30
degrees at 9am, still clear sky. Going to get to 40 degrees today in Mildura so
we are glad we can swim here.
Drove
down to the weir and lock 9, started construction in 1923 and completed in
1926. 765km from the mouth and the weir pool height is 27.4m above sea level.
Information boards with some good photos.
Information
about controlling the salt content.
Nice
lush green lawns.
Same
as Wentworth, even pelicans on the posts.
Flood
level marker and another one beside the flow meter.
Walked
along the length of the lock.
Steve
pointed out the inlet water value things that used to be turned by hand but now
by hydraulics.
Across
the weir to NSW.
Looking
downstream to where we are camped – where it is clear, we are behind the trees.
Weir
from the downstream end of the lock.
In
the ‘no swim’ area was another flock of baby cormorants having their swimming
lesson.
Nice
and tranquil upstream.
I
went into the office to ask about access to the next 3 locks. The chap, Steve,
who lived in Tully for a few years but much prefers the weather down here!! He
was sitting in a nice air conditioned room while it is 40 degrees outside, I
might add. He said that 8 and 7 are fine and drew me a mud map of camp spots
etc. Lock 6, first one in Sth Aust, is on private property and the people have
now put in a coded gate so tourists can’t get access, unless you are in a boat
of course. There is a boat ramp upstream of it so he said to go there and maybe
walk up. There are three lock workers living here. He did 5 years at Lock 7 and
said that is definitely the remote one. From here it isn’t a big drive on the
Sturt Highway back to Mildura and from 8 you can travel on the NSW back to
Wentworth. This area has just been taken over by National Parks and he said
that today would be a total fire ban – lucky we had the camp oven last night!!
No boats booked to go through the lock today.
Back
out to Steve who was standing in the shade with the sprinklers on his legs.
Light breeze blowing so not too bad so far.
The
first lock master’s house looks like it was built when the weir was.
Back
out the track to cross over the channel and back down to the river to the
historic pump station. Spotted some emus resting in the shade of the tree.
Down
to the boat ramp – some nice camp spots along here. A ski boat roared past from
one of the houseboats.
The
historic Millewa pump station, built 1927, but there isn’t any information
about it except this engineering one.
The
new inlet grate and a much smaller pump sucking heaps of water out of the
Murray. Steve says it sounds like it needs its bearings looked at. Then the
Murray water flows down the channel to irrigate this dry country.
Looking
back to the weir and lock.
Further
downstream was ‘The Lodge’ – house on the water with fishing, waterskiing etc
available.
Paddleboat
‘Merlin’.
Another
shot of the lock and weir from upstream. Going on the Wentworth info, if this
water is at 27.4m above sea level then where we are swimming should be 23.3m.
Will check that at the next lock.
Back
to the van for a cuppa then we headed off downstream following the track beside
the river. Stopped to chat with WA couple, Peter and Jennifer from Rockingham
trying to keep cool in the shade. They are heading for the Snowy Mountains for
autumn. Put ‘Kate’ on 4WD map and travelled along watching her leave a blue
line where we were travelling. There is an official track called ‘Balckbox’ but
it was a bit further away from the river. Further along was a campervan parked
in the sun with the couple hiding under a tree. We commented they should have
parked in the shade but he was trying to charge up his batteries for his fridge
– I think the fridge was melting from being in the sun!! They were from Canada
and had bought the camper and have been back and forth 4 times now.
Lots
of huge trees lying around.
And
the river continues on.
Spotted
another distance marker 766km to go.
Turned
back and followed the actual Blackbox Track back – ‘Kate’ was right on it with
her blue line.
Back
for lunch – 42 degrees so enjoyed our swim. I did some blogging while Steve
fixed the broken fridge shelf using the last of his flat plate aluminium he had
brought from home. It broke this morning when I went to wipe the pickled onion
water off it – the lid had come off and splashed everywhere went we were
bouncing over some of the roads at Wallpolla Island. Lucky it broke now, not
while we were driving – what a mess that would have been when I opened the
fridge up!!
Must
be building up to a storm as I have got a sweat up sitting today googling South
Australian van parks – trying to find some place to stay for the V8s!! Another
swim is needed!!
In
and out of the water all afternoon which was wonderful. Last swim at 7.30pm (still 40 degrees) then yummy lamb shanks for
tea. Sat outside where it was cooler then turned on the TV and a video and sat
outside, drive-in movie style, to watch it. Peter and Jennifer walked up to say
hi as they were trying to cool off by having a walk.
Missed
calls from Jon as we were connected to the aerial so only a text came through.
He said there was a water leak under the house and he was dealing with it with
a plumber and will ring us tomorrow.
11pm
it was still 35 degrees but there was a light breeze starting.
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