9 March
Ian Galley & Martyn Sims crafted this leg to be all about family.
The weather was perfect & it's hard to imagine a better balance of relaxing & watery fun.
(with some gentle adrenaline spikes thrown in)
We boated across the lake to the camping spot where Joan & the girls had set up gazebos & the BBQ.

Everyone was in high spirits!

Vanya got pretty excited at the thought of appropriating some new footwear other than gumboots...

Estelle & Eden staked out a firm claim to our spot...

...then the first task of the day was a group effort digging a "bathtub" plus several hot holes on the periphery.
 Apparently you could have cooked trout (instead of feet) in them if we'd been fishing.

Greer oversaw the digging progress & bath design features such as moss headrests - but all the digging meant the water was getting too hot, so a cold (lukewarm) water top up from the lake was needed.

The days vibe was very relaxed- plenty of time to catch up.

 - Then it was time for sea biscuit rides behind Ian's jet-ski!
The Sahakian squad were all keen...

The Chan clan looked a tiny bit apprehensive at first - but all went back for more rides

The McGrath mob all looked quietly confident as they waited patiently to be towed out

Levi & Elijah even got about a metre of air below them at one point!

And it kinda felt like Ian was TRYING to make sure the mums got wet.
The gleeful kids conversations watching on the beach were priceless:
"...is it the pink mum or orange mum in the water?!"

Joan & Martyn had a delicious lunch sorted - including his world-famous-in-Rotorua-brisket. So good!

Jason Donovan & Vahe Sahakian's need for speed kicked in, so they went lake surfing.

George Chan had her first jet-ski driving lesson.
Ian noticed that she only seems to have two speeds, either idling to shore - or full throttle.

Juggling family & work can be pretty tough, but it's magical days like this spent with a great group where everyone goes home tired but super happy that fills the tank - thank you everyone!