Blog Update # 22 – June 2009Hello!
For us, June has been a fairly quiet month!
We didn’t go anywhere, no one came to us but we have been busy with sport, associated dinners and things. All the latest and a few pics are below. Grab a coffee, tea, beer, wine or whatever and read on!
. Don’t forget that you can read older editions by navigating down through the pages or by using the "Archive" button up on the right. You can also click on the pictures to make them bigger. We have included some links to view other photos too if you are interested.
Travel Report
No travel, apart from several laps of the island shopping or taking the kids to birthday parties and the like.
Visitor’s Report
No visitors except for a few folk who’ve been around for a BBQ between thunder storms.
Who said Cayman has no surf? Here's Jake on an 8 footer!
Sport
Touch Rugby
Just a bit of social touch for the moment as we are between seasons. There’s a tournament where the ‘Pirals’ will be back in action here on 4 July with a couple of US-based teams coming over. They are two of the teams that we played against when we went to Fort Lauderdale a few months back.
After that, the Summer touch league starts which is held during the week after work.
Touch Rugby
Just a bit of social touch for the moment as we are between seasons. There’s a tournament where the ‘Pirals’ will be back in action here on 4 July with a couple of US-based teams coming over. They are two of the teams that we played against when we went to Fort Lauderdale a few months back.
After that, the Summer touch league starts which is held during the week after work.
Some of the ladies before the Rugby Dinner
Rugby
Rugby Dinner
The Annual Rugby dinner was held a couple of weeks back. It was held in an aircraft hanger at the Airport and was done up quite well. The theme was Casablanca and the movie was projected onto silk parachutes that where draped from the roof (without sound of course). Apparently this was the first year that women where allowed to attend the dinner. Last year they begrudgingly permitted female playing members to attend, which resulted in a few of the more ‘traditional’ (OK, older) types boycotting the affair. There were still several faces missing from this years dinner, but no-one really noticed the silent protests of a few and got on with it.
The meal was nice and the wine (and a number of other beverages) flowed. The guest speaker was Martin Bayfield (Ex Lions/England Lock). He’s a very big boy (body double for Hagrid in theHarry Potter movies) and is a very good speaker as well. He regaled the guests with plenty of amusing rugby-related anecdotes with the occasional joke thrown in for good measure.
Rugby
Rugby Dinner
The Annual Rugby dinner was held a couple of weeks back. It was held in an aircraft hanger at the Airport and was done up quite well. The theme was Casablanca and the movie was projected onto silk parachutes that where draped from the roof (without sound of course). Apparently this was the first year that women where allowed to attend the dinner. Last year they begrudgingly permitted female playing members to attend, which resulted in a few of the more ‘traditional’ (OK, older) types boycotting the affair. There were still several faces missing from this years dinner, but no-one really noticed the silent protests of a few and got on with it.
The meal was nice and the wine (and a number of other beverages) flowed. The guest speaker was Martin Bayfield (Ex Lions/England Lock). He’s a very big boy (body double for Hagrid in theHarry Potter movies) and is a very good speaker as well. He regaled the guests with plenty of amusing rugby-related anecdotes with the occasional joke thrown in for good measure.
Told ya he was tall!
A couple of Kiwis...
Mr Bayfield enters another 'maul'
After that the prize giving and the dancing took over.
The next day there were some very sorry looking sights at the club. The over 30’s traditionally play a game each year after the dinner as a curtain raiser for another game between Cayman players eligible for national selection.
Dave wasn’t convinced that this was such a great idea but took his boots along anyway. It ended up being a very social game. Three players had yet to get home from the night before and where seen staggering around the club before the game. Only one of them actually made it onto the field. The other two fell asleep in the changing rooms. There were several over 60’s playing and considering the way Dave was feeling, this was a good thing. Martin Bayfield also played, but for the other side. Dave took him down once in a copy book tackle (it’s just a shame he didn’t have the ball at the time). The referee was also a little under the weather. He yellow carded two players immediately (punishment being a compulsory beer before coming back on the field). He then Red carded himself (two beers) and the game resumed.
Dave’s team managed to win by four tries to two. Then it was time to relax and enjoy (another) beer or two while watching the main event.
After that the prize giving and the dancing took over.
The next day there were some very sorry looking sights at the club. The over 30’s traditionally play a game each year after the dinner as a curtain raiser for another game between Cayman players eligible for national selection.
Dave wasn’t convinced that this was such a great idea but took his boots along anyway. It ended up being a very social game. Three players had yet to get home from the night before and where seen staggering around the club before the game. Only one of them actually made it onto the field. The other two fell asleep in the changing rooms. There were several over 60’s playing and considering the way Dave was feeling, this was a good thing. Martin Bayfield also played, but for the other side. Dave took him down once in a copy book tackle (it’s just a shame he didn’t have the ball at the time). The referee was also a little under the weather. He yellow carded two players immediately (punishment being a compulsory beer before coming back on the field). He then Red carded himself (two beers) and the game resumed.
Dave’s team managed to win by four tries to two. Then it was time to relax and enjoy (another) beer or two while watching the main event.
More Rugby Club Dinner pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84642&id=766998601&l=d499f3b1cf
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84642&id=766998601&l=d499f3b1cf
Gaelic
Finals Day
It was finals day last weekend. Michelle’s team played the ‘form’ team of the competition (who they had convincingly thrashed the week previous) and went down in the semi final. They played off for 3rd/4th but maybe having those beers and ciders before that game weren’t the best idea. The lost that game too, but weren’t that concerned. They seemed to have a pretty good time all the same.
The "White" team (above and, believe it or not, below)
Gaelic Dinner
Michelle and Dave went to the Gaelic end of season dinner the other night. It was held at a local restaurant which was part indoor/part out. It had been raining very heavily during the day but the rain had eased by the time the dinner started. The meal was very nice and being an Irish dominated affair, there was plenty of conversation. It was just a shame that most of it was hard to understand!
The wind and the rain kicked in later on and people had to rearrange some seating to avoid being soaked. It was another fun night and, thankfully, there where no games the following day…
Cheers!
More pics from the Gaelic Dinner:
Swimming
The kids had another swim meet last week. Jake had two races on the Friday night while Sam had one. They both did quite well, finishing in the top three in their respective races. Unfortunately Sam was disqualified for an illegal turn in her backstroke race. Jake came away with his first ever medals – a Silver and a Bronze. He was pretty happy about that. The meet continued on the Sunday with Sam having two races, again finishing in the top three in both events. Unfortunately she was disqualified from the Breaststroke for not touching with both hands on the turn. She’ll be better prepared next time we are sure! But she did well in the freestyle and came away with a Bronze, so all wasn’t lost!
Jake's first ever swim medals
Click on the link for more swimming pics (and a few bonus pics as well!):
Diving
Both Michelle and Dave have been out for a few dives this month. Michelle usually goes on a Sunday (sporting commitments permitting) and Dave sort of goes when he has some time. Since there is a Dive company approximately 150 metres away from our house, he pops over during the week and jumps on a boat and is back in time to pick the kids up from school.
Both managed to see some Spotted Eagle rays on their respective dives last week which were pretty impressive. They are still on the lookout for the elusive Hammerhead sharks which apparently frequent the North Wall area.
Spotted Eagle Ray
See more diving pics:
Weather Report
“Hot and Wet” pretty much covers it! The rain is more frequent these days and the temperature has crept up a little. The daily average being 33 degrees C, but with pretty high humidity. No need for saunas here!
We have had quite a few electrical storms too. Plenty of flashes and big bangs to keep the kids awake at night.
“Hot and Wet” pretty much covers it! The rain is more frequent these days and the temperature has crept up a little. The daily average being 33 degrees C, but with pretty high humidity. No need for saunas here!
We have had quite a few electrical storms too. Plenty of flashes and big bangs to keep the kids awake at night.
Romantic sunset at the Rugby Club...
Mc Donalds!
After a three month build up, we can now bring you the MacDonald's review. Unfortunately it isn't all that exciting and we almost regret bringing it up. But anyway, here's our take on McD's Cayman.
Yes. Cayman has a MacDonalds. It isn’t the ‘Golden Arches’ McDonalds however. It is a locally owned fast food restaurant which specializes in Chicken dishes with a Caribbean flavour. There are two outlets that we have spotted.
Apparently ‘Ronald’ Mc D has attempted to buy them out but they aren’t budging, so there’s no way that they can set up a franchise in Cayman. Not that Cayman is crying out for a McD’s anyway. There’s still Burger King, KFC, Wendy’s, Domino’s, Pizza Hutt and several other places to keep people fat and happy.
School
End of year prize giving was last week where the kids entertained the parents with a few songs before being called to the stage to be presented their certificates.
Both Sam and Jake have had end of year school trips, both to Rum Point where they spent the day playing at the beach and building sandcastles. School finishes this week and they now have the next two months to entertain Dave and explore the island some more.
Yes. Cayman has a MacDonalds. It isn’t the ‘Golden Arches’ McDonalds however. It is a locally owned fast food restaurant which specializes in Chicken dishes with a Caribbean flavour. There are two outlets that we have spotted.
Apparently ‘Ronald’ Mc D has attempted to buy them out but they aren’t budging, so there’s no way that they can set up a franchise in Cayman. Not that Cayman is crying out for a McD’s anyway. There’s still Burger King, KFC, Wendy’s, Domino’s, Pizza Hutt and several other places to keep people fat and happy.
School
End of year prize giving was last week where the kids entertained the parents with a few songs before being called to the stage to be presented their certificates.
Both Sam and Jake have had end of year school trips, both to Rum Point where they spent the day playing at the beach and building sandcastles. School finishes this week and they now have the next two months to entertain Dave and explore the island some more.
Next Month
. Over 30’s vs Under 30’s Rugby match (the first of three).
. Dave’s Rugby Trip to Jamaica.
. Summer School Holidays begin.
. Over 30’s vs Under 30’s Rugby match (the first of three).
. Dave’s Rugby Trip to Jamaica.
. Summer School Holidays begin.
. Other bits 'n pieces that you can't afford to miss.
