Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Issue # 34 - The Sand June

. Blog Update # 34 – June 2010 .

Hello everyone!

Well, that's half the year gone already. Another action packed month for us. World records tumbled, Personal bests in the swimming (for the whole family!), a couple of rather large public gatherings, some running around and a few other bits and pieces to boot.

Enjoy the read and we'll catch you next time!

Guinness Book of Records Bikini Parade .

A bunch of people recently organized an attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for People at a Bikini Parade. Apparently they had to get about 320 people (in Bikinis) to parade half a mile down the beach and back. Michelle and Sam and a few friends decided to go along and help make up the numbers. Dave and Jake went along to critically assess the whole affair.

There were plenty of women wandering about in their Bikinis and so on. All the organisers had to do was organise them into a rabble and walk the qualifying distance. They managed this by plying them with a specially invented cocktail (which looked suspiciously like Rum Punch). Anyway, the beach was crawling with Bikini-clad people of all ages and shapes. But they made it. They also broke the record for the most people in a swim wear parade (which was the Bikini bunch plus any blokes or people in one pieces that were hanging about).

Bikinis on parade!


More pics of Bikinis, Swimmers, Kids and all sorts:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=170403&id=766998601&l=4912b8613d


Swimming

Caledonian Swim Meet

Another swim meet was held recently. Sam and Jake entered a number of races as usual. This time there were some longer races and both were keen to have a crack at them. They both swam really well again and both came away with medals and personal bests.

The start of the swim... a mile to go!

The Annual One Mile sea swim

The annual 1 Mile sea swim was held a week or so ago. Michelle, Sam and Dave entered. Dave had been doing some sneaky training during the week just to make sure he could actually swim a mile. 770 swimmers took part this year, as well as a few hundred walkers (including Jake) who walked the mile along the beach.

Well done Sam!

Michelle started toward the front (just behind the ‘elite’ swimmers) and came in in a time of 26:13 in 72nd overall and 4th in her age group. She was swimming beside some dude in really ugly bright pink paisley shorts for most of the race and pipped him at the end. He turned out to be the Governor!

Sam started in the middle of the field and came in with a time of 43.10, in 471st place overall and 6th in her age group.

Dave started toward the back of the field (only because he wanted a challenge) and swam for the most of it beside some chick in a black and white bikini. Dave let her beat him of course and he came in not far behind Sam in a time of 44:09, in 495th place and 25th in his age group. He reckons there was at least 200 in his age group but we suspect it was closer to 30 ish.

It was a pretty nice swim, the water was flat and the sun shining. Michelle even won an iPod shuffle in the spot prize draw.

SPORT

Touch Seeding Day

Touch seeding day was held recently for the Summer league. Dave played for Michelle’s work team (PFS) and also another social side (Grizz’s Old Fellas). PFS started off being short a woman or two, so Sam was roped in to play a few games. She did well too! They didn’t win a game but came close and scored a few tries as well, which was a huge improvement from the corporate tournament last month. They are now in the 3rd Division which is good. They might even win a game…

Grizz’s team is a team of relatively handy players and you must be invited to play for them. There philosophy is to become bottom of the league and drinking the most buckets of beer but also beating the top sides occasionally, just to let them know who’s boss, and they are very capable of doing all three. And yes, they did manage to lose all games on seeding day but still somehow managed to be placed in the 2nd Division. Outrageous!

Rugby

Rugby Dinner

The club held the Annual Players dinner early in the month. The guest speaker was Brian Moore of England and Lions fame.

Early in the day (5:30 am) Dave was up and about and off fishing for the day with a few of the guys from the club… and of course Brian. They set off at 6am and headed out in pursuit of some rather large fish. Fortunately (or unfortunately for some) the trip was sponsored by one of the club sponsors…. Heineken, and the first one of those was cracked well before 7 am. Meanwhile, the lines were out and they cruised the deep blue Caribbean waters looking for the ‘Big One’.

Brian reels it in while Larry looks on

After a while (and a few beers) someone noticed that one of the lines was whizzing. The other lines where reeled in and the Guest of Honour was promptly placed in the main seat to reel in the big fish. He was working for about 20 minutes before the fish appeared. A silver flash was spotted before it disappeared again. More reeling. Suddenly it popped out of the water and bounced along the surface. It didn’t look huge, but it was something. About 20 feet from the boat the line went slack… it had got off. But suddenly there was a shout. “There it is!”

It was floating upside down in the water. The boat was quickly turned about and the gaff was at the ready. Not being one to give up easily the boat’s owner Larry made short work of getting the fish. Unfortunately it was a barracuda… and it was dead.

“Shit” said Brian, “I bored it to death!”

Barracuda!

After that, they circled a bit and followed a few birds in the hope of another catch. It wasn’t to be so they pulled into Kaibo for lunch and a few Mudslides. They then returned to the dock to head off and get ready for the Dinner… some already drooping after the long day.

The fishing crew stop for lunch...

The dinner was well attended, and after pre-dinner drinks at a friend’s house Michelle and Dave headed along to the venue at Luca, a popular and very nice restaurant. Not that Dave needed too many more. Anyway, they arrived and found their tables. Michelle with the Rugby Girls and Dave with the triumphant Iguana’s who started off with a number of toasts… to themselves of course.

The girls

The dinner went well, with plenty of frivolity and cheer. The meal was quite nice too!

Prize giving time. Players of the year awards were given out and then the Club man of the Year was announced. Lo and behold Dave was called up to accept the award. Looking slightly dumbfounded and confused (some might say “What’s new?”) He made his way up to the front. He had done a bit for the club this year but hadn’t expected anything for it so the award was a very unexpected, yet pleasant surprise.

Excerpt from the local paper:

"The final award of the night went to Dave Bailey, who became the clubman of the year for his extraordinary voluntary contributions around the club over the past 12 months."

Dave & Brian Moore

The rest of the night carried on in the usual fashion and even at daylight the next day several tuxedo’s in various states were seen staggering around George Town.

A few days later a message was sent out from the club to all members congratulating them on such a successful dinner. But at the bottom of the message was this:

A special thanks also to following: Our speakers on the night, MC Pete DeVere and of course our very own master of satire Ryhal Gallagher - without you both the evening would have not been the same. DJ Jacko for his ongoing commitment to the club with his equipment and tunes. Campbell Law for his willingness to skull three glasses of wine at Brian Moore's request. Waggers for his zombie rendition during the speeches. And last but not least all the members of the club who came along and had a good time.

“Unfortunately during the evening some damage occurred in the ladies toilets with one of the water cisterns being ripped off the wall.

In addition to this, Luca are also missing 2 cylinder shaped table lamps…”

Not much else to report on the rugby front. HMS Manchester visited, but had to cancel the game due to ‘operational reasons’. We think it was really so they could concentrate their efforts on beating the BVI in a week or so. But, as you may or may not know, the BVI gave them a spanking which wasn’t unexpected. Well done BVI!

Planning is underway for next years kids season. It looks as though Dave will be involved with the Under 10’s in their bid to beat Bermuda in the annual fixture. They may even do a tour to the states after Christmas in order to give the kids some more international experience.

CaymanRugbyTV is also starting to take shape with a view to broadcasting regularly from Sep – June each year. It’ll be live and free. Check out the site on www.caymanrugbytv.com

More pics from the fishing and the Rugby Club Dinner
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171763&id=766998601&l=c5703a7ecb


Gaelic

Dave’s team won the 2010 league and were subsequently presented with a cheque for $500. The team arranged a BBQ and one of the guy’s houses where they had several beers and then a man’s BBQ – thick steaks, sausages and bread. There was a tomato and a lettuce on the bench but no-one knew what to do with them, so they stayed there. After that it was off to do a few pubs and use up the $500. A good night was had and everyone went home happy…


Gaelic Dinner

The Gaelic Dinner was held again at Deckers this year. As seems to be the way, Michelle sat with one of the ladies team’s tables while Dave sat with the triumphant Reds.

And since they were red, and triumphant, plenty of Red wine was ordered for the table. No awards for Michelle or Dave this year (despite the pic of Michelle above - that was actually one of her friend's!), possibly because Michelle missed the entire season and Dave missed the middle part due to injury. Maybe next year! Another good night out though!


Sailing

The kids went sailing at the sailing club (funnily enough) a few weeks back. They had a ball sailing around on their own in the little Pico’s while Michelle and Dave a few other parents indulged in a quiet Sunday afternoon beverage on the deck while watching the goings-on on the water. The kids are now booked in to do a two week course in the holidays. Dean Barker and co might have to watch out. Even that Heath Copland guy might be feeling threatened very soon.

Back into shoes

Yes, it’s true. Dave now has a real job. And yes, after about three years of wearing nothing but jandals, shorts and tee shirt, he’s now having to get used to wearing shoes (and socks!), trousers, shirt and tie! He even got a haircut!

Dave started work last week at the Portfolio of the Civil Service, which is a Government organization specializing in Human Resource management. Now all we have to do is work out how to get the kids to their multitude of after-school sporting activities each day when school goes back.


End of School Year

The kids end the school year on 2 July. They then have two months off…

They had end of year picnics and things, although Sam’s trip to the beach was rained out last week. However, they did make it to Margaritaville for lunch (as kids do!).

Both kids had prize giving ceremonies as well with Jake getting an award for Literacy and Sam for Science. Both of them have done really well this year with Jake making huge strides with his reading. He now spends a lot of his spare time sitting and reading a book. He’s even been spotted at the rugby club reading a book before and after training.

Sam is also doing well with her three ‘R’s; reading, riting and rythmatic. It was a surprise to see her get recognized for science!

Both have close friends that will be leaving Cayman at the end of the school year. They will miss them and will no doubt keep in touch via e-mails etc… as kids do these days!

With Dave now working, we needed something to keep them occupied over the summer and have managed to get them into various summer camps for most of the holidays. Rugby Camp, Sailing Camp, Indoor Sports Camp and an outdoor Education Camp. That takes them up until the first week in August when Michelle and the kids are heading back to NZ for a quick visit. Unfortunately Dave can’t make it due to his new job.

Freeloading again...

NZ Trip

They are planning on being back from the 11th to the 26th of August (roughly) and will spend some time in ChCh and Waimate before heading to Wellington for a few days (22-25th) and then flying back from there. Given the short nature of their visit, they won’t be able to visit everyone, but they do plan on being ‘somewhere’ central at some stage so people could come and catch up with them at least briefly. More on that in due course! But send us an e-mail if you are going to be about and we’ll see what we can arrange. If you know of anyone that can spare a car or provide lodgings while they are in Wellington, let us know!



Dive Report.

During his last week of ‘freedom’ Dave arranged to go diving with the dive company across the road. He did a couple of dives out in front of Seven Mile Beach this time which was a nice way to finish the week.

More dive pics:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=175379&id=766998601&l=a6e3c2bf7e

Weather Report

Tropical Storm Alex paid us a visit last week. The first ‘named’ storm of the season didn’t really amount to much around here, apart from about three days of constant, sometimes torrential rain and plenty of thunder and lightning to keep everyone excited. However it was heading for Mexico/US and was predicted to become a Cat 1 Hurricane very soon before reaching land. A busy Hurricane season is predicted this year, so we live and hope that the predictions aren’t proven.

Next Month:

Hmmm… nothing planned but I’m sure we’ll come up with something (Ed)

Maybe the Iguana’s Team Prize giving?

Something Special?