The Stone Crew Blog

Finally, the bed is done, however we’re nervous about putting him in it – he’ll never sleep!! But whatdaya reckon? 10/10 for effort? What a great dad!

Did a bit more on the boat bed for Jackson this weekend. Nearly ready for a sand and a paint!

Jackson’s birthday is on the 16th Dec… He’ll be 2yo and because I’m such a great dad, I’m going to make him a super cool boat bed. I started today in my workshop and after about 4hrs, this is the progress. I’ll upload more photos as I get further along.

The Front section of the boat will come to a point and will be an area to store toys. On the headboard I’ll make a Yamaha Motor (and bookcase/light)

It’s all braced and square/level. Just need the glue to dry now. The next fiddly bit is to create the front part as a removable section.

This is the bed tray that the foam mattress sits on. This drops in the top of it…

Finally sorted the auxiliary on the boat. It’s a little 4hp Yamaha 4 stroke. Now we can start going a little further out and catch some real fish… We’ll also use this for some trout trolling on the back country lakes…

I took the family (Sarah, Jack, Simon and Zach) to Lake Hood today for a play on the boat today. It was a nice calm day, but the water was freezing! 12.3 degrees!

Didn’t stop us tough louts though! Simon and I got in and did some wakeboarding and even though we froze out bits off, we had a great time

Sarah drove the boat as well – she did really good!

I promise I’ll drive really slow and not run over any sharks or turtles. Please? Pleeeeease?

“I know! I’ll just hide in the boat! they won’t know I’m here…”

I spent a relaxing day fishing at Akaroa today with Lee and Ben Viv. Apart from throwing up a few time (Have been sick lately) it was a great day. Bit nippy, but it’s not summer yet – it’ll warm up! The boat ran like a charm!

We were fishing just out from the Salmon hatchery close up by the heads. 15 meters and the water was a bit cloudy. Not a lot of action – too early in the season, but we did catch a Skate and the world’s smallest Dogfish!

The lads putting their ‘Game Face’ on.

Ben, Rose, Ella and Grace came over today. We all headed down to Lake Hood in Ashburton to take the boat for a spin. Had a great time, and the kids had a blast. We got it up to about 70kph – goes like a charm!

Then came home again and got stuck into a pizza! Just another great day hanging with the Vivians! They’re a cool family!

After about 6 months of looking around, I finally got off my chuff and upgraded the family boat. We wanted something safe, fast and all-purpose. Check out the new toy! Ready for the summer!
Looking forward to taking all the mates out!!

My mate Ben Vivian and I took off for a boy’s day off to Mackenzie Country (Central South Island, NZ). We left about 4am on the Friday morning and came back the next evening in a snowstorm. Great break away – first 8hr continuous sleep I’ve had for years!

Even though the wind was gale force and predicted to get to 150km’s we got out in the boat on Lake Aviemore in a sheltered bay behind a hill The old Seagull went well! Did a bit of trolling – no fish though…

Ben looking like a pirate!

Julian pretending to be a real southern man!

The Top10 Holiday Park in Omarama.

This was what they put us in! Both Ben and I took one look, got severely depressed and walked straight back to the office to upgrade to a decent room with kitchen, bathroom, lounge & TV. Better than getting stuck in a garden shed!

Ahhh! Thats more like it! Decent digs!

Yay! a kitchen!

And a lounge and TV!

Chilling to watch American Idol!

This is the bridge over the Ahuriri river. We stopped to spot a trout. I saw a fat one under the bridge.

There it is! Was about 10lbs. Shame the season is closed so I can’t fish for it! Buggar!

Tekapo Canal on dusk!

And the other side…

Ben having a flick in the Tekapo canal

We got caught in a decent snowstorm on the drive back to Christchurch. Heaps of fun and a really relaxing few days!