Day 7 Robinvale to Marker 1074 (8 km from Wemen)

Yesterday we caught the VLine bus to Swan Hill to collect my car. We had to be at the bus stop by 8.15 am so we could purchase a ticket. Before hand we breakfast at Pana Cafe on the Highway leading into town. Bacon and eggs are not vegetarian but they are yummy and the coffee was excellent.

The tourism office manager arrived late to open up and we were a little worried that she would not get there before the bus however she arrived in just enough time to get us sorted including giving us the phone number for the Euston Weir Lockmaster. Just like last year there was confusion about whether we were entitled to Seniors discounts on the tickets. This year it was Simon who was offered (last it was Joe). Do we really look that old? We should get T-Shirts printed with “Under 50 - Just had a hard life” (Simon’s suggestion, for the record he is over 50).

The bus trip is scheduled to leave Robinvale at 8.38 am and arrive at Swan Hill at 10.50 am. We were only 25  kms fro Swan Hill when the driver had to stop and take a break for 30 minutes at servo near Nyahh. What a joke! Why wouldn’t you have the break in a major town. No doubt some overzealous OH & S regulation.

We collected the car and drove straight to Mildura somehow managing to take the wrong route and missing doing some research for towns along the river that we might want to stop at. It worked out well because we had time to park the car and buy some lunch before meeting Tim and Sue our caravan park neighbours and getting a ride back to Robinvale.

Later in the afternoon we went to the IGA and shopped for the rest of trip and for our evening meal. We had Italian sausages with some Thai inspired green salad with bread. It was a lovely meal.

Fat Yak is a Seayak! Evidence from last night.

Back on the Water

Today we were up early, I went for a run and returned to find Simon had already packed up his tent. The forecast for the next 3 days is very hot weather so we want to make early starts. We launched the kayaks with Tim and Sue watching just after 7.30 am.

Approaching the Sturt Hwy bridge at Robinvale

It is a 6 km paddle to the Euston Weir so Simon rang the lock keeper to let him know we were on our way.

Chad had time for a cup of coffee before we arrived. The gate were already open and we paddled straight into the lock. The water was released until we had dropped 4 meters to level of the river below the weir and away we went.

This pelican perch was shortly after the weir. There were a number of pelicans in the area - possibly the weir brings fish to the surface, easy pickings for hungry pelicans

There were lots of nice beaches and a few family groups camping. At one point we paddled round a bend that had magnificent red cliffs on the Victorian side of the river. It was pretty how although the cloud cover stopped us getting too hot. We also dunked our hats and hat a couple of swims. lunch was cheese and crackers.

When we paddled past the 1174 marker around 4.30 pm we had covered 50 km. There was a small beach with a reasonable camping site just after so we pulled in. I was feeling weary possibly because I hadn’t eaten enough. Simon had a bag of sugar snakes which helped revive me.







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