Firstly, welcome to our new readers from the BVI. Some of you may have already seen this, others haven’t. We have been keeping this running since we arrived in the BVI. Feel free to look back through the monthly updates. You never know, you might even feature in some of them! The latest issue is always at the top and you can scroll down through the others or use the Archive button over there and up a bit to the right to select a particular month to view. We hope you enjoy the read. If you don’t want to receive it any more, just let us know and we will remove you from the general distribution list. So, read on!
Well folks. Here we are in Cayman! We arrived here a few days ago and are in the process of getting set up. Next month we’ll be able to bring you a better account of life in the Cayman Islands. We are early this month because we are moving over the weekend and may not have internet access for a while. We’ll show you pictures of the house etc in the next issue.
It was sad leaving the BVI. We have made so many great friends in the short time we were there. Despite all of the frustrations and limitations you sometimes experience there, we wouldn’t have traded it for anything. It is a very cool place and we consider ourselves fortunate to have experienced ‘BVI life!’
Surf Report
With Michelle in Cayman for the last month, Dave and the kids spent a bit of time down at Josiah’s getting a few final surfs in before they depart for flatter waters. They had a couple of good days down there. Before they left, Dave sold his and Michelle’s boards to a couple of budding surfers.
We already miss Josiah’s and have some fond memories of that beach and the people we met there.
Josiah's
Dave and the kids went out to Capoon’s Bay for Dave’s last rugby training session… and a couple of beers at Bomba’s after. It was good having a beer with the boys (and girls) one last time. Thursdays have become a fairly regular event for us and the kids have to be the youngest regulars at Bomba’s. The bar maid even knows their favourite drinks. They really enjoy hanging out with the rugby crowd and Sam just loves spending time with her adopted sisters… Liz, Brodie, Cass and Terri. Jake just loves running around and pestering everybody. On this night the kids were given the camera to take a few photos. They did alright too!
More pics from Bomba's:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=63454&id=766998601&l=afe13
Pool at the appartment
Well folks. Here we are in Cayman! We arrived here a few days ago and are in the process of getting set up. Next month we’ll be able to bring you a better account of life in the Cayman Islands. We are early this month because we are moving over the weekend and may not have internet access for a while. We’ll show you pictures of the house etc in the next issue.
It was sad leaving the BVI. We have made so many great friends in the short time we were there. Despite all of the frustrations and limitations you sometimes experience there, we wouldn’t have traded it for anything. It is a very cool place and we consider ourselves fortunate to have experienced ‘BVI life!’
Surf Report
With Michelle in Cayman for the last month, Dave and the kids spent a bit of time down at Josiah’s getting a few final surfs in before they depart for flatter waters. They had a couple of good days down there. Before they left, Dave sold his and Michelle’s boards to a couple of budding surfers.
We already miss Josiah’s and have some fond memories of that beach and the people we met there.
Josiah's
More pics:
Leaving Do’s
Thurs: 19 Feb.
Thurs: 19 Feb.
Jake, you're doing alright mate...
... and so is your dad it seems.
Dave and the kids went out to Capoon’s Bay for Dave’s last rugby training session… and a couple of beers at Bomba’s after. It was good having a beer with the boys (and girls) one last time. Thursdays have become a fairly regular event for us and the kids have to be the youngest regulars at Bomba’s. The bar maid even knows their favourite drinks. They really enjoy hanging out with the rugby crowd and Sam just loves spending time with her adopted sisters… Liz, Brodie, Cass and Terri. Jake just loves running around and pestering everybody. On this night the kids were given the camera to take a few photos. They did alright too!
More pics from Bomba's:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=63454&id=766998601&l=afe13
Fri: Michelle arrived back from Cayman at about 6:30pm. The kids had been to tennis and Dave had had a Goldilock’s Special at the Sports club before picking up Michelle and heading for the Dove for a quick drink and a catchup with a few people. We ended up staying a little later and eating there too. A reasonably quiet, but nice night.
Sat: Saturday was the big one. The kids were staying with our friends Michelle and Nick while Michelle and Dave were set free for the night. Off to the Last resort they sped for an evening of fun. About 25 of their friends came for dinner and a bunch more came down after for drinks. So there was a good crowd there. The drinks flowed and the food was nice. Then the drinks flowed a little more and they finally staggered home at about 3 am.
More party pics:
Sun: Dave had told the boys that he would pop in to watch the cricket on Sunday morning. Unfortunately both alarms (Sam and Jake) were not in the house so he slept a little later and only arose in time to head out to Beef Island for a Greek lunch with Carol and Nikki, which was very nice and relaxing.
Sun: After the lunch they headed back to Cooten Bay for one last small BBQ. Liz and Steve (suckers for punishment) came around to help empty the booze cabinet. They didn’t actually touch the booze cabinet. Apparently a little worse for wear after the previous night. They did help with a few beers and wine though…
Mon: On Monday night a dinner was put on for Dave and Michelle at Government House. Some of Dave’s work mates and a few of Michelle and Dave’s friends also attended, which was nice. They enjoyed a very informal evening with nice food and wine. The Governor (David) gave a speech to farewell Dave which was quite entertaining. Dave replied in kind and the evening continued.
Tues: Dave had arranged to have a last beer at Bomba’s with the boys after training. Michelle and the kids stayed at the Carter’s for the evening and enjoyed a yummy dinner and a few quiet drinks. Dave had found half a bottle of Tequila in the booze cabinet so decided to take that out and give the boys a shot. Once at Bomba’s some shot glasses were located and each of the boys was given their shot. Together they raised their glasses, uttered a quick toast and knocked it back. Then… “WTF!!” and “Mate, what’s this crap?”
Apparently the Tequila had been watered down considerably and only had a slight taste of Tequila. In his absence, Jake was accused of raiding the booze cabinet at home. Oh well, better get a round in then…
It was good to have a final drink (or three) with the boys before leaving. Even Brodie and Liz came out as well which was nice.
In the end it was another good night at Bomba’s (especially for a Tuesday) and Dave left the island in the appropriate state of health.
The Evil Land Hag
Once upon a time there was a nice family who rented a house in Cooten Bay from an Evil Land Hag. The Evil Land Hag promised she would repair the broken railings on the stairs. She would re-paint the lounge. The second water tank would actually be connected to the pump so they could have water. She promised to get the gardeners in each month.
After a year of broken promises, lo and behold, a gardener arrives and cuts everything back to a height of four inches (and that includes the hedge).
One day the meter box explodes and the power goes off. Land Hag is nowhere to be seen. The nice family contact an electrician who fixes the problem. The nice family offer to pay the electrician directly and deduct the money from the next rent cheque. The nice electrician man says, “No that’s OK. I’ll contact the Land Hag.”
They think that this isn’t a great idea as they suspect that, due to her ever increasing bad reputation, the Land Hag won’t be in a hurry to pay up.
Soon after, the nice family decide to move away and announce to the Land hag that they will be leaving. They agree to use the bond/Security deposit to cover the last month’s rent. This would still leave another $500 owing to the nice family. The Land Hag promised to return this on their last day (Those readers from NZ will recognize the utterance of a Tui ad slogan at this point).
The last month arrives and Land Hag promptly calls demanding the rent cheque for the last month. Two days of yelling and screaming ensue with the final result being the Land Hag being told go and get… errr… she was politely told that the nice family would decline her kind offer.
Land Hag threatens the nice family with police action. The nice family seek some professional Legal advice from nice Lawyer JB & nice Lawyer Thorpey. Land Hag is informed to bring it on. She doesn’t. She calls and says that the nice family and self should come to an agreement. She is politely informed that they already have one thanks very much and, while we’re at it, bring the $500 around too.
Obviously this is never going to happen. The family move out but not before leaving several lists of the Land Hag’s shortcomings hidden away throughout the house. Hopefully incoming tenants will be warned early. The family were also approached by the electrician for the bill payment. “Sorry Pal, you had your chance,” was the unfortunate response.
The Land Hag decides to start building at the same property before the family depart. The builders are approached by said family and told to make sure payment is made in advance for their services as previous service providers are still awaiting compensation. Funnily enough the builders don’t return the next day. Or the next. The Evil Land Hag is left stamping her hairy feet and cursing from her foul mouth. The family walk away… smiling, and relieved to be rid of the Evil Thieving Land Hag. Maybe she will find some other surprises one day…or maybe she won’t.
Travel Report
Wednesday 25 Feb 2009. A sad day really. Some tearful goodbyes and they are off to the airport at Beef island. There were 16 pieces of luggage to squeeze into a Cape Air Cessna. Miraculously 15 are somehow loaded and off they go. The 16th will follow…
A scenic 12:35 pm flight to San Juan, then another flight to Miami before heading to Grand Cayman. No hassles on any flights and they arrive in Cayman about 8:30 pm to a round of spectacular Fireworks put on by the Government to mark the arrival of Cayman’s newest residents… or maybe it was Ash Wednesday.
The final suitcase arrived the following afternoon and was delivered to the door.
Bank Account
We rock up to a bank in Cayman to get Dave added to the bank account.
“Will he be contributing to the account?” we were asked.
“No, he’s a down and out loser with absolutely no prospects whatsoever.”
“OK”.
Apparently it’s OK to become a signatory on a bank account here if you are only withdrawing funds. It’s a lot harder to actually deposit money here unless it is a salary payment. They actually penalise you if you want to deposit money from another source. But apparently it’s got something to do with money laundering laws. Anyway, we look forward to ongoing discussions with the ever helpful banking staff. Banking in the BVI all of a sudden seems so much easier.
Sun: After the lunch they headed back to Cooten Bay for one last small BBQ. Liz and Steve (suckers for punishment) came around to help empty the booze cabinet. They didn’t actually touch the booze cabinet. Apparently a little worse for wear after the previous night. They did help with a few beers and wine though…
Mon: On Monday night a dinner was put on for Dave and Michelle at Government House. Some of Dave’s work mates and a few of Michelle and Dave’s friends also attended, which was nice. They enjoyed a very informal evening with nice food and wine. The Governor (David) gave a speech to farewell Dave which was quite entertaining. Dave replied in kind and the evening continued.
Tues: Dave had arranged to have a last beer at Bomba’s with the boys after training. Michelle and the kids stayed at the Carter’s for the evening and enjoyed a yummy dinner and a few quiet drinks. Dave had found half a bottle of Tequila in the booze cabinet so decided to take that out and give the boys a shot. Once at Bomba’s some shot glasses were located and each of the boys was given their shot. Together they raised their glasses, uttered a quick toast and knocked it back. Then… “WTF!!” and “Mate, what’s this crap?”
Apparently the Tequila had been watered down considerably and only had a slight taste of Tequila. In his absence, Jake was accused of raiding the booze cabinet at home. Oh well, better get a round in then…
It was good to have a final drink (or three) with the boys before leaving. Even Brodie and Liz came out as well which was nice.
In the end it was another good night at Bomba’s (especially for a Tuesday) and Dave left the island in the appropriate state of health.
The Evil Land Hag
Once upon a time there was a nice family who rented a house in Cooten Bay from an Evil Land Hag. The Evil Land Hag promised she would repair the broken railings on the stairs. She would re-paint the lounge. The second water tank would actually be connected to the pump so they could have water. She promised to get the gardeners in each month.
After a year of broken promises, lo and behold, a gardener arrives and cuts everything back to a height of four inches (and that includes the hedge).
One day the meter box explodes and the power goes off. Land Hag is nowhere to be seen. The nice family contact an electrician who fixes the problem. The nice family offer to pay the electrician directly and deduct the money from the next rent cheque. The nice electrician man says, “No that’s OK. I’ll contact the Land Hag.”
They think that this isn’t a great idea as they suspect that, due to her ever increasing bad reputation, the Land Hag won’t be in a hurry to pay up.
Soon after, the nice family decide to move away and announce to the Land hag that they will be leaving. They agree to use the bond/Security deposit to cover the last month’s rent. This would still leave another $500 owing to the nice family. The Land Hag promised to return this on their last day (Those readers from NZ will recognize the utterance of a Tui ad slogan at this point).
The last month arrives and Land Hag promptly calls demanding the rent cheque for the last month. Two days of yelling and screaming ensue with the final result being the Land Hag being told go and get… errr… she was politely told that the nice family would decline her kind offer.
Land Hag threatens the nice family with police action. The nice family seek some professional Legal advice from nice Lawyer JB & nice Lawyer Thorpey. Land Hag is informed to bring it on. She doesn’t. She calls and says that the nice family and self should come to an agreement. She is politely informed that they already have one thanks very much and, while we’re at it, bring the $500 around too.
Obviously this is never going to happen. The family move out but not before leaving several lists of the Land Hag’s shortcomings hidden away throughout the house. Hopefully incoming tenants will be warned early. The family were also approached by the electrician for the bill payment. “Sorry Pal, you had your chance,” was the unfortunate response.
The Land Hag decides to start building at the same property before the family depart. The builders are approached by said family and told to make sure payment is made in advance for their services as previous service providers are still awaiting compensation. Funnily enough the builders don’t return the next day. Or the next. The Evil Land Hag is left stamping her hairy feet and cursing from her foul mouth. The family walk away… smiling, and relieved to be rid of the Evil Thieving Land Hag. Maybe she will find some other surprises one day…or maybe she won’t.
Travel Report
Wednesday 25 Feb 2009. A sad day really. Some tearful goodbyes and they are off to the airport at Beef island. There were 16 pieces of luggage to squeeze into a Cape Air Cessna. Miraculously 15 are somehow loaded and off they go. The 16th will follow…
A scenic 12:35 pm flight to San Juan, then another flight to Miami before heading to Grand Cayman. No hassles on any flights and they arrive in Cayman about 8:30 pm to a round of spectacular Fireworks put on by the Government to mark the arrival of Cayman’s newest residents… or maybe it was Ash Wednesday.
The final suitcase arrived the following afternoon and was delivered to the door.
Bank Account
We rock up to a bank in Cayman to get Dave added to the bank account.
“Will he be contributing to the account?” we were asked.
“No, he’s a down and out loser with absolutely no prospects whatsoever.”
“OK”.
Apparently it’s OK to become a signatory on a bank account here if you are only withdrawing funds. It’s a lot harder to actually deposit money here unless it is a salary payment. They actually penalise you if you want to deposit money from another source. But apparently it’s got something to do with money laundering laws. Anyway, we look forward to ongoing discussions with the ever helpful banking staff. Banking in the BVI all of a sudden seems so much easier.
Resident Iguana
Pool at the appartment
Weather Report
Cayman weather. So far the weather here has been a little breezy and slightly cooler than BVI. We are told that this is the coldest month of the year which might explain why the kids have been eating porridge for breakfast on these bitterly cold 25 degree mornings.
Stingray Alert!
Dave took the kids across the road to Seven Mile beach for a swim yesterday. The kids were busy frolicking around in the calm water when a few tourists stopped just short of the kids and were staring and pointing at the water. Dave was sitting behind them on the beach quietly watching the proceedings.
One tourist gestured to the kids to get out of the water. “Stingray!” she shouted. The kids looked up and slowly wandered toward the woman.
They stopped in front of her and looked up questioningly. “There’s a Stingray in the water. Don’t be scared!” she explained.
Sam and Jake look blankly at the woman, then look into the water where a Stingray the size of a small dinner plate was slowly meandering about. They then look back at the woman, look at each other, shrug their shoulders and go back into the water and carry on playing.
Cayman weather. So far the weather here has been a little breezy and slightly cooler than BVI. We are told that this is the coldest month of the year which might explain why the kids have been eating porridge for breakfast on these bitterly cold 25 degree mornings.
Stingray Alert!
Dave took the kids across the road to Seven Mile beach for a swim yesterday. The kids were busy frolicking around in the calm water when a few tourists stopped just short of the kids and were staring and pointing at the water. Dave was sitting behind them on the beach quietly watching the proceedings.
One tourist gestured to the kids to get out of the water. “Stingray!” she shouted. The kids looked up and slowly wandered toward the woman.
They stopped in front of her and looked up questioningly. “There’s a Stingray in the water. Don’t be scared!” she explained.
Sam and Jake look blankly at the woman, then look into the water where a Stingray the size of a small dinner plate was slowly meandering about. They then look back at the woman, look at each other, shrug their shoulders and go back into the water and carry on playing.
Next Month:
Cayman from BVI – what’s the difference.
Cayman from BVI – what’s the difference.
Sports Roundup
School Days
... and plenty other riveting stories!
