The title above is in capital letters because we have reached the end of the course for the Murray Marathon (from Yarawonga to Swan Hill). That marathon is about 440km long and is paddled in 5 days with each day divided into about 5 sections, each of about 6-25km long and can be paddled solo or as a part of a kind of tag team... It is also paddled in long sleek kayaks and it met at the end of each day with a camp already set up and a team of YMCA-trained masseures at the ready! How wonderful that would be!
So although we are not travelling as slowly as Tom (see former post), we are a lot slower than the racers... but are also in less streamlined kayaks whick are furthen burdened with gear and groceries.. not to mention that Dirk's kayak also has our 2 chairs and a bucket strapped to the back of it.... and an unslightly white basin tied to the front for items which need to be accessed easily... like the map and the sunscreen.
Anyway, we have now covered 788 kms! Can't wait to pass the 1000km mark!
PS. Although the name "Swan Hill" was promising, I am a little disappointed.... it is a lot less pretty than Echuca... although, like Barham, the caravan park provides easy access to the river.
PS. The photos above are not really of Swan Hill... they are of bridges the likes of which are seen at Swan Hill. I was stressed in Swan Hill to have my camera not working. It turns out I locked the card at the last stop. Anyway, the bridges like the ones are interesting to me... they exist all the way along the river (starting from around Echuca). In the middle section, the road part lifts to allow the paddle steamers to get through.
So although we are not travelling as slowly as Tom (see former post), we are a lot slower than the racers... but are also in less streamlined kayaks whick are furthen burdened with gear and groceries.. not to mention that Dirk's kayak also has our 2 chairs and a bucket strapped to the back of it.... and an unslightly white basin tied to the front for items which need to be accessed easily... like the map and the sunscreen.
Anyway, we have now covered 788 kms! Can't wait to pass the 1000km mark!
PS. Although the name "Swan Hill" was promising, I am a little disappointed.... it is a lot less pretty than Echuca... although, like Barham, the caravan park provides easy access to the river.
Hi, Meezan! I'm Trine- nice to meet you! (sort of). Perhaps Dirk may have mentioned me at some stage? I just want to thank you so much for documenting this trip, as I know Dirk would never have done it, in either words, video, or simple pics. Even though it probably is gum tree after gum tree, I wanted to be there, and it's nice to be taken on the path a bit through cyberspace. It sounds like you are surviving the mossies (worse than Canada?) and mulch with grace; I'd likely be cursing all through it! Keep up the great work with this blog!
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