Tree Top Adventure and Lake Fun

We did a couple of neat things this week. One of them was climbing through the tree tops and zip lining through the forest. It was a bit scary at first, but once we had a few obstacles under our belt we were well on our way. To our surprise, we had to complete 3 courses filled with ladders, challenging obstacles, and zip lines, all testing our strength, balance, and courage. The heights were initially a bit of a shock, but once realizing we were perfectly safe and secure in the harness, and attached to a cable the entire time, we soon put this fear out of our minds. Before you knew it, we were up 30 - 40 feet in the air without hesitation. Everyone cheered and encouraged each other over the maze of obstacles through the Australian gum trees. Did you know these are the types of trees Koala's eat.

Sean going through the safety rules

Not much of a worry when you're high up in the trees

Sean feeling very comfortable in the trees 

Kieran's eager to start the chalenge

Malcolm and Kieran discussing the course

Eamon helping Kieran up the first obstacle of the day

Malcolm heading to the tree tops

Eamon clipping on for a zip line

Look way up and you'll see Eamon

Check out Kieran, Malcolm and dad going down a zip line in this video. It was so much fun

Careful Kieran. It's a long way down!

Sean taking a break

By the afternoon, Sean was flying through the challenges

Kieran was the only one brave enough to try the Tarzan swing into a giant web net made of rope. He had to grab this while swinging from a rope then climb up the net back to the nearest platform. Really tough to do, but he did it!

Malcolm zip lining through the forest

Go Kieran

Kieran talking Dad through the course

This is one of the toughest crossing where you need to use all your upper body strength to hold onto the cable as you swing from the suspended steps. Much tougher than it looks, but all the boys did it!

made it safely to the next platform

Walking across a wire from one platform to another

Malcolm did awesome

Eamon was back on the ground first after completing all the courses

After a full day of tree climbing, we arrived back at Aunt Mary's only to discover Kieran had left his favourite ball cap there that Uncle Chris bought him. As a result, dad, papa, and Kieran all drove back the next morning to retrieve the treasured cap.

Lake Macquarie Fun

Aunt Mary's friends,  Rosalie and Rod, were kind enough to host everyone at their place for a bbq. Rod, who is originally from New Zealand, prepared the most delicious lamb any of us have ever eaten. At the end of the night we made our way to the cars and noticed how clear the night sky was. We all sat there looking up at the different star constellations, including the famous Southern Cross. The star constellations you see in Australia are different from the one's you see in the Northern Hemisphere.

Rod tending to the lamb

Mum, Dad, Rod, and Aunt Mary in the background

Sisters

Rosalie was kind enough to join us at Myuna Bay on Lake Macquaire with her kayak's. The water was so warm the boys jumped right in as the adults prepared kayak's, oars, and life jackets for an afternoon on the lake.

kids having fun while the adults prepare gear

Kieran and Eamon setting out on the lake

Mum and Rosalie decided to stay on the land, so dad gave mum the car keys to hold for safe keeping. This was all good until it was time to go home. Before dad knew it, mum jumped in Aunt Mary's car with his car key in her purse. Luckily dad managed to run out to the road before they got too far away.

Good times at the lake with Rosalie, Aunt Mary, and Mum

Eamon taking Sean for a Kayak lesson

Kieran and Malcolm enjoy the warm lake

Seans ready for a solo voyage after his lesson

Aunt Mary couldn't resist the fun

Dad grabs a kayak and heads out to open water

Relaxing after another long fun couple of days

The boys love to read comments from friends and family

Kieran and Sean Kelly
Eamon and Malcolm Cowley 

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Easter Weekend Fun

We're all back at Aunt Mary's for the Easter long weekend, and boy oh boy, has it been action packed. Good Friday's weather was picture perfect, sunny and 30 Celsius, so we decided to hit our favourite beach again - Red Head Beach. Papa, Dad, and all the boys lathered up sunscreen and packed the car, while Nana, mum, and Aunt Mary headed for Newcastle to find Aunt Mary an outfit for Uncle Chris's wedding next weekend. We all know the mother of the groom has to look her best on the big day!

Looking down Red Head Beach

Eamon loves swimming the surf

Papa making friends with the life guards

If you have been following our blog, you may recall and episode of Papa falling into the ocean at Caves Beach after slipping off a rock. Well, he's up to his old tricks again! While talking to a life guard at Red Head beach, a giant wave swept up the beach towards them causing the life guard and papa to retreat backwards. All was well for the life guard, but Papa stepped backwards into a big hole a child had dug on the beach, and the wave filled up the hole with water soaking his shoes and the bottom of pants. Luckily the life guard gave him a hand out the pit. Ocean 2, Papa 0

Looking good Sean

Sean, Malcolm, Kieran

Beach fun

I can't get enough of Australia

Looking back at Red Head Beach surf club

We decided to finish a wonderful day at the beach with a nice cold ice cream cone. Couldn't have imagined a more perfect beach day! After a couple of weeks here, the 4 boys have all adjusted to the Australian way of life. Sun and fun! It really is a fantastic country with a great lifestyle.

Sean's relaxing thinking of the homework he brought with him

Hope Papa doesn't stumble into this hole

Anyone going back in the surf

Red Head Beach

Is that a shark I see? Just kidding.

Sean's Bay Watch impression

Not sure if we mentioned this or not, but Aunt Mary lives in a small town near Newcastle called Toronto. On Saturday the town had a festival down by the waterfront with an old wooden boat show, jumpy castles, and all kinds of vendors selling food and other things. The boys loved wondering down by the water checking out all the different things. They were also so excited when they learned Uncle Chris was coming up for the weekend with his future bride Michelle. Accompanying them was Michelle's cousin, Rachel from New York City, who has flown over for the wedding. Needless to say, Aunt Mary's place was filled wall to wall with 12 bodies this weekend. The stove and dishwasher were working non-stop.

Notice the name of the town on the sign? Malcolm, Kieran, and Sean cruising the streets.

Checking out Toronto

Another great playground. Skateboard on rails.

The boys were delighted to see the Easter Bunny paid a visit to them in Australia. With bags in hand, the kids all set off around Aunt Mary's garden collecting Easter eggs along the way.

Keep looking Kieran

Malcolm running to find eggs before the others get a chance

Run Sean Run

Back inside with all our loot

Uncle Chris, who is crazy about motorcycles, managed to arrange a visit for all the kids to his friends farm near Aunt Mary's for a day of fun on motorbikes and atv's. Pete, who lives on a 70 acre avocado farm has more motorcycles than anyone can imagine. He has no less than 20 bikes and atv's on his farm - sizes to fit all ages. Uncle Chris also brought up 2 bigger dirt bikes for him and dad to go riding the next day with Pete, his brother in law, Rob, and another friend.

Not ready for picking yet, Kieran

Avocado trees. Big trees can hold 100's of avocados

Uncle Chris is the boys hero

Uncle Chris helping Eamon

Fun on the farm

Big storm rolled in at the end of the day

no better way to explore the farm than on bikes and atv's

Thanks for a great day Uncle Chris

Chris and Pete rounding up chicken's

Pete and his toys

More of Pete's toys

yep, more again

Pete loves this 20 yr old Italian bike he just rebuilt

you guessed it, more toys at Pete's

more bikes than a motorcycle shop here

picking a ride

Looking good Eamon

sweet ride Malcolm

looks like Kieran's having fun

around the avocado orchard we go

traditional Australian barbie hosted by Pete and his family. First class people

BBQ parking area

Our gang along with Pete's family. Big feed after a long day of riding. An Easter we will never forget!

rare shot of dad, who is the official photographer of our Aussie adventure

Great times

Touring the farm

the pond with zip line

Looks like rain coming

Kieran was eager to try the zip line, but unfortunately we didn't bring swimming gear. Check out the length of that zip line. All the way across the pond.

On Monday Uncle Chris arranged to take dad for a dirt bike ride with some friends, including Pete. Dad loves to snowmobile and Uncle Chris comes over a lot in our winter to go on a week long snowmobiling adventure together. Dad used to ride dirt bikes 20 years ago, so Uncle Chris thought it would be a great idea to ride together in Australia. The only thing Uncle Chris forget to mention was the fact all the riders on this adventure were racers, including Pete. In fact, Pete's brother in law, Rob, who came for the ride was a former Australian Enduro Champion and test rider for motorcycle magazines. Even Uncle Chris has entered a few races, so Dad was certainly out of his element but in good hands. With much encouragement from the pro's, they all set out on an amazing adventure through rugged mountainous terrain with big drop offs and huge rocks. Once in the trail, Pete turned to dad and said, "well done mate, we're actually riding a pro Enduro track now". Needless to say, dad was miles behind the others slowly and carefully navigating his way along the steep trails through trees and rocks. Thankfully they were all kitted up in full body armour gear keeping everyone safe and sound. Dad had a great day riding with Uncle Chris and his friends.

Start of a great morning

Dad and Uncle Chris's rides for the day

Pete unloading his beloved pink bike

Rob in white t-shirt former Australian champ and test rider

Dad taking a little rest during a great day of riding

Pete discovered why he couldn't stop anymore. His front brake fell off!

Rob in the background is getting some amusement from Pete's misfortune

Scotty was having fun

Tomorrow we're going to try kayaking around the lake. Aunt Mary also mentioned something about a tree top adventure, so we're all really excited to see what that brings. 

The boys love to read comments from friends and family

Kieran and Sean Kelly

NOTE: To leave comments on this blog
The boys would love to hear from friends and family back home. You need to create a Google account in order to leave comments on this blog. Here's the link to setup your Google account https://accounts.google.com/signup