. August 2016 .
Hello again,
August was a fairly busy one for us. A couple of overseas swim meets started off the month. Then it was our trip to Vancouver, which was pretty awesome and dominates this months efforts! Brace yourself for a bunch of pics!
I think we managed to get to the beach here as well...and a dive... so a month well spent!
Read on!
Swimming
As we reported last month, Jake went to Boston. Not for a Tea Party, but for a swim meet to close off his season.
Sam went up the following weekend, but this time to St Petersburg which is in Florida.
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| The High Performance Squad |
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| Sam 'n Ella |
This was a reasonably high level meet with the age groups being under or over 16 and they had to meet the qualifying times in order to compete. The scheduling was a bit haywire for some reason, but Sam worked hard and also put in some good swims and a good PB in her 400 free, which had been eluding her for a while. The relay swims were pretty awesome too!
Michelle flew up there on the Saturday to collect Sam and then head for Vancouver in search of Jake and Dave.
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| Stingray Shearing Team |
Vancouver
Finally, we were all able to get away as a family and have a holiday that didn't involve swimming. Well, competitive swimming or training that is. The kids had been given two weeks off at the end of their season. We were off to Vancouver to spend some time on the water with our Canadian friends, the O'Connors.
Sam headed to St Pete's for her swim meet. Jake and Dave headed to the airport on Thursday and started on their roundabout route to Vancouver...via Miami and Dallas.
Michelle would collect Sam and they would head north from there on the Sunday and hopefully catch up along the way in some remote spot.
After a delay, then a sprint to the next flight in Dallas, Jake and Dave finally landed in Vancouver about midnight...ish (no thanks to Mr. Dopey Immigration dude with the dickhead attitude).
Thankfully Russ was there to meet us and take us back to their house for the night.
The next day was 'Hike Day!' Russ and Sky headed off to set the boat up. Tonya took Jake, Dave and Garret up the Sea to Sky hike. "Sounds good!" they said.
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| At the start |
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| I wish we'd taken the gondola! |
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| Little did they know... 7.5 km...almost all up hill. Not even half way! |
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| Half way...nice view! |
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Made it!
Smiling because there was a bar and food at the top!
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It was pretty tough hike - well, for Jake and Dave anyway. They were a tad jaded over last little while before reaching the top. It was nice though (Not many hills in Cayman). So was the beer. Jake was pretty happy about taking the gondola back down as well.
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| Tough work, this hiking. |
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| Relaxing after a tough day in the hills |
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| This boat looks like it could do us for a week or so. |
Early Saturday morning we were up before the sun and headed for the ferry, which would take us to Sidney, where Russ and Skyler were getting the boat ready. Breakfast and coffee on the ferry got us going!
We found the boat dock, and our boat which would be home for the next week.
Apparently not. This is it below. 44 foot Catamaran called The Snow Leopard.
So, after stowing our kit, off we go! Russ was the Skipper and he set the course for ...somewhere north!
The weather was a bit cool for the first day or so. A new experience for Jake and Dave!
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| This must be it! |
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| Nice boat! |
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| Got all the bells n whistles! |
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We went from Sidney (just north of Victoria) then headed north to Desolation Sound,
via a few stops on the way, and then back again.
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So, after stowing our kit, off we go! Russ was the Skipper and he set the course for ...somewhere north!
The weather was a bit cool for the first day or so. A new experience for Jake and Dave!
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| Plenty of Seals hanging about in these parts. |
We parked up at a Marina the first night and decided to wander around the road in search of a restaurant for dinner. On the way there were lots of deer running about around the streets.
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| Where's the gun! |
We found the local golf club, which had what we were looking for. Beer and food (No Venison/Cervena on the menu). We had a bit of both before the cook came out and offered to drive us home in the Club van. Top man!
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| Pretty view from the clubhouse |
The next morning it was very still for our departure...enroute to Comox, where we would collect Michelle and Sam, who were flying into there from the Swim meet in Florida.
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| Early morning...so quiet |
On the way, we stopped in at a cool little bay and anchored up, then skipped over to the shore to check out the beach and local area.
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Some improvised beach furniture. There's plenty of wood floating around in these parts, and it eventually
makes its way to shore.
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| This Jacket thing is an interesting concept...anyway, I'm gonna try some fishing |
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Land ho!
Oh, it's a lighthouse, complete with Town hall, school, corner store and night club
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| Another busy day in the life of a seal |
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| Morning! |
As we meandered our way north on the ever so calm sea, finally Comox was in sight. We even saw a small plane heading down to land while we entered the harbour area, which would have been Michelle and Sam.
As the dock got closer, we could see two hopeful looking ladies complete with Suitcases standing and waving. Sure enough!
Once we were all settled in, Tonya made some pretty good Margaritas and we chilled for a while as everyone caught up. We now had a full crew!
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| Dinner venue at Comox |
So, the next day, off we went. Sailing around islands and enjoying the scenery.
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| Sam and Sky crush Garret |
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| Next stop! |
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| The boys drop the Crab pot and try a spot of fishing |
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| Pre dinner apperitif |
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| Next stop |
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| We anchored up this time. No docks, pubs, or anything around here! |
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| The water is a little fresh up here! |
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Sam and Sky spent a night out under the stars...
Sam woke up alone.
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The next day we took to the hills. There was a trail through the forests with a lake on the way and another at the end. We thought this could be a good idea for everyone to experience a 'lake wash', especially those kids from Cayman who have life far too easy.
The hike itself was nice, with rolling hills and lots of trees and signs of wildlife.
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Bath time!
Quickest shower Sam has ever had...must be something to do with the water temperature...
Tonya even had environmentally friendly shampoo and conditioner. Michelle even ended up going under, after initially trying to wash her hair without getting the rest of her body wet! |
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| Sorry, this isn't Hooters! |
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| Lumberjacks were here a while ago! |
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| Russ gets airborne off the boat |
So does Jake, but the entry isn't flash!
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| Sam and Sky found a rope swing just down the way |
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| Tonya and Garret splashing about |
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| Beach walk |
We anchored up at another nice spot, then went and hung out on the beach and played around the dock for a few hours. Then later on we walked up through the bush to a friend of Russ & Tonya's who had a weekend house there. We ended up staying for dinner and a few beers...then a fairly shaky walk back down the hill through the bush in the dark. The kids thought it was fun!
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| Not the best parking |
On our return, on our last day, we stopped off at a little beach and swam to shore. Brrrrrrr!!!!! Michelle took the Kayak...
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Scallops and Clams were everywhere - OK, Clams were everywhere.
Empty Scallop shells were there too.
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| Digging for dinner |
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| Need enough for 8! |
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| Pic of the Crew on the beach |
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| The boys washing the appetiser |
Michelle was feeling the cold for the first few days - thankfully Tonya brought extra jackets!
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| We did actually do a little bit of sailing! |
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| Success! |
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| Some Rock jumping |
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| Plenty of these guys hooning about |
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Dave dragged this guy up from the depths... was a decent size.
Sort of put the kids off swimming for the day though.
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| Morning views |
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| Jake had the main cabin/galley to himself during the night...and the morning, depending on when people woke up. |
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| Looks like a sequel to the Penguin movie. These guys were cruising around on an air mattress. |
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Ooops... Sam was washing the cooler, but let it go!
"Away you go!"
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| The sea cut up rough... |
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| OK, not that rough |
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| Salt Spring Island in the evening |
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| Very still in the morning |
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| A bit of cash tied up around here! |
So, after about a week or so on the water, it was back on land. It was an awesome time. We'd never done anything like that before and it was pretty cool doing it with Tonya and Russ and co.
We unloaded the boat back at Sidney, loaded up the cars and then headed into Victoria for the day. Our ferry wasn't until early evening.
We unloaded the boat back at Sidney, loaded up the cars and then headed into Victoria for the day. Our ferry wasn't until early evening.
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| So, here we are! |
We wandered around downtown Victoria for a while. Chinatown, then downtown to the port area and lunch in a pub there.
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| Nothing wrong with the boat we had, but this would be fun! |
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| We did an unguided bike tour of Victoria |
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| VIP parking at the Empress. The gardener wasn't too impressed. |
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| Dragon boat races |
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| Back in Vancouver for a bit of golf! |
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A swim in Canada's longest pool. 137 metres! And it has lane swimming in the middle. The kids weren't that impressed, but they got in and did a few.
Even Dave managed a couple...but only a couple!
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Beer-garitas and dinner before dropping Dave at the airport.
The rest would head to Whistler for a few days.
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| Vancouver sunset |
Dave headed back to work in Cayman. Meanwhile Michelle and the kids stayed on for the rest of the week. Whistler was calling!
There was an International Mountain Bike tournament on in Whistler while they were there so they watched a bit of it. For one race they got some good seats in a bar where they could see the end of the individual races where they hurtled themselves from the top to the bottom of the mountain, mostly in around 13-20 minutes. In the evenings there was activities or events and they watched a movie night where groups had made their own short movies and they played them and picked the best - the winners won $5000. Another night there was a race where two competitors at a time would go head to head on a track with no pedalling allowed (they removed their chains) - they had to use their momentum and the bumps and turns to keep their speed up - they were right next to it and it was pretty cool to watch.
They went to a nearby lake to relax and hang out on a couple of days and the kids enjoyed swimming out to the pontoon and jumping in.
They didn't get to go on any hikes as Sky had had minor operations on her toes and couldn't be on her feet for too long. But Tonya took Michelle for a couple of runs on the tracks through the forest and around various lakes - it was fantastic weather and amazing scenery. Not sightings of bears this time thankfully, but there was bear droppings so they were around!
On the last day they all went bungy jumping (except for Michelle - she would not allow herself to be cajouled into doing that! Tonya wasn't keen but did it cos Russ and the kids were hassling her so much. She was really scared and almost didn't jump - her last words were "Russ, I don't think I can do this" and then she jumped and screamed the whole way!! She didn't feel very well afterwards for a while! Jake was brave and did it too - he was pretty scared but didn't show it much - other than hanging on as tight as he could! He was glad he did it but said he'd never do it again!
There was an International Mountain Bike tournament on in Whistler while they were there so they watched a bit of it. For one race they got some good seats in a bar where they could see the end of the individual races where they hurtled themselves from the top to the bottom of the mountain, mostly in around 13-20 minutes. In the evenings there was activities or events and they watched a movie night where groups had made their own short movies and they played them and picked the best - the winners won $5000. Another night there was a race where two competitors at a time would go head to head on a track with no pedalling allowed (they removed their chains) - they had to use their momentum and the bumps and turns to keep their speed up - they were right next to it and it was pretty cool to watch.
They went to a nearby lake to relax and hang out on a couple of days and the kids enjoyed swimming out to the pontoon and jumping in.
They didn't get to go on any hikes as Sky had had minor operations on her toes and couldn't be on her feet for too long. But Tonya took Michelle for a couple of runs on the tracks through the forest and around various lakes - it was fantastic weather and amazing scenery. Not sightings of bears this time thankfully, but there was bear droppings so they were around!
On the last day they all went bungy jumping (except for Michelle - she would not allow herself to be cajouled into doing that! Tonya wasn't keen but did it cos Russ and the kids were hassling her so much. She was really scared and almost didn't jump - her last words were "Russ, I don't think I can do this" and then she jumped and screamed the whole way!! She didn't feel very well afterwards for a while! Jake was brave and did it too - he was pretty scared but didn't show it much - other than hanging on as tight as he could! He was glad he did it but said he'd never do it again!
Yes, she did actually get in the water a couple of times, but not for long!
The luge - didn't take long to come down!
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| Breakfast of champions - a Caesar with the works! |
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| Beer swilling Canadians - watching the head to head racing |
How did you get upside down Jake?
Sam, the adrenalin junkie - loving it!!
Bummer she forgot to turn on the go-pro tho!
Gorgeous scenery - got to stop for a pic with the other tourists on the way back
What an amazing holiday we had - such good fun with our wonderful friends - thank you so much Tonya and Russ!!
Michelle and the kids arrived back in Cayman around lunchtime on the Sunday.
And so did Russ! (Stalker)
Beach time!
It was an 'End of summer - Back to school Sunday Beach day' with the Generator and Blender, BBQ etc.
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| Russ and Dave, Same pose, different location. |
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| Mudslides are always popular! |
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| Marshmallows on the bbq |
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| A couple of Dark n Stormies with Russ before he heads back to Vancouver |
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| A view of our place, from the pool. |
Diving
Yep, we even managed to squeeze in an impromptu dive before the month ended!
This time it was a shore dive at Macabuca, West Bay.
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| Apres Diving ... |
So, what's on for September?
Well, we've done a week already, and I can tell you...not much so far!
Although we do have Touch Finals day this Saturday. Jake's team went unbeaten during the season and are hopeful of making the finals in their grade.
Michelle and Dave play on different teams and if they both win their play off game, they'll face off in the Plate final of their grade.
Maybe a restful month...?
Take care, and see you soon!
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