A Trip of a Lifetime.

I was a novice with minimal boating experience

We booked this trip 12 months prior and I was a little hesitant about going
Five days on a houseboat with no escape route when emotions get the better of us as they do in family situations sometimes.
I was the grief counselor of the group and I lost it on the first day, my focus was on the dynamics of the group not on the beauty that surrounded us.
But when I refocused I felt a gentle breeze caress my face as the warmth of the sun enveloped me and I sensed the live giving water flowing under my feet.
I had found a piece of paradise and was changed forever.

We started our journey from Echuca on Friday 13-11-09, It was lucky Friday and we got off to a good start after a brief lesson on controlling our houseboat.

We were traveling for about an hour when disaster struck; I had over steered because of approaching water craft and became marooned on a submerged log.
Three hours latter we were back in business with the help of the boat owner who was so professional and helpful.
We had no more accidents for the rest of the trip.

This part of the world is magnificent with plenty of bird life, the odd kangaroo and I witnessed nature at its best when an osprey caught a big fish for its lunch.
Four days latter we reached Torrumbary Weir the end of our piece of paradise, here we stayed the night.
I gained some confidence and stated we would get back by the allocated time to dock at Echuca by Friday but my crew was not convinced, my wife was leading a mutiny her trust levels had been tested by the accident.
I proved them wrong and we docked within 5 minutes of finishing time.
I would recommend this trip to everyone and I would do it again, we were out of season for most fishing however we just wanted to re-charge our batteries and 3 months latter my batteries are still fully charged.

You owe it to yourself, watch out for ski boats and enjoy the trip.
Arthur Burvill.
Bacchus Marsh