Rolling on the river
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2008
1
54
97
Trip End
Jun 20, 2009
Murray Bridge, South Australia, Australia
Thursday, January 8, 2009
After a quick run down on how the boat ran, Captain Bunting bravely volunteered to take the first run. We untied our ropes and set sail on our surprisingly luxurious boat after unloading the ten tones of food and alcohol our eight crew members had brought with us!! The Murray river is beautiful, burnt orange cliffs and willow trees crowd its banks in the more remote parts, holiday shacks and eager (a little too eager) water and jet skiers are abundant in other areas. By the time we pulled in on our first evening we discovered our boat could actually do 9km an hour, easing the pressure somewhat. Misty Dawn had a one day head start, so they looked good to reach the meet point as well. Unfortunately the Shangrila was a floating shit heap, so they had to venture on ( a little scarily) past dusk.
Meals were organized on a rota basis, meaning most people only had to cook once in the week, which was great. The food was of a really high standard as well, which made up somewhat for all the drinking we were doing. Much wine and merriment ensued although there were early enough nights all round as the next morning, despite knowing we could go a little faster, we still had to rise at the break of dawn.
Myself, Emmet and Tess had volunteered for the job. The river is like a mirror at that hour, the reflections only broken by the odd pelican or duck gliding by. The engine is also surprisingly quiet, so it was a tranquil and beautiful start to the day. Unfortunately some of our gang had to sleep on couches so they were woken early, soon the whole boat was up, the generator was cranked on and Quirkey was getting comfortable in what would become his favourite position all week...relaxing in the hot tub with a mojito in hand! Our boat was the only one with a hot tub. SWEEEEET.
We all arrived in time for the New Years Eve party campsite where a crowd of around 50 or 60 people had gathered. We got a bonfire going and danced on the beach until the countdown started. We hugged in 2009 with sparklers, coopers and nearby boats setting off fireworks. Definitely one of the best yet. True to form I was in bed by 2am. The next day was hangover central but it's not so bad having a hangover when you can take a dip in the river, lounge in a tube in the sun, go for a little kayak, have a delicious lunch / dinner made for you etc etc
The next day was our final day at the campsite, and also in honour of one of our mate's birthdays pirate day. We donned our costumes and got into character early in the day. The effort was excellent as you can tell by the snaps, although Emmet did look a bit like George Michael pirate at the start of the day before Kim redid his scarf and his make up!! (Yes that's right make up. Even got him wearing eye liner!!) We did a short cruise so we could shout "yaar" and "prepare to be boarded me mateys" at passerbys. Much merriment ensued. The whole cruise ended back on the same beach with the "yaarsss" shouting in time to the music.
The next day, predictably was a bit of a write off. A pleasing pattern of one day on one day off the partying was unfolding. This time we actually had to start cruising back down the river though if we were going to make it back to our respective marinas in time to drop the boats off. A few hours cruising, interrupted by occasionally having to stop the boat to retrieve men overboard (Kayak white water rafting off the back of the boat. Go figure.) and we pulled up at yet another gorgeous spot for the evening. We watched an amazing sunset whilst dining al fresco on cannelloni then gazed at the southern hemisphere constellations whilst polishing off our wine. Like I said, if only all hangovers could be this good.
Having started a day early, alas Misty Dawn departed from us before we had time to celebrate our last last big event; 80s prom night cocktail night! Taffeta, neon and bad hair was the order of the day and the gang threw itself in with gusto. Emmet's costume was particularly fetching although it didn't last long after he threw himself into the hot tub, which we had established by then could fit 8 drunken sailors. We danced our hearts out to Toto, Wham and all the greats (!) of the 80s...alas one cocktail too many meant I missed the spectacular sunrise that morning over the Murray river but himself got some great snaps.
The last day was all hands on deck again to polish up the place and slowly make our way back to River Glen Marina. It was an amazing week, the Adelaide gang are going to do the same thing again next year. I'd love to do it, but somehow I don't think that it's going to be possible. Hopefully sometime again in the future. It really was the cherry on the cake of what has been a fantastic time in Australia. Radelaide, you have been HEAPS GOOD!! We will return!!!!
