The Proud Mary 1
Exploring the Murray River from Murray Bridge to Blanchetown. Sunday to Tuesday.
Day one of our trip, Sunday 18 April 2021.
Day one of our trip, Sunday 18 April 2021.
The old paddle wheel Captain Proud docked at Murray Bridge.
The old paddle wheel Captain Proud docked at Murray Bridge.
We pass under the floodlit rail bridge at Murray Bridge.
We pass under the floodlit rail bridge at Murray Bridge.
14 Minto Probus members came together for a cruise on the Murray River.
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.
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.
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.
The mooring procedure at Woodlane.
The mooring procedure at Woodlane.
Robyn & Chris keeping an eye on the crew.
Robyn & Chris keeping an eye on the crew.
Day two of our trip, Monday 19 April 2021. A great day for early morning photographs at Woodlane before we head to Mannum.
Day two of our trip, Monday 19 April 2021. A great day for early morning photographs at Woodlane before we head to Mannum.
Our boat, the Proud Mary docked at Woodlane.
Our boat, the Proud Mary docked at Woodlane.
A few sunrise photos from our team of artistic photographers.
A few sunrise photos from our team of artistic photographers.
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.
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.
Boarding the bus for a tour of Mannum.
Boarding the bus for a tour of Mannum.
On the bus tour of Mannum we visit a lookout for views of the Murray River.
On the bus tour of Mannum we visit a lookout for views of the Murray River.
Jenny is really happy to be on a Murray River Cruise.
Jenny is really happy to be on a Murray River Cruise.
Vicki & Peter discuss the weather.
Vicki & Peter discuss the weather.
Mannum dockside.
Mannum dockside.
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.
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.
Linda & Jenny enjoying the passing view.
Linda & Jenny enjoying the passing view.
Relaxing.
Relaxing.
For a brief moment the strange markings on the cliff face made a dead tree come to life.
For a brief moment the strange markings on the cliff face made a dead tree come to life.
One of the many pellicans that followed the Proud Mary.
One of the many pellicans that followed the Proud Mary.
The cliffs of the Murray floodlit from the boat provided many interesting photographs.
The cliffs of the Murray floodlit from the boat provided many interesting photographs.
Day three of our trip, Tuesday 20 April 2021. Today we head up to Blanchtown before heading south again to moor for the night.
Day three of our trip, Tuesday 20 April 2021. Today we head up to Blanchtown before heading south again to moor for the night.
Early morning light on the Murray cliffs.
Early morning light on the Murray cliffs.
Breakfast on the Proud Mary.
Breakfast on the Proud Mary.
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.
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.
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.
Keeping a close watch on where we have been.
Keeping a close watch on where we have been.
Enjoying the view over a cuppa and game of cards.
Enjoying the view over a cuppa and game of cards.
Disembarking at Blanchtown for a walk to the No.1 Lock.
Disembarking at Blanchtown for a walk to the No.1 Lock.
Chris and Steve.
Chris and Steve.
Murray River Red Gums line the bank. We spend the night moored at a peacefull spot amongst the gums just north of Swan Reach.
Murray River Red Gums line the bank. We spend the night moored at a peacefull spot amongst the gums just north of Swan Reach.