Day 84 – Day in the washing machine

The weather was still looking ominous as we sat waiting for our early pick up. Today it could make not difference to our plans as the Rapid Thunder bus took us on the long drive to the Tully river.

Arriving at the river we met our guide, Alan, and the other four crew, two French and two Scottish. Alan gave us a briefing on the boat commands and river safety before we set off. The day was to be split in two with a morning session, lunch then the final section.

For the most part of the morning session we were going down some fairly technical and exciting rapids. At a couple of places we got to swim in the river, one stop included a jump of a small cliff.The ride wasn’t as rough as the Kaituna rapids but it was enough to make the Nantahala one seem easy.

For lunch we pulled into the riverside where there was a camp was set up. There we got to feast on burgers and sausages.

Just before we set off on the final leg the heavens opened but I didn’t mind as it was warm and made the fly’s go away. The run down had more drifting session so we had a bit of fun with the other crew by splashing them or sneaking up to them and trying to pull as many people off as possible. We made one more pit stop for another cliff jump where I saw one girl not jump properly and bounce a bit on the way down, she was fine.

The last couple of rapids, whilst not big, were pretty technical. On one a boat got stuck in front of us, spinning us around and throwing me into the river. I got to ride the last part of that rapid out by bouncing off the rocks. I was fine bar a couple of bruises.

All in all an awesome day out. I think all in all it was the best rafting journey we’ve had. Yes the Kaituna one was more action packed but this was a proper trip down the river.

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