We are staying with my almost-cousin Franny and her husband, Dave, on the most amazing over 55 community NE of Tampa, near a small town called San Antonio Public Home – Tampa Bay Golf Country Club. It is a community but in British terms, it is the size of a village, something like 1500 individual houses, most of them detached, some semi-detached, all of them single storey. There are so many facilities – two golf courses, one a full 18 hole, one a 9 hole, a putting practice green, clubhouse, massive pool complex, restaurant, pub, cocktail terrace, event room, smaller pool, community centre, pickleball courts, petanque courts etc…. small lakes…. It’s gated and feels very safe, very convivial, very secure. People have cars but they also travel around the community by golf carts. Not just ordinary ones either, some are like stretch-golf carts.

There are something like 90 registered activity clubs here. You can be as active and social as you like, or not. The important thing is there’s no need to be bored or alone unless that is your total choice. We are so jealous of the facility. It is by no means unique here and for that reason, it is not expensive as these places in the UK are. Homes run from about $300,000 and monthly fees to include much of the home and garden maintenance, services, water, internet, security, activities are about $200 per month. Seems like a great deal to us. The homes are lovely: a large living/dining/kitchen area; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a utility room, a large screened patio area, triple garage. The view from the patio or lanai, is amazing, across a small lake which is home to herons and an alligator called Antony….

Fran and I have spent 2 days lazing beside the main clubhouse pool, drinking cocktails and yacking with other friendly residents, all of whom are keen for a chat. Bob and Dave have played golf every day. Yesterday they played the 18 hole, today, the 9 hole. Dave is a retired sports coach and he has been giving Bob lots of help, to some success. They are playing again tomorrow.

Last night we went out to eat at a local waterside restaurant. Tonight we ate in the pub. Afterwards we went on a tour of the streets in our golf cart. We have had a lot of fun. Loving it here.