. July 2015 .
So, here we are. At the end of another month.
Very busy traveling...for some! Jake went to Florida for a swim Camp, a swim meet in St Pete's, then to Orlando for a week with Mum, and then another swim meet in Atlanta (Georgia)!
Michelle covered some ground as well with a week away with Jake in Orlando (Florida), and then off to Clearwater (Florida) as Team Manager for the Swim meet that Sam and a few mates went to.
Sam was here training for the first part of the month, and then off to Clearwater this last weekend.
Dave...well, he got to make several trips to the airport...and back, but that is about as far as he got! Still, there were some things going on around here to keep him busy!
Orlando
So, Jake spent a week at Fort Myers on a swim camp with a group of other kids from Cayman. They lived in Dorms on the Varsity Campus and swam twice a day. It was a pretty busy schedule but they had a great time despite coming away feeling a little jaded. Jake and three other swimmers at the camp stayed on to go to a swim meet in St Petersburg, just a few hours up the road. Jake had some good swims, with a number of PBs. He enjoyed the weekend, as after the morning swim session they got to do activities like trampolining and Laser tag with his friends! They were set to watch the 4th July fireworks show but the weather packed it in early evening, delaying the show until quite late. Meanwhile the kids had found something else to do and completely missed it!
Following the swim meet, Jake was rewarded with an extra week away. This time with Michelle in Orlando.
After swimming each morning, they did a few of the Theme Parks - Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure (Harry Potter-ville included) and Wet 'n Wild. They made the most of the unlimited days at the parks and went to one almost everyday, with the exception of a day visit to the NASA Kennedy Centre which was pretty cool! They managed to go on pretty much every ride at the Universal parks, some several times when the queues were shorter. However, they didn't have so much luck at the water park - they went twice and both times the park got closed due to thunder and lightening - while they were waiting in line at the same slide! They never did get to do that one - they weren't very happy about that! But they did do some other crazy rides and slides - including a slide that goes straight down after the floor being dropped from underneath you! Yes, Michelle even did that once (but never again!)! The new Harry Potter Diagon Alley and the train that went between Hogsmead and Diagon Alley were amazing, as well as the Gringotts Bank ride - so well done.
One night they went to the Blue Men show - it was brilliant - very entertaining. They had front row seats and had to wear rain coats in case they got splashed with paint! They were really lucky to score a painting that was done as part of the show - from blowing paint out of the guys mouth onto a canvas that was spinning in his hand! It was very cool - definitely recommend that show if you get the chance.
Michelle and Jake were so busy they hardly had time to shop - lucky Michelle managed to squeeze in a Mall while Jake was doing Laser tag in St Pete's - she did enough damage in that one afternoon!
They had a fantastic time away together - and came back to Cayman for a holiday!
The Knight Bus
 |
| Hungry? |
 |
| The weather had its moments but this was actually at the Blue Men Show! |
 |
| Major Tom |
 |
| Is this Ground Control? |
In the Rocket Garden!
Gringotts and the dragon that guards it - it's hot when he breaths fire!
Annual Rugby Club Dinner
The annual Players Dinner was held in July. Since Dave wasn't away traveling, he went along for the evening.
The guest speaker this year was Colin Charvis of Welsh and British Lions fame.
As always, the dinner was a fun night. The speaker was entertaining and wine waiters were kept busy!
 |
| With Colin and his long lost brother, Jacko |
 |
| Beach Touch was on the next day. |
Brooksie (from BVI fame) came up and brought the inflatable pitch with him. On the Saturday there was beach Touch. On the Sunday Beach Rugby.
Dave played for the Kiwi's Touch team who won five out of their six games, just falling at the last hurdle. It was a fun day. He also went back on the Sunday - and cleverly found a Beer-garita to help him through the games (from the side line of course!).
Summer touch is also in full swing now. Jake's team (all under 15) have been going well. They are still in the Top Three teams of the Social Division. Dave's team (also in the social division) have showed remarkable consistency throughout. As at last week, they were sitting in 12th place...out of 12. But watch this space! Things are about to change!
 |
| Jake looks to introduce his step! |
 |
| Michelle's team is hovering around the middle in the Competitive League. |
 |
| We've had a bit of weather of late as well. This was one Sunday down at Governor's Beach |
 |
| Our Friend Carlie, and her family headed back to the UK last week. :( They've been here about five years. This was their last beach day at Governors - very sad to see them go but are hopeful that we will see then again someday. |
 |
| We popped down to Smith's Cove last weekend...and someone decided to get married while we were there. The groom had a real sweat on! |
 |
| Kids practice their passing...mid air! |
 |
| It all happens at Gov's Beach on a Sunday! An oil rig meandered slowly past us last weekend...as they do! |
Clearwater
Michelle took a bunch of the senior swimmers away last weekend to Clearwater in Florida. This was going to be a really competitive meet for our guys, and the last one of the season. They all swam well - almost all PBs, with most of them making at least one B final. The 16 and under girls were really fast (faster than the open girls in most cases!) so it was very tough competition in Sam's age group but she did really well with doing 6 out of 7 PBs. As it was a 4 day swim meet with two sessions a day, there was no time for anything other than swimming, eating and resting but they had a great time together!
 |
| Sam and Ali |
 |
| The Team! Coach David at the back. |
 |
| You might be smiling now.... |
 |
| The Girls are pretty happy! |
More pics for July - Click Here!
 |
| A quiet early Saturday morning at Gov's beach (Jake had swim training) |
 |
| Jake and Dave go out for Dinner and a Movie! |
OK, that's it for this month!
There'll be a little more travel next month too. Sam and Michelle head to Vancouver to catch up with The O'Connors. Jake and Dave get to hang out in Cayman...maybe they'll take in a dive somewhere...
Touch continues. Finals day is coming!
