We all had a fantastic sleep last night in perfect sleeping conditions, at long last.
Back to being up at first light. Another great sunrise that spreads reflections on the cliff we camped opposite. The morning paddle down cliff lined straights, or reaches as they call then in SA, is equally as spectacular. The water is like glass and the reflection of the cliffs gave a feeling of never ending scenery.
Although the scenery on the paddle to Waikerie is spectacular, we struggle with energy to make the journey. The sun still has quite a bit of bite and with no breeze it is getting very hot on the water. We know we are getting closer as the house numbers increase. We round a bend to see the Waikerie ferry and foreshore. A great sight. We stop on the well groomed foreshore for an early lunch.
For me it brought back memories of the Pathfinder camporee we had on the river outside Waikerie 13 years ago. For all of us it meant a trip to the Waikerie Bakery (Thomo loved this name) for the standard flavoured milk and pies with softies and cakes for later in the day.
Waikerie was another well maintained and welcoming town. Back on the water at 12 and off to lock 2. A hot afternoon, some of us feeling stronger after the food stop, others not. Our aim is to get to the lock before the 4:30 close. We did this easily and once again with Thomo's pre-arrival phone calls to the lock master we pass through quickly.
Our height above sea level after leaving the last lock was 6m. We just dropped 3m in this lock. Hard to believe that we are only 3m above see level. I will need to check that one out.
Shortly after leaving the lock we pull up at 6 Bloke Landing. We though this was appropriate and it is a good campsite anyway. The water is still quite clear and very good to swim in, so we do. The hottest part of the day is very late in the afternoon so a swim or three helps cool things down.
Below the 400 to go. The end feels like just around the corner. Milestones passed in the last two days:
1. Passing 2000km from Bringenbrong bridge
2. Passing 1800km from Albury
3. Completing 5 Murray Marathons with only 1 to go
Sunrise at our camping spot.
Some of the cliffs we passed today. You never get sick of them.
Spectacular photos!
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