We spent the morning sorting out equipment and preparing the boats. Obtaining NSW boat drivers’ licence was a priority.
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- Early morning mist.
After having been informed of our great adventure by those who went into Albury to get their boat drivers’ licences, journalists from the Border Mail and the regional television station arrived at the Hume Weir to record the start of our journey.
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- The boat crews went to the line of yellow buoys at the base of the weir to start the expedition.
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- Adrian sorting maps.
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- Tony with trophy.
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- Tony and Kim repair a crack in frame on ute using the Auto Arc welder fitted to The Bus.
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- Bernie and Adrian prepare breakfast in the early morning fog at the Spillway Caravan Park.
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- Television and newspaper journalists were there to record the start of the record breaking attempt.
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- Kim and Michael talk to TV crew.
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- More interviews.
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- Tony makes room for his trophy in the back of the ute.
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- A ‘start’ for the assembled media.
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- If only this formation could be maintained for the entire trip.
We launched the boats in a backwater about 100 metres from the weir wall. Weed around the props caused problems initially but eventually each of the boats was able to get on the plane in an adequate distance.
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- Requisite group photograph.
Greg and Michael made a short sortie downstream in an attempt to ascertain water depth. They reported that the water was shallow but of sufficient depth. How wrong they were to be!
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- They’re off.
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- The boat crews went to the line of yellow buoys at the base of the weir to start the expedition.
After what seemed an interminably long time all was ready and the boats got underway. It was expected that the run to Albury would take only 20 minutes so it was a made scramble for the land crew (Tony and me) to get going.
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- Only 2225 kilometres to go.