrendous as I edged along as were the queues to get in the car parks. We saw all the big shops namely :- Fossil, Yves St Laurent, Burberry, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Dress Barn, Guess, Hugo Boss, Crew, Jones New York, Levi, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Talbots, Tommy

Hilfiger, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Tag Heuer, OshKosh, Clarins, Elizabeth Arden, Lancôme and lots, lots more. An amazing selection, just a shame we couldn't find anywhere to park so we just turned around and drove back to the villa!!! we didn't even stop for something to eat so had to make our own lunch of Parmesan Coated Chicken with fries and a little salad. After lunch we sat around the table by the pool and cleaned our jewelry (US spelling) with some product that I was persuaded to purchase a couple of days ago, we now sparkle with all our bling.

Just got back from a wonderful evening at the village - Candyland, based on a popular Amercian board game. The three of us knew the job we wanted as Jane and I did it last year and it was a lot of fun, we were the Riddler's - now as the Riddler's we had three cards hanging around our neck with clues to Candy bars (American again) for example Sun Explosion = Starburst, A sign of affection= Kisses, Flotation Aid = Lifesaver, Galaxy = Milky Way, Red Planet = Mars Bar. Now Mars bar caused a lot of confusion as this is NOT a candy bar anymore in the US, for goodness sake it is pure American, owned by  the American Mars family who paid  Allan's wages for 25 years and now pay his pension, that was a real shock for me. The evening went by in a flash, there were lots of games, dancing, characters visiting including Ms Merry, Mayor Clayton, Gingerbread Man  and Princess Lolly.

A stop press extra from  last night and it refers to the hoola hoop, there is a star amongst us who really showed off her skill at this admirable art and even got applause from her adoring public.....yes it was Jane and yes she was pretty good!!! Did I tell you she told me to add that bit?

Highlights of the Day

Viv - Talking to all the families at the Candyland, the look on their faces, the atmosphere, the vibrancy and seeing faces you recognised and who recognised me.

Jane:- Seeing so many happy smiling faces, both the children and their Mums and Dads, their excitement of getting riddles correct, the parents especially. Also the number of fist bumps and high fives, many of them quite forceful.

Lorna :-

This mornings magical mystery tour and keeping my calm despite the amount of traffic. This evening was full of fun and laughter, goodness only knows how hyper the children will be tonight with all the candy they had, we shall see them all tomorrow and find out!

G'night, got an early start tomorrow!