Down By The River - Chapter 8 - Mildura & the Houseboat Day 4

DOWN BY THE RIVER

Chapter 8 – Mildura & the Houseboat Day 4

One of the classic lines from Top Gun (1986 Paramount) uttered by Maverick when asked why he performed something “out of the blue” is “if you think you are dead”. Today was a day when thinking might have saved certain outcomes. 

It starts early. Having “enhanced” the shrimp trap with the addition of some leftover bread, I eagerly arose to check the contents of the trap. Expectation drains to despair, the moment I try to lift the trap. It is full to overflowing, its seems almost bursting with a writhing mass, but not of the shrimp I was hoping to use as bait for the day but carp. Lots and lots of carp.

I cannot simply empty the contents back into the water – thats against the law. I also cannot simply empty the contents of the trap on the coffered bank of the river here in Mildura (but certainly other fisherman had). The sight of this number of fish would be more than a blur on the vista of the parkland.

For the moment I will simply count and store them and look to dispose of them later. And so the count begins. Ten, twenty the count goes on. When I finally finish at 104 I am pleased to notice there are 5 shrimp still in the trap. A small reward for the effort.

Should have thought more about baiting the trap with bread – marvellous what clarity several glasses of red wine will do to fortify a plan.

None of the fish are large by “catching” standards, but I have caught smaller ones on the lines so far. The weight is the amazing consequence. There are many kilograms of fish, all destined for the bin. Stephen and Maurice have arisen early and marvel at the counting, then toddle off for a walk before we say goodbye to the former later this morning.

The lifting and the segregation and counting of fish has done nothing for my ribs injured in the previous afternoon’s cast off. A shower and breakfast do little to alleviate the discomfort.

Breakfast done its time to send Stpehen home on the bus. The terminal is just a short walk up the hill from the houseboat. He has travelled very lightly and only has a very small bag, not nearly enough to stow in the hold of the bus.

Apparently the bus is a well used mode of transport. There are many potential passengers waiting when we arrive. Clearly the bus is a mode of transport by the illiterate as the non-smoking area is full of those waiting to board and it seems all are ensuring that last hit of nicotine before being locked in the bus for two hours, until the first potential stop.

All being staunch non-smokers, ourselves, it takes time before some begin to move but the air does not clear and the smoking area seems to be upwind of the area permitted for us.

The goodbyes are done, and its has been a very pleasant time with Stephen. He has brought a certain laissez faire attitude to life on the river, adding to my pent up potential jocularity and allowing me to let loose without seeming to be completely idiotic – some of the time at least.

Him gone, we seek to look for a brunch spot and find a river bank restaurant where the tables are covered by umbrellas, the staff cheekily pleasant and the food sensational. There is as much conversation with the wait staff as there is amongst ourselves, not that they were invasive, in fact were encouraged to talk with us as we sat, enjoyed the good food, the sensational view and the conversations. Even adjoining guests were not without input. A great time in a great spot.

The lunch time crowd is building and we dont want to overstay our welcome, besides we have things to do prior to shoving off back down the river. Another quick shop to the local supermarket to stock up on those “essentials” already depleted in our short jaunt to date.

Again the thinking came after the doing and the lugging of the provisions to the boat was not properly thought out. We have one “pack mule” who cannot carry at all, another (me) with sore ribs – but don’t let that stop me, leaving only Maurice and Robyn to bear the brunt of the load.

Somehow we get the bags of goods back to the houseboat and pack it away. We need to move it as we are “parked” in a 24 hour only zone and we are getting close to the curfew, not that we had seen anyone looking like policing the timing. 

I had snuck some specialty ingredients into the shopping bags and before we shove off I create my version of tabouli and refrigerate a large batch, fresh with finely cut tomatoes, brown rice (with quinoa according to the satchel), feta cheese and shredded parsley. Just the thing to add to a meal for substantive goodness – that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it.

By the time my food preparation is over, the ribs have had enough and I am informed I have more than enough time for a nanna nap to spruce up ready for cast off into the afternoon sun.

Getting back up isn’t much fun. The tightness of the muscles around the ribs, stretched through grocery bag lugging, is unpleasant to say the least but we need to cast off, so I get into gear and do my designated bit. This discomfort may have been avoided with a bit more thinking yesterday rather than just doing

We are soon on the water where our captain has the houseboat purring along. Supposedly on vacation, there is a need to run businesses whilst we are away. To this end the internet is essential and to say along the river it is intermittent at best would be an understatement.

And so it begins. We arrive back near Trentham Estates and seek out some good looking berths. Lyn, the resident internet checker, gives the thumbs down on a couple of spots. As we travel along the river it gets better at times, then simply disappears. Most frustrating.

At Trentham itself the internet is quite strong but we cannot park here long term – or can we? For the moment though we find a nook where internet is good enough and stable for extended use. The houseboat is secured and we settle in. 

Lines are set and carp are caught – what else is new.

Dinner is very light given we had breakfast and brunch today and we can break out some celery and snacky dips and that will do.

There is not a huge amount of interest in fishing, although we have now replenished the worms stock as well during the shopping foray. They will sit nicely in the fridge for now. The ribs are still complaining. There wont be many games of Rummikub tonight before bed beckons.

Another quiet night on the river, the sunset generates its reds and oranges before the azure sky takes to deepening in hue to black, and save the gentle buzzing of the bug zapper, all is silent.