Saturday 29 January

 Day 3: Our first day on the River. We left Renmark behind, passed through the Paringa Bridge on schedule and headed down river.

This lift bridge only opens twice a day at 9:30am and 2:30pm so very important we made our way down river promptly this morning

The current played havoc in the now swollen river from the heavy rains months ago up in the upper reaches of the Darling River. Here's a map of the huge catchment of the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Darling Rivers.

The basin covers 14% of Australia's land mass. Renmark is close to the border with NSW. We travelled abut one-fifth of the length of the Murray River.

As you can see the Darling River flows a long way from the north until it reaches the Murray River at Wentworth. The Murrumbidgee and the Murray itself, from it's source, would also have above average flows from winter snow melt and summer rains.

At one stage the captain could not hold the boat in the narrow marked channel (so marked because of sand banks) and the current and wind pushed us into the bank. No major damage, thankfully. Lots of debris on the deck as we stripped a tree right on the bend. All in a day's work on this magnificent river.

Navigated through two locks with the weirs running very fast.

Quick stop in Berri before tying up at Loxton for the night. Fabulous Australiana dinner. Fabulous sunset. Great day.

Never tire of capturing the Whistling Kites on the river

High water near our mooring. Proud Mary behind the trees