At Home With My Manatee

Our first few days have been spent acclimatising ourselves to the Jensen's mentality - which hasn't taken me all that long! Peaceful relaxation...don't mind if I do, thanks!

We've moved over to the marina side and I've already asked the locals how much the land goes for... I'd very much like to make Captiva my home, but as Oprah has apparently just bought a plot for a cool $12 million, my piggy bank is still somewhat on the light side...maybe a joint family investment is what's needed!

So going back to that peaceful relaxing; I took the 30 second stroll from our marina cottage last night to the water front with a bottle o' beer and took a seat under the blanket of stars...Move over, Utah... theirs are much brighter than yours!

With the waves lapping against the 20 or so little boats that the Jensen's rent out to explore a little further, I soaked up the atmosphere and called home. Having missed my friends' wedding, I knew I had some catching up to do. So I braved a 1.30 am phone call and was told about the service, which could have only been made better if done here!

Wrapping up the late and newsworthy phone call, I thought of this place with all my friends here - which would only make it that little extra special.

As I watched the sky growing darker and the stars coming out to play, I took a walk onto the pier. Many years ago, my brother and I had been standing in the exact same place as one of the Gulf's manatees had floated by to say hello... all these years later, in the same spot, another slowly bobbed to the surface to greet me. Now I don't know whether the Jensen's sponsor these gentle sea giants, because they mirror their attitude to life; so laid back, not a worry about them - just checking in every now and again to make sure we're all doing OK.

This is a wonderful place to come, whoever you may be; a family, couple, friends, old or young or even on your own. Take a boat trip out to one of the islands scattered around Captiva and Sanibel, look out for the abundance of wildlife, be it a manatee, dolphin, pelican or turtle. Or if you're feeling lazy, just walk the short distance to the beach and crash out there for the day under the sun. You may even live life on the edge and go for a drink or three in the good old English pub, The Mucky Duck.

Whatever it is you feel like doing, just take everything slow and easy, there's no rush. Everything, including the sun, will be here tomorrow.

So I'm going to take my own advice, put down my pen, grab a beer and wait for you lot to join me!

Jen