Sandra & Al

Sandra & Al are the owners of the VRBO we're staying in.  Their home is on the same property, about 20 steps from ours.  In our experience, it's always nice when the owners are nearby.  The properties are much better maintained and safety/security are much less of an issue.  This property is no exception to those rules.  Sandra & Al are, clearly, used to having people here on a fairly consistent basis.   They have mastered the art of being friendly and available, but not intrusive.  They have been a wealth of tips on where to eat, what to do, and how much things should cost.  

Here's what we've gleaned about them from our week here:  

Al is from Canada; Sandra from the US (as I mentioned previously, Al shared this with us on the drive from the airport).   They have two dogs - Zoe & Mia.  They have had Mia only two weeks - having adopted her after their dog, Enzo, died recently.  In addition to the VRBO business, they also sell high-end dog food that they import from the USA (Blue, Call of the Wild, etc).  They like to golf, and seem to go out most mornings for 9-holes (they're typically back within a couple of hours).  Sandra's short game is better than Al's, by her report.

Al picked us up from the airport, so we have spent the most time with him.  He is also outside of the house much of the day, so is easier to observe.  He's very social, and constantly worries if we have enough full 5-gallon water-cooler bottles on hand.  At one point, we had three.  Al spends about 70% of his waking hours in his hammock on their porch.  He's typically got a coffee, beer or glass of wine nearby (morning, afternoon and evening, respectively), and a Kindle in hand.  You know Al is preparing to leave the property when he puts on a shirt.   Otherwise, he doesn't wear one.  He gets numerous phone calls and people stopping by to ask him about car issues, so I assume him to either be a mechanic or, at minimum, know more about cars than most of his friends.

Sandra is more enigmatic, as she doesn't seem to come out of the house as much.  The only time we really see her outside is when she is walking to or from the car.  I find that somewhat strange considering where they live, but am reserving a final judgement  on the premise that her near-daily rounds of golf may produce all the vitamin D she requires.  When she does step outside, Sandra is concerned about whether or not everything in the house is working properly (it is),  and whether or not we would like more towels or clean sheets.  She is also very good at letting us know if they are going to the store or in to West End, and offering to take us along so that we don't have to take a taxi.  Those of you who know Andrew will also know that these offers are politely declined.