Up up in the air

My first cousin Janet from Bristol U.K. and her good partner Steve are again in this neck of the woods.

They visit their time shares at Treasure Island, FL and Longboat Key FL each year.  So we always get together a couple of times when they are here.  This means that I have enjoyed Janet and Steve's company for at least fourteen  times since I retired to S.W. FL  -  more  times than I had been with them in "so many" years prior to 2006.

That's good.

We hooked up today at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport for a joy ride in a four seater Cessna which is owned by a young Norwegian named Patrick who runs a business called http://www.flightexcursions.com/

(My brother Martyn, his son Sam, and Sam's pal Toby took a flight with Patrick when they were here in September.)

Our joy ride today took us north west from the airport to Clearwater.  Then we flew south over the Gulf of Mexico,  with Indian Rocks Beach, the Redington beaches, Madeira Beach, and Treasure Island to our east.

Crossing Tampa Bay we flew to the west of Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Longboat Key..

We made a U turn down by St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota, and then flow northish, with  Longboat Key Holmes Beach,  Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island to our east.

Crossing Anna Maria Island led us due north across the wonderful Sunshine Skyway Bridge and downtown St. Petersburg and then back to the airport.

Janet, Steve and I had a fabulous trip.  We agreed that Patrick is a fine pilot, and that he is very professional. (He is aged 25). And we were glad for his recommendation of  the Bascom's Chop House on Ulmerton Ave in Pinnelas Park FL where we had a lovely lunch.

Steve, Janet and jmp

Patrick our Pilot and jmp

Patrick, our pilot hails from Norway. I printed a Norwegian flag and  taped it to my cap. He was dutifully amused.
Patrick, jmp, and Patrick's  Cessna

Over St. Petersburg FL

St. Petersburg, FL looking at the Albert Whittle airstrip.  It's next to the Salvador Dali Museum. My Cambridge friend Mary C and her mother Sally C (who lives in Redington Beach) visited  the Dali, and then enjoyed lunch at a restaurant at the Whittle airstrip.

Heading north t'wards St. Petersburg

Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay.  (We locals  are "crazy" about this Bridge)

Undeveloped (thank goodness)  land between Anna Maria Island and the mainland.

Manatee Ave bridge, linking  Anna Maria Island to the mainland.

Patrick (the pilot) with my cousin Janet and her partner Steve

Patrick recommenced Bascom's  Chop House on Ulmerton Ave. in Pinellas Park)  for our our post flight lunch. His advice  was  wise.  There I enjoyed a fabulous grouper sandwich and salad.




Location: Airport Pkwy, Clearwater, FL 33762, USA

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