Issue # 41 - January's Just Gone

. January 2011 .

Hello! We hope you've had a great start to 2011. Things certainly haven't slowed down at this end we can tell you. We've got all sorts this month. But we won't hold you up. Grab a coffee, tea, beer, wine or whatever and read away!

New Year's Day

We've already said "Happy New Year!"
But Happy New Year again anyway!

We left off the last issue at a party on New Year's Eve.

So we'd better start this one on New Years day, as New Years Eve was just a little bit hazy.
So, what did we do? We did what is traditional in Cayman, we packed up all of the necessary stores and equipment and headed for Governor's beach, probably arriving around 1pm (so a little sleep in could be had).
A bunch of us turned up and we were pretty well set up, it must be said. We cleared a space amongst the unsuspecting beach-going tourists and starting depositing our kit. There were chairs, tables, umbrellas, small children, cooler boxes, chilly bins (all filled to the brim). There were barbecues and blankets, a generator (yep, a generator), a blender (yep, one of them too) and a keg of Heineken even found it's way into our settlement. Things were really looking up!

Somehow the space around us seemed to grow. Anyway, the kids were running about, the beers came out, Bruno (the dog) took a whiz on the Governor's fence, the hangovers forgotten and everything was great. It soon got a lot greater with the tranquil sound of a blender churning through ice making mudslides for everybody.
Some got a little impatient with the speed of delivery from the mudslide department and decided to take it upon themselves to join the production line. We aren't too sure how many actually made it away from there, but the two ladies pictured above certainly certainly partook in some quality control.
There were around 30 plus of us at one stage. pictured above are those that were still standing later in the day. We would have had another picture even later than that, but there was nobody standing at all.
Ok, maybe one was still standing. But moving from that spot was an issue. You'll be pleased to know that there are taxis available in Cayman...but Michelle's run back to collect the car the next day was a challenge!

Birthday Party
The following weekend Sam and Jake and a friend of Jake's (Derek) who now resides in Dublin had a combined birthday party at the Wave Park. A bunch of their friends came along and had a ball getting tossed and turned and wiped out in the fast-moving water.

That is Sam in amongst that water.

Jake looks a little bored with the whole affair...

Michelle checked out the surfing scene and showed that she still has it!

And the cake was a hit as well as the pizza and other stuff
that kids tend to eat at parties these days.

Street Hockey
The following weekend was the annual street hockey tournament at Camana Bay. Sam and Jake got invited into teams as Rookies. Each team had to field one non-hockey player.


Being the Rookie, Jake got put in goal. But he didn't spend too much time standing about. The boys worked really well together and made it to the final.

The final was a tight one with both teams tied at full time. Into extra time they went with a few close calls at both ends of the court. It was a sudden death extra time final and the pressure was on. They managed to snaffle the puck/ball and put it into the back of the opposition's net. Much to the delight of the shrieking fans (Mums) who invaded the court and embarrassed the boys by smothering them with hugs and kisses. They'll never live that down...

Sam's team (all swimmers from their swim club) took a much more lady-like approach to their games. But it was effective and they also came away as Champions, winning the girls league.



Travel
Straight after the hockey tournament Michelle was off to the airport to fly out to Dublin for work. She was a bit worried about the trip given the unseasonal snow that was common over there before Christmas, and knew that she'd freeze if the weather was that cold. She managed to borrow some boots and a wool coat so that she would be adequately dressed and she was very thankful for them - she lived in them the entire time! Luckily, the weather was actually quite mild and got into double figures twice - it definitely could have been worse! She had a 3 day work conference with her global colleagues that she had never met before and thoroughly enjoyed meeting, working and socialising with them all. In fact, in typical Dublin style, she went out just about every night she was there, managed to consume a cider or two, and caught up with a couple of friends there as well. She had an extra day before returning, and managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping (what a surprise, she can't go anywhere without shopping!). Coming back to 28 degrees was a bit of a challenge though!

Visitors
We had some visitors sneak into the country early one morning. Jon (Spargo) and Jen just happened to be cruising the Caribbean, in a cruise ship (as you do) and they stopped in at George Town. Jon was in the Army in NZ with Dave and now resides in Papua New Guinea working for the Australian Defence Force.
As we live very close to town, Dave walked down to the cruise ship terminal and escorted them back to our house where Michelle was busy loading up the dive gear. In we hopped and went to a shore dive off Lighthouse point which is always pretty good.
Then it was a quick beer, followed by a trip to Hell... and back.
The next thing to do was find somewhere for lunch. Unfortunately there were about five cruise ships in town that day, and as you may or may not know, the majority of these people enjoy their food. So, our first few choices of dining were aborted but we headed to the faithful Sunset House where they looked after our dining and liquid refreshment needs.

Jon and Dave enjoy a quiet beer while
Jen takes a close up of Jon's earwax

After that we headed to Smith's Cove for a few more quiets and to meet up with our friend Lisa, who had been looking after the kids all day. The kids had fun getting airborne before plunging into the sea. Everyone else, enjoyed a quiet beer and a yarn while watching them.

Soon it was time to get Jon and Jen back to their ship. They had a reasonable glow on by that stage and looked happy enough as they weaved their way to their ship and then off to the next port in Jamaica. It was great seeing them. It had been quite a while! But by all accounts they had a good time and maybe we'll see them back one day.

Our evening continued and a few other friends turned up and helped empty the Chilly Bin. Then it was back to our house to help finish off Jake's birthday cake but ended up having a few more beers, cheese and crackers, a couple of mudslides and whatever else was going. Well, we did have work (and kids had school) the next day...

Regatta
Sam and her friend Skyler took part in a Youth Sailing Regatta at East end the other week. It was a two day affair and on the first day the girls struggled a little in the different conditions. They improved as they went on and led the last race throughout only to become becalmed on the homeward leg. But they worked hard and managed to overtake those that had passed them, apart from one, finishing the day with a very good second place.
The next day, the seas were very rough so the regatta was canceled. The girls ended up placing 5th and since we had gone all the way out there, we hung out at the resort for a few beers while the kids played in the pool, before heading to a friends place for a BBQ later in the afternoon.

Rum Point
It was a long weekend here last week - Heroes Day. We got invited out on a boat with a few friends, and spent the day at Stingray City and then Rum Point, which lived up to it's name.
There were a few wobbly people getting back on the boat later on in the day.
But it was a nice day out and the kids had fun in the hammocks and Sam enjoyed playing with some recent arrivals to the island...

Something to tell us Sam?

Lucky Capt Jake was there to drive us home

Triathlon
The kids had a triathlon last weekend. It was a relatively short one (100m pool swim, 3km bike and a 500m run), but both Sam and Jake went hard and managed to tire themselves out, having to rest a bit in the run - will have to do some training next time! There were a lot of kids taking part and plenty of parents there too.
Jake won a spot prize (A Free Swim lesson) which we will offer to someone who has more of a need, as Jake already swims three or four times a week at the Swim Club.

Jake, looking focused in the transition...

They felt pretty chuffed with their efforts and both enjoyed the pizza afterward!


Rugby
Yes, the Rugby season is back into full swing. Dave has shaken off his injuries and headed out for another season with the mighty Iguanas.
The first game of the year was the Heineken Charity Shield. It's a one-off game between the League Champions from 2010 (The Iguanas) and the Runners-up (Storm). The Iguanas were struck by a few pre-season injuries and fronted with a squad of 16. The Storm rocked up with about 48.

Anyway, to make a long story short the Iguanas played a good solid forward oriented game but had no answer to the speed of the Storm backline. Final score Storm 38, Iguanas 19.

The actual club season kicked off this last weekend. There are four Teams - Iguanas, Storm, Buccaneers and the Pigs Trotters (which where originally a Police rugby team).

The Storm took care of the under strength Pigs by 75 - 10. In the other game both sides fronted big forward packs and they battled it out for most of the game. The Buucs had an experienced backline and again that was the undoing of Dave's Iguanas. Final score Buccs 35 - Iguanas 10.
You can view coverage of all games and also see the twice weekly chat show - Backchat, on the Rugby Club's TV channel www.caymanrugbytv.com
Check it out, it's not bad... and it's free!

Taking on the Buccs in the new Grey and Black Iguana strip.
Note the official referee kit.

Gaelic Football
The Gaelic season has kicked off again here in Cayman. Both Michelle and Dave are back on the 'pitch' this year. Michelle playing for the Whites (Olivers Plunkets - don't ask) and Dave playing for the Reds (Gabriels).

Dave, about to smack and Irishman

Daves team have had one win and one loss so far. Michelle's team have suffered two losses. But it's early in the season so plenty of time to improve.
If you want to watch any of the coverage, it is being filmed and broadcast on www.caymanrugbytv.com
Check it out, even just for the commentary, which is pretty entertaining, even if the play isn't!

Still smiling after their loss...
hmmm I'm sure that shirt isn't the official GAA shirt

To see more pics, just click on the links below!
Dive pics
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=255889&id=766998601&l=2f331e472e


Pics of January - the first half.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=255862&id=766998601&l=ce324cadac


More pics during January 2011

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=262224&id=766998601&l=c4f1769aa0


Next Month:
Rugby
Gaelic
Cross Island Relay
Knobby Party
Diving the Kittiwake
and other stuff that we'll make up if need be.