| Sunday 23
December DAY 1 Stayed at Yarrawong with Mum & Dad, Jo & Pete. Up at 4:00am, down to river to set up kayak; just said goodbye and hit the river at 5:45. Glad to get away from the noise and turbulence of the weir. Beautiful calm morning with mist rolling across the surface of the water. Passed many campsites along the riverbank. Everyone still sleeping at first. Stopped at 1944km marker for lunch. Spoke to Mum and Dad on radio and organized to meet at 1931 mark to camp. No sign of any campable area at 1931, or people. No radio contact, paddled back along general area, but could not find them, so went on. Made contact at 1929 mark. Dragged kayak up onto bank and sat in car as rain has not eased. I am a bit wet and cold now, and everything that is not in plastic is drenched, but that is ok. Very strong wind, as front came through at 1pm. Lost Murray River flag in wind, lucky I brought a spare. Today has been one of my most enjoyable days of paddling. I hope there will be more of the same to follow. Will try to get another early start tomorrow. Met up with Mum and Dad at Cobram for breakfast (1915) will try to get to Tocumwal (1885) early afternoon to stock up, then get to at least 1880 marker. Monday 24 December DAY 2 Got up early and hit the water at 5:30 am. Mum waved me off from the bank, jumping up and down naked. Met Mum and Dad for a quick breakfast as planned, then again at Tocumwal (1886) at around lunchtime. Went on to Carters Beach (1866) and had tea with Mum and Dad, a beer and an early night. Very windy day! Tuesday 25 December (Christmas Day) Got up early to the sound of a large tree branch falling, Kangaroos around camp and Koalas grunting all night! Took off at around 6am, Mum and Dad clothed this time, wind already up by 7am and a mosquito in the cockpit somewhere that won't stop biting me. Arrived at Ulupna Island (1860). One stretch of water goes around it to the right, around 2 kms before meeting with the first. (therefore much steeper gradient). Went with the safer option luckily! The sun was low in the sky and the reflection on the water and the glare made negotiating fallen tress and snags very difficult. Looking back up the short route, it looked to be almost choked with dead wood and very fast running. Rest of the day was non eventful, but hard work into the strong wind. Stopped in a backwater in Gulf Creek (1821) but there was nowhere to land so I slept in the kayak for ½ hour. Tried to land at Sapling Landing (1807) but there were 2 dogs guarding a campsite (with more in cages) and they would not let me ashore. Have gone on to a spot at (1804) and will get an early night. Wednesday 26 December DAY 4 Up early, wind came up early as well. Had some heavy rain. Very tired in the afternoon. 'The Narrows" were interesting (1776), fast water and lots of snags. Some parts of the bank were only a foot above the river, so if it had been much higher, finding dry land to camp would have been interesting. Stayed at 1750 with a family and it turned out to be Wayne who used to work at the Griffin Press and at Custom Press at around the time I started working for Hiedelberg. Saw my first snake for the trip while collecting firewood. A big red bellied black all coiled up and asleep. Thursday 27 December DAY 5 Early morning, on river by 5:45. Very cold hands - lots of mist on the river.
Friday 28 December |
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