to see our photos of our canoeing trip, pleas click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056437&id=1112916442&l=9c7233a3cb
Easter found us heading south the the Glenelg River, on the southern border of South Australia and Victoria. Not wanting to join the easter madness on the road, we left on the Thursday, and had a leisurely drive south. Travelled through the Coonawarra, so many wineries there, I don't know how people choose which ones to visit, I guess the serious just go to them all.
Spent the night at Pritchards camping area, on the Glenelg River. Just the roof top camper this time. Great weather, a lovely camping spot. Peter had tried to buy a fishing license at Nelson on the way, and found out that he didn't need one as he had a Seniors card. He didn't try fishing, but others were, lots of undersized fish.
On Friday, we headed back to Nelson, to the Nelson Canoe Hire, who were renting us canoes. We watched some others packing, and got our barrels, a 50 litre and 30 litre barrel. The clothes and sleeping bags went in the large barrel, the food went in the small barrel. We also had an esky, tent and chairs. About midday our friends arrived, Bill and Erica had driven from Adelaide, John and Mary from the Coorong, and we met Robin and Toni-Ann, who had also driven down from Adelaide. Our party complete, they all assembled their gear, we all got fitted for life jackets, then we headed out to Saunders Landing, our starting point for the Odyssey. We took all the gear we were taking out of the cars, then the drivers drove back to Nelson. They followed the guy from the Canoe hire to his property, where the cars were left, then were driven out the Saunders with the canoes. Then began the jigsaw puzzle of fitting everything into the canoes, before heading off down stream, starting about 3pm.
The first session of paddling saw us all learning how to paddle and navigate our big bath-tubs, and especially how to steer, the job of the body in the back. We paddled for about an hour, then took a break at Pritchards (where we had camped the night before), before heading on to our designated camping area of Skipworth Springs, 6.9 k downstream from where we began.
The Glenelg River Park has several camping grounds which do not have road access, and are classified as canoe camps. The ones we stayed at had a grassed area for tents, some flatter than others, a fireplace, a water tank and a long drop. Most had a table as well.
We unloaded all the gear from the canoes, dragged them out of the water, and set up camp. As it was Easter, the camp site was busy, with 20 people booked in, the norm for the weekend. That evening, the community catering began, and Toni-Ann served us a delicious chicken casserole, with rice and salad, followed by cheese and fruit, and kit-kats. We had all brough our own drinks, all had ample supplies, so the red, white and beer were flowing. We also chatted with some of the other canoers, several of whom we met up with at later camps. Had a fire to keep warm.
Saturday morning saw us tucking into bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, juice and fresh coffee, before packing up and heading off again. Saturday was our long day of paddling, 14.4k. We took this in 4 stages, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea stops, but all were glad to arrive at our destination, Bowds. John's Goat curry, cheese and fruit, more lubricant for the throats, and the company of 2 families, each with 3 children, plus an extra child. The 2 families were experienced campers, and the extra was very wary of the whole experience, obviously had never camped before. These folks had a boat, including chain-saw, and they
provided us with a roaring fire that night.
Early Sunday morning saw the arrival of the Easter Bunny, who scattered eggs around the camp. When the children got up, they were quite disappointed at how few eggs there were, however there were lots of empty wrappers and it seems the possums had a good feed of chocolate.
Breakfast was french toast, bacon and maple syrup, with a muesli and yoghurt option, before packing up and heading downstream again. Only 7.6 k to Lasletts, which was completed before lunch. That afternoon, most were happy to relax, Peter and Mary walked to the Princess Margaret Rose caves, a pleasant walk along the cliff tops. They also went through the caves, which they enjoyed. Late in the afternoon, Bill went out for firewood, and we had another excellent fire. Our turn to supply the dinner, beef casserole, pototoes, cheese and fruit, and Easter eggs.
The final morning started with a continental breakfast, and we headed down the river to Donovan's Landing (6.8k), where we were picked up by the Canoe people, before heading to lunch at the Nelson pub, and saying goodbye to our friends, who were all heading back north. A most enjoyable Easter weekend. The river was very relaxing (once we had learnt how to navigate), and we enjoyed watching the birds. And the weather had been perfect.
Monday night we went back to Pritchards for a final night's camping. And on Tuesday morning it started to rain.
We headed along the coast to Robe, stayed in the Youth hostel there (Lakeside Manor), then back to Adelaide on Wednesday. Stopped at the Coorong and walked out to jack's shack, which overlooks the pelican rookery, and watched the pelicans flying in formation on their round trip from near Policeman's point to the barrage and back.
If you are considering a canoeing holiday, I can thouroughly recommend it, especially if you have good company and good weather.
to see our photos of our canoeing trip, pleas click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056437&id=1112916442&l=9c7233a3cb
