The Florida Flocking 2005 on 9 February thru 11 February was a great success.

Some Roosters and guests arrived on Wednesday 9 February. Mike WB3EQW and Carolyn arrived Wednesday afternoon in their beautiful RV and managed to get it parked in the backyard near the house. We later joined other Roosters and guests for a very nice dinner at Sonny's Bar-B-Que in Titusville. It was a very pleasant surprise for us to have Dick Stewart, K3ITH, show up at Sonny’s as we did not expect to see him until Friday 11 February at our QTH for the picnic. Those present for dinner were Walt, WA3PPW, and Donna Sharrar, Donna's brother and sister-in law, Ed, WA2OAOand Marian Fedor, Dick Stewart, K3ITH, Mike, WB3EQW, and Carolyn Errigo, Paul WD4EBA and Connie, KG4KBO.

On Thursday 10 February, several of the Roosters ventured out to sea on the gambling cruise ship from Port Canaveral and, from the reports we received, all had a great time. Although only one or two left the ship with more money than they had upon boarding, most contributed to the ship's coffers to pay for the fuel for the evening cruise.

Later Thursday evening, we all met at Grandpa's Steakhouse in Cocoa and most of us enjoyed the prime rib dinner including the 80 item salad and desert bar. There were 18 of us there and we really enjoyed the camaraderie along with the dinner.

Friday morning Paul, Mike and Carolyn got the furniture set up for the picnic in the backyard of our QTH even though the temperature was a very chilly 41 degrees. It wasn't too bad until I ventured out to the front of the house to retrieve the newspaper and the wind from the North hit me. Later in the afternoon, temperatures went up to about 70 degrees and, with the sun shining brightly, made it a very pleasant day.

The Roosters started arriving around 1100 and some of the ladies helped Connie in the kitchen with the preparations for the picnic, setting out snacks and drinks and getting the main food items arranged for the buffet.

Mike and Carolyn left with the motor home Friday afternoon for the Orlando Fair Grounds to attend the Orlando Hamcation. Several of the other Roosters, including myself, went to Orlando on Saturday and parted company with some of our money buying items which we "cannot live without".

The were 27 attendees at the picnic including Walt WA3PPW & Donna; Ed WA2OAO & Marion; DickK3ITH & his guests Bruce, Etta & Rob; Dick KD1AI & Linda; John KE4EGC & Gail; Chuck W4ENU &Gwen; Steve WU3I & Tom KF4I; Mike WB3EQW & Carolyn; Jerry KF2ZA & Margaret KF2ZB & Ester; Eric KF8RX & Debbie; John N3WEY & Gloria; Paul WD4EBA & Connie KG4KBO.

We hope all who attended the 2005 Florida Rooster Flocking enjoyed the activities, had plenty to eat and drink, were pleased with the accommodations and enjoyed the hospitality at our QTH.

73 CUL Paul WD4EBA