Covid19 & BLM. Letter from Key West

Hard to understand why a little small piece of material is such a problem for some people?? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Key West is open and while most people are respectful of the city's rule about face masks in public places, there are a number of people getting vocal on social media about the wearing of masks or indeed calling covid 19 being fake. These are both locals and tourists. The mind boggles.

For me, the combination of mask wearing, social distancing, washing hands and keeping my social circle small is the most effective way I can reduce the risk of contracting and/or spreading the virus in our community.

Black Lives Matter

There was another murder of a black man by white police officers last night. In Atlanta. It's horrifying. I love living in the USA, I really do, but I just don't understand how such a wonderful country still has this major problem of systemic racism. The leaders of Atlanta seem to be reacting to this hideous and tragic incident in a swift manner which I hope gives Mr Rayshard Brooks' family a small element of comfort. And I hope conversations and actions, and movements take place which create and show real change.

Friday night is for friends

G&K came over on Friday night and we had such a nice evening. I picked up pizzas from Onlywood and they were seriously fantastic. The rustichella and the 4 Miala if you fancy looking at their menu.

For drinks we had island drinks of coconut rum - the coconuts chopped down fresh earlier that day - and coronas. And I dug out the blender and made refreshing caiproskas!

Fish Supper!

Caught two porgy! Gutted them! Cooked them! 

Scoffed them!

That's a lot of exclamation marks!!! Heck, porgy deserves it :)

Sunday June 14 2020, a record of it

Oh God I just detest when I don't blog for a few days and suddenly I have a whole week to catch up on <<< insert applicable emoji here.

So prepare yourself for an onslaught of short posts capturing what has been going on.

Yesterday (Sunday):

- Got up and cycled over to the yacht club, went for a monster morning fishing session from 8am to Noon.  Although it was long it was lovely - just chilled out.  

- Had lunch of a Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich.  I know it's fast food.  I know it's a chain.  I'm sorry! They are damn good and that is that.

- Jumped in the pool a couple of times

- Had a small cat nap

- 4pm cycled back to the yacht club.  We headed out to Hurricane Hole but there was no space for us to tie up the boat so we ended up at Stock Rock café which was a million times better.  Helloooo! It's a tiki bar!

Sunday Funday

I didn't have a great night's sleep last night.  Probably due to the combination of a late dinner, a large pour wine and after dinner drinks of vodka.  Oh well c'est la vie.

But other than that I had a great day!

We headed over to the yacht club to check on the boat.  There was a small craft advisory (one down from a warning) in place, so we wanted to be careful and planned on not going out.  Instead we took it for a small little spin around the yacht club and around Garrison bight beside us - essentially right beside the shore versus going out on the ocean a mile or so.

Afterwards I hopped in the shower, and then on to my bike, and cycled to meet with friends in Moondog Cafe for brunch.  Whoa it was humid on the bike ride, but was fine when we were seated eating - even though it was outdoors.  I got the seafood omelette - shrimp, scallops, crab, tomato and a creamy pesto sauce.  Very tasty. Served with whole wheat toast, I was stuffed full for the whole afternoon. I chose well and I was happy! 

Oh! Did I mention there may have been prosecco and sangria imbibed also?

Afterwards, we had planned to go to the beach so I cycled to Fort Zach and met the gals there in their car.  We were disappointed to see it was closed.  I guess they had reached their capacity, so while disappointing, it is good to see guidelines being followed.

I came home and relaxed for the afternoon and then this evening Patrick and I went for our happy hour in our happy place Half Shell Raw bar.  We changed from our usual order of steamed clams to oysters and in this weather they were cool and refreshing.  And of course smooth and delicious.

Letter from Key West, June 4 2020

109,284 deaths in USA due to  Coronavirus

Funeral of George Floyd, RIP

Peaceful protests in multiple cities around the US

Key West is now OPEN.  An influx (but not a huge one) of tourists have arrived on the island.  The crowds are expected this weekend.

Today, the county (Munroe) took a vote and have decided that masks are not mandatory.  This is county only.  They are still mandatory in Key West.  I am pleased about the Key West decision.

I went over to our new dock in Key West Yacht Club this afternoon  and set up payment for the year.  We docked for the first month in the city dinghy docks down near Turtle Kraals.  It was "ok".  We are much happier with the new spot.

Also today:

I installed new windscreen wipers on the jeep

Replaced the rear brake light

Applied for refund of flights we won't be taking in July :(

Diy spot treatment of suspected termite activity (positive vibes it is not please!).

Phew! That is quite the list.  Time for a cocktail now.  We are going to go to Shanna Key for dinner - and Guinness for Patrick and Stoli for me.

Stay well friends. And positive.