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Boat modifications and packing

Well Captain Woodduck has been very busy.  Not sure what first mate, Woody Junior, has been doing...he can update later. Woodduck....Betwe...

Saturday 23 April 2016

Day 7

Update to follow but we have made it home.
Lots to do but here is some photos for now

Half day today as we had only to make it to Murray Bridge for our rendezvous with the pick up crew.

That still brought timing issues.  Woodduck was keen to see his little one and set about making noises early in camp.

He had to play the theme song for the trip being The Eagles..  take it easy

We managed to find a great spot behind the protection of some reeds from the wind last night.
Woke to a crisp beautiful and glassy water again and packed quick smart to have brunch in Mannum.

Mannum Bakery of course was our lunch preference and then a visit to a shack at Mypolonga and a tour (thanks Allan and Marg)


Its seven days and its over already.

I have lots I can add to the blog and will go about doing that sooner rather than later.

Its been great (mainly due to the weather and the company) but I for one could do it over three weeks and explore some of the creeks and back waters.
Maybe take some time to find some rock carvings or the maybe find a 20 million year old shark ( http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/10/24/1035416932992.html     http://www.rivermurraycharts.com.au/charts      http://www.chartandmapshop.com.au/16722/Murray-River-Pilot/9780646115603      )





Friday 22 April 2016

Day 6

7.50 am
Up from a rainy night making our tents and a bit of gear wet.
Another bacon and egg brekky by Woodduck as we bathed in the river to clean up.
Stopped at Cadell and was pleased to have Lyn from the local service station drive down to get us , bring our fuel cans back to her store and then take us back to the boats. ... what awesome service. ...thanks Lyn
 https://www.facebook.com/Barnetts-General-Store-1667485466805090/


Help support her business when in Cadell and try the lamingtons too.


Bit of shopping in Morgan and then thru Lock 1 at 2.45pm
The first lock to be built from 1912 and commenced operation 1922.
Made camp around 414km downstream from the NSW/SA border.

Day 5

Wednesday update
Comfortable temperature for camping overnight and that had nothing to do with the amount of alcohol consumed.
Intend to stop in Waikerie for meat and ice.
Big event for the trip is to experience Caudo Winery and their Sangria.
Started on the water at 10am checking flood level markers posted on the sandstone cliffs opposite camp.
Little windy and rough on the water making travel a little uncomfortable.
Smooth water when we turned heading 210 degrees.
Stopped for lunch at Waikerie and shop for meat and lunch at the bakery.
Had a little boat swap giving woodducks boat a try.  Lots of room .... wow
The difference between a 3.5 metre with 1.5 beam and 3.9 metre with a 1.8 beam is massive.
Got to Caudo at 2.10pm and left at 4.25pm
Everyone agreed the beer was nice, the Sangria white was best and Sangria red was pretty good too.
Few souvenirs for the kids and such a nice relax and place on the river is a must see.

Camp locstat  (MGRS) 54H UH 93494
                                         31418.
5pm made camp.

Lots of firewood available and after dinner most of the guys fell asleep in their chairs.
Forecast for some rain overnight as we hit the sack.




Tuesday 19 April 2016

Day 5 update

More photos cause that is better than my dribble.

Day 5.

Update.
10am start today.
Bit windy on the water when heading west.
Beautiful sandstone cliffs to see and more boats and fisherman keen to try the deep water along the cliffs.
Got the fish finder depthsounder hooked up and interesting to see the water depths  at shore and near the cliffs.
More to follow








Monday 18 April 2016

Day 4

Update 2

Loxton for fuel and ice.  Funny I feel like I have been here before.  (stopped for lunch on the way up)

Having packed lightweight hand-trolleys into the boats for the trip we had planned to walk into towns where fuel was not at the rivers edge.  Having to carry 40 litres of fuel and ice and supplies didn't look enticing as some of the towns are a fair hike uphill to get these things.

I should mention here if anyone is thinking of doing a trip likes this..our fuel stats.
We had a fair bit of weight in the boats.  But on average we got around 80 kilometres on a 24 litre tank of two stroke fuel with the 30 hp yamaha motors.  We carried that much again spare just in case so in effect had almost 160 km of range in the tinnies.
We were able to access fuel within our ranges and because we had both both nearly the same we could use one-anthers fuel if required, but it never came anywhere near that.

The trolleys made easy work of carting fuel and supplies to and from stations and highly recommend taking them if you plan this journey.














Day 4

On the water at 1030am. 
I could get use to this