Barmera Loveday 4x4 ODESSEY August 2012
Day 7
Sunday 2nd September 2 012
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| Oscar W |
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| Marion |
A Lovely relaxing day on the river sitting and chatting with my beautiful wife when we heard the sound of yet another paddle steamer, it was the Oscar W from Goolwa in South Australia which is where this mighty river reaches the sea (Google Oscar W and Goolwa for more information). Yesterday the Marion in her glory now today the Oscar W, this vessel was used to pull barges full of flour and butter up the Murray Darling system as far up as Bourke NSW and return with bales of wool, this would then be off loaded at Goolwa and either transferred to ships at Victor Harbour or taken to the Port of Adelaide by bullock train for shipping from there. In those early days the Murray Darling river boat system was the only means of transport for produce in either direction as roads had not been built and the river was quicker than bullock train to Sydney Town, therefore see in operation these very old vessels still running the river I find exciting.
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| Me out of control |
Slaving again over hot coals cooking hamburgers to go between a fresh loaf of bread out of our Dreampot was lunch, yum, then it was time to get wet in the canoe, being as brave as I am I tethered canoe to the bank with many lengths of rope as the river is flowing so fast, and boy did I need it as I had zero control without the rope I would by now be in Goolwa.
Our next door camping neighbours popped in for a chat and coffee, they are new to caravanning and asked if we wouldn’t mind giving them some tips, we chattered caravanning and camping whilst having an enjoyable time together before tea time came rolling in.
Keep the shiny side up
John & Sheryle
