Cayman Brac with the Matthews

Aug 22 - 25.

A relaxing weekend in Cayman Brac with Aoife, Mark, Michael and Lara was just what we all needed to end the summer. The timing, and weather, was perfect as we now prepare for Hurricane Gustav's approach. Mark and David enjoyed 3 nitrox dives on Saturday while Aoife, Tina, and the four kids chilled out at the condo, enjoyed the pool and explored the beach. On Sunday, we went on an Island tour exploring the caves, The Bluff, and snorkeling at sunset. We flew back to Grand Cayman on Monday in time to start prepping for Gustav. As the rain beats down, it is hard to believe that a few days ago we were enjoying our beautiful Sister Island.

Viva Mexico!

July 15 - 26. We have just spent 12 amazing days in Mexico. We travelled with Rachel, Steven, Rebecca and Joseph Hart to the Yucatan Peninsula - here a few of the highlights. We arrived in Merida to beautiful sunshine - this would be our base for the next 6 days. Our first day of touring took us to Yaxcopoil, a very quaint abandoned Hacienda town, then on to Uxmal where we toured some incredible ruins. Our driver and guide was knowledgeable and great with the kids. After spending a few hours in Uxmal, our guide took us to a local restaurant where we saw the pollo pibil being cooked in the ground. Our first flavour of Mexican cuisine was a huge hit. After lunch we had a rare privilege to visit with a Mayan family in Santa Helena. Senor Felix is a local healer and he welcomed us to his home. While is wife cooked tortillas and his grandson slept soundly in a hammock, Senor Felix explained the Mayan life and showed us around his hut and gardens. It was a moving and touching afternoon. The rest of our travels for the week took us to the Cenotes in Cuzama where we were taken deep into the forest on tracks with horse drawn trolleys and we swam in the fresh water filled cavern; the coastal town of Celestun, were we took a river tour, and saw hundreds of flamingos, pelicans and other local birds, went through a tunnel of mangroves, and swam in the Ojo de Agua, where the fresh water meets the ocean. While staying in Merida we enjoyed the colonial city and the street fair that takes place every Sunday.We ate rabbit and cochinita pibil, visited small pueblos and market places, bought local crafts from the Mayan street vendors, tried cucarachas and tequila, and, with every meal, ordered quatro frias, por favor (4 cold ones please). On Monday July 21 it was time to move on to the second part of our trip - the Mayan Riviera! Our driver was at our hotel by 8:30 to take us on our journey. En route to Playa Del Carmen, we stopped in Chichen Itza, "One of the New Seven Wonders of the World". These ruins are remarkable, but much more touristy and commercial than what we had become accustomed too. It is best to get to these ruins early (as we did) to beat the crowds. After lunch in Valladolid, we were en route to our final destination. Playa del Carmen is a picturesque beach town 60km south of Cancun. We stayed a block south of the pedestrian street La Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue). For the next 6 days, this was our base. While enjoying some down time hanging out by the pool and at the beach club with Pepe mixing up the perfect margarita while the children played in the waves and David went scuba diving in Cenotes, we also found time for some cultural experiences. We spent a morning in Coba touring the natural ruins and climbing one of the tallest ruins still open for climbing; Rachel, Steven, Tina and Taylor braved the small stone steps to the top. We had lunch in Tulum, swam in the Great Cenotes, and spent time in Xcaret, an "eco Maya" type of theme park. Playa del Carmen was a nice and relaxing way to end a wonderful, eventful, cultural trip.

The School Year Winds Down

June 17 - 18.

Year end prize giving ceremonies. Taylor with her teacher, Mr. Bridgeman; Ryan congratulates Taylor and her friends as they end Year 2; Ryan and two of his friends, Theo and Duncan, at the Year 4 prize giving ceremony.

Ryan's First International Track Meet

June 13 - 15. Ryan had a very exciting and eventful weekend attending the Miami Northwest Track & Field Classic, his first international meet. Ryan is the youngest and newest member of his track club, the Hy-Tech Tigers. He ran the 800M & 1500M and had both his Auntie Nancy, who was visiting Miami for the weekend, and Auntie Jeanie, who lives in Miami, come out to cheer him on. The team brought home 16 medals in total, for a variety of events, including field events, 100M, 200M, and relays. Ryan ran a personal best in the 1500M running it in 6:34. Ryan does not have anyone is his age group to train with, so this meet was a great experience for him and he is eager to get his split time lower and come home with a medal next year.

Boats Boats Boats

Last month we sold our 240 Boston Whaler Outrage and purchased the 270. After all of the boy-toys were added to it (radar, autopilot), we finally had a chance to test drive it today. Not even the rain dampened the ride.

And ...........

Last weekend at the annual Rotary Camelot Auction, as if we needed another boat, we became a one third owner in a run-about boat for the kids, a 13' Boston Whaler Sport 50th Anniversary Edition. We bought this with the 2 Burke families, our future neighbours in The Shores.

Ryan's Running

Ryan has recently joined a national track club and has been training and competing in the 800M and 1500M. Today, he ran in the Truman Bodden Meet. He ran the 800M in 3:13 and the 1500M in 6:57 and came home with 2 golds. In 2 weeks he is off to Miami to compete. Stay tuned for Ryan's progress .....

Hugh's Milestone

May 17th. Hugh's 70th Birthday Party.

Hugh's surprise 70th birthday party hosted by David, Tina, Nancy & Ian (his 2 kids and favorite son-in-law & daughter-in-law) was held in the private dining room at Casanova by the Sea, one of Hugh's favorite restaurants. As the sun set over the George Town Harbour, the guests started arriving. The party goers mingled and enjoyed bellinis and canapes, and watched a wonderful DVD that Nancy had made documenting Hugh's life from birth in Scotland to Grandparenthood in Cayman. Hugh and Angela's dear friends, Helen and Alastair Mirrlees (pictured above with Nancy) flew in from Canada to surprise Hugh, as did his niece, Dara, from Jamaica. Hugh arrived to much SURPRISE!! and then the party truly got underway. The four grandchildren stopped by to surprise Grandpa with a rendition of "Happy Birthday To You" -- they were adorable and performed liked angels. Dinner under the stars at the country-themed tables was delightful. Each table depicted a country in which Hugh lived : Scotland, England, Jamaica, Bahamas, (then back to Jamaica) and Cayman. Fabulous dinner and mushy, heartfelt speeches followed by dancing rounded out the evening. Hugh held up well for an almost 70 year old (actual birthday, May 20th), closing the restaurant at midnight. It was a night of wonderful memories surrounded by family and friends.

May 11. Mother's Day Brunch

While in Georgia for my goddaughter's first communion, Steven hosted Mother's Day brunch at The Club. 15 of us enjoyed dining in the private dining room, including his mother, Aunt Sonia and Rachel's Mum who were all visiting for the weekend, and his brother, Scott, and family. It was a wonderful mother's day and a great cap to the festive weekend.

May 10. Rebecca's 1st Holy Communion

A perfect spring day in Duluth, Georgia for my goddaughters first holy Communion. The service was beautful, and the reception afterwards hosted by Rachel & Steven at their home was warm with love, and filled with happiness and joy. Rebecca even gave a very grown up and touching speech thanking everyone for being a part of her special day. The kids and I flew to Georgia for the weekend for this special event.