Day 11

1285 kms to Wentworth
Next town: Louth

Still very hot and still very quiet. Haven't seen anyone else on the river in nearly 400kms of paddling. Definitely have the river to myself!
Another exhausting 2 hour portage around the Louth weir this morning. Thank goodness the kayak is very robust, having to pull it up the riverbank with a rope. Even still, it has a few battle scars underneath.
Been seeing more and more algae. Not surprising I suppose given the warm water (about 30 degrees), the slow moving current and all the animals along the banks. Interestingly there has been no sign of it for the first 10kms or so downstream of the weir. Increased oxygen levels from the water cascading over the weir maybe. Anyway, I am careful not to take water out of the river for drinking if there is any sign of it.
Saw a few pigs, goats and roos, but also 3 or 4 tortoises (turtles??). They sit on fallen tees just above the surface, then plop into the water when they see you (or maybe hear you). They then just poke their head up to watch you as you go past.
Shindys Inn at Louth tomorrow where I'm going to murder a cold beer. Totally had enough of warm cordial!
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