Mannum to Loxton

Well, we are still slowly making our way up the Murray. There are so many beautiful places to stop that it is hard to choose just where to stay. At the present time The Murray River is just magnificent. There is plenty of water. The locals say that the water level is about 1 metre above normal so there is plenty of fish and an abundance of birdlife.

We left Mannum on 22nd April and headed upriver to Walker Flat where we crossed the river on the ferry, just fitting in beside a huge truck.

It is a bit squeezy on the ferry sometimes

We drove past a couple of lookouts, the second one being the most spectacular. It was called Big Bend Lookout so called because it looks out over a huge, sweeping bend of the river with big red cliffs rising up on one side.

Big Bend

We then drove through Swan Reach and on to Blanchetown. Nothing much to speak of here although we stayed in another nice park on the river. We met a young, very fit couple who were kayaking down the river from Bordercliffs (at the Vic/SA border) to Goolwa. They set up a tent and stayed in the caravan park overnight. They had all of their stuff packed into watertight bags which fitted in their kayak, a tent, air beds, sleeping bags, clothes, shoes and food. It was amazing to watch them pack up.

Lock 1 Blanchetown

From Blanchetown we went to Morgan. We have stayed there a few times before but only overnight so this time we decided to stay for 3 nights. After setting up we went across on the ferry to Waikerie where we went to Woolies and did some shopping. While at Morgan we caught up on the washing and the rain caught up to us.

Looking downriver at Morgan

From Morgan we went back across the ferry, through Waikerie and on to a little place called Moorook. We camped in a council reserve for $8 a night and had a great spot right beside the river.

Relaxed fisherman

Our campsite at Moorook

Ray caught some yellowbelly fish and he even caught a legal sized one which he has cleaned and filleted and popped in the feeezer to take home to Max, his brother. Ray and I don't like fresh water fish and Max is always asking Ray to bring him home a yellowbelly when we go away. So this time he did.

A yellowbelly for brother Max

We had a great weekend in Moorook. The days were lovely and sunny and the nights were quite cool.

This is the marker at Moorook which shows past flood levels. The one Ray is leaning on is 1974. The one at the very top is 1956 which is signposted at many spots on the river.

We got away from Moorook on 30th and headed to Loxton for 3 nights. Another lovely spot right on the river. Loxton is called the Garden City of the Riverland and the gardens are truly lovely. Just about every garden has lots of roses so there is colour everywhere

We witnessed a glorious sunset, all pinks and purples.

We have made friends with the caravan park dog Max, who came around looking for some biscuts.

Then while Ray was rebaiting his fishing rod a kookaburra swooped down and stole the bait right off the hook. He then hung around looking for a handout. Luckily we had some mince in the fridge so we gave him some. He is quite tame and will take the food out of your hand.

Camp Kooka

We drove to Berri on Tuesday. It was only 20km up the road and we were looking for a fishing store. On the drive from Loxton we couldn't believe the number of vineyards and orange and apple orchrds. On either side of the road as far as the eye could see.

Now today the 2nd is Ray's 60th birthday. I got him a new fishing rod, some bags to put the fishing rods in and some bells which you put on the end of the fishing rod and when you get a bite the little bells ring. So where people are fishing all you can hear are little bells tinkling. It sounds as if someones cat has got loose.I also got him some books and we went to the Loxton Hotel for lunch, just the two of us. It was a very nice meal.

First beer on Ray's 60th. Happy birthday

Coming back to the van after lunch the original kookaburra showed up and brought his wife with him and just plonked themselves down on the pole.

We are heading to Renmark tomorrow for a couple of nights as Rick and Lorraine are going to be there as they are  picking up a new van,