Grenadines Sailing Trip

So the family has decided that this year we along with 3 other Lewis families are going on a sailing trip through the Grenadines for our summer vacation.

A trip to France and England was our initial plan for the family getaway but the cost of airfare was steep steep STEEP!! New ideas needed to be created and explored.

We contemplated the city of New York, northern coast of Jamaica, the rockies in Canada and the list went on. It got to a point were we were not sure if a family vacation was even going to materialize because budget and multiple opinions were not aligning.

But then... we heard that my uncle and his family were heading down (aka sailing through) the Grenadines for a week. Then we found a boat that met our criteria (a/c, 4 cabins, 4 washrooms, catamaran): Leopard 47 Kilkenny Kats. And then we found more family to fill up the two extra cabins on board (aunts, uncles, cousins). Sweet!!

So now that the boat is booked: a count down has been started, an exercise plan commenced and necessary nautical outfits jotted down on a shopping list.

Planning vacations can be stressful but the end result can be amazing!

Let the planning begin!

Champagne and Firecrackers

So my little brother (not so little any more) is back from boarding school and his arrival started with a bang... literally! Not only did we cook a feast fit for a king but we popped champagne and lit some firecrackers.

While Dad and Ryan played like young boys, Mum and I sipped champagne. 

Action shot

We are so happy this dude is home!

Summer has officially begun :)

Sunday morning - Barbados National Trust Hikes

So when it comes to my baby blog - I have been aloof, too lazy, and too busy for the last week and a bit.

But busy in good ways :)

Unfortunately my level of guilt for my absence is overflowing. So here I am!

I am happy to report that I have one-upped my measly 30 minutes morning walk (which isn't really that measly). Last Sunday I went on a 3hr 20min hike. The hike is a weekly hike that is organised by the Barbados National Trust.

The hike is fantastic because it allows you to see many of Barbados' nooks and crannies.

Every Sunday, hikers put on the baggy clothes, fill their camelbacks with hydrating concoctions, and smear on sunscreen to depart at 6am, with their walking stick in hand and a grin on their face (it is just a fact that people who exercise are happy people).

Now, my loving friends (Anni & Cathy) who have hiked before, decided this Sunday was a good day to start back and I agreed to tag along, simply because there was no reason not to.

So I rolled my sleeping body out of bed at 4:55am (still dark outside) and headed north to the parish of St. Lucy. I took - my camera, a water bottle, a granola bar. I wish I took sunglasses and a basketball cap (but now I know that for next time).

The National Trust Hikes are very well attended and well organised. They set out in what appeared to be 3 different groups. Each group has its own pace and route (slow, medium, fast). Since we were not sure of our fitness level this early in the morning, we opted for the Stop and Stare group (the slowest pace, tortoise-esk group).

This was a brilliant pace for us, especially for photo-taking. But it was a mutual decision that we need to up the ante and try the medium level next time. Stay posted for news on that hike (no too sure when that is happening).

In general, long walks are a great way to catch up with girlfriends.

Endorphins and chitchat are a great combo :)

I highly recommend the hike.

Go check out the Hiking Schedule here!

Morning Exercise

So I have started back walking/running twice a week... and let us just say that it has been a while.

I used to religiously walk/run after work a couple days a week but I fell out of that routine when my very trusty MP3 player decided not to be so trusty in November 2010 - a very sad day.

Now this doesn't mean that I have not been exercising (I do pay for exercise classes) but I have not been taking advantage of the fact that I live in paradise and that I can run (free of cost) outside nearly every day.

So I decided to start this running thing back up - one thumb up! And on top of that I am doing it in the morning before work and I am not a morning person - so two thumbs up! I chose the mornings because they are more reliable - after work is always a hit and miss.

I pride myself on being a self motivated exercising individual - having someone else there is nice but not necessary. But this morning was a special treat as both of my parents came a long for the walk... I think my healthy ways are rubbing off.

And we also took our jack russell, LuLu.

Now I thought I was going to have a leisurely walk as the rents were joining and they do not jog/run... but I was pleasantly surprised when LuLu quickly stepped up to the challenge. She made this walk one of the hardest ones - she literally didn't let me stop running. If I stopped I got sad eyes... and guilt filled my conscience.

LuLu chewing on our chain link fence - dog/personal trainer

My tips for non-morning exercisers:

• I set my clothes out the night before so I can jump into them when I am still half asleep
• I started with with one day a week and chose a day that I knew I was going to bed early
• I did not go into it planning to run (the first day I went... I walked the entire thing) this way I had no reason to be hard on myself because I achieved the goal of simply waking up and going for a walk. 
• I have subsequently built up to jogging 1/3 of my route - with the help of Lu Lu!

So my advice now will be get up... see the sunrise... and take your pooch for a walk. If you have a dog take them too :)

ps. I am completely aware of how cheesy that last line is... but I couldn't resist.