An afternoon cruise on the Peace River

After a late breakfast and Noel made some sandwiches for our travels we departed the house around midday in the direction of Port Charlotte and then on to Punta Gorda which looks like very much a tourist area with a few Hotel and Resorts and the car parks were very full which was not what we had expected. After about 215 minutes driving in ever widening circles we eventually found a place to park and then walk back to the Fisherman Wharf to try and locate the Cruise Line office.

We wandered down a shopping arcade and whilst Jennifer checked out a swimsuit shop Noel waited outside looking after the bags and then along came a rather large couple with two dogs and both in fancy dress. The female dog I assume was wearing a purple dress whilst the male dog was being pushed in a child pushchair which is common site in this country and many people were coming up to the couple and swooning over the dogs. Jennifer returned from the dress and swimsuit shop where all the swimsuits bar one had the upper bra padding and the only one that didn't that she likes was not in her size. We found the little portacabin where the cruise line have their office and collected our tickets and say down to wait with quite a few other people, mostly with grey or no hair.
The boat left at 14.00 complete with a Captain and two crew plus an excellent Gentlemen Naturalist ( No not a naturist as he had his clothes on) who was to give a full explanation of our journey and what we could expect to see during our afternoon trip. We went under the two bridges and as the river go narrow you could see the mangroves taking over and the smell of methane gas wafting through the air whilst everybody in the boat looked at each other!. We visited two bird colonies which were islands and for security Alligators also hang out ready to catch a falling bird or anything that turn up. The Naturalist provided excellent descriptions of the birds and their habits which was really interesting and he interspersed this with a few bit of humour and its the first time for years that I have heard a commentator that we enjoyed listening to as he did not overdo it.

On the way back a couple of guys on jet ski’s tried to be cleaver and come racing up to the boat and swirled around to push water in to the boat but one of them made a mistake and crashed against the side of the boat and slightly damaging it  and it was lucky he was not hurt. The Captain was going ape at them and some of the words he sent in their direction will not be repeated here. However they will be reported by the Captain to the marine police or coastguard
As we were getting to the end of the cruise we were joined by about four bottle nose dolphins who played in the ships wash for about ten minutes before getting bored and clearing off. I was lucky to get some good video and will add to this if its not to large for Blogger.- which it was. So

a photo instead
By the time we got back to the car it was close to 18.00 and we decided to avoid the restaurants at the pier as they were jam packed and so we headed of a tried a chain of restaurant called ‘Beef O’Brady’s’ which is sports bar type place with lots of television showing baseball,American football etc. Jennifer had the fish and chips and Noel grilled shrimps which should have come with rice and broccoli but we the waitress checked and confirmed there was garlic in the rice and so that was replaced with some chips and bot of us enjoyed our meals.
We got home around 20.00 and watched part one of a series called Jack Ryan based  upon an ex Southern Irish Guarda (police) who turns private investigator but it was all a bit naff and so I don't think we will watch anymore.
Well that was enjoyable afternoon out and tomorrow morning we go to the Englewood market for Noel to take some photos as he forgot his camera for our last visit.