Progress

Hi Folks,

I have done 100kms of the Murray and we are now in Robinvale. Today was supposed to be a bit easy, but as it was into wind pretty well all the time after about noon, it wasn't.

The rowing on the Murrumbidgee was tricky, because of the obstacles, but progress was pretty swift in the current. On this section of the Murray, basically the Euston weir pool, it is like rowing on a long lake. Into a decent wind, it isn't very relaxing.

A couple of people have asked about my physical state - back, blisters, arm muscles???? So here is a quick summary. The thing suffering most pain is my bum. Even with a cushion on the rowing seat, the rocking motion combined with the fairly skinny nature of the object itself seems to be generating something like saddle sores. Not life threatening. My back muscles are tired, but I have no real back problem. My arm/shoulder muscles are fine. I have blisters on both hands but no great drama there. My finger joints are sore and a couple are a bit swollen. I have avoided getting sunburnt but my feet have gone brown, and it isn't just Murray mud. Rowing is a bit like doing gentle sit ups all day. I expected to get sore abs but that hasn't happened. So I am OK but I will take tomorrow off the river and let these minor issues fix themselves. We can also plan the next leg, up to Mildura.

I intend to eat a large steak tonight and sleep like a log. Got into Robinvale about 3pm after a 9am start. Lying flat on my back is a very pleasant sensation. It feels like all the little pads in my spine are expanding back to their normal shape.

Pretty relaxed scene here at Robinvale. There are a lot of people just sitting and looking at the river, chatting, having a drink.

Cheers

Les