The previous day is HERE

Monday 11 July

Ugh

Awake at 0330, that’s just ridiculous, even for me

Finally drift off around 5 until 7 when I admit defeat and amuse myself ironing – helped along by Wesh and a Danish

Ah well, all not so bad then

We load up the cool box – just one of those cheap polystyrene boxes but holds 6 frozen water bottles which in turn keep 6 cans and assorted pastries nice and cold pretty much all day

We were all ready by 0815 except Andy who had just discovered Pokemon Go and we couldn’t leave until he had caught a Pideon thing – of course.

And I absolutely did not mention this once when we were stood in the very large, hot and disorganised queue at Busch Gardens.

Those extra 15 minutes at home – never mentioned them once

Just the odd dozen times ……

And we are off at 0830 , arriving just before 0945 after a nice uneventful drive.

This is probably the busiest we have ever seen Busch as we are usually here at the end of August.

There is a big queue at security that is not very ( should read at all) organised and seems to get everyone into lines to just bunch up again at the turnstiles. :angry:

Turnstiles

There must be a better way

Just pants

Wont read barcodes or fingerprints yada yada yada

Someone needs to revolutionise queuing and admission technology.

We are finally in at 10 and arrange to meet the boys later around mid day at Stanleyville – I am sure I advised them to go on Cobras Curse first as it will be the busiest but they completely ignored this wisdom and headed for Cheetah Hunt which had a 35 minute wait.

We opted for a stroll along that way too.



Gator pile on









Yeah , he looked like I felt



We headed up to see the new ride, not that we were trying it out – wimpoids that we are





Mad’uns



All that lovely scenery and I am in shot with a ruddy bin !



Slightly scary bird – bit close for my liking with that beak



We walked round to see the Gorillas, that’s always one of our favourites and helped Andy get out of his “ I hate theme parks” head

– he says it every time – and then as we are walking round comments how much he likes it !

The teens had nipped in front of us



Do Gorillas ever ask does my bum look big in this ?









We listened to the keeper talking for ages, it was fascinating , we learned a lot.

We carried on round to pick up the train

Obviously not to pick UP the train, that would need Superman , but to have a nice tootle round, Neither of us fancied the slightly terrifying swinging buckets known as the Skyride

Some pretty plants



Great view



Not

Great Rocks being photobombed by antelope





Gnarly ostrich and more great rocks



Total fail on the animal pics, the Giraffes and Rhinos were just so not posing today !

The guide on the train was very funny – and even funnier was how he would laugh at his own jokes .

He had us in stitches all the way round. Really made all the difference .

Completely wasted on there I am sure, he was absolutely brilliant.

We arrived at Sheikra just before midday and sat waiting for the boys

As with every year some nasty beastie bit me

It happens every time and still I don’t learn

I fancied a Sundae and joined the queue – giving up when I realised it would take until next Sunday to get blimmin served. The ( very large) family in front of me were obviously ordering for the whole South American peninsula and I gave up.

Feeble.

The boys arrived about 20 minutes later – they had done Cheetah Hunt, Montu and Kumba but not Cobras Curse

We waited for them to go on Sheikra and decided to head out in search of food – and Pokemon of course

Reservoir Dogs disown Pokemon Dad



Cant guess what they are all doing ..



The Walk out is very pretty













Onto the tram and its bye bye Busch



Another great morning - but our trips here are getting shorter and shorter so I suspect will drop off in the future. But we all enjoyed it

Back at the car we had the cold cans of pop and set the sat nav for the Ellenton Outlets

We set off at 1.30 and are arriving just around 2pm



Its just so quiet. Its lovely

The dressing up manatees still creep me out though





Not right are they !

First stop - the Foodcourt



Andy , Jamie and I had China Max two or three plate choices of Orange Chicken, sesame chicken and beef with peppers with rice.





It tastes ridiculously good for the price.
But very salty as we discovered later, drinking gallons of water

Connor opted for Sbarro pizza



Nick had a burger , for a change, from Burger Fresh.



All the meals with drinks were between $10 to $15 each

Purchases were made !



We used the coupon book where we could

Jamie bought these tops with some birthday money ( around $35 each)



Trainer alert – pair number 1

Bit blurry but Andy bought some Nike Flys



And some fab shorts in Tommy Hilfiger that were ridiculously priced at $15



A couple of tees that we have put by for Xmas at $10 each



A lovely wool jumper , again put by for Xmas , $15



Summer top for me $13



And two dresses, $19 each



I cant get that photo to rotate , will try later

I got this lovely bag in Lacoste – the boys had given me $50 for Mothers Day so treated myself



It had been $98 reduced to $57 and then $44 with final discount

Andy bought a few Tees in Lacoste



Photobucket is just playing up tonight , I cant rotate anything

Jamie got some Nikes in Rack Room for $60



Just noticed the dubious skirting board stain – no idea what that was

We were all done by 5pm and after a micro downpour we were on our way , with Andy deafening us all on some soft rock channel –

Reservoir Dogs meet Waynes World – shudders

Home by 6pm and after some further door difficulties as the MC had indeed changed the door lock and it took us a few minutes to realise they had texted us the code , phew.

There was some cussing prior to checking !

The boys messed about in the pool for a bit







Jamies face, it just makes me smile





I think there was bad noodle stuff going down here – I walked away, best not to know sometimes



After a while we headed back out to Millers on Irlo Bronson Highway

Busy but seated straight away and a great atmosphere

I had the Cajun chicken pasta, it's a huge bowl



Washed down with a double orange crush cocktail .. Basically a Harvey Wallbanger using an orange flavour vodka



Andy and Connor had the ribs as it was the special of the day .





Jamie and Nick had build your own cheeseburgers / bacon cheeseburger





Too full for dessert.

Very reasonable bill



We waddled back with very full bellies

A jolly good end to a jolly good day

The next day is HERE

Fab day.lovely photos of Busch gardens.cant wait to try millers in October .7 visits to Orlando and we've never been 😳

Loving the report...some amazing bargains. Loo-gate is pretty much the same for us, dread to think about it sometimes. American plumbing certainly leaves a lot to be desired sometimes!

Ooh great day topped off with a Millers!

I don't think I want to know what 'bad noodle stuff' entails! Haha

Fabulous photos of Busch Gardens, Amanda. It is a place we have never been too.

Great day , I love the fact you say finally feels like holiday haha can I ask what mall you went to please ?

Just caught up again. Food, sun, shopping, boys being boys. Sounds like things are back to normal then

Millers was really good. Fab food and the boys love the atmosphere

I know , that plumbing , how can it be so rubbish compared to how amazing everything else always is ! Thanks for reading .

Haha, there was a lot of slapping noises they were having fun though
It was a fab day .

We love Busch. I know it's a bit hit and miss for others. We always enjoy it there.

I know , away a week and only now it's like a holiday !
We were at Ellenton Outlets, which is off the I75 from Tampa , south of Busch Gardens. Bit of a drive but as we were already at Busch, only an extra 30 minutes. And it's a lovely outlet centre , the same chain as the ones in Orlando .

Lol, yep, that's about right. It was lovely !