.. January 2013 ..
Hi there!
The New Year has come, and so has another edition of what' happening with us.
A super busy month, with New Years celebrations, beach parties, visitors, sailing regattas, swim meets and even the odd boat party thrown in.
We've had some visitors (on and off) from NZ from Boxing day to mid/late January. Dave's brother Gordon, his wife Lisa and also Podge and Siobhan Patterson, all the way from Waimate!
Their story is just below.
Enjoy the read!
New Year's Day
The Annual New Year's Day Beach party is always a good one. 2013 was no different, although it was a bit rainy at the start of the day, and the Hangovers were still lingering.
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| "You look Beached Bro. Beached as!" |
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| The little city is slowly growing |
Most of our friends all gather at Governor's Beach for an afternoon of relaxing and fun.
The kids ran around or went out behind the Jet Ski and the adults relaxed...
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| Hmmm.... looks suspiciously like some Mudslide ingredients |
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| Yep, and the generator is on site. |
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| The busy Jet Ski crew stop for a Mudslide break |
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| The kids having fun during a couple of relays |
We all had a nice day at the beach. The sun went down far too early, signalling home time. Everyone slept well that night!
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| Hmmm... these New Years Day parties can go on into the night! |
Visitor's Report
After the longest Christmas day in history we,(Gordy, Lisa, Podge and Siobhan) eventually made it to Cayman Islands in time for Sam’s birthday (on Boxing Day) and the Rugby club Xmas party. We managed to see the last 10 minutes of the match.... But made it to the after match, which was the important bit.
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| The Stingray Whisperer... |
It was great to catch up with the Cayman Baileys. We seemed to spend the next 3 or 4 days filling the chilly bins with booze and heading to the great beaches around the island. It was important to keep the fluids up to ward off any hint of dehydration – another beer Podge?.
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| Podge is happy! |
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| Dinner at the Wharf Resturant |
We were surprised just how flat and featureless the Caymans are. Having said that the beaches and associated infrastructure made up for it.
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| Kids in the boot! |
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| Plenty of Sharks about - none seen in the water on this trip though! |
It was great to see Jake and Sam participating in so many sports – swimming, Rugby, Soccer, Yachting, Tennis all on top of school work. Jake turned 10 on the day we left and I don’t think he is far off having enough money for his own I-pad.
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| Gordy's pre-dive ritual... |
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| Siobhan's favourite buddy! |
After our return to base from tripping around we went on Pauls sixth senses boat trip around the Caymans. Learned all about the Mangroves, then on to Starfish point to see huge red starfish then with some trepidation to Stingray city where 3 out of the 4 of us ventured in to feed the rays, maybe next time Siobhan? They are really safe, so they say, and very soft like velvet to touch. Snorkeling on the nearby reef saw Siobhan acting like God by almost walking on water after a Moray eel poked its nose out of a rock.
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| Conch fritters coming up! |
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| Beer O'Clock |
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| Lisa and Gordy spotted a few Turtles |
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| One of Siobhan's other mates. She loved the Stingrays. |
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| Mudslides at Starfish Point |
Our last few days were supposed to include diving but the weather cut up rough so only Lisa and I managed a dive, my first, and maybe last the jury is still out on that. We did see Turtles while snorkelling and the Sunday party boat trip was great – mudslides included. That’s a cocktail.
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| A few of the Boat Crew |
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| Lisa (x2), Michelle and Gordy after a few muddies! |
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And Gordy gets all romantic...
No icebergs around here though. |
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| Podge and Lisa enjoy a breakfast aperitif! |
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| Did I really sign up for Zip-Lining? |
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| Looks like it! |
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| Down town Old Havana |
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| Podge, Mick and Ian on the Golf course |
Lisa managed her first dive in 10 years with David and Michelle, while the rest of us snorkeled. Podge managed to become a golf icon by cleaning up the locals on their own course. (Editor's note: Ian said later on that Podge was the best Golfer he'd ever had the pleasure of playing with).
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| Sunset on Seven Mile Beach |
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| Somewhere in Honduras |
We used the island as a base to go to Honduras for a week – highly recommend the Mayan ruins at Copan. Gordy and Siobhan let rip on the Zip lining which was fun.
We then spent another week spent in Cuba ,another different place to go, but go soon as it’s changing quite quickly. It’s a bit like stepping on to a Happy Days set with all the old 1950s American cars, not forgetting the stretch Lada limo!
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| Podge's wheels |
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| Not a beer in sight! |
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| Accommodation was cheap... |
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| "Lisa, why don't you go first..." |
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Podge had just biked over the hill in the background.
Desperately in need of a cerveza or three |
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| Tourists in Old Havana |
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"I'll be Frank, if you can be Earnest"
(Hemmingway's Bar, Havana, Cuba) |
Thanks David, Michelle and kids for a great time.
Gordy Lisa, Podge Siobhan.
Boat Trip
As mentioned above, we all went out on a Boat trip one afternoon before Gordy and Lisa headed back to NZ. Unfortunately Podge and Siobhan had already departed. We are sure Siobhan wanted to come back and see her new found acqua mates - The Moray, the Stingrays and the Barracuda!
A whole bunch of us went out on a mate's boat. The kids had a ball jumping and diving off the boat.
Everyone enjoyed the swim with the stingrays and then it was off to Star Fish point for a BBQ and a few mudslides from the portable bar.
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| Apparel by 'Starfish' |
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| Fun times! |
Sam's Birthday Party
Sam had her birthday party in January. She had four of her friend around for dinner, a movie and then a sleep over. After dinner at Cimbocco they headed to Camana Bay to see "Parental Guidance." Meanwhile Jake and Dave went to see "Skyfall" which was on at the same time.
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| The girls run through the fountains at Camana bay on Sam's birthday party day |
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| Cake for Mo! |
The next morning it was a cooked brekky for the girls - courtesy of Jake the Waiter and Dave the cook. Then it was cake time courtesy of Michelle the cake buyer!
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| Just another sunset |
Sailing Regatta
Sam and Jake both entered a sailing regatta which was held last weekend out at the East end of the island. We stayed out at the Reef Hotel for the weekend. It's a bit like a holiday spot for the locals.
Jake paired up with his mate Derek, while Sam and her friend Jade got together.
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| Jake and Derek need to work on their launching skills |
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| Sam and Jade are away! |
The winds were reasonably strong on the first day which suited the heavier teams. By the end of the day Sam and Jade were in third, while Jake and Derek sat in fifth place.
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| There's a reason some teams did better than others |
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| Ninja alert |
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| Still at it... |
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| Oops... |
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| The fleet! |
The next day's winds were marginally lighter but again favoured the heavier boats. Most results went the same way with very little variation in the finishing order. Just before the last race Sam had a little mishap and wasn't able to race. It was OK (and she was OK) as they'd done enough to secure their 3rd placing for the regatta anyway. Well done Sam and Jade!
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| 3rd Place getters! |
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| Quick stop at the Blowhole |
Street Hockey Tournament
Jake and a few mates entered the street hockey tournament again this year. Unfortunately they were put in the grade with a bunch of older kids so were really up against it after winning the last couple of years.
The got their bums kicked in the first couple of games and were feeling a bit dejected. In their final game they came back really well after being 5 - 0 down at half time and forced extra time. The other team were nearly in pieces by this stage as they expected an easy win. In the end the bigger boys managed to land a goal and take the match. Great effort by the Rugby Boys though!
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| Some street hockey action |
Swimming
There were a few swimming events in January.
One weekend we had three Olympic Swimmers come down to do some clinics with the kids, which was followed by a sea swim.
Michelle entered the sea swim and so did Sam. Sam has been aiming to beat mum for a while now but hasn't quite managed it. This day was her day. She beat Michelle by a couple of placings. Michelle reckons that there wasn't much in it. But it's in the record books now!
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| Hmmmm... check the place numbers. |
There was also a fundraising brunch which we all attended, along with the three Olympians, who also donated kit and other items to be raffled and auctioned off.
Sam was pretty happy as she came away with one of Ryan Lochte's autographed swim caps.
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| Liam Tancock - fastest Back-stroker in the world |
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| Conor Dwyer - Olympic Gold medalist |
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Caitlin McClatchie - Three time Olympian
and Commonwealth Gold Medalist) |
There was also a sprint meet on the Friday night while Gordy and Lisa were still here. Just as Gordy, Lisa and Dave pulled up to the pool, the skies opened and it bucketed down. Luckily Gordy had packed some supplies so they sat in the car and had a sneaky beer while waiting for the rain to ease.
Eventually it did and the meet started. There were some big showers coming down but the kids carried on and got through their races. Both Jake and Sam clocked some PB's and some wins so that was good.
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| "Hey, has anyone seen the Waimo chick? Siobhan is her name." |
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| Sam does some recreational swimming for a change |
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| Mid air ballet? |
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| There's a reason they call it starfish point |
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| Oooh look - more sunset! |
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| Interesting entry, Jake |
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| More from the Titanic |
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| Like the new do! |
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| Jake and Sam hanging at the beach. |
That's it for January.
In February there's a bit happening too. Maybe a little bit of skiing at Whistler.
Maybe some swimming - in Cayman, and in Jamaica!
Gaelic Footy starts up.
The (not to be missed) Annual Island Air Party.
Catch you then!
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