RIVER MURRAY

BOURKE BRIDGE TO SANDHILL JUNCTION

August 2

The grass is green, the wattles gold, the boid is on the wing, but that's obsoid; I thought the wing was on the boid". (With apologies to the author for this amended ditty) This is pretty much a description of the walk. Fourteen of us walked through the River Redgum forest on the south side of the Murray, along parts of the river bank and over some delightful sandy beaches. The bush was looking very fresh and lush after recent rains and bird life was responding to improved conditions, especially a breeding pair of Brown Falcons. Kangaroos had lots of green pick. Sadly the water level in the majestic river was very low, in part due to the refilling of Lake Mulwala after aquatic weed suppression works. After the walk we visited the heritage listed Byramine Homestead built 160 years ago by Elizabeth Hume, the widowed

sister in law of the explorer Hamilton Hume (1797-1873). This was followed by a delicious Devonshire tea in the homestead dining room where a warm welcoming fire had been lit for us. So ended a pleasant day out.

Nigel Lacey.

PS. Terry & Gary saw a flight of three Brolgas above the road about 9km north of Tungamah