Scouts Kontiki Raft Race 2009

This weekend the boys went on an overnight Scout camp for the annual "Kontiki Raft Race".

There were 9 scouts from their group, and their leaders Julie and Peter. They stayed the night in tents at a place called Omaka, which is a Scout Camp on the outskirts of Christchurch.

They spent yesterday afternoon building their raft themselves down by the lake they were racing on today.














The finished product, complete with a sail that had to be raised at a certain part of the course.

This morning they had a cooking challenge in which they had to prepare and cook a meal on their raft with certain ingredients in and a hot drink, enough for their whole crew and an extra one for the judges. Their crew made Beef Snitzel, Scrambled eggs and Sausages and Chocolate fondue with fresh fruit for dipping for dessert, and a hot chocolate drink.

Then the raft race was on around a course on the lake.














Off racing now.














Some of the rafts on the lake














Toby was leader of the patrol - here he is digging in at the rear of the raft during the race.














And Thomas on his side of the raft digging in!














Connor C jumping off with their raft number to the get to the finish line, with Connor G enjoying the spectacle.














Watching Connor C get to the finish line.

Points were awarded to each entry for raft construction, meal menu and finished product and their overall place in the race.

Our boys and their group came 3rd overall which was an awesome effort.

They got home mid afternoon today on an absolute high after their weekend of fun.

Katie went to one of her friend's 16th birthday party last night and Al picked her up at midnight. Then today she went with her friend Katya to their batch over at Wainui so her Dad could mow the lawns. She had a great day too.

Me? Well I can finally concentrate long enough to read again so enjoyed getting half way through my book, "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. He also wrote "The Kite Runner" which I have also read. Both books are set in Afghanistan and are truly remarkable and moving stories. Although after reading The Kite Runner, you can't pick another book up for a while, as you need to absorb and register all that you have just read for a few weeks! Amazing writing.