It had been at least 20 minutes since i’d started throwing stones up at those big old coconut trees. I must have made at least 50 attempts. It was my ultimate coconut shy, with a prize far superior to any florescent fairground toy – the world’s freshest coconut!

All this effort didn’t really bother me too much though, since i was now absolutely determined to taste one of Florida’s finest flavours. The cool sea breeze was also incredibly calming & kept encouraging me to take just one more shot…….again & again. But whilst my weary eyes made aim once more, a dull thud broke the gentle sound of the waves & my vision quickly descended towards the floor.

There it was, my well earned prize, sunbathing in the sand. I heard an ironic cheer in the background. My pathetic efforts had attracted a group of fisherman who’d obviously enjoyed the coconut show.

I picked up the nut & nervously hit the shell hard against a nearby rock. Whack! To the dismay of my audience, it cracked almost right down the middle, as if sliced by an expert. We are the champions my friends! I picked up the two wooden cups & began to sup the watery milk. It tasted so sweet. Sweeter than i’d ever remembered. I waved to smugly to my fans & slowly headed back to my hotel, whilst cutting & savouring chunks of the wonderful white coconut flesh. Bliss…..CH