This is our attempt at a Nativity Scene. Finding three wise men proved challenging, not to mention suitably qualified candidates for the other roles... The Goat, the Donkey and the Chicken worked out OK though...
Hello, (belated) Merry Christmas and welcome to 2022!
Yes, we are a bit behind so we are going to do a quick recap of the second half of 2021. I think the first half was that slow that we almost went into hibernation!
Anyway, we've managed to almost, nearly get some things back to normal here. Travel is now a little easier and things are slowly picking up. Only to find that the rules have changed and we had to take a step back. But we battle on. It is what it is.
So, last time we spoke, Jake had been accepted into UMASS - University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Preparations would start for that and also for Sam's return to Athens at the end of Summer (August).
High School Graduation Ceremony- Most Outstanding Athlete
The Stingray swim Club Annual Awards Banquet with recognition awards.
Sam wins the Raffle for this moderately sized Teddy Bear. It was interesting fitting that in the car to go home!
In July, Jake left the Cayman Islands....
His first stop was to Miami and then on to St Pete's (near Tampa) for the ISCA Swim meet. This would be his first high level swim meet in quite a while, since we'd been stuck on our island for over a year at this point. He blew off a few cobwebs and came away with a few 'yards' times, as that is what they swim (mostly) in the US.
Following that, he flew to Kingston, Jamaica to attend an in-person interview to get his US Student visa (it is a bit of a saga). Dave flew over from Cayman and met up with Jake. They had to quarantine for 14 days in Kingston before attending the appointment. Fortunately they were able to stay in some private accommodation for the duration.
Meanwhile, back in Cayman, Michelle and her mates were preparing for Cayman's version of 'Carnival'. It involves a parade (of sorts) along the beachfront with lots of Caribbean music (Soca) while trailing mobile bars that keep you hydrated, and well stocked with Rum drinks (all included as part of your entry). Yes, there are some sights by the end of the day. Michelle wasn't one of them and came away relatively unscathed!
Lisa, Michelle and Sharlee all set for the party!
They usually have some bubbles while getting all of the feathers and associated paraphernalia sorted. This gets them in the dancing mood for the big parade.
Yes, several grapes paid the ultimate sacrifice as part of the preparations for this day.
Sam and Michelle also decide to burgle some houses
The following weekend Michelle and Sam headed out to Ohio, to take Sam back and help move her into her flat in Athens. And shop. And also do some shopping. As well as shop.
Meanwhile, back in Jamaica, Jake and Dave are settling into a life of restricted freedom. They did have a tennis court (no nets) where they could run laps and do circuit training etc. There was also a pool so Jake could do some tethered swim training. Dave continued with his work (remotely) during the days.
We established a little garden bar for 'Happy Hour'.
Soon, a Tropical Storm warning was received. A storm was heading towards Jamaica, and then Cayman. Tropical Storm Grace dumped a lot of water in Jamaica and caused plenty of flooding, plus some wind damage. There was a couple of fatalities. It then moved on to Cayman and got a little stronger. Since there was no-one at home, Sam's boyfriend (Mat) stayed at our house during the storm and looked after the cats and made sure everything was good and secure.
It was a sizeable storm with a lot of flooding, especially since Cayman is a very flat island. After a day or two the weather settled, the power came back on and the flood water had receded. Mat checked outside and noticed our BBQ had vanished. It had been chained to a tree. He did find it down the street a bit and it still worked, so all good! The cover had vanished into the ether, but that is easily replaced.
Life in our Jamaican purgatory continues....
After the 14 days were up, Jake and Dave headed to the US embassy for the interview on Friday morning, which went OK. Only trouble was, the Government closed Jamaica down from Friday lunchtime, until the following Wednesday. They couldn't collect Jake's passport (and visa) until Wednesday now. So, it was back to our cells again to re-book flights and hope for a fast escape come Wednesday.
We did manage a couple of hours respite from our incarceration and went for a run, walk, stagger up to the top of the hills above Kingston. Then it was back down the hill and back into lock-up. We did suss out the local delivery people and were able to have groceries and beer supplies replenished so it wasn't that bad.
Fortunately all went relatively smoothly with the Visa collection, and the departure PCR tests and we managed to depart for Boston on the Wednesday night..
The delay meant that we weren't able to visit Sam in Athens (Ohio), which was a bummer. Michelle and Sam had a nice time though and got her place all set up for the year ahead. Apparently they did some shopping too.
Jake and Dave met up with Michelle in Boston (She had been shopping!), and then drove across to Amherst to get Jake settled in to his new digs on the UMASS Campus. It's a big place! 60,000 students or thereabouts. Jake didn't take long to settle in and was out with the swim team on his first night in town!
UMASS
While Jake was doing whatever he needed to do, Michelle and Dave did a little touring around the area.
One of the local vineyards was open for tastings.
We visited a vineyard and a couple of breweries in the area. Mixed results on that count... Although some of the beers were pretty damn good!
We also came across a Cidery (I think that's what you call it). Even Dave (who isn't a Cider fan) managed a pint of one of the drier and less fruity ciders. (Still not a fan).
The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls
On said bridge.
We left Jake in capable hands and headed back to Cayman, but with a few days in Boston first. As per usual, we did a bit of wandering about taking in the sights and also some shopping.
Fenway Park - Home of the Red Sox
We took in the Boston Tea Party and learned a little about that and Sam Adams and friends. Dave also spent a little time sampling some of the Sam Adam's offerings at the Brewery bar while Michelle....shopped.
We don't think everybody knew our name in this bar, but at least a couple might have by the time we left.
An evening cruise in Boston - chilly but very pretty!
Meanwhile Sam settles back into student/athlete life with the swim team.
Team Dinner
Annual photo shoot time
Jake also gets into the swing of things at UMASS, including the endless treasures of the Dining hall ... and the gym! Whatever he is doing, it seems to be working.
Jake swims in a couple of early swim meets and makes a good impression against the big boys with a couple of podium finishes.
Back in Cayman, Michelle and the girls enjoy a nice weekend escape over at Kaibo.
It seems a couple of grapes may have been harmed in the making of this activity as well!
Touch finals day was held a little later this year. Dave and Michelle both played, although Michelle's team were knocked out earlier than they had planned. Michelle stayed around to Referee though, and maybe have a little Magners here and there!
Dave's team were victorious! Champions of their group in 2021!
They are probably the oldest team (on average) even with a couple of youthful speed merchants to do the finishing work and bring the average age down a little.
Santa came to the Rugby Club as well. He was on his holiday before the Christmas season kicked off. Just so you know for next Christmas, Santa Drinks Guinness. He had a couple with us and Dave got to sit on his knee. Enough said about that.
As we said, Jake was quickly back in the pool and getting a few meets in against the rival uni's in the region.
Dave had some annual leave to use up so at the end of October, and since the travel restrictions were palatable, he headed off to Massachusetts to spend a few days with Jake and then pop over to Ohio to hang out with Sam.
Luckily both would have home swim meets while Dave was with them, which was pretty cool.
Jake in action at the UMASS pool.
Dave got to meet a few of the UMASS swim parents which was nice. Apparently they either have a tailgate party or meet at a nearby bar before each of the swim meets. Because it was raining on this day, they met up in a local bar for a couple of quiets before the meet. It was great to meet a few of them and hear their stories.
It was also Halloween so Dave hung out with Jake and his team mates for the night which was a lot of fun! They went to a few of the parties in the student houses which was entertaining!
Had to look the part!
Dave also checked out some of the local scenery on the days when Jake was in Class or training.
Note that Jake is on the water - since there is training the next day, no drinking.
UMASS has a Football Team. Not a very good one, but they still have all the facilities and funding which is standard in the US. An impressive set up. They even have a full size indoor playing field to train on.
They also have a Rugby Team. This would be a typical example of how their funding looks....
Dave then headed off to Ohio to see Sam. After two flights and a drive he made it to Athens and stayed at Sam's flat.
At a meet and greet with some of the BobCat Swim Alumni, the night before their meet.
It was also "Dad's Weekend", so there were a few Dads there to help dispose of the beer stocks.
Dave meets up with Eric, his partner in crime from the last Dad's Weekend.
What could possibly go wrong?
Sam and Grace (Eric's daughter).
Dave found a Groundhog. Didn't know what it was.
Sam in action.
A lake just up the road from Sam's place. This would be the Same lake that Michelle discovered when she was there a few months earlier getting Sam settled in.
Dad and Daughter
Swim Dads and Daughters at a local brewery bar.
After the swim meet, they met up at a local brewery, which was nice. Then it was off to a party at one of the girl's apartments before heading into Athens to one or two student bars.
Dave had a nice time with both Sam and Jake but had to return to Cayman and get back to work. But not before doing a 5 Day quarantine.
The view from Dave's Quarantine facility....
The view was nice, but he couldn't go out and sit near the beach or anything due to the electronic monitoring he had on.
It was Michelle's Birthday in November.
We had a nice dinner out to celebrate that.
Jake and Sam continued in the pool with a few more home and away meets.
The Bobcat swimmers had a fun swim day just before Thanksgiving. Sam's team were Cops 'n Robbers. They had to swim relays in those outfits, which wasn't the best for swimming. But it was fun.
Some of the team at another meet.
Sam and Co at Halloween - She is 'Pitbull'
Jake traveled over to Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with Sam. They had a break from school, but not really long enough to warrant a trip to Cayman. It was nice that they got to hang out. With them is the other International 'Orphan' on the swim team, Athena, from Greece. They cooked a dinner at Sam's and had a fun time.
Just before Christmas Sam and Jake traveled back to Cayman together, after meeting up in Miami.
A few days later they were called into action for the Annual Stingray Swim Club Family Relay. They clubs does this each year and splits the swimmers into two groups, Red and Green, which compete in a bunch of Christmas themed fun relays. Jake was in the Green Team, so we represented as well. Points for the family relay also count in over all results.
Champions once again!
(Dave managed to beat another three-year-old in his leg.)
In a surprise move, we managed to smuggle Skyler into the country, all the way from Vancouver. She'd been trying to get here for about 18 months, but the various travel restrictions and closures have prevented that. Until now!
We managed to keep it a secret from Sam, which is no mean feat on this island!
A bunch of us headed out to the 'Mini-sand Bar' on Christmas eve, which has become a bit of a tradition.
Sky
Jake
Sam
The Christmas Eve photo shoot always kicks off once a couple of beverages have gone south.
Silly Reindeer games...
Not a bad spot for a beer really...
The Crew
The slightly extended Family for Christmas 2021
We started Christmas day at home with our usual Breakfast 'n Bubbles.
After that we prepared a few things for the Christmas dinner which would be held later around at Chris and Jacky's with the usual crowd.
The Annual Christmas Day Beer Pong
Sam's Birthday is on Boxing Day, so another tradition is for everybody (who is able) stay's up until Midnight to wish her a Happy Birthday. This year was no exception, apart from the fact that it was her 21st. Where has the time gone?
Celebratory Jello-shots for all!
Ella, Sami, Sam, Sammy & Sky
On Boxing Day we took a bunch of Sam's friends to Brunch.
The Mojitos were popular!
After that, Sam and co headed out to Rum Point for the rest of the afternoon. Michelle and Dave headed around to our mate 'Jacko's' for his usual Boxing day gathering.
Cayman Rugby TV Crew
There is no rest for the wicked. The following day was the Rugby Club's Annual Boxing Day matches. U23 v U19 and also a Womens' 10 a side game.
Cayman Rugby TV would be in attendance of course streaming the games live to the world. This year resplendent in their Heineken Jackets. They have three piece suits, but it was a little warm for that sort of carry on.
The party carried on after with Michelle (and plenty of others) enjoying the Karaoke in the club.
But wait, there's more!
Although more in the form of Running about. The following day was the Annual Family Touch day at the Rugby club where families are put into teams to represent their country, although there are an excess number from some countries so they were put into team like Romania, Argentina and a few others.
One of the Romanians (with the surname of Henshaw?) evades Michelle and is about to step Jake.
Despite having quite a few Oldies in the team, the Kiwis made it through to the final. We lost that to a 'Canadian' side. It was all fun and played in good spirit.
News Years Eve was soon upon us.
Dave and Michelle decided to go for a dive at Macabucca in the morning. This is the same dive Dave did with Nick and Ange a couple of years ago when Ange decided to feed the fish...
A Spotted Moray says Happy New Year!
The Queen/French Angel Fish always look pretty.
Sam and the girls heading out for their NY Eve party.
Meanwhile, some of the 'older' folk, took a Cat out along Seven Mile beach to watch the fireworks from the water. It was very cool doing that. We might have to look at doing it again next New Years!
Sadly, Sky had to return back to Vancouver on New Years Day. Luckily her flight wasn't an early one, although we're pretty sure she would have been happy to get some sleep on the trip home! It was great to have her and we hope she enjoyed her time. The next mission is to get the rest of the O'Connor's back down for an 'Adios Pantalones' or two...
New Years Day is another big event for us. An almost semi-organised even where lots of our friends gather on Governor's beach for a continuous BBQ and refreshments and plenty of laughs.
Mat, Sam 'n Ella
The Keg is always a popular gathering point on New Years day. Luckily we have contacts in the Governor's house and were able to run a cable (hidden in the sand) to power the Cooler, some lights later and the Blender (for the Mudslides).
The majority of this years crew
One last pic before we go home!
And the following day, Sam and Jake flew back to the US. It was nice having them home for a while. Sam's trip back was relatively uneventful and she arrived back in Athens later that night. And then the snow came.
Jake however.... Jake's flight from Miami to Hartford was delayed, delayed, delayed, then cancelled. He managed to get re-booked on a 6:30 am flight the next morning to Boston (via Washington). After spending the night on the floor in the airport, he caught that flight. That flight ended up being diverted to Newark (NY) because of snow in Washington. They then sat in the plan at Newark for a few hours waiting for Washington to open. That didn't happen and they were offloaded in Newark. Jake had been re-re-booked on a flight back to Washington the following day, and then booked on a flight arriving in Boston later that night. This was never going to work, so he retrieved his bags and headed out the door and caught a train from Newark to Springfield (Connecticut).
Jake, prowling the airport, looking for someone to throttle...
Springfield is about an hour away from Amherst so he then caught an Uber or taxi from there for the rest of the trip. He ended up arriving back at UMASS about 24 hours later than planned, but at least 24 hours earlier than he would have been had he stayed waiting for those flights. It was all a bit of a disaster really, but Jake held it together and finally made it back and his first few lengths of the pool might have been quick and angry ones!
The view from Jake's window
Both are back in their respective chilly environments preparing for the big meets of their seasons.
They have a few smaller meets over the next few weeks against neighbouring Universities, and we wish them all the best for that.
So, that's it for 2021.
Let's hope that the experts are accurate in their predictions that things will settle down over the next six months or so and the world can get back to something close to normal.
We wish you all the best for 2022.
Stay healthy and safe and have a little fun. :) .
