Given Tony's experience last year there was some anxiety however when we reached "The Narrows" we were underwhelmed. It was a very tame paddle perhaps due the the water level being higher at this time of year. The area was quite lush and green compared to other parts of the river.
This picture gives you an idea how low the river banks were through the Barmah forest
On the river where the Broken Creek runs into the Murray. Broken Creek is an arm of the Goulburn River near Barmah Lake.
We were all impressed with the area around Barmah Lake. It looked like a super camping area and certainly worth a visit. After this we reached the township of Barmah. Just after the road bridge there was boat ramp so we pulled up there. This seemed to be the closest spot to access the town although there wasn't much there just a pub and a general store. We wandered up to the general store to get some lunch. Unfortunately the pies hadn't been in the warmer very long. I was hungry so even though the pasty I bought was cold in the middle I ate it very quickly.
Back on the river the landscape had changed significantly. The river banks were much higher and the surrounding country was quite dry. At the afternoon break we pulled over to a muddy ramp on a cattle farm. From the bank opposite an old bloke ranted at us that "the bloke over there has a gun". Fortunately we didn't see anyone with or without a gun.
After the break we were aiming for Cape Horn Winery which had Tony and Geoff salivating however we arrived there after a long hot paddle to find it wasn't open on Mondays.
Tony approaching our campsite near Cape Horn. The fallen trees are typical of much of the river banks through this stretch of the river.
From there we paddled a short way to a lovely spot where we set up our final camp before Echuca. From my tent I had a magnificent view and when I woke during the nght there was a beautiful star-strewn sky. I fell back asleep instantly, it had been a long day and we were all tired.
The view from my tent
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