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Day One Sunday 2 February 2003
Picnic Point to Deniliquin
The Riverina Run started with minimal fanfare. Todd Williamson was driving
166 with Ian up the front. Graham Brooker was driving his dad, Keith,
in 148, and Fred French and Cameron Clarke were in an aluminium punt.
Shortly after the Boat Crew set off the Support Crew distinctly heard
the motors stop at the weir just downriver from where the Edward leaves
the Murray. The delay in re-starting was longer than expected so Kevin
Williamson and Kim Epton walked down to the weir to see what was wrong.
| The Boat
Crew was on the opposite bank and not in any difficulty - they
were in fact discovering just how heavy boats 148 and 116 really
were. The three boats had to be hauled 75 metres over rough
ground. Logs were used to construct a makeshift slide over rocks
to relaunch the boats downstream of the weir. This was to be the
first of many curses about the weight of glass boats and the
merits of light aluminium punts! |
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Eventually they headed off on the big adventure.
Keith’s motor was cavitating badly. The lack of connecting bolts
on the trunk strengthening plate caused the gearbox/trunk boltholes
to flog out. This allowed the gearbox to move. The motor was replaced
with Fred’s spare and the expedition was underway again - but not
before Keith made an undignified slide down the bank into the stern
of his boat and injured his shin. Graham hauled his poor old dad into
the dinghy with a look that only 14 year olds can give their fathers.
Todd and Ian broke a driveshaft just upriver from Deni. Fortunately,
they had a complete spare box in their boat. They changed gearboxes
and continued towards Deni. On arrival at camp they fitted a new shaft
to the damaged box and then had two good boxes.
Day One Sunday 2 February 2003
Billabong Creek
Fred had spent a lot of time on the phone getting permission from the
landowners of Boonoke and other Stations for the Support Crew to access
the weirs along the Billabong Creek. No one has been allowed onto the
properties for several years.
The water level in the Billabong Creek was just right (pretty low).
The trip to Boonoke Bridge was good. The boats made the jump - about
a one metre drop. The first willows were just downriver from the weir.
After fighting through thirty metres of extremely dense willow thickets
Fred decided that the way ahead was completely blocked and it would
be a lot quicker to carry the boats along the bank for about 10 metres
to the end of the thicket. The Boat Crew could not see where they were
going in the thicket. They could not see the banks. The boats had to
be dragged over logs and dense thickets of willow limbs. The boats and
crew were covered with thick grey mud.
| Onward to Piccaninny Weir through a combination of relatively good water,
areas choked with logs and limbs, and shallow water that was lots of
fun. Piccaninny Weir has a drop about 1.8 metres. Fred and Cameron jumped
the weir, followed by Todd and Ian. The Support Crew continued
to the next bridge to await the boats. The Boat Crew had to
fight through logs and shallow muddy sections. |
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The
run from Piccaninny Weir took longer than expected and Kim decided to
pull out at the next weir. After quick drinks the Boat Crew continued
to Chinamans Weir.
Todd broke his second drive shaft about one kilometre from the cleaner
water leading up to Chinamans Weir and had to change the foot once again.
The configuration of Chinamans Weir required the boats to clear 10 metres
before landing to avoid damage. The Weir is about two metres high with
3 concrete steps below it. Fred and Cameron jumped the weir with a safety
margin of about one metre. Ian vetoed Todd jumping the weir. 166 had
a damaged kick strap and Ian did not want to risk further damage to
boat and/or motor.
Day Two Monday 3 February 2003
Deniliquin to Fish Camp
Only two boats took off from Keith and Barb French’s property in
Deniliquin. Ian, Todd and Leah drove Keith’s Jackaroo into Deniliquin
to purchase a driveshaft for their gearbox and machine the back of their
props to preclude them locking onto the prop shaft.
The two boats had a good run to the lunch stop at the site of the old
Morago Hotel site. 148 was going well. Fred ran over a couple of red-bellied
black snakes. Keith reckons beanbags in a boat are great and suggested
that there should be a PDRC beanbag class.
Ian, Todd and Leah caught up with the others at lunch. Ian’s announcement
that he paid only $20 for machining amazed everyone. He further amazed
Keith when he asked him whether he has noticed the whine in his Jackaroo
at 160kmh, but says it is not a problem as it goes away at 180!
Ian’s motor played up intermittently during the afternoon but the
overall speed of the expedition was little affected. During one of the
“slow periods” they were the last to pass three grumpy old
fishermen who asked, “What’s the rush?”
The Support Crew found the planned overnight stop near Barratta Station
about 2.00 p.m. As soon as the site of the camp was decided, Joshua
Williams got lines into the water. The fish started biting straight
away. Joshua’s line jerked and after a few nervous moments and
cries of, “It’s a Murray Cod”, it was reeled in close
to the bank. Kim grabbed it in the shallows and threw it onto the bank.
Joshua’s first fish - a 550mm Murray Cod.
The Boat Crew arrived and Graham decided to do a beach landing. His
boat finished less than a metre from a massive red gum 10 metres from
the water’s edge. Keith was a little nervous.
Kim put up $50 to anyone who could catch a fish in the next 30 minutes.
After 28 minutes without success he announced “$100 to anyone who
catches a fish in the next two minutes!” Only seconds later Keith’s
line jerked and he furiously reeled it in. He caught everybody. |
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Keith wagered Kim and Ian $50 each that they could not kneel and stand,
respectively, on the boogy board. To quote Keith, “Epton and Williamson
were legends on the boogy board” (He lost the bet).
Quote from the Commodore:
“I am the Champion, Stand Up Knee Boarder” (is that an oxymoron).
After telling Todd all afternoon to “be careful, don’t go
too close to the bank, don’t go close to trees, be careful”
Ian jumped a log while skurfing the boogy board.
The boogy board mastered, it was time to take on the kitchen table.
The cuts and scratches were disproportionate to the success. After losing
one of the legs (table) it was time to find another distraction. Back
to the boogy board. The sun set on a great afternoon of hazardous but
enjoyable fun.
Day Three Tuesday 4 February 2003
Fish Camp to Kyalite
The Boat Crew left camp about 9.00 a.m. and shortly after took a
scenic tour for about three kilometres up a backwater. Not lost - just
geographically embarrassed.
Graham and Keith jumped a log and immediately hit a second log. Keith’s
arms were caught under the log, snapping it and injuring his arms. He
was lucky not to break both his arm.
Fred and Cameron were scooting along when they saw a pelican come in
to land, crash and flip on its back. As they sped by it was last seen
flapping its wings and kicking its legs in the air.
| At Woorooma, Keith decided to recuperate from his argument with the
tree branch and changed places in Boat 148 with Kim. It was a great
run to Moulamein. Lots of logs with a couple of jumps. Todd got a photo
of Graham and Kim tackling a big jump. Kim hurt his wrist on landing
- he had forgotten what a big jump was like. |
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On leaving the lunch site Cameron was distracted while putting on his
gloves and a half metre bow wave catapulted him into the drink. Leah
continued in 166 with Todd and later during the afternoon made her first
log jump.
The Support Crew was busy getting fuel, drinks and ice in Moulamein.
Ian got closer to his bank manager after having to pay $85 for a slab
of Bundy and Cola for Todd and $20 for a dozen mid strength!! Strewth!!
Numerous shortcuts through the lower reaches of the Edward before it
flowed into the Wakool caused Fred some confusion but, as the Boat Crew
made it to Kyalite, he obviously found the correct route.
Day Four Wednesday 5 February 2003
Kyalite to Wemen
It was a short run to the Wakool/Murray Junction. One could be excused
for being confused as to which river is which at this junction - the
Wakool is clearly superior in size and the Murray appears to enter it
rather then it entering the Murray.
The day was warming up. Refuelled the boats and continued the journey.
Ian was still trying to sort out his camera.
| Ian recorded “Passing to the rear of Keith & Graham’s
boat my driver did not slow down and I was drenched!! - I was blamed
for not leaning enough!! (as usual)”. Keith recorded the alternative
version, “The Brooker/Williamson Splashing Contest resulted in
a serious Ian Williamson classic dummy spit. A grovelling apology by
KSB lead to a tenuous peace. But we reckon it was Ian’s fault ‘cos
he didn’t lean!!” |
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Was that a fat lady swimming in the river? She wasn’t singing but
she was naked. If Ian had sorted out his camera he could have taken
a photo!
Just after the fleet entered the Murray River at the Wakool Junction
Keith’s engine trouble became too much and all boats were pulled
into the north bank to fix the problem. According to Graham the motor
had “pinged, tonked and then stalled”. He thought it was a
failed big end or piston. A message was sent to the Support Crew by
UHF radio. Kim only just heard as he turned on to the Murray Valley
Highway near Piambie. Keith relayed latitude and longitude (from GPS)
and Kim located their position on the map - close to Kenley but it was
inaccessible. Kim made an educated guess that a bush track would lead
close to where the boats were stopped. He and Kevin drove off to the
end of the Wilga Park road and, sure enough, were able to follow a track
along the river. They were 60m from the calculated position when Keith
called on the radio “Stop, I can see you - stop!”
Meanwhile the problem was diagnosed to be gearbox. As it was being swapped
ten canoeists in five canoes paddled past. Hmm. However, it was not
long before the mechanics had finished and the motors fired up. Now,
to catch those paddlers. Ian was still trying to get his camera working.
Kevin jumped into Fred’s boat for the run through to Robinvale.
After buying vital supplies in Robinvale, Kim and Leah drove to the
Lock 15 and Weir and arranged with the Lockkeeper to open the Lock out
of hours. They close at 4.00 p.m. which, at the height of summer combined
with daylight saving, is the middle of the day!
The boats were passed through the lock without delay. Ten or so River
Commission workers who were attending a training course were interested
onlookers - never having seen racing dinghies before. The boats sped
past and the Support Crew then headed towards Wemen - a dot on the map
but a fantastic campsite at the water’s edge.
Fred bashed out a few wrinkles from the bottom of his ali boat - bringing
back memories of the Pit Area at the Avon Descent overnight stop in
bygone days.
Day Five Thursday 6 February 2003
Wemen to Wentworth
Away by 0840, twenty minutes earlier than usual. Cruising at 49kph this
morning. Lots of houseboats and about ten old paddle steamers. Lots
of pelicans, swans and ducks.
Graham and Joshua performed a beautiful slide over a sandbank without
losing any speed right next to Fred and Keith. Full of confidence, they
pulled off a few more throughout the morning. Keith was enjoying his
ride with Fred - “an armchair ride, smooth, no bouncing and fairly
quiet”.
Lots of wildlife - emus and kangaroos. Thirty four kilometres after
the start the Boat Crew passed through Retail Cutting. This formation
has shortened the river by about eight kilometres.
| Although the weather was hot, it was OK in the boats. But on the approach
to Lock 11 at Mildura the crews had to comply with the 4 knot limit
and, with no breeze, it was uncomfortably hot. Through the lock and
it was only a short run to Apex Park for fuel. It was very hot. On both
land and water, crews were happy to get moving and cool down. |
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A short time later the Boat Crew sped beneath the Abbotsford Bridge
and on to Wentworth only 16 kilometres away.
The Wentworth boat ramp was a great campsite - shady, level, free of
pests, easy access to the boats and a great view.
Day Six Friday 7 February 2003
Wentworth to Renmark
After breakfast and much discussion, it was decided that the 264 kilometres
to Renmark was too far for what was to be a truncated day. The decision
was made to re-start at Rufus River - 130 kilometres downriver.
Water pulsated from the Lake Victoria outfall into the last five kilometres
of the Rufus River. Boats were unloaded, motors attached and gear readied.
Ian’s motor was still playing up and he changed a scavenging tube
as a precaution. A few kilometres after starting the Boat Crew passed
from NSW into South Australia and 11 kilometres further on crossed the
Victoria/South Australia border.
The land convoy turned off the Renmark road towards Lock 6. The bridge
over Monoman Creek had a gate across it and the gate was locked. Serious
problem. Unless the boats got fuel at Lock 6 they would not make Renmark.
| Kim
consulted the map, got a position from the GPS and decided that
the only alternative was to reach Lock 6 from the other side of
the river. This necessitated driving through Renmark and Paringa
and then travelling upriver along the other bank. Many
kilometres further than planned and a lot longer time to get
there. There was no alternative but to turn around and do the
kilometres |
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As the Support Crew headed
into Renmark, Kevin suggested that one of the vehicles be left at Renmark
- a good suggestion but one that caused some consternation to the Boat
Crew who were able to hear some (but not all) of the Support Crew’s
radio conversations and interpreted them that one of the vehicles had
experienced mechanical trouble/damage.
Graham and Cameron in 148 had run out of fuel as they entered the lock.
Fred had only a cupful left in his tank. The Lockkeeper (perhaps now
feeling sorry for keeping the crew waiting) raced off to his workshop,
mixed five litres of fuel and brought it down to the Lock. He would
not accept any payment.
Three boats powered into Wiela where the Support Crew had prepared lunch.
Lunch over, it was time for the final run to Renmark. The motor on 166
only just made it to the caravan park at Renmark.
The Riverina Run ended as it started - with minimal fanfare. Everyone
involved could be satisfied that they had completed a journey made by
few others before them. Everyone had seen some country new to them.
The trip was a success.
Kim Epton
Members of the
Riverina Run 2003 acknowledge valued pre-expedition assistance
from Cliff Hills at Clifford Automatic Transmission.
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