This morning I had to walk with my stick up and down three flights of stairs at our condo building because the elevator is not working. This is but one more annoyance to inconvenience us since our arrival here over a month ago. Our communications with the estate agent distinguish themselves only by their pretence of attention and resolve. It appears increasingly that we are by equal measure disappointed and dissatisfied with both the estate agent Beverly Serral (who paradoxically labels herself and her company “BESTNEST”) and the condo regime. The pattern of dissaffection has regrettably arisen to the point of having to consider what amounts to legal action to resolve the contractual failure and misrepresentation by both the owner and the estate agent on the owner’s behalf. The disruptions have extended to include prolonged failure of laundry devices, mould, absence of pest control, disrepair within the apartment, shabby appearance of certain common elements among others. It has been a descent by increments the resulting paramountcy of which has become insupportable.
Certainly it disappoints us that we’re paying about US$8,000/month almost triple what we paid three years ago for far superior digs directly on the North Atlantic Ocean in Daytona Beach Shores. We now inhabit what has the air of a discreditable venue. Even acknowledging inflation and the burden of COVID upon business, the state of disrepair of the unit and the misleading representation and puffery of the estate agent add up to a bad taste overall, one which at this point (and barring any palpable improvement) we’re ill-inclined either to repeat or to recommend. It further disappoints that Beverly Serral was recommended by our erstwhile estate agent Gail Edmonds of “Destination Vacation”.
Meanwhile we shall practice our own “best” advice and eliminate insofar as possible perpetual deliberation over what constitutes the exclusive domain of the estate agent. This doesn’t represent the first need for accommodation in life we’ve encountered and had to deal with. To a degree I am hopeful of a smooth settlement. And I have no intention of allowing it to adulterate an otherwise memorable jaunt to the Island. The property management disruption does not diminish the allure of Hilton Head Island. We have in the meantime arranged to meet with Ms. Serral who will hopefully bring these matters to a head and enable us to continue uninterrupted upon our private mission of indolence.
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Today is Sunday. In keeping with my religious observances I was at Island Car Wash for the Matins service at 8:00 am. There was no line-up. The crowds throughout the entire Island have seemingly evaporated like gnats overnight. When I first got into my car this morning I saw people hauling luggage to their car. The geriatrics have overtaken the place!
I eased my customary cycling gusto because I had begun the morning exercise considerably earlier than the forecasted Low Tide at 02:17 PM today. This naturally means the breadth of the sand along the shore upon which to cycle is critically diminished until the tide recedes. While there is invariably a swath of sand available for cycling even in the least ideal circumstances, the added penalty is much reduced evenness. It turns out that my tranquillization was well-founded. Confronting me at Coligny Beach Park was a powerful wind from the south directly into my face! This forced me to modify what little Olympian talent I have just to keep the pedals rotating. Young people who were walking were passing me! I nonetheless persevered, not exactly undaunted but with added imperative. I wasn’t about to succumb to pusillanimity in the face of mere wind!
