Includes readings for the past week
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View PMB's current weather status Includes readings for the past week |
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Several years ago my sister in law, Blanche suggested that some of us get together for a barge cruise in France. Unfortunately what was a good idea then faltered under the weight of suggestions regarding how such a suggestion could be improved. (me culpa)
More recently after after a successful cycling tour along the Maine River in Germany with Edith, my brother in law William and his wife Waveney, I started to think of a cycle tour Down Under. It soon became apparent that this was not going to be an option for us and so we ended up on a house boat on the Murray River. This time most of the prospective participants played a constructive role in putting the venture together and viola, we found ourselves cruising on the Murray River. My dearly beloved Edith deserves a special mention for driving this venture, especially at the outset. From our perspective, Charles also deserves a mention for putting three bicycles together, and then dragging them all the way from Morayfield in Queensland to Echuca on the Murray River. Of course the trip would not having been doable for us if Blanche and I had not joined us, and if Liz had left her soon to be, "World Famous in Echuca" rusks behind.
While Charles and Liz were able to make their way directly from their home in Morayfield in their Camper Van setup, Blanche Edith and I flew from Perth to Melbourne were we spent Sunday night before heading to Echuca on the Monday in a hired car. The trip saw us make a stop off at Bendigo in order to purchase the week's supplies. As we drove into Bendigo we could not but help notice the impressive spire of a church and headed straight to what turned out to be the Sacred Heart Cathedral. After viewing what is really a very impressive structure we headed for Coles and the supplies. After that we once again set off for Echuca were we met up with Charles and Liz at the what was once arguably Australia's largest inland port. Today it thrives as an important historical center that hosts all manner of get-togethers and of course, the Houseboat industry. After we had got our bags, bikes and grub on board onto our houseboat we were given a course on how to operate the vessel. That was followed by some practical work and then we were finally on our way rather late in the day.
Our first stop was always going to be an overnight stop before continuing further down the river in search of a suitable beach to tie up on that also had the promise of some bush walking and cycling close by. What followed was a pleasant two days tied up on one of the banks of the Murray River. The house boat was very well appointed and I would guess we were all very comfortable on it. On the Thursday afternoon after a late lunch we headed back to Echuca ere we first explored the port area before tying up at the jetty. To keep things simple on the last night we went ashore to explore Echuca and enjoy a meal prepared for us.
Would I do it again? Probably not, but that should not detract from what was a very enjoyable time in the company of family we do not get to see that often, let alone sail with on the Murray.
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Takes a while to load, but then proceeds quite smoothly. Looses image aspect ratio for portrait images i.e., squashes them.
If you have any comments, corrections, suggestions or plain criticism, I would appreciate it if you would communicate the same to me.
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[email protected] |
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Google+ | www.robdempster.com |
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