Well, it's been a long time coming but here is the final instalment of the Florida holiday blog! I didn't think I was ever going to get there but I'm very glad I've been able to complete it so that we have an enduring record of our 'holiday of a lifetime'!

So, this really was to be our last day on holiday. We were due to fly at about 7:30pm so had a day to kill in Atlanta before heading to the airport.

After plenty of coffee and a good breakfast we decided to head to the Dogwood Festival which was taking place in Piedmont Park. It was good fun, lots going on and a good atmosphere. The weather was a little grey and we even saw a little rain, but it didn't dampen our spirits. 

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Henry was delighted to see a bar especially for him as we walked to Piedmont!

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The first event we witnessed at the festival was an utterly delightful Hot Dog eating contest (completely revolting!). There seemed to be various techniques employed by the participants. The chap in the middle of the photo below was the ultimate victor and he seemed to like making the hotdogs soaking wet with whatever lurid juice he was washing them down with! It seemed to work... he got through 21 in ten minutes (complete with buns!). The pictures speak for themselves really....

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Yuk!  20150412-DSCF0721 20150412-DSCF0735 20150412-DSCF0740

And the winner is.... soggy, filthy, and probably feeling a little sick! 20150412-DSCF0752

Ewww.... that beard! 20150412-DSCF0756

It somewhat amused us to see the contestants leave the stage and walk past the 'Free Cholesterol Screenings' tent!! 20150412-DSCF0760

I've not seen ATMs parked up at an outdoor event like this before... great idea though!

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Next on the agenda was a dog frisbee catching competition. It really felt like we could have been sitting at a fete back at home and watching this, it was quite odd!

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It's behind you....! 20150412-DSCF0778 20150412-DSCF0801 20150412-DSCF0824

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I was rather taken with the lovely city reflections in the lake! 20150412-DSCF0851 20150412-DSCF0856 20150412-DSCF0865 20150412-DSCF0868 20150412-DSCF0876 20150412-DSCF0878 20150412-DSCF0879 20150412-DSCF0880

One of the stages at the festival featured performances of traditional dancing from a variety of different cultures. It was all very dynamic and entertaining and I wish we had had a little longer to stay and watch! 20150412-DSCF0896 20150412-DSCF0897 20150412-DSCF0903

Selfie time!

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The time flew whilst we were at the festival and before we knew it it was time to head off and catch the Metro to the Airport. It had worked well staying in Sandy Springs in the end. We were able to jump on the Metro and get a direct line all the way to the airport for about $2 each (stopping off at Piedmont en route). A far cry from the extortionate fee we were charged by the taxi driver when we arrived in Atlanta (which from memory was something like $95). 20150412-DSCF0952 20150412-DSCF0953 20150412-DSCF0955 20150412-DSCF0956 20150412-DSCF0959 20150412-DSCF0962 20150412-DSCF0963 20150412-DSCF0965 We made it to the airport on time, and by some miracle our bags had made it onto the plane after being in storage at the airport for a couple of days. We took our seats on the plane and started our journey home. It had been a fabulous holiday, one none of us will ever forget (for all the right reasons!). The last couple of days ended up being a slightly strange bonus but quite an experience! 

I very much hope to visit Florida and Disney World again. I can't recommend it highly enough! :)

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