Our Caribbean Adventure

. February 2014 .

Hey there!

February has whizzed on by. And on reflection we didn't actually do a lot. Well, we did, but it was pretty much the same thing all month. February was a busy month in the pool. Sam went to Jamaica for a swim meet. Then the following week there was the Cayman National Swim Champs with a couple of other minor activities thrown in.

Jamaica

The Team in Jamaica with National Director of Swimming, Bailey Weathers
(Too many Bailey's around here now!)

A massive team of four swimmers from Stingray popped over the Kingston for a swim meet early in the month. The reason for the small team is that the four that went were all going to miss the main Jamaica swim meet being held two weeks later as they would be away elsewhere on school trips. And they needed to swim some good times in a 50m pool. Unfortunately Cayman doesn't have a 50m pool... but that's another story.

Michelle went along as Tour Manager and the Technical Director went along to coach the kids. There were two other parents there to support the kids, taking the team to a total of 4 kids and 4 adults! The kids swam really well with Ella getting her first Carifta qualifying times, and Sam being very close to some additional ones. The team did pretty well overall for such a small team.

Sunday afternoon was the only chance they got to relax and they took the opportunity to get a huge ice-cream and play cards at a nearby park. They sparked the interest of an old musician who spent a bit of time with them showing them card tricks - the kids' jaws kept dropping - they just couldn't see how he was getting those cards to change places right in front of them! He was absolutely brilliant and then they spent the rest of the afternoon trying to figure out how to do the tricks too. We later went for dinner at Usain Bolt's restaurant, Tracks and Records, which was a pretty cool sports bar, before heading back to the airport bound for home again.

Enthusiasm and fun are two of the important factors in Stingray's competitive swimming ethos.

"Where's Usain Bolt's Bar?"
"It's thataway!"

Island Air Party

The annual Island Air party is one of the big social events of the year around here, and if you aren't on the invite list, then.... then I guess you won't be going! There were about 1300 people invited this year to the showcase of Private Jets, Planes, Boats mixed in with fashion, jewelry, Boxing and a few beers, Rums and bubbles just to add to the fun. We managed to sneak past security and mix and mingle with the rich and famous.

The local boxing association put on some demo bouts which were very entertaining. Some were very new kids to the sport having a good crack. There were also a few more experienced fighters putting on a good show as well.

Dave and a mate were watching one of the fights. It was a couple of novices. They decided to cheer for the guy in the red but didn't know his name. So they asked the trainer. He said "Roger".

"Go Roger!" they screamed.

Roger who had apparently never had anyone cheer for him before, turned is head to see who it was. Only to cop an awesome right-hand punch to the side of the head from his opponent. Ooops!

The guy with the Fro is apparently heading to the Commonwealth Games to box for Cayman.

The Bubbles are working!

Checking out the ride.

Cayman Islands National Swim Champs

The kids have been in training over the last little while, building up for the first ever Cayman Nationals. The structure was to mimic the Carifta (Caribbean) Champs - it was spread over four days, with prelims in the morning and finals at night. The kids still had to go to school in the middle, which they obviously don't do at Carifta! It was good experience for them - Jake had never had to do prelims and finals and he did pretty well, doing quite a few PBs and hauling in a few medals, including double gold in the Butterfly 50 and 100m. Sam had an amazing meet - pulling out some surprise big PBs, and unexpectedly took the gold in the 200 IM, going in seeded 3rd. She made two more Carifta times and was very close to a 3rd one.

Michelle had been putting in a few sessions as well hoping to do OK in the Masters section. She swam 100 and 200 Free and did PBs as well (ok, so they were not lifetime bests but they were the fastest times she's done as a master swimmer so she was happy with that!)

Another successful swimming weekend for all!

Michelle also officiates at the meets. Sometimes Stroke judge, Turn Judge, or Admin Referee. Here she helps with the lap count for the 800 and 1500m races. Pretty hard for the swimmers to keep count when in a 25m pool!

Jake did an awesome 50 Fly on the opening night. National Champ!

Not to be outdone, Sam let rip in the 200 IM in a very closely fought race with her mate Ella.

200 IM National Champ!

Jake studies the pool prior to a race

He's off!

Sam, on the way to more success!

These three seemed to take turns with the golden finishes.

Jake's relay team takes out the national title!

The kids have some laughs between races

Jake takes out the 100 Fly as well. Machine!

Not the game face.

Game face is on...

Game face is definitely not on...

Waitangi Day

Waitangi days is always a fun day for the Kiwis here. There are actually quite a few when you get them all together. The trouble is getting them all together!

While Michelle and Sam were over in Kingston, Jamaica, Dave and Jake went along to the Kiwi Spit Roast party for a few beers with the bros aye! There was a bunch of Kiwis there and it was a pretty good family-type laze-around-on-the-lawn atmosphere.

There was a lamb on a spit plus a few other goodies. Some donated raffle prizes consisted of NZ Wine, Tee Shirts, Marmite and Jaffas. There are always a few New Kiwis that show up so it's nice getting to know them and swapping stories about life back in NZ, and also comparing differences with life overseas.

Jake ran the bar...

Surf's Up!

We didn't get down the beach very much this month. Too busy at swim meets. But Jake did manage one Sunday morning session where the surf wasn't too bad!

More February pics - click here!

So, that's about it for this month. A little quieter than usual. It will pick up again though as we will be reporting on our very first weekend in March which involved the family all heading in different directions - one kid going to Jamaica for a swim meet, another traveling to Washington for a school trip and Michelle & Dave popping over the Little Cayman for a childless weekend!
The National Winter Touch League also starts.
Gaelic is up and running again.
Surprise, surprise, there might even be another swim meet!
We eagerly await the announcement of the Cayman Islands 2014 Swim Squad for Carifta, which will be held in Aruba this year. Fingers crossed for Sam! Jake is not eligible because of his age, maybe next year?
Not sure what else is going on in March but there's bound to be something!

. January 2014 .

Like our New Year Fireworks Smiley Face!

Hey there!

Welcome to 2014! Yes we are a bit late but we're here!

I don't know about you but the time just seems to be whizzing by! January is normally a chilled out relaxing time, but it seems like we've been on the go since day one!

Grandma (Dave's Mum) spent a month with us over Christmas and New year. We managed to get her working though. She cooked a yummy Christmas pudding. Helped us move house, and did some painting with Sam, amongst everything else she got up to.

Lots of outdoors time this month, which is always good. Enjoy the read!

New Year's Eve

We kicked off New Year's Eve with a fireworks display at Camana Bay. It was at 7:30 pm (and it's dark by then here) so that was a good way to start the evening off with a bang!

After that it was time for a quiet beer (or cider!) before Sam headed off to a party for a few hours.

Jake, Michelle and Dave took Grandma out for a quick bite to eat in the interim before picking Sam up again and then heading to our friend's place on the beach for the New Year's party.

Hair styled by Sam

Grandma with Kim Lovelock - a kiwi living here who has rellies out at Waihaorunga
(Waimate folk will know where that is)

There was a good bunch of people at the party. The kids disappeared to do what kids do and everyone else mingled and did the usual party stuff.

Michelle entertains the crowd

Look at that!

We saw 2014 in with some bubbles and lots of cheer and plenty of laughs. Then it was bedtime. Everyone was looking forward to the annual New Year's Day gathering at Governor's beach.

For more pics of New Years Eve, click there!

New Year's Day Gathering

Every year on New Year's Day, there is a fairly large gathering of like-minded folk who drag themselves out of their AC and their beds to come down and enjoy the first day of the year with friends, family and whoever else turns up.

There is usually a generator and a blender so the Mudslides are out in force. There are also two or three handy chefs who really do put on some lovely food for all. It's never planned or organised to any extent, but it's always a great day.

Grandma checks out Seven Mile Beach

The gathering gathers.

Mudslides a-making

Pulled-pork and cider a-tasting.

Bit of beach rugby going down.

The sun does it's thing with the clouds

ANZAC parade...

Another great day on the beach with lots of friends and plenty of cheer. The next day isn't a holiday here, but we made sure we had the day off!

Other Happenings

Dave was lucky enough to have the pleasure of looking after five kids one day over the break. And wouldn't you know it, it would be a rainy wet day. So after a few hours of continuous racket in the house, we took Grandma (and the tribe) to the National Art Gallery for a little bit of culture.

Being in a place where you are supposed to be reasonably quiet and respect other people's peace was a foreign concept to some, who were close to being removed from the premises. But we survived and the kids even found a few paintings and exhibits that were of genuine interest!

Four of the five budding art critics...

Ironshore Ultra

No, it's not a new beer label (although the local brewery does make an 'Ironshore Bock'). The Ironshore Ultra is a race from one end of the island to the other, covering roughly 52 miles. Some people did it on their own (hence the 'Ultra') and others did it in teams. Michelle and a few of the local girly runners got a team of 8 together and spent about half of a Saturday traipsing the trail and cheering each other on.

Must be early on in the leg, she's still smiling.

It's later on in Lisa's leg, she was hit by dehydration and thought she was a Moose.

As the day wore on and the sun became hotter, they battled on and eventully the end was in sight. Dave took Grandma and the kids out to meet up at the finish line at Kaibo. Kaibo is a bar/restaurant out by Rum Point. Unfortunately for the runners, the finish was another 300 metres past the bar. It was noted that at least one team stopped in at the bar before resuming the last dash to the finish line. Michelle's team came in in a respectable time of about 7 1/2 hours with a few teams and individual runners behind them. Nice job!

Grandma's Visit

As we reported in December's issue, Grandma made the long trek across the world to spend Christmas at our house. The weather is a little cooler (and usually drier) at this time of year so it would have been a little more bearable.

Grandma in Cayman

We managed to drag Grandma out and about to show her some of what Cayman life is all about.

Grandma at Starfish point
(not sure why they call it that...?)

Firstly, thank you all for the lovely holiday - I hadn't realised how much I needed a change until I arrived home. I just felt so energised. My one regret is that I am not 10 years younger, I could have been a lot more adventurous if I was younger and the old joints weren't so stiff. However, I have lots of lovely photos and heaps of memories to ponder on during our winter.

I had to wear my winter pj's when I got home, it was so cold round here. In fact it has been the coldest January anyone could remember. Warming up now though, so that is good. I just loved watching Sam and Jake swimming; they are so good! Just keep it up kids!

The submarine was great, could have stayed down there a lot longer!

All the meet and greet and eating out was wonderful. I tried out the Mojitos on a few friends lately - they got the thumbs up. Have yet to try some of the other delights on the locals here.

Have kept this brief, all the best for the swim team in Jamaica.

Love, Grandma

A quiet Cider in the sun.

OK, maybe a couple of ciders...

Grandma samples the famous Rum Point Mudslide

"That was nice. I think I'll have another!"

"OK, just one more..."

They are good aren't they!

ZZZZzzzzzz.........

Some of those Iguanas are huge!

The dock at Rum Point

Dinner at 'Over the Edge'

More Christmas lights - this is at a private house.

Jake tears it up for Grandma

We went out to Pedro St James to show Grandma the start of Cayman's history.

There was a pretty good show that described life in the early days and gave some history. There is also the house where Cayman's first legislators used to meet.

There was also a midget Donkey.

The Blow-holes were just up the road. They were on form this day!

Some turtles came to say Gidday at Spott's Beach.

The local swimming association arranged for a couple of Olympic swimmers to come down and spend a weekend with the swimmers on island. Swimming Olympian Ruta Meilutyte, World Record Holder of the Women's 100M Breaststroke (Olympics 2012) and her coach Jon Rudd from the UK were there. Cayman's own Olympian Swimmer Brett Fraser; US Olympian & Coach Neil Walker (USA); US High Performance Coach, Dave Kelsheimer (USA).

The kids went to a couple of their clinics and got to learn a few things about being an olympic swimmer, as well as some technique work at the pool.

Jake gets a few tips on his starts from Coach Dave.

Jake with Olympic Champion Neil Walker and his Olympic Gold Medal
(although it looks as though Neil may have had a couple cheeseburgers since his last meet)

Ruta autographs some kit for the kids.

Grandma was intrigued by this little critter who scurried around the beach one day while we were watching Jake surf.

Jake and Tommy team surfing.

Swim Meet

The weekend just gone was the first swim meet of the year. Sam and Jake swam in a number of events, and Michelle made a splash or two as well in the girls 11 and over.

Michelle flies up the pool.

Jake off the block.
Not sure if his coach would be that happy with his technique!

Is Mum any better?
You be the judge.

Sam 'n Ella try some synchronised racing in the IM.
Check out the FB pics for the full sequence.

Michelle and Dave admire the entertainment at the Olympian's dinner.

Grandma, inspired by Sam and Jake, puts in a few lengths in the pool at home.

We took Grandma to the Turtle farm. She got to get a good close up look and feel with the little Turtles.

The big ones were a tad big.

Just chillin...

A few Iguanas hanging out.

Cayman Parrot

We always said that Grandma was going to hell!

Another relaxing time at the beach

Sam gets a bit 'arty' with the camera.

Night Dive

We took Grandma on a night dive - in a Submarine.

It was a great way to dive to 112 feet in relative comfort without getting your feet wet!

Depth 112ft

Grandma takes Waimate to new depths...

Phew! I survived!

Gaelic

Gaelic season kicked off again a few weeks back. We took Grandma down to watch Michelle in action during the season opening Social Mixed Gaelic day.

Someone is running in the right direction...
But who?

Aha! The ball!

Jake had a few mates around for his birthday and a sleepover.
Lord of the Flies has been rewritten...

Another beach day...

Sam looks after her latest admirer.

Beach day (or night) fun!

Our good mate Russ came down from Vancouver for a week to work here in Cayman. He stayed with us and it was great catching up and doing some beach time.

One day we went to the beach and hired a couple of Jetskis. The kids had a blast, especially when they were allowed to drive! Jake loved it so much he didn't want to stop. Wonder what he'll ask Santa for next Xmas...

Russ and Jake check out the Jetski.

"I'm not so sure about this" says Russ.

Give that kid a lemon to suck on.

Back on dry land...

Netball

You can't live this close to Jamaica and not have netball going on. The courts are right next to where the kids do their swim training, so that's handy.

Michelle and a few mates play in a social team in the 'B' league here.

They have had mixed results - a win, a draw and a couple of losses, but all were really close games and quite entertaining to watch. The Jamaicans here get right into it on the sidelines, and I'm talking about the men!

Sam finally got to have her Birthday party - only a month late this year. A bunch of her mates came with us to the beach where they got to hang out and go for rides on the Banana Boat.

After that, a few came around and stayed over. It wasn't quite like 'Lord of the Flies' the previous week.