Week 5: Barham to Swan Hill - 1410 km left

Journey to Swan Hill: Cold mornings, fast flows, and finding a paddling/ rowing balance

After a well-needed two-day rest in Barham, Cy and I got back on the water, continuing our journey towards Swan Hill.

Murrabit: A gem

Murrabit doesn’t seem to get much attention, but I feel it deserves a mention. The section reminded me of the narrows and parts of Gunbower National Park—a paradise for kayakers. The fast flow, scattered logs to navigate, and the thrill of moving through it all made for an unforgettable stretch. Not so much for backward rowing, just saying! Going under the Murrabit Bridge was a highlight—the first steel bridge in Australia I read! Campsites were few, thanks to the high banks, but the scenery made up for it.

Cold weather

For the first time, we woke to cold. Four degrees! Getting up felt impossible. Cy shivered through the night, while I stayed bundled up in two sleeping bags (a non-negotiable since I feel the cold easily). That morning, we struggled—packing up the tent took forever because our hands were numb. My hands or knuckles have started to hurt and I wonder whether I will end up with Arthritis after this trip. Gripping the oars all day long makes me now stretch my fingers as I worry about my hands turning into claws!

Socks landed in the mud, a mandarin tried to escape down the Murray, and mist hovered over the water, making the scene breathtaking but cold at the same time. The cold is no joke—it slows everything down and tests your willpower and it is those moments where I miss home and my family most!

Finding motivation: Our different needs

Time pressure

One of our biggest challenges is time. We originally aimed to be home by the end of June to be reunited with my family and to avoid South Australia’s winter.

But keeping up a pace of 35km a day isn’t always realistic. So we’ve taken the pressure off ourselves and accepted that early July might be our actual finish line.

Strava and the mental game

Cy became very focused with Strava—tracking our distance and speed became an unexpected pressure point. If we weren’t hitting previous speeds or covering enough ground, it weighed on him. The reality is, so many factors affect our pace—fatigue, wind, water flow and number of logs in the water which called for careful navigation rowing backwards across many bends.

So, I took over Strava. I don’t tell Cy how much we covered until the end of the day, and it’s made a huge difference for his mindset. For us, the journey is about more than the numbers.

A head start

There’s an interesting psychological element to how we row. I’m faster in my rowing boat, and once I pass Cy, he slows down. So now, I give him a 30-minute head start. I usually reach him by the 12km mark, and we take a break together. By the afternoon, I row slower so we can stick together.

We are still figuring out how to make this journey work for both of us. Cy loves taking photos and soaking in the scenery, while I prefer to power through once in a groove, let’s face it, floating backwards is not that exciting. Communication is key—making space for both styles and keeping this journey enjoyable.

Swan Hill: Rest & preparing for the next leg

And finally, we made it to Swan Hill! We’re taking a break to wait out strong gusts of 46km/hr. On a positive note, my rib is holding up. My online coach shared tips on reducing pressure on my ribs, and so far, it’s working.

This journey continues to test us, but amongst all the challenges, the beauty of nature keeps us moving forward. Some days are tough, but that is to be expected and we put them behind us within a matter of hours.

Robinvale here we come! I have gotten in touch with the Robinvale Rowing Club and hope I can visit and say hello.

Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support—it means the world.

Murrabit bridge morning mist - 4 degrees

Cy collecting fire wood

Navigating logs and trees in the water