Our trip to Sarasota in Florida last year, was to hold a truly memorable experience for my husband Graham and I.

For Graham, it had always been a lifelong ambition to hire a Harley (truth be known, to purchase one, but we will have to discuss that!)

We went to the showroom and were greeted with exceptionally friendly staff, they were only too happy to advise and suggest which would be the right option for us both. I was to ride pillion, and I, in turn, wanted to relish the ride, and do so in comfort!

We had the bike for a duration of 24 hours, and believe me, we made very good use of those 24 hours. We started our day with our very good friends Julia and Rick who we were staying with in Sarasota visiting a 'bikers café' or should it be 'caff', for breakfast. The Hob Nob to be exact. We sat gazing at our new acquirement, whilst eating an unconventional egg and bacon muffin, surrounded by local bikers. After several pictures, we rode off, firstly to visit a couple of other friends in Longboat Key, a truly amazingly breathtaking location, where the beaches seem to go on forever, whilst the Gulf laps against the shore.

The ride was solid, but smooth, and I was more than comfortable on my big leather seat at the rear. Admiringly gazes met us as we rode in our jeans and rather odd shaped helmets. We were 'saluted' by die hard Harley riders as they drove on by. The views and the wind in your face were an experience to behold.

We decided to take a long ride down to Naples, this had a special meaning for me as I had spent some time down there, and my Father had lived there some years ago, we ate up the miles with pure ease. When we arrived we walked to the bottom of the pier, mug of tea in hand, and watched as fisherman landed baby sharks. Something I had not been aware were there whilst swimming there a few years before!

We made our way back to Sarasota to the restaurant 'Long Horn' a very typical steak house, where the New York Strip, was to die for.

I was exhausted, but Graham was ready for more, and true to style decided to ride without his helmet along the long bridge which leads to Longboat Key, as darkness fell, he was reminded of the scene in Top Gun whilst doing so.

If you ever get the chance, go for it, it is something you will never forget.

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