Wednesday, December 8, 2010
8th December - Echuca
A rest day. We are ahead of ourselves by a day and have decided to have a rest day in Echuca and get a couple of things the boat needs to make it a little more comfortable. Coen had lots of plans for the day. Brett Sands the number 1 bare foot water skier of the world has his ski school here and invited Coen out for a wakeboard lesson. Coen is keen as but the weather has come in hard and fast with a thunder storm and the rain hasn't stopped all day. Coen also had planned the afternoon at Billabong Ranch, an indoor & outdoor attraction with rock climbing, horse rides, etc. The rain destroyed those plans too and Coen lay on the bed watching tv for the afternoon. I was happier with that plan, now Coen will be recharged for the next few days. Kai was taken to Sis's house for a play with her dog. I was surprised he went as he is the shyer one of the 2 boys. He has taken a liking to Sis.
7th December - Echuca
This is where I am speechless.
We left our camp site and headed down to Echuca. There was only about 30km to get to Echuca and just as we were looking for a spot a little upstream to tie up a storm came in. The rain pelted down. Mark hovered in the middle of the river waiting for it to pass but Victorian storms don't seem to pass as quickly as Queensland ones and after several minutes he gave up waiting and pulled in with restricted vision through the clears and rain. Coen was no where to be seen on the jet ski. We radioed him and the response was "the rain is like needles and I'm hiding where it can't get me".
Jenny drove to us and took us to The Port of Echuca Hotel for showers.
Late that arvo we were met under the Echuca bridge by the water police, Brett Sands (world #1 barefoot water skier) in his boat and a heap of kayakers. We all traveled the last couple of k's into Echuca.
We had to tie up on the other side of a large paddleboat because of the water height and couldn't see the 150 people all waiting on shore to greet us along with Mr Hooker Bear. Kai was taken up by Sis (Jenny's mother), I walked ahead to get a photo of Coen walking up. I was stumbling up with a big sports bag full of water bottles and other giveaways when I hear over the PA "and here comes Coen's Mum, Dawn".
After a quick photo shoot, Coen made his way along the gang plank to shore to the clapping and cheering. He was lead up the hill to the park where the festivities were going to be. John, the MC did a great job and the Mayor, Peter Williams welcomed us to town with the gift of a piece of original Redgum taken from the old paddle steamer Success. The Success is being restored and Coen will also have his name craved into a palnk that will be used on the restored boat.
We left our camp site and headed down to Echuca. There was only about 30km to get to Echuca and just as we were looking for a spot a little upstream to tie up a storm came in. The rain pelted down. Mark hovered in the middle of the river waiting for it to pass but Victorian storms don't seem to pass as quickly as Queensland ones and after several minutes he gave up waiting and pulled in with restricted vision through the clears and rain. Coen was no where to be seen on the jet ski. We radioed him and the response was "the rain is like needles and I'm hiding where it can't get me".
Jenny drove to us and took us to The Port of Echuca Hotel for showers.
Late that arvo we were met under the Echuca bridge by the water police, Brett Sands (world #1 barefoot water skier) in his boat and a heap of kayakers. We all traveled the last couple of k's into Echuca.
We had to tie up on the other side of a large paddleboat because of the water height and couldn't see the 150 people all waiting on shore to greet us along with Mr Hooker Bear. Kai was taken up by Sis (Jenny's mother), I walked ahead to get a photo of Coen walking up. I was stumbling up with a big sports bag full of water bottles and other giveaways when I hear over the PA "and here comes Coen's Mum, Dawn".
After a quick photo shoot, Coen made his way along the gang plank to shore to the clapping and cheering. He was lead up the hill to the park where the festivities were going to be. John, the MC did a great job and the Mayor, Peter Williams welcomed us to town with the gift of a piece of original Redgum taken from the old paddle steamer Success. The Success is being restored and Coen will also have his name craved into a palnk that will be used on the restored boat.
6th December - Bush Camp Riverside
Tied up to a ready made camp site with cut logs as seats and a fire place.
2nd December - Cobram
We put the boat and ski in the water on the 'downhill' side of the weir this morning.
1st December 2010 - Yarrawonga - The Official Send Off
We decided to do the official send off at The Mulwala Waterski Club.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Welcome to the Murray CODD Blog
This blog is something I have been avoiding for a while now. Setting it up seemed such a challenge but now I am here I can't see why it was so hard before. I hope you enjoy following Coen's challenge to raise awareness for organ donation and signing 1000 new names to The Australian Organ Donor Register. Let's get started on the Murray CODD....
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