Day 7 - Marker 596 to Renmark/Paringa

With only 30 km to Renmark I thought it would be an easy paddle and that I would be there by lunchtime. It took 6 hours and it was extremely hot. The highlight was the scenery and a snake swimming across the river.

I paused at 11.00 am and tuned in to the ABC radio broadcast of the Remembrance Day commemoration. As it was 100th anniversary of the armistice it was a significant day. Lisa’s grandfather Victor Birtwistle was wounded on the Western Front and was damaged for the rest of his life. My grandfather Joseph Browne also served in France

I had photographed a snake swimming across the river yesterday but this time was more exciting. I pursued this snake to get a photo and it stopped and looked right at me as if to say “Come closer I dare you”. Naturally I decided I was close enough.

Arriving at Renmark I struggled to find a suitable “get-out”. There was a big boat ramp but I wasn’t happy that I wouldn’t get in the way of someone launching via the ramp. Other spots were not easy so I decided to paddle on the caravan park at Paringa. It seemed a long extra 4 km but eventually I pulled up on the caravan park swimming beach just near the Paringa Bridge.

I checked in for 3 nights but only stayed for 2 as I was able to collect my car the next day by cycling 140 km in mid 30s temperatures. I was reluctant to stay longer because of the road noise coming from the bridge. Every time a truck crossed the bridge there was a thunderous row. It was also very hot in Paringa – 37 degrees each day and it didn’t cool off until late in the evening. Mosquitoes were driving me into the tent before it cooled down so it was very uncomfortable.