. December 2013 .
Hey there!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It is still 2013 as I write this, but in a few more hours it will be next year. It's already 2014 in some parts and we trust that you all had a fun evening and that the heads aren't too fuzzy now.
We've had another very busy year, and a busy month to match. We won't be doing a review of 2013 ("Phew!" you say). But if you wish to, you can view the previous 2013 Blogs by using the menu on the right (hopefully). Blogs prior to that can be viewed on: "Older Blogs"
We are off to watch the Fireworks shortly (so the writing will be brief, but lots of pics), and then a beach party with friends to bring in the New Year.
All the best for 2014...and enjoy the read!
Parade of Lights
Each year there is a Parade of Lights, where a bunch of boat owners/operators all decorate their boats with Christmas lights and parade around the Canal at Camana Bay where all of the public gather to listen to music and watch the show.
Some of the boats
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| The Jet-Pack guy was there too! |
The night ended with a fireworks display, which was pretty impressive.
Jamaica Swim Meet
Sam and Michelle popped over to Jamaica for a weekend swim meet early in the month. The club took a bunch of swimmers over to get some more experience racing in a 50 metre pool, and also to get some improvements in their long course times. The pools in Cayman are all 25m pools so any chance to race in a big pool is always a bonus.
Sam had some good races, breaking a meet record in the 200m Free and also some PBs.
She also broke the record she set last year at the same meet in the 100m Back, but her team mate pipped her into first to become the new record holder.
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| The Team |
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| They visited a chocolate factory on the Sunday while filling in time before their flight.... |
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| Their flight was delayed by a few hours and didn't depart until after midnight. There were some tired kids! This one is actually asleep in the Check in queue. |
Surfing
Meanwhile, the surf arrived in Cayman, so Jake got amongst it with a couple of his mates.
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| Our Christmas Sand Man! |
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| Two Clowns |
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| Jake shows Grandma how to build a raft. Or is it a bonfire? |
CRTV Christmas Party
The Cayman Rugby TV Crew is still alive and streaming.
(See www.caymanrugbytv.com for some recent productions.)
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| Dave and the crew went out for their annual Christmas drinks and to mingle with the fans. As is traditional, Hawaiian shirts and Santa Hats were the order of the day. Several beers went south and the crew was kept busy entertaining fans, signing tee shirts and setting the standard in Sports Broadcasting in the Cayman Islands. The following day was the final show for 2013. It started slowly but soon turned into the usual chaotic mess that is Cayman Rugby TV. But both of our viewers were happy with that. |
Green & Red Meet
The swim Club held their annual Christmas fun Swim Meet just before Christmas. It is always themed Green and Red and the swimmers are split into Green or Red teams which swim off against each other. The parents are all encouraged to dress up, and there were some interesting get-ups this year.
Sam and Jake were both put in the Green team this year so we went to support them in our lovely green outfits.
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| Three Hotties! |
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| Grandma was so proud! |
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| Who will float the most! |
The teams were evenly matched and this was reflected in the scores right up until the last few races when the Red team pulled ahead. It was down to the final race of the night, and the greens had to win the last three relays to win... and they did! Both Jake and Sam swam really well - and Grandma was very impressed. It was the first time she had seem them racing.
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| Food time! |
Christmas Lights
Visitors to Cayman around Christmas time will be familiar with some of the Christmas lights displays. We took Grandma to see the lights at the Bodden Sisters house (near Sunset House) and the almost over-the-top efforts they go to every year. All of these pictures are from the front garden of the same house.
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| An Otago tree! |
Boat errrr... trip?
We were heading out for a trip to Stingray City and Starfish Point with Grandma one Sunday in December. The boat was a recent purchase of some friends.
We got the boat in the water and all loaded up, and everyone was aboard. Off we go!
"Putter putter cough...." The engine stops after heading about 200 metres. After numerous failed attempts to restart we realised the breeze was pushing us towards the rocks and the mangroves. Dave and Chris jumped out to stop it going any further - the water was only about one metre deep at this point. They managed to push the boat a bit further away from the rocks. Soon another boat came along and towed us back to the dock. Grandma wasn't impressed and couldn't get off fast enough.
The motor restarted and Chris decided to take it for a short spin to check it out. Michelle, Grandma and Mary remained on the dock. The boat got about three metres and then stopped again. One of the girls on the front attempted to throw a rope to Michelle, but it got tangled in the anchor line and the opportunity was lost as the boat drifted away towards the rocks and mangroves for the second time... As it was shallow still, Dave and Chris managed to walk the boat back to the dock and then around to the trailer. No boat trip today!
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| The girls inspect the boat to see what went wrong. |
We sat on the dock and had a couple of drinks and then elected to go back to Chris and Mary's for a BBQ and a few wines and to reflect on the day's events. In the end we found that the fuel gauge was faulty and the boat was out of gas! Ooops! Lesson learned!
Boat Trip (Mk II)
So, a few days later (Christmas Eve) we were all ready for another boat trip. Even Grandma was fine after we assured her it was with a reputable Boat Captain. About three or four boat loads headed out for some afternoon fun at the mini Sand Bar which is close to Rum Point.
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| The advance party stake their claim. |
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| Some Elves turned up as well! |
The kids had some fun playing a game of 'Catch the high Kick' with a rugby ball.
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| Grandma makes the trek from boat to the beach. |
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| Santa's Helper brings some supplies |
After the Rugby game wore a bit thin, out came the soccer ball. A pitch was marked out in the sand and the teams were selected. Anyone over 5 foot vs anyone under 5 foot. Basically it was Dad's vs the Kids. Michelle, being the soccer expert she is, reffed the game with authority and confidence...and ignored the pleading, diving and whining and arguing of those that actually play soccer.
The Dads shot to a three - nil lead fairly early on in the game. The kids were then allowed to use two goalies.
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| Hmmm... can you do that? |
From there they clawed their way back to 3 - 3. The Dads needed a beer. "Next goal wins!"
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| Dave lines up what would have been the winning goal. If only he'd |
Finally, after numerous attacks at each end, the final goal was scored. The Dad's win the inaugral Mini Sand Bar All-comers Christmas Eve soccer game 4 - 3.
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| "It looked in to me!" |
As the sun went down, we all packed up and headed home to get ready for Santa's visit over night. It was a very nice afternoon, and was enjoyed by all. Maybe we can do it all again next year!
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is always a big day here. Well, I guess it's a big day in most places!
We got up to see that Santa had been. He even finished of the bottle of beer, the cider and two cookies (no wonder he's so fat)! The grass outside looked a little trampled too, so I guess the whole Santa crew were there doing the rounds.
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| "Santa's been!" |
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| Jake looks pretty happy! |
We all got up and descended on the Christmas tree (in an orderly fashion it must be said).
After exchanging and opening the presents we moved into the converted 'Dining Hall' for Fresh Fruit Salad and Champagne accompanied by warm freshly baked (by our very own 'Steve the Masterbaker') with ham and cheeses and the like.
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| Jake assumes his place at the head of the table. |
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| A simple yet very yummy Christmas Brekky |
From there it was around to our friends Lisa and Mick's for 'Bubbles by the Pool' for an hour or two where lots of friends were popping in and out and partaking in the Christmas Cheer in the slightly cooler Cayman Winter Sun.
From there it was back home to prepare for the afternoon's onslaught. 30 people would be dining in our Dining Hall this Christmas. Last year it was about 35.
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| Getting ready |
We have the dinner pre-arranged where someone brings the Turkey, someone else brings Ham, others potatoes, carrots etc etc. Get the picture? We supplied the venue as well as Pigs in a Blanket, desserts and bubbles etc. It all works very well and is relatively simple to organise (although not so simple to tidy up afterwards!).
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| Nothing like a busy dining hall at Christmas time with friends and family |
After Dinner people either blobbed about, continued with the Christmas Cheer or tried to avoid the swarms of kids running about.
Secret Santa is always a fun part of the evening.
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| Michelle and Jake run the Secret Santa |
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| The Kehoes recite their Christmas poem |
All in all it was another great Christmas day, made all that much more special
with Grandma being there as well.
Boxing Day (aka Sam's Birthday)
December 26 is Sam's birthday. This year she turned 13! Unfortunately for her the swim training continued and she had to head to the pool for a two-hour session in the morning, but at least it wasn't a 5 am start! Sam opened her presents and then headed off to the pool.
After that, we grabbed two of her close friends and then went out for lunch at the Westin.
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| Nice Smiles - Morgan, Sam and Sammi. |
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| Clown City... |
The girls all had fun laughing and cracking jokes and seeing who could do what with their hair.
Just like when she was two - so cute!
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| Princess Leia Twins. |
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| The Hair Styles continue |
After lunch we headed around to another friends for their Annual Boxing Day party. Then it was on to the Rugby Club for their Annual Boxing Day Rugby Game. It wasn't a bad game either, despite some of those partaking being a little worse for wear after their pre-game salubrious celebrations.
Then it was into the club for the traditional Bubbles and Christmas dinner. Last year they all sang Happy Birthday to Sam, but this year she was flying below the radar and managed to avoid that embarrassment.
Surfing
Surfing was next on the calendar, but the surf was a little average this time. Still, the kids went out and had a paddle about with the occasional wave coming through.
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| Derek, Tommy and Jake discuss the merits of today's surf. |
Moving
It might surprise you to learn that between Christmas and New Year, we would be moving house. It's only around the road a little, but closer to the school and also the pool, and is a slightly more modern spot - and yes, we still have room for visitors!
So, between the beach, swim training and other goings on, we managed to move all of our stuff into the new place (the unpacking still goes on though). No mean feat and a big thanks to Grandma, Sam and Jake for their efforts.
Beach Time
The inevitable beach day was well deserved, especially after the last two days of moving boxes and packing/unpacking.
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| The Rugby Ball is out! |
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| Mustachioed Lion? |
Holiday/Long Weekend Getaway.
Time for some shameless advertising. If you or any of your friends are after a weekend (or a week) away in Waitarere Beach (near Levin), we have a beach house there that is available for rent. Just click on the link below to see some pics, and also details of the property and availability etc. Feel free to share with your friends!
It really is a great place to get away from it all and still live in comfort.
So, that's our whack for 2013. Another year of ups, downs, laughs, tears and life in general. We are looking forward to a good year in 2014 and hope that the ups far outnumber the downs for all of our friends and family out there.
All the best everyone!
xxxx
Next Month
What will January 2014 bring?
- New Years Eve Party
- Annual New Years Day Beach Gathering
- Inaugural Around the Island relay
- Grandma's visit continues
