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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