Need I say more?
FLOATER’S BLOG: Pool Float Date, November 9th, 2026
It’s been a while! Three hundred twenty-five days, but who’s counting.
I’m finally back at The Villa, well, three sleeps in actually, but who’s counting.
Granted, I’ve been around the globe in that time. Next world tour I’ll have to go in the opposite direction to get that lost day back. Plus, I enjoyed a very nice summer in Canada, but things are starting to get a little chilly up that way.
So, now I’m in Nicaragua and I’ve been in the pool a couple of times, even with two days of nearly steady rain, but that was to swim my laps and test out the armada for leaks. I must say, the float selection has seen better days. Many are getting old and the rental season clearly wasn’t puncture-proof! I may need to do some shopping?
Not to worry though, I always have my emergency travel float, plus there is a large sturdy boat in good shape, albeit slightly oversized for my frame, to which I have added a lumbar support, salvaged from the seat of a now dismantled ‘upright low-rider’.
Note to self: Create a chart indicating all the styles of personal buoyancy craft on the market.
Anyway, this morning, the sky was clear, the sun has been toasty all day and I have just completed a truly special beer float!
All the elements which make the experience perfect for me were in place.
I had finished swimming laps, gathered my shades, a sun hat and of course an ice-cold Toña in a koozie. Upon launch, I anchored my butt and boat on the top step facing the afternoon sunshine for a ten-minute skin fry or seasoning if-you-will, after which I loosed my craft for a little drift in the shaded section of the piscina. Then I re-anchored, heels on pool edge this time, in my Sweet Spot between the terrace speakers.
Conveniently, I could reach my other paraphernalia which I had put in place earlier including my phone and reading glasses, if required, but more importantly my birding binoculars in case I heard an avian call I was unfamiliar with or caught a glimpse of movement should my eyes happen to be open in my comfortable repose.
As it turned out I did open my peepers for a good long time to enjoy soaring vultures, frigate birds, a couple of hawks and a small flock of Wood Storks, way up there, drifting on the thermals while moving inland. Nary a flap as they crossed my entire line of sight. I also took in some cloud morphing although I have seen better on many occasions.
For those who are familiar with my prior blogs from this locale you may have read about the Southern Lights. Well, they were in full glory, so obviously I produced a few waves to watch ‘my aurora’ shimmer in spectacular fashion.
Meanwhile, back on earth, the garden was also alive with activity with a few dragonflies, plenty of butterflies and a Variegated Squirrel also paying me a visit. No Howler Monkeys today although I could hear their complaints whenever a heavy construction vehicle climbed the steep road beyond The Villa which passes through one of their common stomping grounds - er, where they hang out.
The usual barrio sounds were present too. Kids were kicking a ball out on the street and screaming, of course! The odd dog was barking at a stranger and never being told to stop by their owner. There was a drum practice at a local school but a good distance off, motos passing nearby, horn honks both near and far and the various sounds which accompany village animal husbandry - roosters, a pig, a cow and a brand new one this year – two goats!
These goats are bleating in Spanish, so instead of sounding like “baa” or “maa”, it seems like they are always agreeing with everything anybody says, “Yaa, yaa!”
It could be a very positive season? Or I’ll tire of it in a few days as the sound cuts the air like a knife and penetrates into my psyche which means I will be yelling at the goats to shut up.
The most important sound was literally, music to my ears! A playlist which I had curated at some previous date and had selected as a ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a try now’ offering but played on ‘random’ this time.
I have no memory of what the theme was when I created it, but I obviously thought it was worth saving. Playing it in a different order certainly didn’t jog loose any brain matter to solve my question. However, I really enjoyed the odd mix which included everything from Canadian alt rock, through Fergie, to a Brian Eno classic non-ambient track. Hey, it’s not for everybody, but I was the only one here.
This is my happy place. Not to say I’m not happy almost everywhere, all the time but moments like this are so special that a grin just crawls onto my face when I realize how lucky I am to be in this position, i.e. leaning back on a vinyl float in the tropics at my very own Villa.
Even if I had photographic evidence of this euphoric occasion, it wouldn’t do justice to the feeling of supreme joy which I experienced so you will have to imagine it through this visual representation.
Get to your happy place! Yaa, yaa.
Corliss and the goats
beer float.calm = beerfloat.netnot beerfloat.com
