TUESDAY 9 MARCH

 

After an early departure from our mooring we continued our leisurely cruise up river. Early morning light on the cliffs was magical.

After a short bus drive around the town, on our stop at Swan Reach, a small town on the banks of the river, once a thriving port, we drove around to an almond farm. Almonds are becoming a major crop along the river and despite their need for a good water supply, systems are now in place to provide the water needs at a much better sustainable level.

We left Swan Reach promptly and continued cruising up to Blanchetown, which is the furthest point on the river for this cruise. There is a weir and lock here for boats continuing up river.

Our overnight stop was on the banks at a place known as Sugar Shack. A place of no significance other than typical riverland ecology.

A Whistling Kite's nest

The sea gulls left us shortly after

Quite a community at this pub, perched high up on the cliffs, hopefully above flood level!

As the sun goes down see how the colour deepens from the image above

Spoonbill

Did not see many Galahs, but there was quite a flock here

Hard to imagine, but the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos find nesting spots in the cliffs

Swan Reach was one of the dump spots. As we looked down on the river from above the town

The seagulls have now been replaced by Pelicans

We had been alerted to the possibility of some pelicans flying into the wash. At one point there were more than a dozen. Many were able to snaffle a fish, churned up by the wash.

Lots of places to take in the views along the river

Whistling Kite

Lock and weir at Blanchetown

Pelicans in numbers here too

and the sun sets on yet another wonderful day, but the clouds proved ominous