WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH

 

Still at Sugar Shack, after breakfast, we went with the Captain for a short walk along the river bank to a canoe tree. There are many of these along the river and the Captain explained their significance. So many of the indigenous flora along the bank hold significance to local people.

We briefly stopped again at Swan Reach and passengers were free to roam the town, visit the motor museum or craft shop. Ian went to the motor museum and I wandered around the town which we had only driven through before.

Our overnight stop was at Big Bend where the cliffs are at their highest along the river. This is a permanent private site for the Proud Mary where they light a fire and set about organising for a BBQ on the banks.

During the afternoon, while things were being set up, however, we were able to take tours on the small tender into the lagoons and inlets of the area. The Captain explained the significance of many plant species in the lagoons and talked about the regeneration of the River Red Gums which, sadly, can die if flood waters rise while the newly sprouted trees are still young.

Cruising close to the magnificent cliffs, the Captain explained about how both birdlife and plant life use the cliffs to thrive. Shells are often seen very high up in the cliffs which is a very obvious indication of how this was once part of the ocean.

All set when the weather took a change for the worse. Everybody was sent back on board and our outdoor BBQ was abandoned. The crew did a magnificent job of rearrangements. The entertainer set up in the dining room too and we had an altogether lovely evening.

A beautiful example of a "canoe" tree

Murray Princess coming in to join us at Swan Reach

Swan Reach has some lovely old buildings - many repurposed!

Ready for our trip to the wetlands

The teals watched us closely then finally took off

These Reed Warblers were busy flitting among the reeds. More than half a dozen in this picture

A cruise closer to the cliffs show the diversity of flora among the cliffs

Swallows nest annually in the crevices

If there was a cave, this would be a beautiful grotto

Trees find anywhere to set roots

A nervous darter did not stay around for long

The lounge/dining area on the Proud Mary

Courtenay, our cruise director

The fire's lit, getting ready for the BBQ

Seeing the tender passing below the cliffs, gives a sense of scale

Getting closer

Then the call was to abandon shore and head for ship!