. June 2016 .
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| Jake sporting the speedo! |
Hello!
Well, here we are - six months of the year done already!
Activities seemed to pick up a little over June, as did the weather. It's cooking here now!
Anyway, a few of the things we got up to included; a local swim meet - and an international swim meet. Some more international rugby. The Annual Rugby Dinner. One Mile Sea Swim. A few other bits and pieces, including a house move!
Scroll on down and you'll get the picture(s).
Stingray Swim Club Meet
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| Trendsetter |
Back to the pool for another swim meet. This was a fairly big one, six sessions, over four days. Michelle was Meet referee so was pretty much there all weekend.
The weather played up a bit but didn't disrupt the swimming too much other than part way through the very first 800m race on the first day. It wasn't a big meet for the kids so they were encouraged to support the younger kids and have fun, while focusing on certain goals in their own races.
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| Cheering on the other swimmers in the team |
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| Keeping out of the rain, just before the start |
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| Phew! |
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| Hmmmm...similar styles in the Fly |
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| Bored... |
House Move
During the first part of the month, we moved house. We decided the time was right to buy a place, instead of renting and this place seemed like a reasonable deal. Close to the pool, town etc. We moved in over a couple of weekends (one being the 4 day swim meet which meant that not a huge amount was moved) but luckily the second weekend was a long weekend so we were mostly unpacked by the end of the weekend. Had to take the time to go through the stuff we'd accumulated as this house is smaller yet again, and while there is quite a bit of storage there is one less bedroom so space is at a premium! A good reason to throw out some old stuff though!
It's lovely to be in our own home again and as it's only about 3-4 years old the furnishings are modern and it doesn't need much work done on it. We brought it mostly furnished, but did have to buy a bedroom suite, some patio furniture and a new TV. Just a BBQ and a desk to get and we should be all set. We spent the weekend painting Sam's room as it was bright green - a nice family project!
The Estate has quite a few homes in it, with some still being finished - when they are done there will be 62 units. It's been surprisingly quiet so far, although we're not used to hearing people in the pool right outside our back door!
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| Next month we'll get a couple of pictures, as this is all we have just now! |
Big Game 7!
Bahamas came a few weeks back and Cayman saw them off.
The next round was versus Bermuda - another home game for Cayman. The winner would go on to play Mexico in the final of the North Caribbean competition.
Cayman Rugby TV were back on the scene to call and stream the game. This time, the full crew was there.
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| Arriving at the game after a pre-match planning session |
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| Obligatory shots with the fans |
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| Pre-match exhibition bout |
Cayman played well during the first half and established a solid lead. The second half was a little less structured, but they kicked on and won the game comfortably. Next up...Mexico.
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| Meanwhile, up in the commentary box.... |
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| That's Gimli (of LOTR fame) in the centre |
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| Some interesting characters about |
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| Bermuda boys in their No: 1s! |
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Another successful game
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Mile Sea Swim
We all entered in the one mile sea swim again this year.
The kids had been doing plenty of miles in the pool day in and day out, but Michelle and Dave hadn't actually done a huge amount of training, apart from the odd swim here and there.
Jake had a great swim and came in in about 52nd place in about 25 minutes. Michelle was next up at around 160 in about 30 minutes. Dave clocked a slower time this year (45minutes! - there was a current!). Sam came in behind Dave, but that was because she was swimming with a young first-timer. She may not do the same next year as the speed was a little slower than what she was expecting.
None of us won any of the random prizes this year, so we were pretty disappointed about that, as we usually get at least one thing.
Michelle, for some unknown reason, registered herself for the 5km, thinking it would be a good opportunity for another prize, but completely forgetting that she hadn't been doing any swim training (I don't think one swim a month really counts!) - come the Monday she was regretting this decision, especially since we were moving that weekend and she was pretty exhausted. Anyway, she got up and did it (since she'd paid $100 for the privilege!) - took her way longer than normal, then discovered, that the course was about 600m longer than it should have been (seemed like a good excuse to cling to at least!)! She hung around for some post swim food and the prize-giving, where she once again didn't win anything, then headed home to unpack - a very crazy busy weekend!
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| Sam and co, post-swim |
Rugby Dinner
The Annual Players Dinner was held last week. The guest speaker this year was Stephen Ferris - a Northern Irishman who played for Ireland, and the Lions at some point a few years back.
Cayman Rugby TV donned their Number 1s and had their own table for the dinner.
Michelle elected to sit with the Rugby girls, who also had their own table, which was much more civilised! It was a good excuse to get dressed up (well some of us at least!) and we have a lovely evening - the food and wine was good and the company entertaining.
We finished the night off at a friend's place having a few heavy-handed White Russians in the kitchen - Michelle was a bit worse for wear after that, and Saturday ended up being a write-off, with her lying about with a headache all day wondering what happened!
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| Cayman Rugby TV Table, with guests. |
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| Couple of CRTV groupies |
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| Michelle and Marcus share the same birthday |
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The guest speaker was on form!
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Randoms
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| The Cayman Film festival was on here over the weekend. Some of the cast from Star Wars came down for it, and made a few public appearances. |
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| Down at Sunset House (our local) |
Caribbean Islands Swim Champs
Sam and Jake made it into the National team for this meet, which happens every two years. This year it was in Nassau, Bahamas.
There were swimmers from most Caribbean countries as well as a few from as far away as India with this being the last meet available for people still needing to qualify for the Olympics.
As well as age group swimming, there was also the open (18 and over group) which attracted some reasonably high profile, and fast swimmers.
This is the entry each swimmer gets if they make the finals in the evening session. This is Sam on the first night.
Sam and Jake had a good meet with both making a few finals, and doing several PBs. Sam was the only age group with enough girls to put in a relay team so she got to swim in all the relays. Jake was able to swim in one relay - a mixed freestyle relay where 2 girls and 2 boys swam. They had a great time seeing all their swim buddies and it was a great experience swimming in the pool where CARIFTA will be held next year.
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| Swim buddies |
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| Cayman CISC Team 2016 |
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| Jake and Corey |
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| Getting ready for the march past |
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| Relay team - Cat, Lauren, Ella & Sam |
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Most of the team upon their return
Meanwhile, Michelle and Dave did stuff around the house, did a bit of shopping and painting, and enjoyed a pedicure (well Michelle did at least!), and Sunday brunch and drinks with a few friends.
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| Meanwhile, sans kids.... |
We'll be back soon with the next update, including:
- A swim meet? (Bound to be one somewhere)
- Summer touch is on!
- and...errrmmm.... something else that doesn't quite spring to mind just yet.
