15
degrees this morning – cold enough to be in long pants for breakfast. Will get
out the bed socks again as it is going to drop to 8 degrees tonight!! The wind
has stopped. Packed up and headed back into Swan Hill. I read in one of the
brochures that there were painted bollards along the Murray. One was beside the
Gem Paddle Steamer but we didn’t see it yesterday. Stopped there to find it –
it was on the other side with a few info boards, where a restaurant and the art
gallery is now.
It
is of Captain Hugh King, whose favourite boat was the Gem.
Drove
down to the Riverside Park where two more bollards are supposed to be – they
are of Captain Randell and Captain Cadell on the spot where they both reached
in 1853 when the first paddle steamer race was run. We looked everywhere but
they are not there – should have asked at the Info Centre but decided to
continue on.
Not
far up the highway we turned off into Vinifera State Forest.
It
was the site of Australia’s first rice farm. Stopped to read the info on the
shiny metal plaque – hard to photograph.
A Japanese man, Jo Takasuka, started an experimental rice farm here in
1905. When the Murray flooded he dammed it to flood the fields.
Headed
along the River Track till we found the Murray River. On the other side of the
track was a lagoon – remnants of the rice days.
Due
to the extra water around there are a lot more trees.
Found
a nice spot and set up.
I
worked on my blog – so many pictures from yesterday to sort. Steve went for a
wander along the track. He found some fishermen to chat too and another NSW
distance marker just downstream from us. 1360km from the mouth.
Jon
rang for a chat – so great to hear from him.
Quiet
night – watched Ghost again. They are making it a musical and it will be on in
Perth in May – might go to that one.
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