We can't leave the Everglades without another picture of an alligator. This one we saw as it caught a large catfish - you can just see its tail as it disappears down the alligator's gullet.
We arrived back at the hotel a little weary so were looking forward to a nice dinner that evening, but when we got to the dining room we found it dark and empty. Apparently, without informing the guests, no meals are available on Monday evenings! As we were in the middle of nowhere our only option was to drive the twenty miles or so into Naples to find a restaurant. The satnav did indicate there was one about ten miles away but when we got there it was in the middle of a rough looking trailer park so we carried on to Naples, where apart from a brief sojourn in an Italian restaurant smelling overwhelmingly of cheese and garlic (the two things I hate most), we finally found a really good steakhouse.
The following morning we drove to Sanibel Island. Renowned for its shells, we took a stroll along one of its beaches but couldn't find anything much.
There were lots of wading birds there.
Being such a small island we found ourselves in a number of traffic queues, but did find time to stop off at a 7/11 store where I bought ten lottery tickets. America was going crazy that day because the jackpot had reached ten and a half billion dollars. Yes that's right - BILLION. This blog would take on a whole new complexion had I won. But I didn't. Our hotel in Punta Gorda that evening was rather sumptuous, and we had arranged to meet Paul and Jacquie Eaton at the Captain's Table in Fisherman's Walk for dinner. Paul is a jeweller and sculptor. They live in Englad but have a holiday home in Florida nearby. Paul makes the most exquisite works of art in precious metals.
Next morning we visited the Edison and Ford winter estates at Fort Myers.
But more about that on my next blog. I'm a bit tired right now.