The Proud Mary 1

Day one of our trip, Sunday 18 April 2021.

14 Minto Probus members came together for a cruise on the Murray River.

12 flew out from Sydney airport to Adelaide, then taken by bus to Murray Bridge to join up with 2 more members (who were driving with caravan around the area) to board the Proud Mary, joining up with another 20 passengers. Proud Mary has only 18 cabins and caters for 36 passengers.

After being shown to our quarters we were entranced by our first view of the Murray as flood lit shoreline passed us by as we cruised to our overnight stay at Woodland. Supper was served and we experience the first of many delicious meals served up by our 'chefs'. Meeting the crew was a treat and we found out that the total crew of 6 all worked together to make out trip a memorable one.

Day two of our trip, Monday 19 April 2021. A great day for early morning photographs at Woodlane before we head to Mannum.

Monday we continued down the Murray and arrived at Mannum where we began to learn the history of the Murray. We were taken by bus into the town and explored the museum and the town itself. The afternoon was spent cruising down the river once again and admiring the bird life and wonderful shoreline and towering cliffs. The evening meal was of an “Australia” flavour, including 'kangaroo' which was not to everyone's taste, but interesting just the same. Following dinner the boat docked at Walker Flat and a bus took the passengers to look for some Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats. Though difficult to find, several were finally spotted, capping the evening before heading back to the boat and to bed.

We continue our cruise up river to Walker Flat, where we moor for the night. The views from the Proud Mary, especially in the late afternoon sunshine are spectaular. All cameras were out to capture the brilliant colours.

Day three of our trip, Tuesday 20 April 2021. Today we head up to Blanchtown before heading south again to moor for the night.

Tuesday we headed for Swan Reach where another tour of the area was made available. Again exploring the small township and noting how dry the area really is. Although the Murray flows by so close, the water has to supply the city of Adelaide and is only piped to chosen areas. Well controlled and maintained, the Murray is fed by run offs from the Northern States of NSW & Qld.

Signs along the cliffs indicate how high the Murray has been in the past. Following the heavy rain that the country has had these past 6 months, the Murray is looking healthier than it has in some time. The houseboats that are in the thousands up and down the Murray make it a haven for people to holiday on and even live in. Departing Swan Reach the boat again cruised down to Blanchetown where we were able to walk on the shore and explore Lock number 1. Re boarding, the boat then turned around and headed up the way we had come. Arrived at Sugar Shack for an overnight stay. After a lovely roast dinner we had fun with a trivia game.