2003 Trip Note

Canoe Trip: 24 January 2003 - Canoeing Adventure on the Murray

Contributor: William Sharpe

Source: "The News", April, 2003

Photogallery:

2003012404-img1.jpg

Venue: Morgans Beach and Morgans Mill Road 18 km west of Strathmerton off Murray Valley Highway - Melway 621 J4. Enter from Haynes Road to Morgans Beach Road, turn west for 5 km. Final Destination :- Millewa and Moira State Forests (NSW) and red gum forest fringes (Victoria) at Barmah.

Captain - George Zamora. Lieutenant -David Laing {the Whip) and 1" Mate -Judy Lee. Crew - David Coster, Brenda Miller, Russell and Coral Lee Keep, Tim and Sharlene Adams, Kathleen Kerr, Patsy Robertson, Charles Cutler, Steve Murphy, Iris Curran, Dzung Nguyen, Susan Mackinnon, Martine Blankenstein, Janet Crowe, Rod Novak and Liz Moore {non participants) and me. (Photo below from Steve Murphy and Iris Curran.)

Weather - Friday hot (38° C measured), Saturday and Sunday estimated 26 - 34°, Monday estimated 22 - 26° on the water.

Distance as per markers on the Bank - from 1842 to 1764 = 78 km.

Time without stops estimated 22 hours for the duration.

As we paddled down the Murray on the Australia Day Weekend we observed the swampy red gums on both sides of the river. We were fortunate enough to have good weather, minimum motor boat traffic, including fishermen that were hoping to catch "a big one" - cod or yellowbelly - that may fit into their stretched fry pans {Joke!) and tossing it down with liquid amber juice.

The amount of bird life around the edges was somewhat disappointing - odd white ibis, some wood ducks and a couple of sulphur-crested cockatoos. I was fortunate to see a brown snake swimming upstream from Picnic Point.

We had numerous breaks along our journey, and took advantage of having a splash or swim. Our `smokos' were just long enough as George would say 5 minutes was up, and continue on our merry way. We camped overnight on either side of the riverbank, pitch up our tents, having a good substantial meal in preparation for the next leg. We all blended well, by sharing our experiences and adventures with each other with the odd "dirty ditty".

A highlight of the adventure were the most suitable dressed canoeists: Russell and Coral Lee, and George. Although not a pyjama party, but attire suited conditions of covering up from the hot sun during the day. The rest of us put on our war paint with 30+ every day in preparation for our wonderful journey along the Murray.

Finally, we all must compliment each other for performing as a team, helping each other during the exhilarating adventure down the Murray in 2003. A great experience.

George, David {Laing} and Judy, thank you, from the rest of the crew.