Gidday!
Another busy month has whizzed by. Swimming, Rugby, Halloween and Hospitals… and even a royal visit make up this months read.
Travel Report
No trips to report this month, although Michelle was trippin on some IV cocktails at the Hospital the other week. But that’s another story… below.
Visitor’s Report
Johnny and Emma (representing England and the BVI) popped in for a Royal visit en route to Cuba a couple of days ago. As Johnny said, “We’re here for a good time, not a long time.”
Arriving Saturday evening, they were whisked away from the airport, given a beer, chucked their bags in the house, donned some scary make-up and headed for the Cayman Rugby Club’s Halloween Party and Sevens prize giving. Next thing they knew, they were back at the airport Sunday morning ready for the flight to Cuba. Rumour has it that they might return for another one night stand in Cayman on their return leg.
Johhny and Emma chat to one of the local Pharoahs
The Kneedy One
You may or may not be aware that Michelle injured her knee a few months ago. Well, after a couple of attempts at recovery through physiotherapy it was decided that an operation was in order. The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) had been damaged so they grabbed a bit of the hamstring and tacked it on in it’s place and also did some work on the meniscus (you’ll have to look that up). But apparently it all went well. Michelle spent a night in Hospital and Dave and the kids busted her out the next day. Just in time to take her to the pool to look after the kids in a swim meet while Dave played rugby (which is featured below).
There is a big brace on her leg, which will be there for a while yet. The operation coincided with mid term break for the kids. They got to sit around the house while it rained outside and watch Michelle lie on the couch, the bed or a deck chair for a week. Although it wasn’t quite as bad as that. The kids enjoyed the novelty of having Mum home for a whole week and didn’t seem to mind that she wasn’t very mobile.
Back at work now but still unable to drive quite yet, Dave the Taxi driver is clocking up the miles. Pity we don’t have a left hand drive anymore, she might be able to manage that!
Physio and exercises are going OK though and we hope the recovery process continues!
You may or may not be aware that Michelle injured her knee a few months ago. Well, after a couple of attempts at recovery through physiotherapy it was decided that an operation was in order. The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) had been damaged so they grabbed a bit of the hamstring and tacked it on in it’s place and also did some work on the meniscus (you’ll have to look that up). But apparently it all went well. Michelle spent a night in Hospital and Dave and the kids busted her out the next day. Just in time to take her to the pool to look after the kids in a swim meet while Dave played rugby (which is featured below).
There is a big brace on her leg, which will be there for a while yet. The operation coincided with mid term break for the kids. They got to sit around the house while it rained outside and watch Michelle lie on the couch, the bed or a deck chair for a week. Although it wasn’t quite as bad as that. The kids enjoyed the novelty of having Mum home for a whole week and didn’t seem to mind that she wasn’t very mobile.
Back at work now but still unable to drive quite yet, Dave the Taxi driver is clocking up the miles. Pity we don’t have a left hand drive anymore, she might be able to manage that!
Physio and exercises are going OK though and we hope the recovery process continues!
One down!
Sport
A good haul for their efforts today!
Swim Meet
It was the first meet of the new season last weekend and the kids were keen to have a go. Sam entered the maximum allowed five events while Jake entered four. They both surprised us all by winning their respective Butterfly races. We knew Sam was OK at Butterfly and thought Jake might struggle, but no, they proved us wrong and both swam awesome races against genuine competition.
Sam also won her 100m IM (Medley) and came second in the Breaststroke, Backstroke and Freestyle races giving her the overall points award for the day as well.
Jake came Third in the Freestyle and placed 4th in the Breaststroke and Backstroke. So a pretty pleasing effort all round. Both kids are now swimming regularly at the swim club and are enjoying it too.
800m Sea Swim
Sam’s turn this time. As Michelle was out of action, Sam entered the last leg of the 800m Sea Swim Series. She hadn’t swum that distance before, but was quietly confident. She swam with some friends of ours who were doing the swim so they could keep an eye on her. They needn’t have worried – they even had trouble keeping up with her! She did the race in good time, coming out of the water in 2nd place in her age group. Another trophy! Apparently there has been a Crocodile sighted along the Seven Mile Beach (where the race was held) area recently. However the officials were confidant that captain Hook’s nemesis wasn’t around on the day and everyone finished with all of their limbs (and watches) intact.
It was the first meet of the new season last weekend and the kids were keen to have a go. Sam entered the maximum allowed five events while Jake entered four. They both surprised us all by winning their respective Butterfly races. We knew Sam was OK at Butterfly and thought Jake might struggle, but no, they proved us wrong and both swam awesome races against genuine competition.
Sam also won her 100m IM (Medley) and came second in the Breaststroke, Backstroke and Freestyle races giving her the overall points award for the day as well.
Jake came Third in the Freestyle and placed 4th in the Breaststroke and Backstroke. So a pretty pleasing effort all round. Both kids are now swimming regularly at the swim club and are enjoying it too.
800m Sea Swim
Sam’s turn this time. As Michelle was out of action, Sam entered the last leg of the 800m Sea Swim Series. She hadn’t swum that distance before, but was quietly confident. She swam with some friends of ours who were doing the swim so they could keep an eye on her. They needn’t have worried – they even had trouble keeping up with her! She did the race in good time, coming out of the water in 2nd place in her age group. Another trophy! Apparently there has been a Crocodile sighted along the Seven Mile Beach (where the race was held) area recently. However the officials were confidant that captain Hook’s nemesis wasn’t around on the day and everyone finished with all of their limbs (and watches) intact.
More pics:
Some Cayman School girls
Summer Touch Prize Giving Dinner
The Prize giving Dinner was held a few weeks back and Michelle and Dave went along. The theme was ‘Under the Sea’ and obviously people here get into the theme parties as there were some very clever costumes on show. The victorious Maples Team went as a School of Fish – School Uniforms with helium balloon fish attached. There were also Hammer Heads, Coral heads, Clown fish, a Jew Fish, a Tiger Shark (complete with Golf Club), Titanic crew, Steve Irwin (complete with Stingray), Rasta Jellyfish, Neptune, Mermaids, Sponges, Divers and lots of other get ups.
It was a really fun night and the next day was particularly long for some.
The Prize giving Dinner was held a few weeks back and Michelle and Dave went along. The theme was ‘Under the Sea’ and obviously people here get into the theme parties as there were some very clever costumes on show. The victorious Maples Team went as a School of Fish – School Uniforms with helium balloon fish attached. There were also Hammer Heads, Coral heads, Clown fish, a Jew Fish, a Tiger Shark (complete with Golf Club), Titanic crew, Steve Irwin (complete with Stingray), Rasta Jellyfish, Neptune, Mermaids, Sponges, Divers and lots of other get ups.
It was a really fun night and the next day was particularly long for some.
Check out the rest of the photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=111421&id=766998601&l=94b39e580b
Halloween in Cayman
Halloween is very popular here in Cayman. There were Halloween parties all over the island and themed events in pubs, bars and clubs. The Rugby club ran a Halloween 5km Fun run ealy in the morning which was followed by a Scary One mile dash, where a few people dressed up and ran a short race with the kids, who were reward at the end with a rather impressive lollie scramble.
Halloween is very popular here in Cayman. There were Halloween parties all over the island and themed events in pubs, bars and clubs. The Rugby club ran a Halloween 5km Fun run ealy in the morning which was followed by a Scary One mile dash, where a few people dressed up and ran a short race with the kids, who were reward at the end with a rather impressive lollie scramble.
Cap'n Jake is off to do some plunderin!
Dave ran the 5km race and did a reasonably good time despite the hot and humid conditions. Sam and Jake ran in the Scary dash while Michelle helped out at the registration desk.
They're off!
In the afternoon, the last day of the sevens was held which was followed by the Rugby Club's Halloween party. It was held in one of the pubs on Seven Mile Beach and was well attended by around 400 + people attired in all sorts of costumes and get ups. Emma and Johnny were given a brief introduction into Cayman life and sampled the local rum as well, as you do.
In the late afternoon Sam went to a friend's house and took her 'Hermione' costume for the Trick or Treating and Halloween party that was taking place. Jake went to another friend's place where they also did the Trick or Treating and had a party
More pics:
Rugby
Sevens
October is Sevens month in Cayman. Five Saturdays. Five tournaments. Unfortunately the first weekend was the day after the Summer Touch Dinner. There was some pretty average sevens played that day as most teams had at least a few people who had attended the previous night’s festivities.
Dave plays for the Wolfhounds, which is an historically Irish team. That would explain why there are two Scots, two South Africans, a Chilean, a Kiwi, three Poms, a Fijian and one Irish guy in the side!
They play in the Premier Division against two other teams, the National Side and the Buccaneers, which is generally made up of players from one of the local 15’s Teams, the Buccaneers.
In reality, the Buccs and the Wolfhounds play each other and then combine forces to play the National side either as the Wolfbuccs or the Bucchounds.
They have beaten the National side a few times now, but given that the National side has been training together for about three months, 5 times a week, they should be pretty handy. And they are. Fit too! But the games are usually pretty tight and entertaining to the spectators who are generally in a good mood after an afternoon on the Heinekens or Magners.
Sevens
October is Sevens month in Cayman. Five Saturdays. Five tournaments. Unfortunately the first weekend was the day after the Summer Touch Dinner. There was some pretty average sevens played that day as most teams had at least a few people who had attended the previous night’s festivities.
Dave plays for the Wolfhounds, which is an historically Irish team. That would explain why there are two Scots, two South Africans, a Chilean, a Kiwi, three Poms, a Fijian and one Irish guy in the side!
They play in the Premier Division against two other teams, the National Side and the Buccaneers, which is generally made up of players from one of the local 15’s Teams, the Buccaneers.
In reality, the Buccs and the Wolfhounds play each other and then combine forces to play the National side either as the Wolfbuccs or the Bucchounds.
They have beaten the National side a few times now, but given that the National side has been training together for about three months, 5 times a week, they should be pretty handy. And they are. Fit too! But the games are usually pretty tight and entertaining to the spectators who are generally in a good mood after an afternoon on the Heinekens or Magners.
Kids Rugby
Sam and Jake are both into Tag Rugby now. They play each Saturday morning at the club, while Dave sits in the air conditioned clubrooms with a coffee and watches whatever game is being broadcast in on the TV. Sometimes NZ games or Heineken Premiership games etc from Europe.
Dave also has a ‘sort of’ job where he coaches Kid’s rugby in a few of the local primary schools (years 4, 5 and six). This is a build up to two inter school tournaments in November and December. He takes one PE session per class per week and does about 11 or 12 sessions in a week. It is certainly challenging, especially when the local kids only know American Football. But things are slowly taking shape and despite the headshaking, the under-the-breath muttering and cursing, the glances to the heavens and the forehead slapping ‘Coach Dave’ is confident that his schools will do alright on the day.
Weather Report
Wet, wet wet…. “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…” etc etc.
There has been buckets of rain this month. Everyone says that October is the wettest month here. We are now inclined to believe them. At one stage we had about three solid days where the sun didn’t shine and the rain was almost constant. And when it rains here, it really rains. You can hear in coming before you see it.
Next Month
Tens Rugby
Knackerfest
Kids Tag Tournament
The Battle of Wounded Knee
Sam and Jake are both into Tag Rugby now. They play each Saturday morning at the club, while Dave sits in the air conditioned clubrooms with a coffee and watches whatever game is being broadcast in on the TV. Sometimes NZ games or Heineken Premiership games etc from Europe.
Dave also has a ‘sort of’ job where he coaches Kid’s rugby in a few of the local primary schools (years 4, 5 and six). This is a build up to two inter school tournaments in November and December. He takes one PE session per class per week and does about 11 or 12 sessions in a week. It is certainly challenging, especially when the local kids only know American Football. But things are slowly taking shape and despite the headshaking, the under-the-breath muttering and cursing, the glances to the heavens and the forehead slapping ‘Coach Dave’ is confident that his schools will do alright on the day.
Weather Report
Wet, wet wet…. “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…” etc etc.
There has been buckets of rain this month. Everyone says that October is the wettest month here. We are now inclined to believe them. At one stage we had about three solid days where the sun didn’t shine and the rain was almost constant. And when it rains here, it really rains. You can hear in coming before you see it.
Next Month
Tens Rugby
Knackerfest
Kids Tag Tournament
The Battle of Wounded Knee
Pirates Week
another fleeting visit?
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