Darling River 2024

491 kms to Wentworth
Next town: Pooncarie

Had a nice chat with the 80 year old bloke who runs the caravan park. Has lived in Menindee since the 1970's and spent most of his working life as a shearer in the area. He had quite thoughtful opinions on many of the challenges up here. Funny how country people sprinkle the conversation with the f word, but somehow it doesn't really seem like swearing!
Had a tradies breakfast of Farmers Union iced coffee and an egg and bacon roll at the Red sands Cafe which was terrific. Called into the Menindee op shop to try and buy some shoes as I am fed up with slipping and sliding on the muddy banks in crocs or thongs. Sadly nothing in my size.
Had a portage around the lower Menindee weir this afternoon, which was relatively painless given the assistance of a couple of NSW Water workers who helped carry the kayak.
The river is flowing nicely in this section, more kangaroos than goats or sheep which makes a change, and the water is still a green colour compared to the brown colour upstream of Menindee weir. I don't think it's algae, it's just more like the River Murray water. When the brown water is clarified with alum the sludge settles to the bottom, when the green water is clarified, the solids float to the top and there is basicallyno brown on the bottom. Organic material maybe?? Quite interesting.
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