Day five - Into Shepparton

Shepparton at last! Only 33km (a bit of a doddle) and there were pollies and media to greet me.

Day5The day was not good until about 1.00pm. I have no idea what was wrong but paddling speed was down about 1km/hr and I felt like shit. My shoulders hurt and I wanted to rest.

The images show some difficulties but it wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately when I had to get back in the kayak from the log the kayak was nearly a metre away because there were two branches in the way. Jumping to the kayak was the only answer. It worked but there were some unsettling moments and everything got soaked but I didn’t tip it over.

All up we were about an hour earlier than we said we would be five days ago which has to be pretty good.

now way around
This tree was not only big, but had obstacles so that I could not easily climb back into the kayak after I had hauled it over.
knuckling
The only way over the shallow bits is to put your knuckles on the river bed and push.
Over the logs, again
Over the logs, again
Jim deMille
Our cameraman, Jim, sets up the shot
The big tree
An enormous tree has slid down the bank and into the middle of the river leaving a great basin carved into the side of the river and an enormous obstacle for me.
Shepparton weir
The weir below Shepparton with its new-fangled fish ladder
Gauging station
Solar panels on the eastern and western side measures the height of the water
Waiting for rain to stop
Just short of Shepparton I sheltered from the rain.
Shepparton bridge
The Peter Ross-Edwards causeway at Shepparton
arriving
Steve powering onto the boat ramp at Shepparton