\nWe woke and had a cuppa and the 2 biscuits each that were in the little packets next to our tea cups and then went up on the sun deck and ran laps for a while.\u00a0 At one point the cruise director, whom I shall call Jason from now on (not least because that was his name!), popped his head up \u2013 probably wondering what all that thundering on the roof was!\u00a0 But it was fun to be running again.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t run in Adelaide because we had to walk so far each day and because of the heat but it was cooler here.\u00a0 For now.\u00a0 And I ran barefoot which was so blissful on the Astroturf as my blisters were on the tops or sides of my feet.<\/p>\n
Then we went down and showered and dressed ready for breakfast.\u00a0 Breakky was announced as ready at 7am sharp followed by the words \u2018And the chef\u2019s special for today is\u2026 pancakes.\u2019\u00a0 YOU RIPPER!!!\u00a0 There was the standard buffet much as we\u2019d had in Adelaide but there was fresh fruit and flavoured yogurts and, I may as well tell you now, that they alternated spaghetti with baked beans on alternate days.\u00a0 I was beside myself with excitement as I much prefer spaghetti.\u00a0 And getting variety was so good!<\/p>\n
We could have sat anywhere for breakky but already loved our little group so we all sat at Table 2 and chatted away, getting to know one another better.\u00a0 In all our time on the boat it really struck me that everyone, crew and passengers, were really gorgeous people.\u00a0 In any crowd you\u2019ll normally get one that\u2019s obnoxious in some way but here that was not true \u2013 all lovely!<\/p>\n
After breakfast had been eaten at our leisure we decided to go visit the wheelhouse.\u00a0 We\u2019d been told by the captain to pop in any time we pleased, and we pleased \ud83d\ude42 There were 6 of us that all arrived about the same time and the captain chatted easily with us all and made us laugh.<\/p>\n
![\"David](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/David-Steering-the-Murray-Princess.jpg\" "\\"David")
David Steering the Murray Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
He told us that steering the boat was a task that required forethought and vigilance as it steered like a milk carton!\u00a0 Dead flat on the bottom it resembled one too!\u00a0 But this aided its stability, for which I was very grateful.\u00a0 Needless to say, when he offered anyone that wanted to have a go at steering David was the first there.\u00a0 Look at that happy grin!<\/p>\n
And we churned along the river, peacefully, blissfully, no rush, no hassles and very little to do other than take in the scenery and the peace and the relaxing pace.\u00a0 It truly was blissful and heavenly.\u00a0 We saw the river, the countryside, birds of all descriptions but mostly ducks and sulphur crested cockatoos, trees – natives and weeping willows, other houseboats of all sizes either moored or sailing slowly by\u2026<\/p>\n
At 10.45 we went to the dining room for an \u2018informative chat\u2019 by the captain about ‘paddle steamers, pioneers and engineers that had tamed the river\u2019.\u00a0 This was fun and interesting and put us in mind of the TV show years ago named \u2018All The Rivers Run\u2019.<\/p>\n
Then before we knew it, it was lunch time.\u00a0 I really can\u2019t remember what we had to eat each day, I did not record anything while we were onboard, but every meal was a treat and we were splitting at the seams when we finished every one.\u00a0 And as I\u2019ve already said, my vegetarian options were really delicious \u2013 particularly when you consider they\u2019d had to trouble with this just for me.<\/p>\n
At 1:30 pm we tied up at the tiny river-front town (it truly wasn\u2019t big enough for the title of town!) of Nildottie.\u00a0 We loved the docking procedures as BJ would hop into the smaller of the 2 tender boats and zoom off ahead, moor himself by the shore, and then be ashore to catch the ropes thrown to him by hunky Lyndon.\u00a0 David enjoyed the procedures, I enjoyed perving at Lyndon ROFL.\u00a0 And with nothing better to do than stand around peacefully watching others work it was idyllic.<\/p>\n
Two coaches were waiting there for us, a large and a small and we hopped on the small one and got the front seats.\u00a0 Once everyone was aboard we headed off to Paisley.<\/p>\n
![\"Burke](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Burke-Salter-Winerys-old-Truck.jpg\" "\\"Burke")
Burke Salter Winery's old Truck<\/p><\/div>\n
We drove for about 45 mins and pulled up at a small family-owned business named Burk Salter Winery where we found this gorgeous vehicle out the front.<\/p>\n
It was pretty warm this day so everyone stood in the shade to listen to the owner tell us about his lifestyle and business.\u00a0 It was very interesting, including that he grows rye (hope I\u2019ve remembered the right grain) in amongst the vines because the birds won\u2019t go anywhere near it so it helps protect his grapes from them.\u00a0 He also fires shots from time to time to scare them off and I won\u2019t go into my opinions on that as I do know he has to protect his crops so he can feed his family.\u00a0 Then we went into their little cellar door where we had wine samples \u2013 well, the others did, I had water \u2013 and cheese and crackers which had been transported with us from the boat.\u00a0 Then back onto the coach to drive under, and then over, their new local bridge and on to see the Lock at Blanchetown.\u00a0 Normally the Murray Princess would have sailed to this point but the river was too low so we\u2019d had to catch the coaches.\u00a0 The Lock was actually built to accommodate the size of the Princess which was interesting.\u00a0 The coach driver told us that Blanchetown was famous for another reason; that it had been the birthplace of the invention of the ride-on mower, as proved by this scene that we drove past!\u00a0 Obviously we all laughed and doubt the story now!<\/p>\n
![\"Blanchetown's](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Blanchetowns-Ride-on-Mower.jpg\" "\\"Blanchetown's")
Blanchetown's Ride-on Mower<\/p><\/div>\n
The Lock was as locks are.\u00a0 David got out to go and walk around it with most of the others but I stayed and chatted with a lady who had joined us on the back seat where we\u2019d chosen to sit when someone else pipped us at getting the front seat.\u00a0 Then, once everyone was back on the coach, we drove back to the boat.\u00a0 This whole trip had taken about 3 hours and no doubt gave the poor crew a time of peace for a change.<\/p>\n
Once everyone was aboard we headed upstream once more and thought about getting ready for the fancy dress night.\u00a0 Or, more truthfully, being ready for dinner in time that we could attend the Cocktail Hour at the bar before-hand.\u00a0 This time we were there early, champing at the bit for 1800 hours so I could have the daily cocktail at the happy-hour price.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s my makeup for the night; false eyelashes, sparkles on my cheeks and on the extended eye-liner squirls \u2013 all great fun.<\/p>\n
![\"May's](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Mays-Bellydance-Eye-Makeup.jpg\" "\\"May's")
May's Bellydance Eye Makeup<\/p><\/div>\n
You don\u2019t need to ask, I went as a belly-dancer.\u00a0 I\u2019d made the outfit for the dance I did in Adelaide for David and had made him an Arab outfit as well so that we matched each other and looked as if we belonged together.\u00a0 Mine of course was always planned to serve both events.<\/p>\n
We were the first fancy-dress-clad passengers in the bar so had the pleasure of watching everyone else turn<\/p>\n
![\"Murray](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Murray-Princess-Fancy-Dress-Night.jpg\" "\\"Murray")
Murray Princess Fancy Dress Night<\/p><\/div>\n
up in their outfits, it was great fun and everyone oohed and aahed and admired and\/or laughed at each other\u2019s costumes.<\/p>\n
At this point I must mention the day\u2019s cocktail which was named the Procrasstinating Pelican (well, they had it with 2 s\u2019s in the middle so I guess that was its name!).\u00a0 I even took a photo of it too, which will have to go further down the page.\u00a0 And it is worthy of a photo as there is more to say about it \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 For the first thing to say about it \u2013 yummy scrummy slurp mmmm mmmmmm mmmmmmm mmmmmmm delicious.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it pretty?\u00a0 Thankfully, this was made for me by Ben or I wouldn\u2019t have taken such a shine to them \u2013 more later.\u00a0 Soon enough Donna joined us in the bar and asked me about the Pelican-of-dubious-spelling and I raved enough that she bought one too.\u00a0 We were both hooked!\u00a0 And I do believe that this little non alcohol drinker had a second one towards the end of dinner \ud83d\ude42 \ud83d\ude42 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Donna did as well.<\/p>\n
![\"Procrasstinating](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Procrasstinating-Pelican.jpg\" "\\"Procrasstinating")
Procrasstinating Pelican<\/p><\/div>\n
Even the staff were dressed for fancy dress in that they wore hats or ears or tails or something to accompany their normal dinner outfits.\u00a0 They were all great sports in so many ways!<\/p>\n
Dinner was divine as always, though we laughed as each day went by that the dinner rolls seemed to get just slightly smaller each time.\u00a0 And then it was time for the fancy dress show.\u00a0 This was actually rather drawn out but I guess they were making the most of it as the evening\u2019s entertainment.\u00a0 Each table was called up in turn and had to stand at the end of the dance floor and then each person had to dance\/parade\/something suited to their outfit to the front where the captain and Jason stood to do the judging.\u00a0 For each person Alex (the pianist) played a piece of music suited to them and he was excellent at this, then Jason and the captain chatted or made comments or jokes about each person in turn.<\/p>\n
When it was my turn I dragged David as well as we were a duo and Alex played a suitable bellydance sounding tune. \u00a0I did a few shimmies and things on request which seemed to go down well and David proclaimed me \u2018Wife No. 1, Best One!\u2019 which made everyone laugh.<\/p>\n
![\"Heather](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Heather-Ray.jpg\" "\\"Heather")
Heather & Ray<\/p><\/div>\n
Here\u2019s Heather and Ray \u2013 a black and white minstrel and Mickey Mouse.\u00a0 Ray did put his ears on later but I didn\u2019t get a photo.\u00a0 And I somehow missed taking a photo of Donna \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n
I won\u2019t talk about the outfits everyone else was wearing, I talk too much already!\u00a0 But David got too hot and made us all laugh by doing this to his head-dress.<\/p>\n
![\"David](\"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/David-the-Hot-Arabian.jpg\" "\\"David")
David the Hot Arabian<\/p><\/div>\n
After the prizes were awarded we had a bit of a quiz night which was fun and then it was time to head for our cabin and bed once again.<\/p>\n
Every time we were berthed, no matter our location, there always seemed to be 2 ducks milling around in the water directly outside our cabin.\u00a0 Sometimes there were babies, sometimes just 2 ducks but it was beautiful and I so fell in love with them.\u00a0 There\u2019s a real peace and gentleness about ducks.\u00a0 We always said good night or good morning to them on our way in and out of our cabin.<\/p>\n
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