THE 2020 RIVER RUN - MORGAN TO BERRI
RIVER RUN MORGAN TO BERRI -
SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER TO MONDAY 5 OCTOBER 2020
This event was held under the considerable restrictions of COVID-19 public health requirements at a time when fortunately, South Australia had been clear of community transmission for a significant period. The organizers and participants did a sterling job of complying to the regulations and guidelines as we floated up river in our COVID (free) travel bubble. We began with the gathering of the fleet of 26 boats on the Morgan waterfront, followed by the AGM and members sausage sizzle lunch. Then we got down to the serious business of bidding on the many lots in the bi-annual Charity Auction. Over $3,000 was raised for Beyond Blue, our designated charity for this event.
Dinner that night was at the Terminus Hotel in Morgan. The fleet of 26 boats included everything from a small wooden dinghy and couple of tinnies to a collection of medium-sized cruisiers and trailer-sailers to small, medium and large houseboats. The diversity of vessels provided both colour and practical advantages through mutual support. Some slept on the river bank, but most on their boats. There were a couple of losses from the fleet as the trip progressed, due to injury to owners and motors, but most participants (boats and people) performed finished fit, if a little tired.
Day 2 camp was at Caudo winery, just downstream of Hogwash Bend. Apart from the challenges of a couple of medical emergencies, all went well!
The Day 3 camp was at Holder Bend and the next day featured an outstanding lunch catered by Liz and Clint Frankel and friends at the Riverglen View Gallery at Good Hope Landing. The artworks, including paintings, prints and sculptured glass were a wonder to behold and many purchases were made, some which no doubt have graced this Christmas. At the end of this memorable day we camped at Akuna Station, courtesy of the good graces of the owners. We had several walks around the property in the evening and again the next morning.
On Day 5 we camped on Crown Land near Thurk Island, upstream of Kingston on Murray. The tradition of Red Faces performances was again well supported, with many individual and group acts. The next day we visited the Cobdogla Steam Museum, which included a trip on the 4km. railway and a guided tour that encompassed a close-up experience of the massive traction engines and the exterior of the Humphries pumping system.
Moorook township waterfront was the venue for our Day 6 camp, with some canoeing for some in the afternoon and then dinner at the Moorook Club. It was back to bush camping again on Day 7, this time at the picturesque Raine Bend.
Most of the fleet stopped off in Loxton around lunch time on Day 8 for some shopping and to use the club amenities trailer. Next stop was another bush campsite at Whirlpool Bend, probably the pick of the sites on this trip. The wide sandy bend accommodated all of our boats easily and a number of other unrelated boats. The Whirlpool Cup was a feature of the night's entertainment.
Next morning some when canoeing up and into the Katarapko system before the fleet progressed on to Berri. Many of the smaller boats moored in the Berri basin, shared with many rowing boats on a training weekend. Larger vessels pulled up to the river bank or the extensive town wharf. Our final dinner that night was at River Jacks on the waterfront and with a threatening forecast to follow an earlier dust storm and short burst of rain that coloured our boats orange, we all managed to eat under cover. 10 drivers caught the shuttle bus the next morning to retrieve cars and trailers from Morgan and back to Berri for retrieval and packing up. So ended another very successful RCBC River Run, with the challenges of COVID, injuries and variable weather left in our wake. Thanks to all who participated and to the hard-working organizers. Particular thanks go to the Berri Lions Club members who provided some of the critical land-based support for our trip and in turn RCBC was pleased to be able to support future local Lions Club activities.
Photos by Peter Hunter: part of the fleet moored at Caudo winery; Lady J flying the quarantine flag (and the laundry); some of our canoeists at Katarapko.
Photos by Lindsay and Jo Dent: Lucky Star; Solway; Entropy in action at Caudo - the long-time trusty ladder, put under too much stress (it was later repaired to a completely functional state); the cliffs approaching Good Hope Landing; parts of the fleet at Good Hope Landing; outdoor art at Fraenkels' gallery; the Fraenkels' homestead, with gallery behind; a harsh, eroded landscape, being rehabilitated over time; at the bottom of the track at Good Hope Landing; hanging in there above Good Hope Landing; the final night dinner at River Jack's, Berri.
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