The holidays were coming to an end for Thomas and, at the last weekend before the return to school, he was joining his dad on a certain trip he was going with his brothers and father through a lake towards their family cabin. Apparently, it was something they had already planned in advanced so they all would attend.

Thomas was a little nervous about that, as he hardly remembered the last time he had been on a boat. Not to mention he would also going to fish, something he had never done before. However, he couldn't be more excited to spend time with his extended family. He had already been with his uncle Stripe and had met his grandad Bob on his arrival to Australia, but he had never met his uncle Rad.

He got surprised when he discovered that would be a trip only for the guys of the family, without the girls. When Bluey and Bingo got to know about that, they got disappointed for not going, but not because of missing the trip, but because they wanted to go on Thomas' first lake trip.

At the early morning of Friday, after putting their bags at the boot of the car, Bandit and Thomas went to get Stripe and, together, they started heading towards the meeting point. While they were heading there, Thomas was listening music on an old Walkman that his uncle Stripe had given to him.

"Thanks again for the Walkman, uncle Stripe" he said.

"You're welcome, mate" Stripe replied, while sitting at the passenger seat. "I heard you liked things like that. Besides, your cousins and sisters are not great fans of that kind of music."

"Well, they are little kids…" Thomas said. "They still are into those kid songs. But I love these CDs. Finally I have an uncle that loves the same kind of music as I do, instead of hard rock like my uncle Prince. You're awesome, uncle Stripe."

"Hey, I like the same kind of music too" Bandit said. "And just for you to know, that Walkman used to be mine, before being your uncle's."

"But, Dad, you're my dad, so it doesn't really count" Thomas said.

"Wow, thanks for saying that, son…" Bandit replied, not very mused, while Stripe chuckled.

"Come on, let the kid be" Stripe said, while Thomas went to listen music, while going to draw on his notebook. "Let him just appreciate the great gift his favourite uncle just gave him."

"Favourite uncle?" Bandit repeated.

"Yeah, didn't you listen just now?" Stripe asked. "I'm awesome. That can only mean I'm his favourite uncle."

Stripe and Rad: THIS EPISODE OF THOMAS IS CALLED "FAVOURITE UNCLE"

"Don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself?" Bandit asked. "Yes, you and Thomas have a lot in common, but you two only met a few weeks ago. And don't forget that he already had a uncle."

"Look, I know Prince is supposed to be the cool uncle that is the star player of a big team and also rides a motorcycle, but I'm the one that gets the kid" Stripe said. "By the way, I'm surprised you didn't invite Prince to come."

"I would, but then I remembered that I would be on a boat with both Prince and Rad" Bandit replied.

"Oh, yeah… good call" Stripe said. "Putting those two together is never a good idea."

"Speaking about Rad…" Bandit said. "This is going to be the first time Thomas meets him. Aren't you afraid that role as favourite uncle is directed to him?"

"Of course not" Stripe told. "As if Thomas would find Rad more interesting than me."

"You mean our big brother that Thomas has never met personally and that has always been more popular and the coolest of us three?" Bandit asked.

"Well, when you say it like that…" Stripe said, starting to get a little unsure.

Noticing his younger brother's sudden change of mood, Bandit said:

"Stripe, you know I was joking, right? Come on, mate, Thomas loves you and that won't change when he gets to meet Rad."

"Oh, yeah, I know that…" Stripe replied, despite still feeling some insecurity.

However, Bandit could notice Stripe had taken that very seriously, what caused him to worry a little bit.

Eventually, they arrived to the park of the dock. Already parked there was Rad's pickup truck that, as usually, was poorly parked.

"Rad never disappoints…" Bandit commented, before turning back to Thomas and making him a sign that caused him to put down the headphones. "Thomas, mate, we're here."

"Oh, okay, dad…" he said, starting to put his drawing stuff back to his backpack, along with the Walkman.

After they got out and started to go to the dock, Thomas asked:

"So am I going to meet uncle Rad?"

"You sure are" Bandit replied. "We have planned this trip for some months, so all of us would be together. It's a good thing you'll be able to join us, son."

"Oh, I can't wait to meet uncle Rad" Thomas said.

"It's good to hear that, mate, but you'll see that your uncle Rad is not as cool as your uncle Stripe" Stripe said.

That caused Thomas to chuckle and reply:

"Sure thing, uncle Stripe."

As Thomas walked on the front, Bandit just made a look to Stripe who asked, he took his backpack and Stripe's:

"What?"

"Nothing, I'm just observing how you know I was just kidding about Thomas preferring Rad over you" Bandit commented.

"Why don't you pull your head in, Bandit?" Stripe retorted, while getting his backpack and following Thomas.

Thomas entered on and found his grandfather, who was wearing his captain hat, waiting beside his boat.

"Grandad!" he exclaimed, while running towards him.

"Hey there, kiddo" Bob greeted, while going for a hug to his grandson. "Ready for your first lake trip?"

"I am, but… I'm also a little nervous" Thomas confessed.

"Don't be, you'll have a lot of fun" Bob ensured. "Your father and uncles used to love them when they were kids and your sisters also love them too."

"If you say so…" Thomas said. "So… when are we going?"

"As soon the boat and everyone is ready to go" Bob said. "By the way, I can't let you get on board until you are following all the safety rules. Like… wearing one of these."

And Bob extended to a life jacket.

"But, grandad, I know how to swim very well" Thomas said.

"And that's great, but it's better you put it on" Bob said, while helping Thomas putting the life jacket. "We will cross the deeper side of the lake."

"Your grandad is right" Bandit said, as he and Stripe said. "One can never be too careful."

"Don't worry, mate, after we get to the cabin, you'll be able to show us those swimming skills of yours to your uncle Stripe" Stripe said. "We can even make a race."

"Cool!" Thomas said, excited.

"I just hope you don't end up giving up at the middle and sink like usual, Stripy" a voice said.

And so Rad appeared on the boat, jumping then to the dock.

"I would hate having to save you like I used to" Rad said.

"Hey, the last time I needed you to save me was when I was nine" Stripe replied, while Bandit chuckled.

"You do know what you just said did not make you look any better, right?" Bandit asked, still chuckling.

Thomas got surprised when he saw Rad appearing.

"Wow…" he said, while looking to the uncle he had never met until that point.

"Hey there, you must be the nephew I've heard so much about" Rad said. "I'm your uncle Rad."

"Hi, uncle Rad, I'm Thomas" the young pup said, while extending his paw.

"Okay, kid, one thing you need to know about me is that I hate formalities when it comes to family" Rad said. "That being said, the best way to greet me is with a big hug."

And, having said that, Rad went to lift Thomas and give him a big hug. Despite caught by surprise, Thomas returned the hug. After they finished the hug, Rad put Thomas down and he said:

"Wow, I knew my dad had a big brother, but I didn't expect for you to be really big. You're as big as my uncle Prince."

"But with a better hair" Rad said, while passing his hand over his hair. "I've always had a better hair than that stuck-up…"

"Rad, stop, now it's not the time for that" Bandit said, fearing his older brother would say something he should say in front of Thomas.

"Your brother is right, Rad, let's focus on what we have ahead" Bob said. "Have you checked if everything is okay?"

"Sure did, Captain Dad, and everything is in order" Rad replied, saluting, making then a proud posture with his hands on his hips.

"Great!" Bob exclaimed, while getting on board. "Come on, you lot, get on board."

Bandit and Stripe followed their father and, as soon they were on the boat, the latter turned to Thomas and said, extending his hand:

"Let me help you, mate."

"Thanks, uncle Stripe" Thomas said, preparing to take his hand.

But before Thomas could take it, he found himself being lifted by Rad who said:

"Allow me…"

He placed Thomas on the boat and the latter replied:

"Thanks, uncle Rad. It's amazing you can lift me so easily."

"Well, what could you expect?" Rad asked, while getting on board. "Your uncle is very strong."

Stripe didn't know why, but he got very upset for Rad helping Thomas get on board instead of him. Could it be he was really afraid that Thomas would prefer Rad over him? It was then he took a deep breath and relaxed a bit. He shouldn't be upset because of that. After all, Thomas had just met Rad, of course he would be excited to know another uncle of his.

And so Stripe decided that he just needed to spend quality time with his nephew, knowing in that way he would be able to clear his mind of the tingle of jealously he had just felt.